Bhagya

The Inchcape Rock Road 12th Question Answer English Chapter 2.3 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 2.3 The Inchcape Rock Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 2.3 The Inchcape Rock Road Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 2.3 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
Prepare a word register related to marine life:
Answer:
sailors; ship; tides; winds; seabed; anchor; captain; submarine; international-waters; port; harbour; shipyard; patrol; trawler; sail; port; starboard; deep-sea.

Question 2.
The functions of a lighthouse are:

Answer:

Question 3.
Discuss in pairs the various famous rocks in the world and mention the places where they are.
Answer:

Famous Rock	Place
Balancing Rock (Krishna’s butter-ball) 250 tons – balanced on a slope attempts to move it for safety remains v unsuccessful The Trimurti Cave-dedicated to trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva Protected by ASI and UNESCO	Mahabalipuram
Ayer’s Rock Called Uluru by Australian Aboriginal has carvings- paintings. Composed of sandstone The rock changes colour according to position of Sun; most striking at sunset, coloured a fiery orange-red	Central Australia
Giant’s Causeway – Most of the columns hexagonal, – some four/ five/ seven/ eight sided made up of some 40,000 interlocking basalt columns one of the great natural wonders – World Heritage Site	Northern Ireland
Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano, 200 metres high; UNESCO Heritage Site Ancient hydraulic system – canals, locks, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains, surface/underground water pumps. In rainy season, water begins to circulate in Sigiriya. Fountains built in Fifth century – oldest in the world.	Sri Lanka

Question 4.
Narrate in the class a story about someone who destroyed or spoilt someone else’s good work.
(Points: A bright Student-Punctual, cheerful, intelligent-Helpful to classmates, explains and lends notes-Tutored junior class students- Jealous group tears up notes before exams-Is able to study with the friends whom he/she helped-The jealous group is outwitted)

Question 5.
Discuss the following expressions in pairs/groups. Take the help of your teacher.
(a) As you sow so shall you reap.
(b) Crime gets its own punishment
(c) What goes around comes around
(d) Tit for tat
(e) Evil digs a pit for others but falls into the same.
Answer:
All the above are idioms and proverbs. They all convey the same meaning. They all mean that when a person acts with a certain intention, the results will be the same as the action. If the intentions are good the person will benefit from rewards. If the intentions are evil he will be punished.

(A1)

Question 1.
Narrate in groups the scene described in the beginning of the poem.
Points:
A clear calm day at sea
The sea was quiet – the ship is still
The wind is not blowing – the sails unmoving
The waves do not move the Bell
All these point fin first 3 stanzas] to a quiet sea and
calm weather one morning in spring.

(A2)

Question (i)
Complete the following statement:
The Abbot of Aberbrothok placed a bell on the Inchcape Rock because
Answer:
The Abbot of Aberbrothok placed a bell on the Inchcape Rock because there were dangerous rocks near the coast which would wreck ships.

Question (ii)
Given below are the events that give the theme of the poem in a jumbled form. Arrange in a proper sequence as per their occurrence.
(a) The waves were so small that they did not move enough to ring the bell at the Inchcape Rock.
(b) The Abbot of Aberbrothok had placed the bell on a buoy on the rock.
(c) There was a thick haze spread over the atmosphere.
(d) Ralph bent over from the boat.
(e) Sir Ralph cursed himself in despair and in his frustration tore his hair.
Answer:
(b) The Abbot of Aberbrothok had placed the bell on a buoy on the rock.
(a) The waves were so small that they did not move enough to ring the bell at the Inchcape Rock.
(d) Ralph bent over from the boat.
(c) There was a thick haze spread over the atmosphere.
(e) Sir Ralph cursed himself in despair and in his frustration tore his hair.

Question (iii)
Describe the qualities of the Abbot of Aberbrothok in your own words.

Answer:

Question (iv)
‘Jealousy’ is the most incurable defect, Justify.
Answer:
When someone is in a better position of money or success or fame, there are people who feel that they should destroy that. This is jealousy. We can see people who have more, and we can also work hard to reach that position. But when someone wants to destroy that person who has reached the better position that is wickedness. The jealous person is not willing to work for that state. They will not accept a lesser place also. So a jealous mind-set slowly becomes completely evil.

Question (v)
‘But the Rover’s mirth was wickedness’. Explain this line in your own words with the help of the extract.
Answer:
The season of spring made everyone feel happy and light-hearted. The Rover was whistling and singing. But this joyful mood made him reckless. He wanted to trouble the Abbot. The Abbot had put a Bell there as a warning about the Inchcape Rock. Ralph rashly decided to undo his good work. The Rover was jealous of the Abbot who was blessed by grateful sailors. He wanted to trouble the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

(A3)

Question 1.
Some words in the poem are related to different parts of a ship or a mariner’s life. Given below are the meanings of those terms. Identify the word.
Answer:
(a) Helps in steering the ship-wheel
(b) The lowest part of the ship – keel
(c) Floating object that shows direction- buoy
(d) Another name for a ship-vessel
(e) Sinking – gurgling

(A4)

Question 1.
Select the appropriate figure of speech from the box given below and complete the table.
Answer:

Example	FOS	Explanation
No stir in the air, no stir in the sea	Repetition	Emphasizes the quiet stillness
On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung	Alliteration	The sound of the vowel ‘o’ is repeated
The ship was as still as she could be	Personification	The ship is spoken of as ‘she’ as if a human being

(A5)

Question (i)
Write the appreciation of this poem based on the points given below :

About the poem/poet and the title
The theme
Poetic style
The language/poetic devices used in the poem
Special features
Message, Values, Morals in the poem
Your opinion about the poem

Answer:
The Poem “The Inchcape Rock’ is about a real stretch of treacherous rocks near the Scottish coast. I Robert Southey wrote prose and other poems too. But this poem is well-liked. The title gives the clue that the rock is a part of an interesting story.

The theme is about an Abbot and a pirate. The Abbot is concerned for his fellow humans and helps to save sailors. He put the Inchcape Bell on a buoy to warn ships day and night of the terrible Inchcape Rock, during storms. [According to records, warning bell was placed.]

But the Rover in a fit of madness, on a spring day, cut the bell just to trouble the Abbot. Many months later, when the pirate was sailing towards Scotland, the weather was different. As the frightened sailors were caught in the dark stormy sea the pirate realised he had not troubled the Abbot but brought ruin for himself and his sailors.

The poem is a ballad. The story is told in stanzas of four lines, with aabb rhyme. The story is told in easy language. The poet uses many Old English words like ‘blest’, ‘Quoth’, and ‘canst’. The poet begins with spring, a metaphor for the pleasant mood, with a calm sea, still air and the ship in quiet waters. Repetition emphasizes the gladness in the heart.

The mood changes from mischief to wickedness. When the mist blocks the sun, metaphor makes the story gloomy, suspenseful. The nightfall is the metaphor for the dark situation for the ship, its sailors. They finally meet a violent end. There is alliteration which adds to the beauty of the poem.

The poem is a didactic one with a clear message – “When we try to trouble others, trouble first comes to the doer.” The story has a moral and is useful even in these times.

Question (ii)
Compose 4 to 6 lines on ‘Sea’ :
Answer:
Sea
I meet the sky far away, brothers of the same colour.
I mirror his white woolly sheep and birds.
I pull and push; deep down or sometimes upwards
In my cool-world, small and big creatures, softly slither.

(A6)

Question (i)
Expand the ideas on your own on the following topics:
(a) Pride goes before a fall.
(b) Time and tide wait for none.
(c) Man proposes, God disposes.
(d) Look before you leap.

Question (a)
Pride goes before a fall.
Answer:
There is a saying in Sanskrit that translates as “Knowledge brings humility.” The opposite would be that only an ignorant person would be proud or arrogant. A person becomes overconfident about himself or what he has. He starts thinking lowly of others. Only a harsh experience makes him see his stupidity.

There is a story about the God of riches who was drunk on his wealth. He invited all the other gods to a grand feast so that his wealth would be seen by them. He also invited Shiva and Parvati. They gently told him they would not be able to come, They said their son Ganesha would come instead. The host welcomed his guests.

Ganesha also arrived. The guests seated in a dazzling hall ate their fill of the lavish food. They praised the food, the hospitality and took leave impressed by the grandeur of everything there. But Ganesha was still being served. The host was stunned to see the servants running frantically to serve at the little boy’s speed of eating. The cooks were preparing more food. The puzzled King saw to it that Ganesha was served what he wanted.

Then word came from the kitchen that supplies were needed. Soon the supplies in adjacent villages were empty. Ganesha in anger chased the King till he ran to Shiva’s abode. Ganesha complained he was not fed. The King realized his foolishness trying jto impress the Lord and Mother with his riches. He went humbled, not able to feed one child.

Hence how much ever one possesses one must not think lowly of others. The right kind of knowledge makes a person more and more humble. Like the tree full of fruits bends lower and lower.

Question (ii)
The poem begins with:
‘Without either sign or sound of their shock, The waves flowed over the Inchcape Rock.’
It ends with:
On the basis of these lines explain the change in mood of the poem.
Answer:
At the beginning of the poem the season is spring, the weather is mild and the sea-waters are calm. The waves pour softly over the Inchcape Bell. The Heavy Bell on a buoy would ring due to strong waves only in stormy weather.

When the Rover cut the Bell it was spring season. The mood was happy, light-hearted. He was up to mischief in a rash, jolly mood on a lovely spring day. He wanted to only trouble the Abbot.

After undoing the Abbot’s good work the Rover went away on his criminal voyages. But when he was returning the sea was stormy. Wild winds threw the ship off course. The mood is of confusion and fear because a thick fog covered them from the sun. The mood is of suspense, the sailors are lost.

By nightfall they did not still know where they were. They are really and metaphorically in the dark. They could hear the waves crashing yet they did not know which land was near. There is fear. There was no wild wind but the rough sea was pulling their ship along. They desperately wanted some clue to help them to know their location. The ship shattered onto the rocks as the Rover yelled and cursed. The dramatic end is violent and filled with despair.

(A7)

Question (i)
Read the tree diagrams and information given on pages 109-110 of the textbook and find out more information about opportunities in ‘on and off the shore’ the Indian Navy.

Question (ii)
Required qualifications and various fields/opportunities for women to join in the Navy.

Question (iii)
Colleges that provide education in oceanography-
National Institute of Oceanography, Goa
National Institute of Oceanography, Mumbai
MBA (Logistic Shipping Management), IIKM Business School, Calicut, Kerala
Indira Gandhi College of Distance Education IGCDE, Tamil Nadu

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 2.3 The Inchcape Rock Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
Give reasons for the sailors’ appreciation of the Abbot.
Answer:
There were some dangerous rocks near the Scottish coast. The Abbot of Aberbrothok had placed a buoy and fixed a bell on it, near those rocks. If the sea was rough sailors could spot the buoy. Even in the darkness the rough seas made the bell ring. So by day or night the Abbot’s bell saved the sailors and their ships from the rocks, and they blessed him.

Question 2.
Complete the following:
‘Wheel’d round’ here implies
Answer:
Wheel’d around here implies a flock of birds flying round in circles, which looks like a wheel.

Question 3.
Describe the state of mind of Ralph.
Answer:
Ralph the Rover also felt the effects of the season of spring. He felt very cheerful; he whistled and sang as he walked about on the deck. He was in an extremely happy state of mind but his joy was evil in intentions.

Question 4.
Complete the following:
Answer:
The pirate asked his men to row him over to the Inchcape Bell. He then bent over and cut the Bell from the buoy. He did so that the sailors of the next ship would no longer bless the Abbot for placing the warning Bell.

Question 5.
Choose the words and phrases that could describe Sir Ralph the Rover.
(a) Criminal
(b) Jealous
(c) Arrogant
(d) Vicious
(e) Spiteful
Answer:
All of the above

Question 6.
Choose the correct option:
On spotting the bell, Rover cut the bell from the buoy. This was an act of:
(a) Hatred
(b) Anger
(c) Jealousy
(d) Frustration
Answer:
(c) Jealousy

Question 7.
‘O Christ! It is the Inchcape Rock’ – Give reasons for Ralph’s Exclaimation.
Answer:
The Rover’s ship had struck the terrible rocks feared by sailors. Some time ago he himself had cut off the Bell put there by the blessed Abbot. Now his own ship had hit the Inchcape Rock and was going to sink with all his riches. He too was sure about to die.

Question 8.
Complete the following statements:
Answer:
1. The result of the thick haze that covered the sky was that the sailors had no way of knowing in which direction they were sailing.
2. The Rover in frustration pulled his hair and cursed himself because he himself had cut the Bell which would have rang and the sound would have helped them to save themselves from those killer-rocks.

Inference/Interpretation/Analysis:

Question 1.
The pirate is given the title ‘Sir’ though he was a feared criminal. He is called a ‘rover’. Give reasons for the same.
Answer:
Though he was a feared criminal Ralph was the captain of his ship. The crew may have addressed him ‘Sir’ which explains it attached to his name. A rover is a person, animal, or thing that roves, or wanders, Ralph the pirate roamed around on the seas looking for ships to attack and loot. Maybe that is why he was called Ralph the Rover.

Question 2.
The poet gives hints to the reader in the second stanza of the extract. Find the significant line from the extract and give reason for your answer.
Answer:
The second stanza of this extract tells about what the pirate did after removing the Bell. He roamed the seas and carried on his evil activities, killing and looting.

The last line is the hint of what is to happen later. ‘He steers his course for Scotland’s shore.’ The rover set the course ‘for Scotland’s shores’. This is significant because the treacherous Inchcape Rock was on the Scottish shores. So we get an idea that something may happen there.

Question 3.
Read the following lines and say what the situation was:
‘For me thinks we should be near the shore’. ‘Now where we are I cannot tell,’
Answer:
The sailors could hear the waves crashing on the shore. But they had been blown about by wild winds all day and so did not where they had reached. They did not know which land or shore was near. The situation was that danger was near.

Question 4.
Explain the danger implied in the two lines:
‘They hear no sound, the swell is strong; Though the wind hath fallen they drift along,’
Answer:
There was no sound except the breakers crashing on a nearby shore. There was no wind. But the sea was rough and the strong sea pulled the helpless ship along. The sailors were confused and could not make out which was the safe direction.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Write an account of something which you did out of concern for others.
Answer:
In our colony there is a young couple living with twin toddlers and elderly parents. The young man is a doctor and his working hours are sometimes unpredictable.

My family is aware of this and we help in small ways. I help the elderly lady to take a walk on the street and my brother helps the gentleman. I also help the young mother to mind the small children if she has to go out shopping. I sometimes run errands for them too.

Question 2.
Give your opinion on the following line and explain its significance.
‘Quoth Sir Ralph, ‘The next who comes to the Rock
Won’t bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.’
Answer:
The Pirate says these words after he cut the Bell placed by the Abbot. The Abbot had placed it for saving others. This act had brought fame for the Abbot and also the blessings of the many sailors that were saved. But the pirate was jealous of the fame. He cut the Bell thinking to harm the Abbot. When someone is concerned about others they are not looking for fame. But a selfish person is blinded by jealousy. They behave foolishly and cause trouble only for themselves.

Question 3.
‘Now where we are I cannot tell,
But I wish I could hear the Inchcape Bell’ From these lines describe the thoughts of
(a) ……… the sailors in the Rover’s ship.
(b) ……. the Rover’s.
Answer:
(a) The sailors must have been terrified. They may have been feeling angry with their Captain for his senseless act of cutting off the Inchcape Bell. It would be useful now to save them.
(b) The captain of the pirates must have been going mad with fear of the possible crash and sure death of everyone on board. He did not know where his ship was located. He was wondering if they were going to Crash on the Inchcape Rock. He had ensured his own destruction and death by cutting the Bell.

Poetic Devices:

Question 1.
Pick out the examples of imagery from the extract, state what kind it is and explain.
Answer:
Example of Visual imagery from the extract:
1. ‘The ship was as still as she could be’.
2. ‘Her keel was steady in the ocean’. Both the lines depict how the ship was on the sea, almost unmoving.
3. ‘The waves flow’d over the Inchcape Rock;
So little they rose, so little they fell,
They did not move the Inchcape Bell.’
These lines in the second stanza describe the very mild sea and the small waves.

Examples of Sound imagery from the extract:

1. And over the waves its warning rung. The line describes the loud warning sounded by the Inchcape Bell in a storm,
2. ‘And there was joyance in their sound.’ These lines show an air of joy in that scene. Even the birds seemed to be flying round and round – like a wheel – ‘wheel’d round’, ‘joyance in their sound’.

Question 2.
Pick out the examples of imagery from the extract, state what kind it is and explain.
Answer:
The lines with Visual imagery:
1. The Sun in heaven was shining gay,
The Sun shone bright and made the morning cheerful.
2. The sea birds screamed as they wheel’d round,
The birds seemed to be flying round and round in joy, like a wheel.

Examples of Sound imagery from the extract:
1. And over the waves its warning rung. The line describes the loud warning sounded by the Inchcape Bell in a storm.
2. ‘The sea-birds scream’d as they wheel’d round
And there was joyance in their sound.’
These lines show an air of joy in that scene. Even the birds seemed to be happy as their calls seemed like they were screaming in joy, ‘joyance in their sound’.

Question 3.
‘Gurgling sound’. Find the figure of speech.
Answer:
This is onomatopoeia. The pronunciation of the word resembles the meaning – the sound of an object sinking and bubbles rising and bursting.

Question 4.
Pick out an example of imagery from the extract.
Answer:
‘So thick a haze o’erspreads the sky,
They cannot see the Sun on high.’
The reader is able to imagine the fog so dense that the sun is blocked out. This is visual imagery.

Poetic Creativity:

Question 1.
Compose 2-4 lines using “A Song in the Air” as the theme. You could begin with…
‘The leaves rustle gently….’
Answer:
‘The leaves rustle gently and flowers nod. The droplets gather into a bigger drop The birds shake their plumes, bright-eyed. A song is in the air, the new day, a pretty bride.’

Question 2.
Compose 2-4 lines with one of the following as the theme : anger/ hatred/jealousy
Answer:
The Enemy Inside

I don’t know where he hides everyday He flashes in my eyes, in some words I say
To elders, family, friends. I am surprised
By my own words, my actions, only later I cried.

Question 3.
Compose 2-4 lines with one of the following as the theme:
Answer:
I Regret

I think of the harsh remark
The careless action I threw
I vow not to repeat anymore
As I begin this day new.

Writing Skills:

Question (a)
Time and tide wait for none Points:
There is a time for doing each thing

Postponing action is laziness
If the time for the action is lost the opportunity is lost for ever.
Only regret remains.

Question (b)
Man proposes, God disposes

Points:

It is in one’s power to plan a way of doing things
It is a smart thing to prepare in advance
In spite of planning we may not be able to carry on with the plan due to circumstances
We must accept the unexpected circumstances and yet go ahead by some other method
We must be flexible and find an alternative way
It is smart to always have a Plan B ready

Question (c)
Look before you leap Points:

Before we act one must think of the results
only a fool will act without thinking of the future consequences of the present action
if we think the results are going to harm someone, one must not do that
It is also a good thing to take the advice of experienced or elders when making important decisions.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

Indian Weavers 12th Question Answer English Chapter 2.2 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 2.2 Indian Weavers Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 2.2 Indian Weavers Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 2.2 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
Artisans are also called craftsmen. They are creators of diverse goods and use their hands to create unique, functional and also decorative items using traditional techniques. Now complete the web given below:

Answer:

Question 2.
Discuss with your partner the seasons/ occasions when we need:
Answer:
(a) Woollen clothes – in winter
(b) Casual clothes – when at home
(c) Rich silk clothes – festivals, weddings
(d) Colourful, comfortable clothes – travel, socializing

Question 3.
Let’s play a game. The teacher will ask the students some questions. Students will understand that there are some exceptions to the general rules. Let’s start:
Answer:
(a) One who weaves is a – weaver
(b) One who plays a game is a – sportsman
(c) One who sings is a – singer
(d) One who dances is a – dancer
(e) One who teaches is a – teacher
(f) One who cooks is a – cook/chef

Question 4.
We have often seen the picture of Gandhiji spinning on his charkha. Discuss the reasons behind this.
(a) To give rural people an opportunity to earn their livelihood.
(b) To give the message to wear hand-spun clothes.
(c) To convey the message of simple living.
(d) To be self-reliant.

Question 5.
Name some tools used by the weavers.
(a) Loom
(b) Shuttle
(c) Bobbin
(d) Scissors

Question 6.
Name some types of yarns used by the weavers.
(a) Linen
(b) Cotton
(c) Jute
(d) Flax
(e) Silk

(A1)

Question 1.
Discuss with your partner the following vocations:
(a) Weaving:
[Points:
India has rich heritage of weaving.

Handloom weaving the second most widespread occupation next to agriculture.
Each region of India has its typical yarn, style and fabric.
India is tropical – people like to wear cotton
Silks from different regions of India are prized by women worldwide.]

(b) Tailoring:
[Points:

A tailor can make someone a star with style and fitting.
Can have own machines, and stitch clothes according to client’s needs.
Could be under a designer creating high fashion garments.
Could be under a fashion-house label, working at computerized machines.
hey create the trending fashions world- wide.]

Knitting is weaving with two needles with woollen yarn.
Many women are skilled.
Women in cold regions do knitting to make warm clothes for the family.
Knitting is done on machines too.]

(d) Embroidering:
[Points:

Embroidery needs skilful fingers and patience.
From hankies to wall-hangings are laboriously made with silk threads and tiny needles.
Many other beautiful things like tablecloths, dress-collars, sari-edges, bedcovers and cushion sleeves.
Machine embroidery also is done.]

(A2)

Question (i)
Discuss the various products made by the weavers in the poem.
Answer:
The poet asks the weavers what they are weaving at daybreak. It is a brightly coloured cloth and she asks the reason. The weavers reply that the robes, in the gay colour of the wild kingfisher, are for a newborn.

The poet next asks the weavers at dusk, for what they are weaving that bright cloth. The purple and green shaded fabric is for a queen’s wedding veil, reply the weavers. The poet asks what they are making in the chill night in the moonlight. The weavers are weaving a cloth as white as a feather, as a cloud. They say they are weaving a shroud for a dead man’s funeral.

Question (ii)
The words in the three stanzas of the poem mention different times of a day. Complete the table.
Answer:

Time of the day	Words/ phrases	Weaver’s work
Early morning	break of day	Weavers weave robes for the newborn child
Late in the evening	fall of night	Weavers weave a wedding veil for a queen
Night	Moonlight chill	Weavers weave a shroud for a dead man’s funeral

Question (iii)
The poem reveals three phases of life. Fill in the blanks with feelings and colours appropriate to the phase of life.
Answer:

	Newborn/ Childhood	Youth/ Adulthood	Old age/ Death
Colour	Blue	Peacock colours of purple-green	White as a feather or cloud
Feeling	Hopes and expectations	Expectations, responsibilities, romance, energy	Frailness, peace, wisdom

Question (iv)
Complete the sentence:
The weavers weave in the chill moonlight ……………….. .
Answer:
The weavers weave in the chill moonlight a cloth as white as a feather, as a cloud, a shroud, for a dead man’s funeral.

Question (v)
Pick out two words used to describe the weavers in the last stanza. Also state their importance.
Answer:
‘Solemn’ and ‘still’ are the two words used in the last stanza to describe the weavers. The words describe the occasion for which the craftsmen are working. A shroud is being woven for a funeral. The workers’ mood is also serious and unsmiling because of the occasion.

Question (vi)
Express your views about the present conditions of weavers.
Answer:
Weaving has existed for thousands of years in India. It was second only to agriculture. The weaves and fabrics from various regions were known around the world. From the Bengal muslin, to Kashmiri, Banarasi and Kancheevaram silks the cloth from India was renowned for the quality and fineness, the designs and richness.

Industrialization then brought problems for them. Power-looms are faster and manufacture large quantities in short time, Fashion-houses buy fabric from the weavers, put their labels and sell off the cloth at a very high price compared to the price paid to the craftsmen.

The craftsmen remain unknown, their craft under-valued and their life is in poverty. Ancient skills are lost and some take loans to somehow struggle. When debts are too much they commit suicide. Master weavers send away sons to cities to take up jobs.

They do not want the sons to struggle. Parents will not give girls in marriage to weavers. They lack facilities like lighting and water supply. Though the government has given subsidies for weavers most of it is lost to bribes and the weavers receive negligible sums.

Question (vii)
Describe in your own words the steps or measures that can be taken to solve the problems of the weavers.
Answer:
Weavers are unorganized. Buyers offer very low prices and if one weaver refuses, they go to another weaver. So the prices are at lowest. The government allocates crores for Handloom Promotion Council, but the weavers get nothing. Weavers’ organization can help the situation.

The weavers are forced to sell their creations to designers at low rates. No one helps to update weavers of the latest fashions trends. Also their creations are not commercially advertised. Handloom industry is eco-friendly in every way. It should be promoted by the Government, designers and supported by the public.

Subsidies for buying yarns and dyes should be given to the craftsmen. Clean water and proper lighting facilities are needed for the craftsmen. Some designers and activists for the weaver communities have begun working for the upliftment of the community and marketing the product.

The buyer can buy directly from the weavers and cut out corrupt middlemen. Exhibitions for selling wares to the public will bring the craftsmen and buyer closer. We can hope that soon the craftsmen of handloom will regain the lost glory which they deserve.

Question (viii)
Express your own views and opinions from the weavers point of view and complete the following table:
Answer:

Stanza	Activity	Views/Opinion
First stanza	Robes for a new- born child	The weavers feel happy because they are enthusiastic to weave the bright blue robes for the newborn.
Second stanza	A purple- green veil for the wedding of a queen	The weavers are joyous to dress the royalty on the happiest and most important day of her life
Third stanza	Shroud for the funeral of a dead man	The weavers are solemn and quiet as the cycle has closed for a person and it is true for everyone.

(A3)

Question (i)
Pick out the rhyming words from the poem.
Answer:
1st stanza: day – gaywild – child
2nd stanza: night – bright; green – queen
3rd stanza: still – chill; cloud – shroud

Question (ii)
Give antonyms and synonyms of the following and make sentences –
Answer:

Word

Antonym/ Synonym

Sentence

New

Antonym: old

Synonym: fresh

Everyone must grow old.

We begin every morning with fresh life.

Bright

Antonym: dull

Synonym: shining

One feels dull without a shower after leaving bed.

Children look at shining things with bright and curious eyes.

Dead

Antonym: alive

Synonym: lifeless

The last time we met, he brought the room alive with laughter and cheer.

The children were malnourished and their eyes were lifeless.

Still

Antonym: lively

Synonym: unmoving

The crowd was lively and cheering the players.

The lake was covered with oil and lay dirty and unmoving.

Wild

Antonym: civilized

Synonym: untamed

After many years of instruction they finally changed him into a civilized city-dweller.

Though we think of elephants as gentle giants, untamed ones are dangerous.

Fall

Antonym: rise

Synonym: drop

The rise of the new star of Indian tennis is stunning.

When prices rise suddenly, everyone hopes it will drop soon.

Child

Antonym: adult

Synonym: young one

An adult has a fully developed immune system till about 60 years of age.

Young ones are innocent till they start imitating grown-ups.

Question (iii)
Make a word register for clothes/attire/ dress:
Answer:
garments, togs, outfit, wardrobe, raiment, apparel, get-up, gear.

(A4)

Question (i)
Complete the following table:
Answer:

Figures of speech	Line
Simile	3rd – Blue as the wing of halcyon wild. 7th – like the plumes of peacock, purple and green 11th – white as a feather and white as a cloud
Imagery	1st – break of day, gay, blue (beginning of life) 4th – newborn child 5th – fall of night, green-purple royal (marriage and family) 8th – marriage-veil 9th – solemn and still, (Moonlight in the night, chillness of death, gloom, end) Colourless, cold white.
Metaphor	1st – break of day – day is born, a newborn child (day) for 1st stage of life 5th – fall of night – twilight, the romantic half-light, beginning of wedded bliss, for 2nd stage of life 8th – marriage-veils 10th – chill indicating death, moon indicating night and darkness. For the last stage of life.
Alliteration	Each line of the poem has the ‘w’ in the words ‘we’, ‘weave’, ‘why’ ‘weaver’, wild’, ‘wing’, ‘what’, ‘white’. The words ‘we’, ‘weaver’, ‘weave’, ‘why’ occur in each stanza multiple times adding to the musical quality of the poem.

Question (ii)
The rhyme scheme in the first stanza is ‘aabb’. Find rhyme schemes in the second and third stanzas:
Answer:
The rhyme scheme in the second stanza is – aabb.
The rhyme scheme for the third stanza is – aabb.

(A5)

Question (i)
The poet has asked a question at the beginning of every stanza. Explain the effect it creates on the reader.
Answer:
Each stanza of the poem begins with a question to the weaver. The first is at dawn as the poet asks why they are working so early. The second question asks why they make the bright coloured garment at dusk. The third stanza begins asking them why they are working so late, in the cold darkness.

In the question the reader knows about the time of day, the colour of the cloth. The reply gives information about the purpose of the new cloth and why that colour is chosen. The poem is like a conversation between the poet and craftsmen. It conveys the metaphor using time of day and stage of life, the colour and cloth suited for that stage. The mood of the weavers matches the time and purpose of their work. The poem thus flows easily.

Question (ii)
Write an appreciation of the poem with the help of following points:

About the poem/poet and the title
The theme
Poetic style
The language/poetic devices used in the poem
Special features
Message, values, morals in the poem
Your opinion about the poem

Answer:
The poet Sarojini Naidu’s poem ‘Indian Weavers’ tells about the work of India’s famous handloom craftsmen. The three stanzas mark the three stages of life itself. The weavers reply to questions about why they are weaving that particular piece of cloth, of a certain colour at that time of day.

The theme is cycle of life. The weavers use colours associated with birth, marriage and death through weaving cloths for a newborn, a queen- bride and a dead man. Three stanzas of four line each in the form of questions & answers. The conversational tone gives a flow like life, one stage moving into the next.

The poem is a metaphor for the cycle of life: new life-dawn, marriage-dusk, and death-night. Simile compares the woven garments to objects in colours apt for that stage of life. The sound of ‘w’ occurs a total of 20 times, at least once in all lines except one. This alliteration gives a musical quality.

The poem is dedicated to the talented weavers and the fabrics of India which were world famous. It shows the hard work of craftsmen and how we use their products in every occasion of our life. This poem is a beautiful way of the poet to salute the weavers of India. I find that the weavers are not only skillful but also talented. They combine colours and create patterns that are eye-catching. They know which colours are apt for occasions. The poet brings out their talent as well their hard-working nature.

Question (iii)
Compose four lines on ‘Importance of clothes’.
Answer:
The attire indicates the man he is
His coat brings him confidence and protects too
The colour indicates her mood and occasion The weaver makes the christening, wedding and celebration.

Question (iv)
Write an appeal to use handloom products in our daily life.
Answer:
An Appeal

THREADS -The Handloom Research And Development Society, Maharashtra is proud to present to you the wonderful creations of THREADS for the first-time.
The weaves come directly from the craftsmen to you, the customer.
The range of products includes Pure silk Silk-cotton Cotton Linen Jute
Come and see, appreciate the skills and support the craftsmen who practice our ancient art.
There are wedding saris and Punjabi suits in pure silk, casual wear in all the materials, bed linen, towels, door mats, carpets, hand towels, handkerchiefs, scarves to suit every budget.
Come support our artisans and appreciate the fine quality of our finest Indian weaves!!
Come. Support us. You will Love our Indian fabrics. We need your support.

Contact: Incharge Mrs. Das.
99123 xxxx Email: MrsDas@xxx.

Question (v)
Visit a handloom factory near your locality and write a report of it.
Answer:
Weavers Of Dreams
– by Team A, SYJC -Com. 25/02/2020. The SYJC students of the S.K.Nayak Junior College went on an educational tour to Moinbad village to take a tour of the handloom factory there.

The students viewed many of the processes involved in the weaving of a saree. The students were taken on a guided tour by a local who is a family member of one of the weaver – households of the village. In the first stage the bundles of white yarn were strung on iron frames. The frames held by two men were dipped into hot iron vats of boiling dye.

The yarn is dipped several times, thoroughly drenched for the colour to coat the yarn evenly. After several minutes the men transfer each bundle on to short thick wooden rods. They twist the sticks to wring the bundle dry. A third man takes the hot bundle on another stick and lays the bundles to dry.

The next stage the students saw was coloured yarn stretched on frames several metres long. This was outside in the open. The guide told us it was for a sari. It was a blue yarn in the middle with purple yarn on both sides lengthwise, for borders. Each yarn is stretched, the number of threads for each colour counted.

There were long buildings which are the workshops. Here are frames, looms and the weavers seated before each loom. Each weaver was working on a saree. The guide told us that one saree averagely takes four to seven days. If the design is complicated and in different colours it takes longer.

The finished products are folded and packaged for the market. The tour ended with the students speaking to the weavers at the looms and craftsmen dyeing the yarns. The craftsmen spoke to the visitors giving interesting details about the popular colour combinations. They told us about auspicious colours for special occasions. The artisans also spoke about a different place where traditional nine-yard long are woven. Those are mostly for weddings. The students took photographs of the various processes and the artisans happily posed for them.

Question (vi)
A handicraft exhibition is being organized in your college. You are given the task to compere the inaugural function. Write the script for compering.
Answer:
1. Introduction: A very Good evening and warm welcome to all. This is for a very special kind of occasion we have gathered here this morning. We want to bring the spotlight on that section of our nation’s citizenry who are carrying thousands of years of our heritage on their shoulders! No in their skilful fingers!! Yes our very talented craftsmen. We have our craftsmen with their various talents to showcase their beautiful creations.

We have the weavers of the rich Paithani silks, the Warli painters, the makers of the famous Kolhapur Leather – Footwear, the intricate Bidri brassware, the Dhurrie Weavers, Banjara Embroidery…. all these from Maharashtra. We have men and women with magic in their hands from other states too. Craftsmen have come from distant Meghalaya and Nagaland, from neighbouring Gujarat. We have the makers of the amazing Kashmiri embroidery to the wooden toymakers from Andhra. And so any more.

2. Welcome speech: Our Respected Principal, Sri. Harsh Nayak, our beloved teachers, staff and all my friends join me in welcoming the Honourable Chief Guest, the textile Minister, Shrimati Mandakini Gadge, to this exciting and colourful programme. A very warm welcome to you Madam! It is a great pleasure and an honour to have you here. And a warm welcome to all the parents and all guests.

3. Inaugural Ceremony – Lighting of the Lamp: I request our Chief Guest Shrimati Mandakini Gadge and our Principal to kindly come to the dais. We request you to light the ceremonial lamp, in the traditional Indian way, to declare the exhibition open.

4. Prayer song: And now kindly take your seats for a short programme before we go around viewing the exhibition. Music is such a positive influence. So starting on a note of gratitude we have the prayer song by the stars of our music-club, Nandini, Sonia, Bhaskar, Jay and Kavita. Manjeet is accompanying them on the violin.

5. Welcome Programme: Thank you for that lovely song to begin the programme my friends. Now for a unique performance! We have a Fashion-show!! It is unique because the students of our college and our participating craftsmen-guests worked together for the last few days. This is a first! A big round of applause for our models on the catwalk!

6. Concluding Remarks: Thank you for your encouragement! Wasn’t that wonderful? You may have noticed for yourself, but let me clarify. The stylish saris, salwar suits, elegant kurtas, those shawls, the stunning neck-pieces, the baskets on the ladies’ arms, the wooden screens in the backdrop, the lampshades on the stage, the carpet on the catwalk… and all the decor you can see on the stage are all creations of the masters who are displaying their creations in the exhibition! You now have an idea of what is in store for dressing stylishly, or doing up your home elegantly. That was only starters! The main course is still waiting for you. And there is dessert as well…!!

1. I now request our Chief Guest Shrimati Gadge to address the audience.
2. Thank you, for those words of praise and appreciation of the craftsmen Madam. They richly deserve them.
3. This is the first time a college is hosting such an exhibition. We welcome you all to go around and view the stunning collection of handicraft products. There are master workers who will show you how some of their handicraft is created. They will happily demonstrate their ancient skills. You can watch how the lovely designs we wear are made at the loom.

There are demos to show the yarn being dyed and informative presentations showing the stages in the process. The beadwork artists can help guests to select stones and make them into elegant neck-pieces. There are stalls selling numerous stunning products. Apparel, Decor pieces for your homes, gifts for the festival season.

I invite our Honourable Chief Guest to formally declare the exhibition open and take a leisurely round of the displays.
4. Thank you all for making this festival of crafts a resounding success.

(A6)

Question 1.
Go to your college library and collect and read the poems written by Sarojini Naidu.

Question 2.
Find various career opportunities in Small Scale Industries like Handloom, Art and Craft, Block Printing, etc.

Question 3.
Find out information about the Mahavastra of Maharashtra – Paithani

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 2.2 Indian Weavers Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the poem and complete the activities given below:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
The weavers reply to the poet’s questions in each stanza. What is the common factor? What do you understand from that?
1st stanza: ‘Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild’
2nd stanza: ‘Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,’
3rd stanza: ‘White as a feather ..’
Answer:
We find reference to a bird in all the three comparisons. In all of them the weavers refer to the colour of the birds’ feathers. We could take it not only refers to the brightness but also to the lightness of the cloth. The fabric is as soft and light as feathers for the tender newborn, or for the transparent veil of the queen. The pure white shroud for the dead is soft too.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

Song of the Open Road 12th Question Answer English Chapter 2.1 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 2.1 Song of the Open Road Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 2.1 Song of the Open Road Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 2.1 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
Choose the mode of travel that you would like the most, for a journey.
(a) Airways
(b) Waterways
(c) Railways
(d) Roadways.
Give reasons for your preference.
Answer:
(a) Airways:

Time-saving even if costly
Affordable nowadays due to economy airlines
Useful to go all over the world if one can afford
Qan enjoy birds’- eye view of different places

(b) Waterways:

An enjoyable way to travel
Commuting on waterways is not common all over India.
In Kerala, people use boats on canals and creeks for daily commute
Long-distance travel by cruise ship would offer new experiences on the oceans
Can experience peace of mind and relaxation on a long journey by waterway

safe, quick, and cheap way to travel long distances
convenient for overnight journeys – no extra cost for night stay and rest
comfortable for individuals, families, large groups
view of the passing landscape and communities living along the route
opportunity to meet people and even make new friends
work, family trips, pilgrimage, touring – all kinds of journeys are possible and affordable.

(d) Roadways:

can travel through remote areas
travel by own vehicle gives more freedom.
can enjoy the natural beauty -greenery, mountains, water-bodies
see various geographical features, flora, and styles of clothing, food, and even language.

Question 2.
Discuss with your partner, the preparations you would like to make for the journey chosen.
Answer:
(a) A journey by road will need a (virtual) map for the route to take. Road trips are unpredictable. Except for highways we do not know where food, water and facilities like restrooms or pharmacy may be available. One has to carry food, drinks and emergency medicines for unexpected situations. Umbrella or other rainwear, flashlight, spare tyre, tool box and jack are a must. Also when travelling by one’s own vehicle we must have the vehicle serviced and in perfect shape for long distance travel.

(b) All documents related to the vehicle – driver’s licence, registration- papers and insurance papers must be updated and ready to be shown. All journeys require the traveller to wear suitable comfortable clothes. So one would have to wear and pack clothes and accessories accordingly. One also has to foresee what weather conditions maybe along the journey and carry suitable items for that.

(c) Since all of us own mobile phones and our family will want to know about our well-being, one must remember to carry the phone charger and even a power- bank if possible. One must carry a list of emergency contact numbers on paper, in case one’s phone is lost or does not work.

(d) If one decides to travel alone one must be in touch with their loved ones daily, at least once at a particular time. If one has company then the travellers should also discuss the budget, schedule, how to tackle emergencies.and also what to do in unexpected situations.

Question 3.
Discuss the ways in which you would overcome the problems/hindrances/ difficulties you face during the journey.
Answer:
(a) In case of a problem or difficulty, I would go to the nearest place where I can try and resolve the problem.
(b) I would inform my family about the problem.
(c) I would take any steps needed to see that the problem does not become worse.
(d) I would ensure that I am safe till the problem is resolved and I can continue the journey/return home.

Question 4.
During every journey we have to observe certain rules. Discuss your ideas of the journey without any restrictions.
Answer:
(a) I would go with my friends since we work well as a team even though we have I varied interests and skills. We are like-minded about most things. We will share the costs and all of us drive well.
(b) My friends and I love to have fun but none of us is ever unruly. We do, always will, respect the law and are particular about others’ safety and our own.
(c) We will be. sure to never speed or drive rashly. None of us smokes nor consumes forbidden substances like alcohol.
(d) We will ensure that each gets some rest. We will also make sure we keep a log book to record our road trip for memories as well as a guide for later trips, so we can avoid the mistakes and fill in loopholes.

(A1)

Question (i)
Pick out the lines showing that the poet is prepared to enjoy every moment of his journey.
Answer:

‘Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,..’
‘Healthy, free, the world before me.’
‘The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.’
‘Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,’
‘Strong and content I travel the open road.’
‘The earth, that is sufficient,’

Question (ii)
By ‘old delicious burdens’ the poet means
(a) the luggage
(b) the food he carries
(c) sweet memories of the past
Answer:
(c) sweet memories of the past

Question (iii)
The poet is a person who is free from all inhibitions. Discuss how the concept is expressed in the poem.
Answer:
The poet is about to embark on a trip. He j does not consider anything can restrict him, even his own hesitation or doubts. He says he is prepared -‘afoot ’and ‘light-hearted’, He is physically fit and mentally without any dilemma. He is all set to follow the road to his dream/destination. ‘Healthy and free’ He does not (want to) depend on good luck or fortune to be kind to him. He has his life, his destiny, in his own hands and is. confident that is enough. ‘I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune’.

He is no longer going to delay his journey with complaints, criticising that everything is not perfect. What is there is enough for him. ‘I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,’ ‘The earth, that is sufficient’. His determination is strong and he has decided to progress on his path in life. ‘Strong and content I travel the open road.’

(A2)

Question (i)
Following are the activities of the poet related to his journey on the road. Divide them into two parts as ‘activities the poet will practise’ and ‘activities he will not practise’.
1. Walking along the road though he does not know where it reaches
2. Complaining about the discomforts during the journey
3. Postponing the journey
4. Praying for good fortune
5. Carrying the fond memories of the good people
6. Creating contacts with famous and influential people
7. Striving to achieve high and bright success
8. Reflecting and developing his own ‘self Activities he will practise’.
Answer:
Activities he will practise:
1. Walking along the road though he does not know where it reaches
5. Carrying the fond memories of good people
7. Striving to achieve high and bright success
8. Reflecting and developing his own ‘self Activities he will not practise

Activities he will not practise:
2. Complaining about discomforts during the journey
3. Postponing the journey
4. Praying for good fortune
6. Creating contacts with famous and influential people

(ii) Write down the traits the poet exhibits through the following lines.

Question (a)
Henceforth, I ask for no good fortune –
Answer:
I myself am good fortune – Self-confidence

Question (b)
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing –
Answer:
Positive and self-reliant

Question (c)
I do not want the constellations any nearer –
Answer:
self-assured and independent

Question (d)
I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them –
Answer:
clear-thinking and knowing his mind

Question (e)
I am filled with them – I will fill them in return –
Answer:
aware and honest about himself

Question (iii)
‘Healthy, free, the world before me.’ Express your views regarding the above line.
Answer:
The poet is about to set out on life’s journey. He is of healthy body and mind. He feels strong enough to meet challenges he may have to face on the way. His attitude seems positive, hopeful and determined – he says ‘the world before me’ – showing this.

Hence we can say he is ready to make use of every opportunity the world can provide and he will not delay or complain, postpone or criticize, blaming others. He can make any dream come true.

(A3)

Question 1.
The poet has used many describing words like ‘healthy’ in the poem. Make a list and classify them as
(a) For the world: ……………
(b) For himself: ………………
(c) For the road: ………………
Answer:
(a) For the world: sufficient
(b) For himself: light-hearted, healthy, free, good-fortune, strong, content,
(c) For the road: open, long brown path

(A4)

Question (i)
The road in the poem does not mean only the road to travel. The poet wants to suggest the road of life. Explain the metaphor with the help of the poem.
Answer:
In a journey we may go on, we plan on the mode of travel, and hope to have an enjoyable trip. We want to admire the scenes passing by. We may meet new people. Sometimes we may come across some difficulties, yet we complete the trip and return home to our normal routine.

For a trip, we make travel plans decide the destination and so on. But life itself is a long journey. In our life we have family and friends. We don’t know what will happen in future. We remember pleasant as well as sad situations of the past. We work hard, find success, face failure, and attain glory and defeat. So life goes on.

In both, a trip or in life, the attitude is important in how we make the journey. One must go ahead with a positive and flexible mind-set. Unexpected situations will come up. We may have pleasant as well as unpleasant situations. But if we have self-belief, any difficulty can be faced. One must just be strong.

The poem also tells we have memories. We are held back by attachments. But we can carry the beautiful past as happy memories, We should always go forward in the journey of life.

Question (ii)
There are certain words that are repeated in the poem. For example, ‘no more’ (Line 7) Find out other similar expressions. Explain the I effect they have created in the poem.
Answer:
There are several words that are repeated.
1. ‘open road’ – lines 1 and 7. Indicates the path in life is open wide for the poet/ person to make any choice he wants. The opportunities are unlimited.
2. ‘before me’ – the poet is looking at the road ahead, his future life, his outlook for the upcoming journey (of life).
3. ‘Henceforth I’ – lines 4 and 5. The poet conveys ‘from that point onwards’ he has decided to do or not do certain things.
4. ‘good-fortune’ – he believes good fortune or destiny is not external. It is within one’s power, in one’s own hands.
5. ‘I know’ – lines 11 and 12. This shows his full awareness.
6. I carry’ – lines 12, and twice in 13, I indicate the weight of the burdens though they may be delicious.
7. ‘they are’ – line 10 emphasizes that entity (constellations or people with power) belongs where it is.

Question (iii)
The use of personal pronoun ‘I’ is evident and prominent in this poem. Give reasons.
Answer:
The repetition of the pronoun ‘I’ occurs fifteen times in as many lines of the poem. This shows us how fully in charge the poet is of his life, his destiny, his actions, his decisions and the consequences.
The repeated use of T shows that he is confident of himself and is able to take his life forward independent of other’s support. He is going to stop complaining, criticizing.
He will approach the future on his own strengths. Ready to use the opportunities that he comes across, the poet is quite sure he does not need either luck or influential friends to help his attempts. He seems assured of his own capabilities.

(A5)

Question (i)
With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem ‘Song of the Open Road’.

the poem
title
theme
style
poetic devices
message
your opinion.

Answer:
‘The Song of the Open Road’ by American poet, Walt Whitman is about optimism, energy j and confidence. The world offers opportunities to anyone who wants to use them.

Walt Whitman’s works were a powerful influence on other writers. The poet himself struggled as a child of twelve. He dropped out of school to take up some job to help the family income. He worked as lawyer’s assistant, printer’s assistant, as a teacher and journalist. He helped look after the wounded in the American Civil War.

Question (ii)
Write four to six lines of Free Verse on the topic ‘The road that leads to my college’. Express that it is the road to knowledge and bright future. You may begin like this: Evlery day I tread with the bag of books
Answer:
‘The Road That Leads to My College’ Every day I tread with the bag of books And a hopeful step, Into the space of light and hope, Lean look for myself. I go to become more ready For tomorrow and the day after. Every day, every way I Grow and grow thankful and wise, strongly hopeful.

Question (iii)
Write a blog on the following topic.
(a) Man is Free by Birth.
Answer:
Man is Free by Birth

The statement is true in every sense of the word ‘free’. If someone does not have physical freedom, it is visible. But the freedom of the mind, thoughts, emotions, the spirit, the soul, is also vital for one to fully find satisfaction in life.

I remember an advertisement to bring up boys to be sensitive. Usually boys are discouraged from showing tears. It is thought tears of fear, anxiety, pain, loss are signs of weakness when a boy cries. There should be no external signs of these emotions and parents compare the boy to a girl. They make fun of their sons to stop him crying. In this way they take away the child’s freedom to express emotions. They take away his sensitivity!

Taking away of freedom is often done by adults to their children. The parents give guidance for the future but parents impose their own expectations on the kids and take away their freedom to choose a life-goal. The child’s natural liking or strength is not considered. The herd mentality makes parents force their children to follow a field which other students are doing. They earn lots of money. But they don’t notice their child does not like or is not good at it. So the child grows up leaving his passion.

Adults teach children that out of respect and good manners they must not question them. Children will grow up seeing injustice being done. They will notice bad things happening. But their desire to question is silent. They keep quiet and accept even bad things as normal.

I could go on. But let us ensure that freedom is alive and well. Let us allow everyone to be themselves, to follow their heart, to speak out when necessary, to fulfil their dreams. But we must ensure that this freedom never injures another or interferes with other people’s freedom.

The poem says ‘open’ road. It is about freedom. The poet wants to go out from restrictions and comforts. The poet wants to be self-reliant. He is confident. The poem is in free verse. There are many poetic devices but no metre or rhyme, We immediately notice repetition. There is also Transferred epithet.

The poem is a dramatic monologue. The poem inspires us to explore the world using our abilities. Comfort, complaints, criticisms and fate are not excuses for one’s inaction.

Question (iv)
Expand the ideas suggested in the following lines:
(a) All roads lead to Rome.
Answer:
The road system in the Roman Empire was built in a way that a person could take a road from anywhere and he would reach Rome. This means that every matter can be approached differently. Everyone has their own way to approach a matter. It could be doing some work or solving a problem. Each person has their way of doing things.

It means that we should agree not to be narrow minded. We should appreciate the other person’s way of doing things also. We should not expect everyone to think exactly the same way as we do. We should allow individuals to follow their method. Sometimes some work is given. That person will complete the work in his way. When giving the task the method of doing it need not be forced. Even if it is completely new then the person may do it himself. If he is not able to do it he can ask for help.

When there is a problem many people may be trying to find a solution. We can discuss ideas. Many ideas may be put forward. There can be so many ideas that are useful for solving the problem. One may be quicker. Another may be cheaper. One may need more people. So all ideas can be pooled to finally solve the problem.

Even the head of the country has a team of ministers. The leader discusses and consults with the team for running the country. All of them play a role for successful running of the government. This is true of teamwork and cooperation. We can all work for the same goal. The work may be so big that many are required to work together. It is not necessary for everyone to do exactly the same thing. But all work together in different methods so that we reach the desired goal.

Question (b)
A man without liberty is a body without a soul.
Answer:
We think ‘liberty’ means only physical freedom. But even if a person is not physically free, his mind is working freely. Actually the freedom to think, speak and act to fulfil our wishes and goals is more important.

A free man really means a free-thinking man. We have heard of men speaking out against powerful people. They were jailed. But even in jail they wrote books. They expressed their views. We know of many such famous personalities like Gandhiji, Jawaharlal Nehru and Nelson Mandela.

Many of our Indian freedom fighters were executed for their ideas. But they did not keep quiet. They spoke out and inspired Indians to rise up against the colonial rulers. Their minds were free though they were physically in prison.

Liberty is freedom to anything for oneself without hurting other people’s liberty. We should not use freedom to do just anything we desire. That is not correct. Hence we must be aware of what is happening and speak against wrongs. When there is life, there is mind. When we have an intelligent mind, we should think.

‘Life, liberty, and thought – three persons in one substance, eternal, never-ending, and unceasing.’ Khalil Gibran.

(A6)

Question (i)
Take help from the sources available on the internet and make a list of proverbs and quotations about ‘road.’ [an example …]
Answer:
The road to success is not a path you find but a trail you blaze.
https : //www.bemytravelmuse.com/best- road-trip-quotes/
https : //www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/ road-trip

Question (ii)
Read the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost.

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 2.1 Song of the Open Road Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the poem and complete the activities given below:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
Describe the mood of the speaker in the poem. Choose from the options given. There may be more than one possible option:
1. hopeful
2. thoughtful
3. serious
4. cheerful
5. regretful
6. upbeat
7. contemplative
8. buoyant
Answer:
1. hopeful
4. cheerful
6. upbeat
8. buoyant

Inference/Interpretation/Analysis:

Question 1.
Pick out the lines from the poem which indicate the past behaviour of the poet, which he now chooses to discontinue and discard. What do the thoughts indicate regarding the poet’s intentions for the future?
Answer:
The lines which the poet writes indicating his change in mind-set are:
1. ‘Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
2. Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
3. Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,’
The poet realizes he has been discontented, complaining, blaming and criticizing others, as an excuse for his inaction. He had not taken charge of his own actions or his life.

Now he has a clear view of what he will do in the future, a different attitude to life. He has taken charge of both now. He is ready to leave behind all negativity and move ahead with hope and self-confidence.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
The poet says ‘strong and content’, ‘The earth, that is sufficient’. Describe your thoughts about yourself if you were starting out on life’s journey. Would ‘the earth be sufficient’ for you to being ‘strong and content’?
Answer:
I agree with the poet. The fact that I am reading and understanding the poem indicates I have a high-school education. People with much fewer advantages have accomplished great things. I can use the resources I have to become a good human, a useful citizen and find my way to go forward in life. Success and satisfaction does not mean making lots of money or becoming famous. If I can help fellow humans and give back to the country that has given me so much, I will be content.

Poetic Devices:

The paradox is a poetic device, which is defined as ‘a (logical) statement’ contradicting itself. It can i also be said to be a sentence that is opposed to the 1 common sense but yet can be true.

Question 1.
Pick out a line from the poem that is an example of a paradox.
Answer:
‘Still, here I carry my old delicious burdens’ is the line that is having a paradox ‘delicious’ and ‘burden’. Something delicious is pleasant, whereas ‘burden ’ reminds us of something difficult and unpleasant. But the poet wants to convey that his sweet memories are difficult to leave behind. They pull us back from going away. But still, he will go, but he will carry his precious memories and still carry on his life’s journey.

Question 2.
Pick out the line where the transferred epithet is used by the poet.
Answer:
‘Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous complaints.’
The phrase ‘indoor complaints’ describes the speaker who earlier had been enclosed indoors and complaining. Now he is ‘done’ -will no longer do that. Another phrase ‘querulous criticisms’ speaks of an irritated person constantly criticizing. The poet has decided he will no longer indulge in that also.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

Voyaging Towards Excellence 12th Question Answer English Chapter 1.8 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.8 Voyaging Towards Excellence Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 1.8 Voyaging Towards Excellence Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 1.8 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
There are different ways to travel from one place to another for different purposes. Discuss with your partner and match the words given in table A with their meanings in table B:

Answer:
(a) Cruise – a journey on a boat or ship to a number of places
(b) Expedition – a journey, especially by a group of people, for a specific purpose
(c) Camp – a place usually away from urban areas where tents are erected for shelter
(d) Trip – a brief pleasure outdoor visit
(e) Excursion – a short journey to a place with a particular purpose
(f) Picnic – a short visit to an outdoor place where people celebrate, enjoy, and eat meals
(g) Voyage – a long journey on a ship

Question 2.
Discuss the following with your partner and complete the web.

Answer:

(A1)

Question (i)
Upbringing plays a very important role in shaping one’s life.
Answer:
The teacher will form two groups in the class. One group will speak in favour of the above topic while the other will speak against it. Debate brings out different perspectives, it does not mean one is right and the other is wrong. You can take help of the following points and have a debate on it:

(A2)

Question (i)
Make a list of great Indian and foreign personalities who had a great impact on Achyut Godbole during his childhood.
Answer:

Poets	Vinda Karandikar, Mangesh Padgaonkar, Vasant Bapat, Keshavsut
Writers	Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Mardhekar
Musicians	Mozart, Pt. Kumar Gandharv, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj
Dramatists	Shakespeare
Painters	Van Gogh, Michaelangelo

Question (ii)
Find the different techniques used by the writer to learn Science and Mathematics.
Answer:
The different techniques used by the writer to learn Science and Mathematics are:
(a) The writer used to appreciate the inherent beauty of these subjects.
(b) He found Newton’s law of motion beautiful and the Pythagorean Theorem elegant.
(c) The writer loved solving problems of Mathematics of the 9th standard when he was in the 7th.
(d) He used to love solving problems and used to enjoy finding out the most elegant method of solving them, even though they were not a part of the curriculum.

Question (iii)
The writer faced numerous problems while communicating in English because-
Answer:
(a) He had his entire education in Marathi.
(b) His vocabulary was very weak, and pronunciation was terrible.
(c) His construction of sentences was very awkward.

Question (iv)
The writer was completely stumped because his:
Answer:
(a) vocabulary was very weak
(b) spoken English was quite pathetic
(c) pronunciation was terrible
(d) construction of sentences was very awkward

Question (v)
Due to the writer’s pathetic English speaking style, he:
Answer:
(a) felt quite lonely and terrified, in Mumbai in general, and IIT in particular.
(b) developed an inferiority complex
(c) felt depressed and diffident.
(d) wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.

Question (vi)
Complete the following. The writer wanted to achieve mastery in English because-
Answer:
(a) he wanted to speak excellent, elegant and fluent English
(b) he would be able to achieve excellence and excel in anything he tried to do
(c) he need not have to feel afraid of anybody and start feeling at home in his hostel.

Question (vii)
Make a list of different steps that the writer undertook to improve his English speaking skills.
Answer:
To improve his English the writer:
(a) decided to also think in English before speaking in English.
(b) started reading English newspapers and English novels.
(c) studied etymology and phonetics and studied the roots of the words and how to pronounce them.
(d) used to stand in front of the mirror and practice speaking, realising his mistakes and correcting them himself all the time and improvising and improving day by day.

Question (viii)
Describe the writer’s achievements after achieving mastery over the English language.
Answer:
After achieving mastery over the English language:

His fear for English disappeared.
He started feeling quite confident about speaking in English at length with anybody.
He started feeling at home in his hostel.
He could give presentations with ease.
He negotiated and signed many contracts worldwide and ran large global software companies.
He headed software companies having thousands of software engineers worldwide.

Question (a)
Complete the table comparing the two different phases of the life of the writer- as an MD or Chief Executive Officer and an activist of Sarvodaya movement.
Answer:

MD or Chief Executive Officer	Activist of Sarvodaya Movement
Head of the company for 23 years	Participated in a peaceful satyagraha
Travelled all over the globe about 150 times for business	Joined a social movement for tribals

Question (ix)
Complete the web highlighting the various opportunities you gained due to your good English speaking skills.

Answer:

Question (a)
Describe a situation or incident when you felt embarrassed for your lack of knowledge of a particular subject or incompetence in speaking English fluently.
Answer:
This happened after my Std X exams. I live in Latur, and I was visiting my cousins in Mumbai for the first time. In order to entertain me, they took me to a musical nite. Unfortunately, it was music show based on English songs, and I had no knowledge of it or interest in it. I love to listen to Hindi and Marathi songs only. They soon realized my lack of interest, and were sorry for their mistake. I was embarrassed about my complete lack of knowledge about English music.

(A3)

Question (i)
Fill in the blanks selecting the correct phrase from the alternatives given.
(feel out of place, speak at length, feel at home, sea of knowledge)
(a) By the end of the week she was beginning ………………… in her new job.
(b) When he lost his mother he was completely ……………… .
(c) Travelling can help to ………………….. .
(d) After my retirement I started ……………… as a social worker.
(e) Having faith in God ……………………. in difficult situations.
(f) To succeed in any competitive examination, one requires a sea of knowledge.
(g) The simple village girl ……………………. in a formal party.
(h) The work done by Sindhutai Sapkal …………………. of millions
(i) The teacher …………………….. explaining the concept.
(j) The speaker was ……………………… by the intelligent questions asked by the audience.
Answer:
(a) By the end of the week she was beginning to feel at home in her new job.
(b) When he lost his mother he was completely broken.
(c) Travelling can help to broaden one’s horizon.
(d) After my retirement I started my second innings as a social worker.
(e) Having faith in God keeps one going in difficult situations.
(f) To succeed in any competitive examination, one requires a sea of knowledge.
(g) The simple village girl felt out of place in a formal party.
(h) The work done by Sindhutai Sapkal touched the hearts of millions
(i) The teacher spoke at length explaining the concept.
(j) The speaker was completely stumped by the intelligent questions asked by the audience.

Question (ii)
Find out a word related to the game of cricket. List two meanings for it.

Answer:
Second innings:
1. general meaning: the second phase of life of an individual where he/she starts/ pursues a new or different career or the post retirement life.
2. related to cricket: when a team comes to bat for the second time in a test match

Question (iii)
Go through the text to find the antonyms of the words given in the grid and fill in the boxes. One is done for you.

Answer:

(A4)

Question (i)
Write whether the underlined verbs in the following sentences are Main verbs or Primary auxiliary verbs:
(a) I had a very simple upbringing. ………………
(b) I was immensely impressed. ………………..
(c) I had learnt from my childhood that money did not mean everything in life. …………………
(d) He was a convent educated guy. ……………….
(e) They did all the work in time. …………………..
(f) I had to achieve a lot in life. …………………….
Answer:
(a) Main verb
(b) Main verb
(c) Auxiliary verb
(d) Main verb
(e) Main verb
(f) Main verb

Question (a)
Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals according to the situations given in the following sentences:
Answer:

Take an umbrella. It might rain later.
People must not walk on the grass.
Could I ask you a question?
The signal has turned red. You ought to wait.
I was a sportsperson in my school days. I can play badminton.
I am going to the library. I will find my friend there.

Question (b)
Find from the extract, the sentences that show past habit.
Answer:
1. Poets like Vinda Karandikar, Mangesh Padgaonkar and Vasant Bapat used to visit our home.
2. They used to talk about Keshavsut…

(iii) Do as directed and rewrite the sentence:

Question (a)
I did not fully understand their discussions but I was immensely impressed. (Remove ‘but’.)
Answer:
Though I did not fully understand their discussions, I was immensely impressed.

Question (b)
I had decided that I would do nothing of this sort. (Remove ‘that’.)
Answer:
I had decided to do nothing of this sort.

Question (c)
My fear had vanished and I started feeling at home in my hostel. (Use ‘when’.)
Answer:
When my fear had vanished, I started feeling at home in my hostel.

Question (d)
It was only my self-esteem which stopped me. (Remove ‘which’.)
Answer:
Only my self-esteem stopped me.

Question (e)
I plunged into all these branches of knowledge. It was a period of renaissance.
(Join with ‘which’.)
Answer:
I plunged into all these branches of knowledge, which was a period of renaissance.

Question (f)
When I look back, there are a number of lessons that I cherish. (Remove ‘When’.)
Answer:
On looking back, I find that there are a number of lessons that I cherish.

Question (g)
There are hundreds who tell me that they understood the theory of relativity. (Remove ‘who’.)
Answer:
Hundreds tell me that they understood the theory of relativity.

(A5)

Question 1.
Go through the sample of the flyer given on page 91 of the textbook and prepare flyers on the topics given below.
Topics :
1. Yoga Class / Summer Hobby Class
2. Tree Plantation Drive
3. Cleanliness Drive
4. Help us to end Child Labour
5. Let’s get rid of the monsters – tobacco and alcohol

Use the following points:

Details
Special Features
Why to choose us/Need of drive/Purpose of the mission
Anything special
Add your own points

Answer:
1. Yoga classes:
Divine Yoga Classes
First Floor, Vijai Towers, Opposite Railway Station, AAahim (West)
We have classes for all : from age 5 to 75 Men and women, girls and boys.

Details

Special Features

Why Us?

1. Classes 7 days a week

2. From 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

3. Separate classes for males and females

4. Special personal training available

5. Experienced teachers

6. Certificates at the end of course

For more details look up: Website-www. divyoga.in

1. Lectures on health every week from experts

2. Breathing techniques to relieve stress

3. Special lectures on healthy cooking

4. Groups made according to particular problems, if any

1. We give a patient ear to all our students

2. We arrange for special outside guidance if necessary

3. We arrange regular camps and excursions

4. Special discounts for couples/family

Email: divyoga@ xmail.com/ 986656xxxx

(A6)

Question 1.
Achyut Godbole has written many bestsellers that are famous far and wide. Read at least two books of your choice, make a summary of those books and submit.
(Students may attempt this on their own.)

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.8 Voyaging Towards Excellence Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
Write if the following sentences are True or False. Rewrite the false sentences correctly:
1. The writer did not like Mathematics and Science.
2. The writer studied Mathematics and Science only for scoring maximum marks in exams.
3. The writer’s skill at solving problems helped him in his IIT entrance exam.
4. The writer scored 100% marks in Mathematics in every examination he appeared for.
Answer:
True sentence:
3. The writer’s skill at solving problems helped him in his IIT entrance exam.

False sentences:
1. The writer did not like Mathematics and Science.
2. The writer studied Mathematics and Science only for scoring maximum marks in exams.
4. The writer scored 100% marks in Mathematics in every examination he appeared for.

Corrected sentences:
1. The writer loved Mathematics and Science.
2. The writer studied Mathematics and Science not only for scoring maximum marks in exams, but also because he appreciated their inherent beauty.
4. The writer scored 100% marks in Mathematics in almost all the examinations he appeared for.

Question 2.
The writer’s joy was shortlived. Give reasons.
Answer:
In Solapur, where the writer spent his childhood, he had not seen any building which was more than three – storeyed. Mumbai however was full of skyscrapers, which made the writer uncomfortable. At IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas the writer’s English was very poor, with a weak vocabulary, terrible pronunciation and very awkward construction of sentences.

Due to all this, he felt quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai in general and IIT in particular. He developed an inferiority complex and wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai. Thus, his joy at getting into IIT was shortlived.

Question 3.
Name the following from the extract:
Answer:

Management gurus : Alvin Toffler, Peter Drucker, C. K. Prahlad, Tom Peters
The founder of Infosys: Narayan Murthy
Two universities: Harvard, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
A great technologist-Vincent Serf

Question 4.
Pick out the false sentences and rewrite them correctly:
1. The writer was more intelligent and well- j read than his friends.
2. The writer’s group was interested in many things.
3. The writer wanted to top the GRE and migrate to the U.S.
4. The writer possessed many books on various topics.
Answer:
False sentences:
1. The writer was more intelligent and well- read than his friends.
3. The writer wanted to top the GRE and migrate to the U.S.

Corrected sentences:
1. The writer’s friends were more intelligent and well-read than the writer.
3. The thought of topping the GRE and migrating to the U.S. never even touched the writer’s mind.

Question 5.
Complete the web: (the first letter of each quality has been given)
Answer:

Question 6.
Complete the web stating the principles of good management:
Answer:

Question 7.
What was the writer’s first love?
Answer:
to read and write on various subjects concerning human life and existence.

Question 8.
How many books has the writer written in Marathi?
Answer:
about 34 books

Question 9.
What was the name of the writer’s autobiography?
Answer:
Musafir.

Question 10.
Name any two values that the writer cherishes.
Answer:
humility, humanity

Complex Factual:

Question 1.
Give the writer’s opinion about:
arts, music and literature.
Answer:
The writer says that the arts are equally, if not more, important in our lives than science and technology. He also feels that arts, music and literature enrich our lives and put meaning into our existence. He loved music.

Question 2.
money.
Answer:
The writer feels that money is necessary, but does not mean everything in life.

Question 3.
List the achievements of the writer in Mathematics.
Answer:
1. The writer loved solving problems of Mathematics of the 9th standard when he was in the 7th.
2. The writer scored 100% marks in Mathematics in almost all the examinations that he appeared for, from the 1st standard until IIT, barring only a few times. He also stood 1st in the University in all subjects put together.

Question 4.
Describe the ‘very important’ thing that happened to the writer.
Answer:
When the writer was in his third year at IIT, he came in contact with about 15-20 extremely brilliant students/researchers/ professors from IIT, TIFR and BARC. They included top-ranking students from IIT, visiting professors in American Universities, very renowned mathematicians of the world and so on. This friendship had a lasting impression on his life. He came to know what real brilliance meant, and where he stood with regard to it.

Question 5.
Describe curiosity and humanity.
Answer:
Curiosity is important. It is only because of the human curiosity that we have been able to make such a great progress in science and technology, and social sciences. Humanity means concern for our fellow human beings; it means caring for and helping others whenever and wherever possible. This is important if we wish to live in a world that is happy and contented.

Question 6.
List the things that the writer said he learnt while running large companies.
Answer:
While running large companies the writer learnt:

The importance of teamwork
The necessity of leading from the front and setting a good example for the staff.
The need to treat subordinates and colleagues as friends.

Question 1.
Match the subjects in Column A with the title of the books in Column B:

A	B
1. Management	(a) Manat
2. Painting	(b) Nadvedh
3. Western music	(c) Zapoorza
4. Psychology	(d) Ganiti
5. Mathematics	(e) Limelight
6. Science	(f) Canvas
7. Indian music	(g) Arthat
8. Western films	(i) Boardroom
9. English Literature	(j) Kimayagar
10. Economics	(k) Symphony

Answer:

Management – Boardroom
Painting – Canvas
Western music – Symphony
Psychology – Manat
Mathematics – Ganiti
Science – Kimayagar
Indian music – Nadvedh
Western films – Limelight
English Literature – Zapoorza
Economics – Arthat

Inference/Interpretation/Analysis:

Question 1.
‘Nevertheless, culturally I had a rich childhood’. Explain the statement with reference to the extract.
Answer:
The writer says that he had a very simple upbringing in a lower middle-class family which did not have even basic amenities like a fan, refrigerator, etc. Even so, it was rich culturally because various poets, writers and musicians used to visit their home and there would be hours of discussions about music, literature, paintings, sculptures, etc. Famous writers, painters and musicians were discussed and this made the writer love the arts. He states that arts, music and literature enrich our lives and put meaning into our existence.

Question 2.
Complete the following:
The writer developed a problem-solving attitude because …………….
Answer:
The writer developed a problem-solving attitude because ……………..
1. He did not study subjects only for scoring maximum marks in the examinations.
He used to study these subjects or any subject for that matter for its inherent beauty.
2. He used to love solving problems andused to enjoy finding out the most elegant method of solving them.
3. He used to get involved in solving them.

Question 3.
Complete the following:
The writer was benefitted by the discussions with great people as it…
Answer:

made a lasting impact on his life
made him realize what real brilliance meant
broadened his horizons, and his aims and worldview became global
taught him a lesson in humility, hard work and a passion for excellence.

Question 4.
Explain why the author say that passing the ‘examination of life’ is more important than passing the college examination.
Answer:
The writer wished to understand the world and how it works. He also wished to serve India and her people. To do this, he would have to read and understand different branches of knowledge, to develop values like humility, humanity and rationalism. This was the ‘examination of life’ for him. This was far more important to him than just passing the IIT examination.

Question 5.
Mention a few ways in which the author touch the hearts of the people.
Answer:
The author’s books have brought about very good changes in the lives of thousands of readers. Hundreds have come out of depression and more than a dozen have given up thoughts of committing suicide and decided to start all afresh. There are hundreds who say that they understood the theory of relativity or Big Bang after reading his book on Science ‘Kimayagar’.

His book ‘Boardroom’ on Management has created at least 20 successful entrepreneurs. Then there are hundreds who can understand Economic Times or NDTV Profit after reading his book on economics ‘Arthat’.

Many have turned to Mathematics after reading his book ‘GanitV. The same is true about his books on Indian Music (Nadvedh), English Literature (Zapoorza), Painting (Canvas), Western Films (Limelight) and Western Music (Symphony) or books such as ‘Genius’ series, ‘Rakta’ or ‘Vitamins’ or ‘Anartha’. It is these reactions of thousands of readers that made him feel that has touched the hearts of thousands of people.

Question 6.
Describe the second innings of the writer in your own words.
Answer:
After working for software companies for many years, the writer wanted to return to his first love, i.e. reading and writing on various subjects concerning human life and existence. Therefore, he gave up two lucrative offers to become a writer. This is how his second innings as a writer in Marathi began. After this, he wrote about 34 books in Marathi. Most of them became bestsellers with tens of thousands of copies sold for each. These books brought about very good changes in the lives of thousands of readers.

Hundreds came out of depression and more than a dozen gave up thoughts of committing suicide and decided to start all afresh. Thousands more have been helped in the fields of science, economics, music, mathematics, etc. by the writer’s books. It is these reactions of thousands of readers and the feeling that he is touching their hearts that has kept him going.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Describe what a ‘rich childhood’ mean to you.
Answer:
I think that a rich childhood is one where you get a lot of love and security at home. It could also be culturally rich, where you get to read or know music/books/theatre, etc. Basically, a rich childhood is one which has plenty of love, fun and friends. Money is secondary.

Question 2.
We should study any subject. Do you agree? Give your reasons.
Answer:
Every subject has its own inherent beauty and uses. We should study a subject because of its beauty. While Science and Technology are important to make our daily lives easy, arts, music and literature enrich our lives and put meaning into our existence. Every subject helps in some way in the progress of mankind.

Question 3.
Do you think that speaking English fluently and confidently is important? Discuss.
Answer:
Yes, it is. English is an international language, which the people of most countries understand. If we wish to go abroad, or have international exposure, we should know English in this competitive world. Even in India, knowledge of good English gives us a sense of confidence. It helps us to get jobs. It also helps us to get access to information from all parts of the world.

Question 4.
Name some of the top universities in the world.
Answer:
Some of the top universities in the world are: Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Cornell University. Princeton University, etc.

Question 5.
Do you feel that arts, music and literature enrich our lives. Discuss.
Answer:
Art is all around us; it surrounds us. It provides us with a deeper understanding of our own emotions and those of others. It makes us more sensitive, softer and gentler. It enriches the quality of life and improves our physical and mental health. It connects us to others. Literature gives us an insight into the world of others, both in the present and the past.

Question 6.
Do you think that team work is important today? Explain with an example.
Answer:
Yes, today team work is very important in every sphere, whether it is in games or at work. Every individual has different talents and these separate talents come together when one is in a team. For example, in cricket, one person may be a good bowler, another a good batsman, a third a good fielder, etc. When all these people come together and play the game as a team, it leads to success. In an office too, only when we work in a team and contribute our respective talents can we complete projects.

Question 7.
Do you think passion is more important than wealth?
Answer:
Passion is certainly more important than wealth. Wealth can give the luxuries of life, but it cannot give mental peace and satisfaction. This can only be gained by having an interest in what we do, or in simple words, by loving our jobs. Hence, when one chooses a career, it is more important to choose one which we love rather than one which pays more.

Language Study:

Question 1.
Find from the extract, the sentences that show past habit.
Answer:
1. I used to study these subjects or any subject for that matter for its inherent beauty.
2. I used to get involved in solving them.
3. I used to love problem-solving and used to enjoy finding out the most elegant method of solving them.

Question 2.
These problems were not a part of the curriculum, but I enjoyed the whole process. (Rewrite using ‘though’.)
Answer:
Though these problems were not a part of the curriculum, I enjoyed the whole process.

Question 3.
This exam is completely based on your problem-solving ability and the ability to think not only logically but quickly and rapidly. (Pick out the adverbs of manner.)
Answer:
completely, logically, quickly, rapidly

Question 4.
Find from the text, the sentence that show past habit:
Answer:
Most of the students and professors used to converse in English.

Question 5.
Find from the extract, a sentence that shows past habit.
Answer:
I used to stand in front of the mirror and practise speaking.

Question 6.
I wanted to speak excellent, elegant and fluent English. (Rewrite using ‘that’.)
Answer:
I wanted to speak English that was excellent, elegant and fluent.

Question 7.
My fear had vanished and I started feeling at home in my hostel.
(Pick out the verbs and state the tense.)
Answer:
had vanished – past perfect tense; started – simple past tense

Question 8.
Find from the extract,the sentences that show past habit.
Answer:
1. Until that time I used to consider myself somewhat intelligent.
2. I used to visit MIT during lunch time to meet my friends.
3. I used to visit both of these Universities.
4. If you walked for an hour from there, you could reach Harvard Square near Harvard University. (Pick out the clauses and state their type.)
Answer:
you could reach Harvard Square near Harvard University-Main clause
If you walked for an hour from there- Subordinate adverb clause of condition

Question 9.
All the discussions with these greats broadened my horizon.
(Rewrite beginning ‘My horizon…………’)
Answer:
My horizon was broadened by all the discussions with these greats.

Question 10.
Find from the text, a sentence that show past habit.
Answer:
We used to discuss about relativity, Big Bang, aesthetics, literature, philosophy, economics and many other subjects every day until late into the nights.

Question 11.
I learnt these values during my IIT days.
(Rewrite beginning ‘These values’.)
Answer:
These values were learnt by me during my IIT days.

Question 12.
It is very difficult to become a master or an expert in all these subjects. (Rewrite using ‘not’.)
Answer:
It is not at all easy to become a master or an expert in all these subjects.

Question 13.
I made a few mistakes, but learnt a lot about motivation. (Rewrite as a complex sentence.)
Answer:
Though I made a few mistakes, I learnt a lot about motivation.

Question 14.
I learnt a lot of things when I was running these large companies.
(Pick out the subordinate clause and state its type.)
Answer:
when I was running these large companies – Subordinate adverb clause of time.

Question 15.
You need to lead from the front.
(Add a question tag.)
Answer:
You need to lead from the front, don’t you?

Question 16.
I had also written 4 books with 500-700 pages each on Information Technology published by Tata McGraw-Hill. (Pick out the predicate.)
Answer:
predicate-had also written 4 books with 500-700 pages each on Information Technology published by Tata McGraw-Hill.

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
From the extract, prepare a word register of at least 6 words for:
‘Household appliances and objects’:
Answer:
fan, refrigerator, geyser, dining table, gas stove, air conditioner.

Question 2.
Match the columns:

A	B
1. dining	(a) days
2. gas	(b) conditioner
3. school	(c) table
4. air	(d) stove
5. rich	(e) music
6. Indian	(f) childhood

Answer:

A	B
1. dining	(c) table
2. gas	(d) stove
3. school	(a) days
4. air	(b) conditioner
5. rich	(f) childhood
6. Indian	(e) music

Question 3.
Choose the correct noun forms from those given in brackets:

elegant (elegance/elegantly)
solve (solving/solution)
develop (developmental/development)
logically (logical/logic)
appear (appearance/apparently)
including (inclusive/inclusion)

Answer:

elegant – elegance
solve – solution
develop – development
logically – logic
appear – appearance
including – inclusion

Question 4.
Write the verb forms of the following:

maximum
examination
challenging
beauty
quickly
admission

Answer:

maximum – maximise
examination – examine
challenging – challenge
beauty – beautify
quickly – quicken
admission – admit

Question 5.
Find out a word related to the game of cricket. List two meanings for it.
Answer:
Scoring:
1. general meaning: getting something
2. related to cricket: gaining runs

Question 6.
Guess the meaning of:

inferiority complex
sophisticated
arrogant

Answer:

inferiority complex – a feeling that you are not as good, as intelligent, as attractive, etc. as other people
sophisticated – smart and polished
arrogant – unpleasantly proud

Question 7.
Find out a word related to the game of cricket. List two meanings for it.
Answer:
Stumped: (Note: The word is not in the lesson but in the question on page 86)
1. general meaning : to be unable to answer a question or solve a problem because it is too difficult
2. related to cricket: being stumped is a method of dismissing a batsman.

Question 8.
Guess the meaning:
1. negotiate
2. at ease
Answer:
1. negotiate – to have formal discussions with someone in order to reach an agreement with them
2. at ease – comfortable.

Question 9.
Find the full forms of:

IIT
TFIR
BARC
TCP
IP

Answer:

IIT: Indian Institute of Technology
TIFR: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
BARC: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
TCP: Transmission Control Protocol
IP: Internet Protocol

Question 10.
Find the meaning of: anything under the sun
Answer:
anything under the sun-anything at all.

Question 11.
Find the full form of: GRE
Answer:
GRE – Graduate Record Examination

Question 12.
Match the following:

A	B
1. Sociology	(a) the scientific study of material remains of past human life and activities.
2. Economics	(b) the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society.
3. Psychology	(c) the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
4. Archaelogy	(d) the scientific study of the human mind and its functions.

Answer:

Sociology – the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society.
Economics – the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
Psychology – the scientific study of the human mind and its functions.
Archaelogy – the scientific study of material remains of past human life and activities.

Question 13.
From the extract find four words that form their antonyms by adding a prefix:
Answer:

important × unimportant
successful × unsuccessful
possible × impossible
written × unwritten

Question 14.
Write the past participles of:

learn
write
change
make

Answer:

learn – learnt
write – written
change – changed
make – made

Question 15.
Find out a word related to the game of cricket. List two meanings for it.
Answer:
target setting:
1. general meaning: deciding something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
2. related to cricket: deciding the number of runs to be achieved.

Question 16.
Give the adjective forms of the following:

humanity
rationality
humility
equality
curiosity
knowledge

Answer:

humanity – humane
rationality – rational
humility – humble
equality – equal
curiosity – curious
knowledge – knowledgeable

Non-Textual Grammar:

Do as directed:

Question 1.
To their astonishment they found a hissing snake stopping their way. (Rewrite using the verb form of the underlined word.)
Answer:
They were astonished to find a hissing snake stopping their way.

Question 2.
The minister spotted his cheerful face in the crowd and called out to him. (Rewrite using the present participle form of the verb ‘to spot’.)
Answer:
The minister, spotting his cheerful face in the crowd, called out to him./Spotting his cheerful face in the crowd, the minister called out to him.

Question 3.
He is a great king.
(Rewrite as an exclamatory sentence.)
Answer:
What a great king he is

Spot the error in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly:

Question 1.
Even though the laptop is expensive, but I wish to buy it for my mother.
Answer:
Even though the laptop is expensive, I wish to buy it for my mother.

Question 2.
The story should not exceed more than 800 words.
Answer:
The story should not exceed 800 words.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

An Astrologer’s Day 12th Question Answer English Chapter 1.1 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.1 An Astrologer’s Day Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 1.1 An Astrologer’s Day Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 1.1 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
Discuss with your partner and complete the table:

Answer:

Your Strengths	Why do you feel so?	Your Dream career
painting and drawing	can visualise, express	commercial artist, cartoonist
…………………….	………………………	………………………….
……………………	………………………	…………………………
…………………..	……………………….	………………………..

Question 2.
The scene in a local market of a village/ town/city is very attractive. People with different occupations sell their wares. Discuss with your partner the variety of activities at the local market.
Answer:

selling flowers, selling grocery
selling garments and cloth
selling imitation jewellery and accessories
selling snacks and fast food
selling steel and earthenwares

Question 3.
In a village/town/city it is quite a common sight to see an astrologer sitting by the roadside with his professional equipment. Discuss with your partner and list the requirements for his trade.
Answer:

parrot, cards, etc.
turban, beard, dhoti
dried leaves with writing on them
cloth with mystic signs to spread his cards
bead necklace, coins, shells, punchang, etc.

Question 4.
There are certain unreasonable beliefs among people living in our society. Certain common events are linked with superstitions. List such events, discuss the superstitions linked with them and the means of their eradication.
Answer:
Events and superstitions linked with them:

A cat crossing your path (something bad will happen)
Walking under a ladder (something unfortunate will happen)
Wearing black clothes for an auspicious function (will bring bad luck to the hosts)
Spilling salt (unlucky for the person)
A black crow cawing outside your window (you will be having guests)

Means of eradication: The only means of eradication is through education. Scientific attitude must be developed in society. Religious heads must counsel and guide their followers. The elders in families must also get rid of old beliefs.

A1.

(i) Given below are some descriptions. Discuss them with your partner and find out one word for each of them.

Question (a)
The scientific study of the universe and the objects in it, including stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies:
Answer:
Astronomy

Question (b)
The study of the movements of the planets, Sun, Moon, and Stars in the belief that these movements can have an influence on people’s lives:
Answer:
Astrology

Question (c)
A prediction of what will happen in the future:
Answer:
Prophecy

Question (d)
Scientific discipline that studies mental states and processes and behaviour in humans and other animals:
Answer:
Psychology

Question (ii)
In the story we are told that the Town Hall Park was a remarkable place in many ways for an astrologer to build his business. List the exceptional qualities of the place from this extract.
Answer:
The exceptional qualities of the place were:

A surging crowd
A variety of trades and occupations, like medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk
magicians
auctioneers of cheap cloth
a vociferous vendor of fried groundnuts.

Question (iii)
The astrologer never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at least ten minutes. Discuss the reasons behind his act.
Answer:
(a) He was good at reading people.
(b) He obtained a lot of information about their lives from their talk.
(c) He could analyse their character and understand their problems.
(d) He could easily frame his statements to their satisfaction.

A2.

Question (i)
The tactics used by the astrologer to earn his wages are:

Answer:

Question (ii)
An astrologer’s appearance helps to create an impression on his clients. Complete the following:
(The answer is given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

The turban on his head
The sacred ash and vermilion on his forehead
dark whiskers covering the face
a sparkle in his eye accompanied by an abnormal gleam

1. Read the following sentences and choose the correct one:

Question (a)
The astrologer says that if Nayak does not leave his village again, he would –
(1) return the money
(2) face danger
(3) go back home and stop looking for the man who tried to kill him
(4) not find the killer.
Answer:
(2) face danger

Question (b)
According to the narrator, the astrologer’s success in his profession is primarily due to –
(1) luck
(2) the bargains he drives
(3) his appearance
(4) his understanding of people.
Answer:
(4) his understanding of people

Question (c)
The story suggests that the astrologer’s comments and observations pleased people by –
(1) promising them success and good fortune
(2) proving, as time passes, to have been true
(3) flattering them or supporting their own views
(4) helping them to learn to solve their own problems.
Answer:
(3) flattering them or supporting their own views

Question (d)
Guru Nayak the astrologer because he wants to –
(1) understand the past
(2) find out who the astrologer is
(3) make some money through a bet
(4) get the answer to a specific question.
Answer:
(4) get the answer to a specific question.

Question (e)
Guru Nayak is looking for the man who tried to kill him –
(1) to take revenge
(2) to get an apology
(3) to demand an explanation
(4) to prove that the man was unsuccessful.
Answer:
(1) to take revenge

Question (f)
The astrologer’s remarks make Guru Nayak feel all of the following except –
(1) relieved
(2) suspicious
(3) impressed
(4) disappointed.
Answer:
(2) suspicious

Question (g)
Reactions of the astrologer’s wife to his news suggest that she –
(1) was unaware of his past
(2) has been worried about his safety
(3) has known him since he was young
(4) is concerned about her future with him.
Answer:
(1) was unaware of his past

Question (iv)
Read the following sentences and find out the True and False sentences. Correct the False sentences:
(a) The astrologer gave a correct prediction to the client about his past that he was stabbed, thrown into a well and left for dead
(b) When the astrologer came to know that the man whom he killed is alive he felt that he was relieved of his guilt.
(c) The astrologer tried to back out of the deal and talked about the client’s past.
(d) The astrologer rescued himself from Guru Nayak’s revenge.
(e) The moral of the story is that we must be responsible about what we have done and should not run away from our mistakes.
Answer:
(a) True.
(b) True: When the astrologer came to know that the man whom he killed is alive he felt that he was relieved of his guilt.
(c) False
Corrected sentence. The astrologer struck a bargain with the client and then talked about the client’s past.
(d) True.
(e) False: The moral of the story is that we must be responsible about what we have done and should not run away from our mistakes.
Corrected sentence: The moral is that we should never believe in superstitions.

Question (v)
The astrologer had changed his appearance and his persona when he arrived in the city. Give specific reasons for this.
Answer:
The astrologer thought that he had killed a man after a quarrel. He was afraid that he would be arrested and jailed for this crime. Hence, to avoid detection he changed his appearance and his persona when he arrived in the city.

Question (vi)
‘The darkness load that was inside the astrologer has disappeared’. Through this sentence, explain the significance of the title ‘An Astrologer’s Day’.
OR
(vii) The astrologer feels relieved that Guru is not dead as it relieves a great burden from him. Critically justify the statement and explain it.
Answer:
The astrologer thought that he had killed a man after a quarrel. Hence he had run away from his village, changed his appearance and his persona when he arrived in the city, and become an astrologer. However, he still felt guilty for what he had done. When he came to know that the man he thought he had killed was actually alive, the dark load inside him disappeared, and it made his day, i.e. he felt relieved and happy. This is the significance of the title ‘An Astrologer’s Day’.

Question (viii)
The astrologer wins/gets the sympathy/ criticism of the reader in the end. Express your opinion with the support of the main story.
Answer:
I think I sympathize with the astrologer. He did not try to intentionally kill Guru Nayak; it had happened in the heat of the moment. Of course, he should not have tried to run away but should have accepted responsibility for his crime. However, he is genuinely sorry for what had happened.

His words ‘a great load is gone from me today. I thought I had the blood of a man on my hands all these years’ indicates this. Hence, I sympathize with him and am happy that he can now live in peace.

Question (ix)
Suggest some steps to eradicate superstitions and other ill practices from our society.
Answer:
To eradicate superstitions and other ill practices from our society the first and most important step is education. Schools and colleges must help their students to develop a scientific attitude and think logically and rationally.

Secondly, as people in India tend to listen to their religious heads, all religious heads should send out clear messages to their followers about the eradication of superstitions. And lastly, the older generation should change their opinions and ideas and get rid of silly superstitious beliefs.

Question (x)
In the story, the astrologer has great listening power. Listening helps in developing good relations with people. Express your opinion.
Answer:
Yes, listening helps in developing good relations with people. When we listen, we indicate to the speaker that we care about him/her and are interested in his/her problems/joys. We show that we are ready to help him/her if necessary. We share his/ her ideas. We also realize how we can deal with people successfully by listening to their views.

(A3)

Question (i)
In the story, the astrologer, Guru Nayak and astrologer’s wife reveal their qualities through words and actions. Pick out from the box the words that describe them and write in the appropriate columns:

Answer:

Astrologer	Guru Nayak	Astrologer’s wife
shrewd	manipulative	caring
clever	gullible	suspicious
smart	quarrelsome	protective
sharp	arrogant	worried
intuitive	aggressive	humanistic
mystical	demanding	rational
cunning	antagonistic
mean	sceptical
over	impetuous
confident

Question 1.
Match the suffixes with the words and make words:

Answer:

Word	Suffix	Noun
auction	able	auctioneer
enchantment	enchantment	enchantment
know	ment	knowledge
prepare	ure	preparation
proceed	tion	procedure
appear (this word is not in the lesson)	ment	appearance
remark	ure	remarkable

Question (iii)
‘An Astrologer’s Day’ has ironic elements where the astrologer pretends to have ‘supernatural knowledge’ that coincidently turns out to be the truth. Find out an example of irony from the extract and write it down:
Find out the examples of irony from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
His eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted.
1. He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute.
2. He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers.
3. He said things which pleased and astonished everyone : that was more a matter of study, practice, and shrewd guesswork.

Question (iv)
Find the examples of code-mixing from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. ‘cowrie shells’
2. turban

Question (v)
There are some phrases where the word ‘crown’ is used with different shades of meaning. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences meaningfully. One is done for you.
Crowning achievement, to crown the effect, crown of thorns, crowning glory, to crown it all
Answer:
e.g. To crown the effect, he wound a saffron- coloured turban around his head.
(a) The works of Shakespeare are the crowning glory of English drama.
(b) Amitabh has given us awesome movies throughout five decades. But his crowning achievement is his performance in the movie ‘Black’.
(c) In her pursuit of success, Radha has distanced herself from her family. Her fame has become a real crown of thorns.
(d) They threw a wonderful party for me with costumes, games and to crown it all my favourite kind of ice cream.
(e) Medical science has great inventions, but organ transplantation is definitely a crowning achievement for human beings.

(A4)

Question (i)
Use the word given in the brackets and rewrite the sentence:
(a) The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced. (enhancement)
(b) He had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles, (worked)
(c) He knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute. (happening)
(d) If you find my answers satisfactory, will you give me five rupees? (satisfaction)
(e) He shook his head regretfully. (regret)
(f) It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays, (bewildered)
(g) “I should have been dead if some passer-by had not chanced to peep into the well,” exclaimed the other, overwhelmed by enthusiasm. (enthusiastically)
(h) You tried to kill him. (killing)
(i) I will prepare some nice stuff for her. (preparation)
(j) The other groaned on hearing it. (heard)
Answer:
(a) There was considerable enhancement in the power of his eyes.
(b) He had worked out an analysis of mankind’s troubles.
(c) He knew what could be happening to himself the next minute.
(d) If my answers give you satisfaction, will you give me five rupees?
(e) He shook his head with regret.
(f) He was bewildered by the crisscross of light rays.
(g) “I should have been dead if some passer-by had not chanced to peep into the well,” exclaimed the other enthusiastically.
(h) You tried killing him.
(i) I will make a preparation of some nice stuff for her.
(j) The other groaned when he heard it.

(A5)

Question (i)
Prepare a speech on Science and Superstitions.
Answer:
Science and Superstitions
Respected teacher and my dear friends,

I wish you all a very good morning. Today we are celebrating Science day in our school, and on this occasion I, Rohan Kamte, would like to say a few words about Science and Superstitions.

Science and Superstitions are two opposite ends of a pole. Those who have the scientific attitude and believe in science cannot possibly believe in superstitions. After all, what exactly are superstitions? They are only some tales made up by people for some reason or the other. Let me give you an example. Many years ago, in a house in a village, they were having an auspicious function. A lot of food was being cooked.

A cat and her kitten were moving about here and there in the kitchen. Afraid that the cat would be trampled upon or may fall into one of the open fires, the mistress of the house ordered the servant to put the cat and its kitten under a basket, and to do so every time there was a function in the house. This became a ‘superstition’ and in some houses, people actually brought a cat into the house and put it under a basket whenever they had a function!

This is what superstitions are all about. The superstition of bad luck if you walk under a ladder too has its reasons. The ladder could fold up and injure a person walking beneath it, or something could fall on the person’s head.

So friends, I request you: In this age of Science, do not believe in silly superstitions. Keep your minds open. Be rational and logical. Analyse things. Believe something only if it has the backing of Science. Thank you.

(ii) Read the following proverbs. Share you views and expand the ideas.

Question (a)
Actions speak louder than words.
Answer:
Actions speak louder than words

Today a lot of importance is being given to the way we speak and what we speak. But we have to remember that ultimately it is not words but actions that are important. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation, did not give any grand speeches. However, by his actions he saw that India gained her freedom. Our soldiers do not give long lectures on patriotism they merely act to defend the country. What would have happened if they had only spoken but not acted?

This very well-known proverb is very apt when it comes to parent-child interaction. It has been seen that children observe the actions of their parents and imitate them not their words. In the animal kingdom too, the actions of the parent are of paramount importance. During elections, politicians make loud speeches but later on do not work. It is because of this behaviour that they lose the trust of the people. Thus, we must act with responsibility, always remembering that people observe our actions and are not swayed by our words.

Question (b)
The face is the index of the mind.
Answer:
[Points: facial expressions and eyes indicate one’s thoughts – this is. non-verbal communication – that is why we smile when happy and frown when sad – however, smart people can hide their feelings so that face does not show them – so one has to be careful while reading faces]

Question (c)
Speech is silver and silence is golden.
Answer:
[Points: we speak – we give others information or reveal our thoughts – others speak, we get information – sometimes we speak hastily and hurt others – create problems – remain silent and think – can find solutions – many leaders speak hastily – create international problems – better to be silent and let one’s actions speak]

Question (d)
Argument is the worst kind of communication.
Answer:
[Points: arguments – people get angry – angry words and raised voices – hurt people – confusion – relationships spoilt – instead talk softly and allow others to talk – accept that others can think in a different way – ‘a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still’]

Question (e)
Attitudes are the real figures of speech.
Answer:
[Points: quote by Edwin H Friedman – in communication, more than the verbal message, the non-verbal message important – your attitude and behaviour have more impact than your words – for example, if you say ‘sorry’ in a harsh tone without any apology on your face – the word has no meaning – hence body language and attitude are very important)

Question (f)
The wise man has long ears and a short tongue
Answer:
[Points: better to listen than to speak – wise people listen more and speak only when they have something important to say – speech is silver and silerwe is golden – in any situation it is better to remain silent and evaluate situation – empty vessels make the most noise]

(A6)

Question (i)
Bill Naughton has written a collection of wonderful stories which you can read in his book ‘The Goal Keeper’s Revenge and Other Stories’. Read all the stories and discuss their themes with your partner.

Question (ii)
Read R.K. Narayan’s humorous collections of short stories and novels. Here are some titles you can read.
(a) ‘Under The Banyan Tree’
(b) ‘The Doctor’s Word’
(c) ‘LawleyRoad’
(d) ‘A Horse and Two Goats’
(e) ‘Gateman’s Gift’

(A7)

Question 1.
Surf the internet and find out the career opportunities in Astronomy.

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.1 An Astrologer’s Day Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
List the fancy names the vendor of fried groundnuts gave his wares.
Answer:
The fancy names the vendor of fried groundnuts gave his wares are:

‘Bombay Ice Cream’
‘Delhi Almond’
‘Raja’s Delicacy’, etc.

Question 2.
Complete the following:
(The answer is given directly and underlined.)
Answer:
If the astrologer had stayed in the village, he would have carried on the work of his forefathers-namely, tilling the land, living, marrying and growing old in his cornfield and ancestral home.

Question 3.
The Town Hall Park was a remarkable place in many ways for an astrologer to build his business. List the exceptional qualities of the place from the extract.
Answer:
The exceptional qualities of the place were:

lack of municipal lighting
flare from the groundnut heap
hissing gaslights, some with naked flares, and cycle lamps
bewildering criss-cross of light rays and moving shadows

Question 4.
Complete the following:
(The answers are given directly and underlined.)
The signal for the astrologer to leave was when the nuts vendor blew out his flare and rose to go home.
The astrologer spoke only when his client had spoken for at least ten minutes.

Question 5.
Rearrange the following sentences in the order of their occurrence in the extract:

“I will speak to you tomorrow.”
“Oh, stop that,” the other said.
“There is a woman ”
“Or will you give me eight annas?”

Answer:

“Oh, stop that,” the other said.
“Or will you give me eight annas?”
“I will speak to you tomorrow.”
“There is a woman ………..”

Complex Factual:

Question 1.
Complete the following:
(The answer is given directly and underlined.) The tactics used by the astrologer to earn his wages are:
Answer:

Question 2.
Describe how the astrologer had left the village.
Answer:
The astrologer had left the village without any previous thought or plan. He had left home without telling anyone. He did not rest till he left behind his village a couple of miles.

Question 3.
The astrologer could understand the problem in five minutes. Give reasons from the extract.
Answer:
The astrologer had a working analysis of mankind’s troubles like marriage, money and the tangle of human ties. Long practice had sharpened the way he perceived things, and thus he could understand the problem in five minutes.

Question 4.
Complete the following :
(The answer is given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

Question 5.
Complete the web:
(The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

Question 6.
Complete the following with what had happened to Guru Nayak’s enemy, according to the astrologer. According to the astrologer ………….. .
Answer:
According to the astrologer, Guru Nayak’s enemy had died. He had been crushed by a lorry.

Question 7.
Describe the load on the astrologer’s mind.
Answer:
The astrologer thought that he had killed a man after a quarrel. He felt intensely guilty about this, and had run away from his village. This feeling of guilt was the load on his mind.

Question 8.
Was the astrologer’s wife happy with his day’s earnings? What did she plan to do with it?
Answer:
Yes, the astrologer’s wife was overjoyed with his day’s earnings. She planned to buy some jaggery and coconut and make some sweets for their daughter.

Inference/Interpretation/Analysis:

Question 1.
The presence of the groundnut vendor is beneficial to the astrologer. Justify.
Answer:
The vendor of fried groundnuts gave his wares fancy names like ‘Bombay Ice Cream’, ‘Delhi Almond’, ‘Raja’s Delicacy’ and so on. People were amused and attracted by this and flocked to him to buy groundnuts. As the astrologer was seated right next to him, the groundnut vendor’s customers dallied near the astrologer and were probably tempted to consult him.

Question 2.
Pick out the lines that tell you that the astrologer did not have any real knowledge of astrology.
Answer:

He had not in the least intended to be an astrologer when he began life.
He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself the next minute.
He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers.
It was a bewildering crisscross of light rays and moving shadows. This suited the astrologer very well.

Question 3.
The astrologer could tell the person/client about his life. Describe the method he used.
Answer:
The astrologer would listen to his client talk for about ten minutes. He would thus get all the information about his life from him, and then cleverly pose questions which made it appear that he actually knew about the person’s life.

Question 4.
‘Our friend felt piqued.’ Name the friend and give reasons for him feeling ‘piqued’.
Answer:
‘Our friend’ is the astrologer. He felt piqued because the man cut short his words rudely and told him to tell him something worthwhile. The astrologer was used to people listening eagerly and respectfully to whatever he had to say, and the behaviour of the man showed that he did not value the usual smooth talk. That is why the astrologer felt piqued.

Question 5.
Complete the following:
(The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:
1. The man was left for dead because he had been pushed into a well in a field. Nobody normally looked into the well, and he would have died had there not been a passer-by who chanced to peep into the well.
2. The man looked gratified because his enemy had met his death by being crushed under a lorry. Guru Nayak felt that the man deserved such a terrible fate for what he had done to him.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Do you like to hear predictions about your future? Give reasons.
Answer:
No, I do not like to hear predictions about my future. I do not believe that any person can foretell what is going to happen in someone’s life. Astrology is just a way of making money from gullible people. I believe that one must work hard and be a good human being if one wants to be successful in life.

Question 2.
Do you think that astrology is an art and can be studied? Discuss.
Answer:
Yes, astrology is an art. There are various methods of predicting the future, like palm-reading, reading the pulse, reading the horoscope, etc. These methods can be studied, or the knowledge can be inherited from one’s ancestors. However, the astrologer must have intuition and talent for this art.

Question 3.
Explain with examples your reactions when someone challenges you.
Answer:
If the challenge is worthwhile, I take it up. For example, my friend Rohan challenged me to a bicycle race to the top of a nearby hill. I took it up as it was interesting, and I knew I could do it.

However, when my friend Soham challenged me to jump from the first floor of our building, I refused the challenge, as I knew it was dangerous and I was likely to break some bones. Though Soham scoffed at me, and said that he had already done it, I did not let his ridicule bother me.

Language Study:

Question 1.
The power of his eyes was considerably enhanced by their position.
(Rewrite beginning ‘The position …………’)
Answer:
The position of his eyes considerably enhanced their power.

Question 2.
This colour scheme never failed.
(Rewrite as an affirmative sentence.)
Answer:
This colour scheme was always successful.

Question 3.
He had left his village without any previous thought or plan. (Rewrite using neither … nor …’)
Answer:
He had left his village with neither any previous thought nor plan.

Question 4.
One or two had hissing gaslights. (Identify the part of speech of the underlined word.)
Answer:
hissing – adjective (present participle used as an adjective)

Question 5.
He never opened his mouth till the other had spoken for at least ten minutes.
(Rewrite using ‘only’.)
Answer:
He opened his mouth only after the other had spoken for at least ten minutes.

Question 6.
He looked up and saw a man standing before him. (Rewrite as a simple sentence.)
Answer:
Looking up, he saw a man standing before him.

Question 7.
If I prove you are bluffing, you must return that anna to me with interest. (Pick out the clauses and state their type.)
Answer:
you must return that anna to me with interest-main clause
If I prove you are bluffing-adverb clause of condition

Question 8.
“Tell me something worthwhile.” (Identify the type of sentence.)
Answer:
Imperative sentence.

Question 9.
Never travel southward again, and you will live to be a hundred. (Rewrite using ‘only if)
Answer:
You will live to be a hundred only if you never travel southward again.

Question 10.
He flung the coins at her and said “Count them. One man gave all that.” (Rewrite in reported speech.)
Answer:
He flung the coins at her and instructed her to count them. He added that one man had given all of it.

Question 11.
I will prepare some nice stuff for her. (Rewrite using the past perfect tense of the verb.)
Answer:
I had prepared some nice stuff for her.

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
Match the suffixes with the words and make words:
Answer:

Word	Suffix	Noun
innocent	able	innocence
reason	ledge	reasonable

Question 2.
Pick out two words from the extract that indicate sound.
Answer:
crackled, hissing

Question 3.
Guess the meaning of ‘pies’
Answer:
pies – is the plural form of pie which is a former bronze coin of India, the 12th part of an anna.

Question 4.
Find an example of code mixing from the extract and write it down.
Answer:
pies

Question 5.
Find out the examples of irony from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. When he told the person before him, gazing at his palm, “In many ways you are not getting the fullest results for your efforts,” nine out of ten were disposed to agree with him.
2. “Most of your troubles are due to your nature. How can you be otherwise with Saturn where he is? You have an impetuous nature and a rough exterior.” This endeared him to their hearts immediately, for even the mildest of us loves to think that he has a forbidding exterior.

Question 6.
Guess the meaning of the words:

tilting
bluffing
glimpse

Answer:

tilting – to move into a sloping position.
bluffing – deceiving, lying
glimpse – to see someone or something for a very short time

Question 7.
Find examples of code mixing from the extract and write them down.
Answer:

anna
rupee
cheroot
jutka

Question 8.
Guess the meaning of the words:

passer-by
peep
overwhelmed
groaned

Answer:

passer-by – a person who happens to be going past something or someone, especially on foot.
peep – to peer into something cautiously
overwhelmed – overcome
groaned – made a low sound of distress.

Question 9.
Find examples of code mixing from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. annas
2. pyol

Question 10.
Find from the extract the antonyms of the following words:

light
noise
few
dead

Answer:

light × darkness
noise × silence
few × many
dead × alive

Non-Textual Grammar:

1. Do as directed:

Question 1.
A stone struck the man on the head.
(Rewrite using the passive voice.)
Answer:
The man was struck on the head by a stone.

Question 2.
You will not recover. Refrain from smoking.
(Rewrite using ‘unless’.)
Answer:
You will not recover unless you refrain from smoking.

Question 3.
He is certainly taller than his brother.
(Rewrite in the positive degree.)
Answer:
His brother is certainly not as tall as he is.

Spot the error in the following sentences:

Question 1.
His mouth watered when he saw a bouquet of grapes.
Answer:
His mouth watered when he saw a bunch of grapes.

Question 2.
They left their luggages at the railway station.
Answer:
They left their luggage at the railway station.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

Into the Wild 12th Question Answer English Chapter 1.6 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.6 Into the Wild Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 1.6 Into the Wild Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 1.6 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
Narrate in your class any of the incidents of your life when you were extremely terrified or awestruck.
Answer:
(Points: alone on a lonely road – lost somewhere – seeing a beautiful sunset – seeing beautiful mountains, etc.)

Question 2.
Complete the given table regarding the factors/situations/reasons – why you sometimes get scared and the factors that add to it. Give possible solutions:
Answer:

Reasons	Factors which add to it	Solutions
1. While discussing about strange creatures	At midnight/ In the absence of parents	Avoid such discussions/ stories as they are baseless
2. If I get lost somewhere and cannot find my way home	If I am alone/ if it is at night/ if the place is lonely	Find out the way/route in detail before hand/Try not to go out at night alone.
3. Just before the exams.	If I am not prepared for them/ if I have not studied	Have a regular timetable for studies/make sure that I find ways to prepare subjects that I find difficult.

Question 3.
Given below are various activities which you can pursue as your hobby, passion, or profession. Complete the table accordingly:

Answer:

Activities	Hobby	Passion	Profession	Reason/Challenge/Both
Painting	✓	✓	✓	(R) I can express myself well through the strokes of brush
Traveling	✓	✓	✓	(R) In tourism, there is great demand for professional tourist guides.
Wildlife photography	✓	✓		(C) In the age of computers limited professional scope
Conserving environment		✓	✓	(C) In a world which is careless, a tremendous challenge
Bird Watching	✓	✓		(R) Extremely interesting and rewarding; professional opportunities few

Question 4.
Match the following ‘Wildlife Sanctuaries’ with their locations:

Answer:

Wildlife Sanctuary	Location
1. Bandipur National Park	(c) Karnataka
2. Kaziranga National Park	(d) Assam
3. Jim Corbett National Park	(a) Uttarakhand
4. Ranthambore National Park	(e) Rajasthan
5. Kanha National Park	(b) Madhya Pradesh

(A1)

Question (i)
In pairs, discuss the professions and challenges one can take happily if one is really passionate about the job.
(Points – professions: photography, environmental conservation, writing, reporting, music, choreography, etc. challenges – low salary, difficulties with organizations, uncooperative colleagues, severe competition, etc.

Question (ii)
In groups, organize a role play activity associated with ‘Wildlife Expert’/‘Wildlife Photographer’/ ‘Wildlife Conservator’, explaining the differences and similarities involved in their profession.
(Students can find out the details of each profession from the internet and organize a role play.)

(A2)

Question (ii)
Correct the false statements:
1. Earlier Shaaz was in the field of finance.
2. The writer saw the fight between the two leopards.
3. The photograph of the old leopard made Shaaz famous.
4. Saya is a black panther.
Answer:
False statements:
2. The writer saw the fight between the two leopards.
3. The photograph of the old leopard made Shaaz famous.
Corrected statements:
2. The writer did not see the fight between the two leopards.
3. The photograph of the young leopard made Shaaz famous.

Question (iii)
Complete the given web:

Answer:

Question (iv)
Complete the following:

Answer:

Question (v)
Complete the flow chart stating the reactions of the petrified Langurs due to the presence of the Leopard.

Answer:

Question (vi)
Complete the web, describing each step taken by the writer as a solitary traveller while moving in the jungle with great precaution:

Answer:

Question (vii)
Complete the table explaining the qualities that you would like to imbibe from Nature within yourself and provide the reasons for the same:
Answer:

From	Quality	Reasons
Trees	Patience	Trees patiently bear up with seasons like winter and autumn, and the attacks on them by animals, birds and humans, and wait for spring, to bloom again.
Streams	Perseverance	Streams can even wear down rocks with their perseverance.

(A3)

Question (i)
Choose the appropriate phrase/ expression from the extract given in the brackets: (time and again, to one’s heart’s content, in a jiffy)
(a) I was on a diet for some days but today I am going to eat ……………… .
(b) Every mother scolds her children …………… for the overuse of the mobile phone.
(c) All their educational problems were sorted out ………….. because of the funds given by an NGO.
(d) Raj ran at a ……………… to catch the train.
Answer:
I was on a diet for some days but today I am going to eat to my heart’s content.
Every mother scolds her children time and again for the overuse of the mobile phone.
All their educational problems were sorted out in a jiffy because of the funds given by an NGO.
Raj ran at a frantic speed to catch the train.

(A4)

(i) Begin the following sentences with the words given in the brackets:

Question (a)
I can guide visitors. (Visitors….)
Answer:
Visitors can be guided by me.

Question (b)
Animals are paying me back. (I……..)
Answer:
I am being paid back by animals.

Question (c)
Madegowda is employed by The Bison.
(The Bison )
Answer:
The Bison employs Madegowda.

Question (d)
Older leopards like Pardus carry away livestock from villages. (Livestock….)
Answer:
Livestock are carried away from villages by older leopards like Pardus.

Question (e)
I have lost almost 80 per cent of a season’s yield of sugarcane. (Almost 80 per cent.)
Answer:
Almost 80 per cent of a season’s yield of sugarcane has been lost by me.

Question (f)
Tracking an animal also teaches you life lessons. (Life lessons)
Answer:
Life lessons are also taught by tracking an animal.

Question (g)
Many things have been taught to me by the forests. (The forests)
Answer:
The forests have taught me many things.

Question (h)
Resentment among locals towards the animals is created by this. (This)
Answer:
This creates resentment among locals towards the animals.

(ii) Rewrite the sentences by using ‘not only…… but also’:

Question (i)
Rewrite the sentences by using ‘not only….but also’:
1. The petrified Langurs speeded to the trees near and far and secured their places on the treetops.
2. Umbarzara is the haven for Tigers, Leopards and Sloth Bears.
3. I crossed the cement pillar and stones stacked by the Forest Development Corporation.
Answer:
1. The petrified Langurs not only speeded to the trees near and far but also secured their places on the treetops.
2. Umbarzara is the haven not only for Tigers but also for Leopards and Sloth Bears.
3. I crossed not only the cement pillar but also the stones stacked by the Forest Development Corporation.

(A5)

Question (i)
Your college has decided to celebrate the World Environment Day. Mr. Kiran Purandare has been invited as the ‘Chief Guest’ for the event. Imagine you are the Secretary of the ‘Nature Club’ of your college and you have to conduct an interview of Mr. Kiran Purandare. Frame 8/10 questions for the same.
Answer:
Questions to interview Mr Kiran Purandare

Good morning, Sir. On behalf of the Nature Club of our college, I congratulate you on your achievements. We also loved your book ‘Sakha Nagzira’. I would like to ask you a few questions. May I? Thank you.

Please tell us something about the ‘Environmental Studies’ Course that you studied’.
Are there any such courses in India, especially in Maharashtra?
How did you get interested in the conservation of the environment?
Do you think that we, in Maharashtra, are doing enough to look after our environment?
How can we get permission to spend time inside sanctuaries?
You were mostly a solitary traveller inside the forest. What was the reason for this?
Are there any excursions/expeditions in which you are going to participate, in the near future?
How can we help you in your work?
Any tips/message for our Nature Club?

Thank you, sir, for answering our questions so frankly. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Question (ii)
Imagine you have visited the jungles of Nagarhole. Write a report, to be published in your college magazine/in a local newspaper.
Answer:
A Week in a Jungle

Mysuru, 13 May: Four of us from N.S. College, Mysuru, spent a week at Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park), located in Kodagu District.

It was an exhilarating and educative week. The park is filled with waterfalls, hills, valleys, streams and forests. It is famous for its rich population of animals and birds. The Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, etc. are the predators that can be spotted in the park. Herbivores like Elephants, Chital, Sambar Deer and Barking Deer are also spotted around the national park.

As it was the month of May, and the water holes were drying up, plenty of animals visited the lake, and we had a grand time observing their habits from the machaan which was built for tourists. We were particularly careful not to disturb the environment by talking loudly or playing music. Hence, the animals were at their natural best. We were thrilled to see a pair of Bengal Tigers and a Leopard.

It was wonderful to see these majestic animals from such a close distance. It is truly an unforgettable experience. We could not see the Sloth Bear, but there were plenty of elephants and deer. After an experience like this one, all four of us have decided to visit various sanctuaries and take an avid interest in the wildlife of India.
– Shantanu Pratap.

Question (iii)
Shaaz has contributed towards conserving the wild animals and their habitat. Your college has decided to spread the message in society and arrange a rally. Prepare an ‘Appeal’ to ensure maximum participation informing about the day, date and other relevant details.
Answer:
Come One Come All!
Come With Friends And Family!

We need your help to save our planet!
Every species is essential for the survival of the planet.
Hence, we need to protect and conserve wild animals and their habitat.
You are the One With A Voice
Protect The Ones Without A Voice

Participate in our rally.
N.S. College Grounds To Forest Office
Date: 12 November Time: 9 a.m.
Save Animals-They Will Save You!

Question (iv)
Nature is a great teacher and a guide. Complete the mind map as instructed as per the titled concept:

Answer:

(A6)

Question (i)
Surf the net and obtain more information about the conservation work done by Shaaz. Prepare posters to inspire others and display them on your college notice board.

Question (ii)
Find out the information about the I qualification and eligibility required in the professions related to wildlife such as …………

Forest officer/Ranger
Wildlife photographer
Environmentalist
Geologist
Tour Manager

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.6 Into the Wild Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the extract and complete the activities given below:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
Pick out the sentences that are false and write them correctly:
1. The narrator had made notes of the langurs in the region.
2. One has to be really alert while walking in the jungle.
3. The leopard was petrified.
4. There was a lot of noise in the jungle.
Answer:
False sentences:
1. The narrator had made notes of the langurs in the region.
3. The leopard was petrified.
Correct sentences:
1. The narrator had made notes of the birds in the region.
2. The langurs were petrified.

Question 2.
Complete the following:
Answer:
1. Shaaz named the leopards:
(a) Saya
(b) Scarface
(c) Pardus
2. The visitors are welcomed because they can volunteer to teach a skills training class of their choice. This enables locals to find employment either at the numerous wildlife resorts in the region or in a city.

Question 3.
Correct the false statements:
1. BCRTI was founded out of the genuine urge to conserve the habitat of the wild life.
2. Shaaz failed to utilize the finance incurred out of tourism.
3. According to the local agriculturist seeing is more essential than listening.
4. There was no specific buffer zone around Nagarhole.
Answer:
False statements:
2. Shaaz failed to utilize the finance incurred out of tourism.
3. According to the local agriculturist seeing is more essential than listening.
Corrected statements :
2. Shaaz put the finance incurred out of tourism to good use.
3. According to the local agriculturist listening is more essential than seeing.

Complex Factual:

Question 1.
Pick out from the extract four sentences that show that the writer was frightened.
Answer:

The evening breeze flew through my wet curled hair.
My stomach was aching.
My legs were trembling.
The shaking of limbs had lessened a bit.

Question 2.
Describe the meaning of the acronym BCRTI and explain its benefits to the local people.
Answer:
The BCRTI is ‘Buffer Conflict Resolution Trust of India’. It’s an agency that educates villagers who live on the fringe of the forest on the importance of conservation. Under the BCRTI umbrella, Shaaz provides locals with vocational training, with the aim of educating them on the merits of conservation and to help them benefit from tourist currency. The visitors at the resort are welcome to volunteer to teach a skills training class of their choice. The acquired skills enable locals to find employment.

Inference/Interpretation/Analysis:

Question 1.
Explain: I was alone here like a fox:
Answer:
Foxes are solitary creatures. They move around and hunt alone. In the same way, the narrator was alone; he had come to the forest alone to do his research, and now he was going back to the village all alone. Hence, he compares himself to a fox.

Question 2.
Give the meaning of the word ‘hide’ in the context and give reasons for its usage here.
Answer:
A hide is a camouflaged shelter used to get a close view of wildlife. It is a place built to look like its surrounding. The writer was observing birds and noting their behaviour. If he was visible, the birds would not come near him or act in a natural manner. Hence, he had to build a hide, conceal himself in it and then observe birds unnoticed.

Question 3.
Give reasons:
Answer:
1. After meeting Raju, the writer and Raju both felt relaxed because now there were two of them-four eyes and four hands with a stick-to find their way out of the jungle and to battle predators.
2. The time was dreadful because it was evening and the sun was setting. Being alone in the jungle at night time with predators all around was dreadful.

Question 4.
What is called ‘silver lining’ of the trail by the writer? Why?
Answer:
The writer had lost his way in the jungle and was desperate to find a village and civilization. Then he found a bright red soil trail with the marks of a bicycle wheel on it. These marks showed that there was a village nearby. To the frightened and desperate writer, this was like a ‘silver lining’.

Question 5.
The writer said, “There still exists a jungle where we can get lost, isn’t this our good luck?” What does he mean by this?
Answer:
Human beings have tried to take over all the natural areas of the world. We have encroached on jungles and forests, and there are human inhabitations within the jungles too. To find a jungle where there is no sign of human life, and one can still get lost, shows that there are some areas untouched by humans and left to nature. That is what the writer called ‘our good luck’.

Question 6.
Describe Shaaz’s meetings with Scarface.
Answer:
One day, at sunset, Shaaz and his companions went round a blind turn and saw an old leopard, well past his prime. Close to him was another very young, good-looking male leopard who was soon to come into his prime. It was like looking at the past and the present. It was clear that there was going to be a fight. However, they had to leave as it was sunset.

The next day, when Shaaz went back to the spot, sitting on the high rock was Scarface, blood dripping from a gash across his face. He sat there like he was the king of the jungle, and Shaaz knew that he had taken over from the old leopard, and it was a new journey for both of them.

Question 7.
Find: The Bison is
Answer:
The Bison is an eco-friendly wildlife camp in South India. It offers some great opportunities for youngsters to learn about the area, people, the man-animal conflict, eco-tourism and hotel management.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Describe a safari you have been on or a trip through a forest. Narrate your experience in brief.
Answer:
I have gone to the Periyar National Park in Kerala. It is in the Western Ghats. This wildlife sanctuary is home to tigers and elephants. There are also deer, leopards and Indian bison. I have also been on a boat ride in the Periyar Lake. It was a wonderful experience to see tigers drinking at the watering holes. I really enjoyed the experience and will repeat it as soon as I can.

Question 2.
Have you ever been lost/lost your way? Narrate the experience.
Answer:
Yes, once when I was in Panchgani with my family I got lost. I decided to go for a walk alone. I set out without finding out the name of the road on which our hotel was situated. As I was walking, it suddenly began to rain heavily, and got quite dark. When I looked around I found that I was in a sort of a jungle. I was terrified; then I met a villager, but he could not help me. I did not even have my cellphone with me. I was in tears when all at once I saw my hotel. I had walked round in circles! I was very relieved. It was indeed a frightening experience.

Question 3.
How do you relax at the end of a tiring day? Give a brief description.
Answer:
At the end of a tiring day, I pick up a nice book or watch a good film on TV or Netflix. This relaxes me completely. If I go to sleep j directly, I am too tired and do not get good sleep. But if I spend half an hour or so unwinding, I really feel relaxed and sleepy.

Question 4.
Would you like to meet wild animals face to face? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
No, I would not. I like to see wild animals only on TV. I feel that we should not intrude into their territory, and leave them to live in peace. Besides, they are wild and not tame, and one never knows how they may behave. I have read about a lot of people being killed by wild animals.

Language Study:

Question 1.
The surroundings were reminding me.
(Rewrite, beginning the sentence with ‘I…)
Answer:
I was being reminded by the surroundings.

Question 2.
I had apparently entered in the sanctum sanctorum of a miracle called leopard.
(Pick out the finite verb/s and state the tense.)
Answer:
had entered – past perfect tense.

Question 3.
Raju was amazed at my solitary visits to Umbarzara.
(Rewrite beginning ‘My solitary’)
Answer:
My solitary visits to Umbarzara amazed Raju.

Question 3.
Then we both resumed our walking tour, (Identify the part of speech of the underlined word.)
Answer:
walking-present participle acting as an adjective.

Question 4.
I found a bright red soil trail. (Rewrite beginning with‘A ’.)
Answer:
A bright red soil trail was found by me.

Question 5.
I had no other way to climb the hillock before me. (Rewrite as an affirmative sentence.)
Answer:
This was the only way I had to climb the hillock before me.

Question 6.
I climbed one more hillock and tried to locate signs of human civilization. (Rewrite beginning ‘Climbing’.)
Answer:
Climbing one more hillock, I tried to locate signs of human civilization.

Question 7.
The behaviour of the first black panther is being documented. (They….)
Answer:
They are documenting the behaviour of the first black panther.

Question 8.
All the research on the animal has been done through camera traps. (They….)
Answer:
They have done all the research on the animal through camera traps.

Question 9.
Shaaz recalls the incident with great clarity.
(Rewrite the sentence replacing the underlined expression with a single word.)
Answer:
Shaaz recalls the incident clearly.

Question 10.
Unfortunately, the sun was setting and we had to leave. (Rewrite using ‘because’.)
Answer:
Unfortunately, we had to leave because the sun was setting.

Question 11.
Use the word ‘guide’ as a noun and a verb in two separate sentences:
Answer:
1. We can guide children to behave well. {verb)
2. I hired a local guide to show me the sights of the palace, {noun)

Question 12.
The black panther has taught me patience. (Rewrite using the adjective form of the underlined word.)
Answer:
The black panther has taught me to be patient.

Question 13.
Listening is a sense far more important than sight. (Rewrite using ‘as…as…’)
Answer:
Sight is a sense not as important as listening.

Vocabulary:

Question 1.
Guess the meaning of the following words :

upheaval
predator
hovering
antelope

Answer:

upheaval – uproar; disturbance.
predator – an animal that preys on other animals.
hovering – fluttering in the air.
antelope – deer-like animal with hollow horns.

Question 2.
Give the meaning of the phrase ‘to stay put’ and use it in your own sentence.
Answer:
to stay put:
Meaning: remain somewhere without moving.
Sentence: My mother told me to stay put near the entrance when she went to buy the train ticket.

Question 3.
Write two adjectives from the extract used for the leopard.
Answer:
mighty, elusive.

Question 4.
Choose the correct option for: spooked –
(a) frightened
(b) happy
(c) angry
Answer:
frightened

Question 5.
Find the contextual meaning of‘stacked’:
Answer:
stacked – piled one on top of the other

Question 6.
Guess the meaning of ‘in a jiffy’:
Answer:
in a jiffy – in a moment; very soon

Question 7.
Make sentences of your own using the words:
1. slumped
2. stumbled
Answer:
1. slumped: I was so tired after the trek that I slumped onto my bed and fell I asleep immediately.
2. stumbled: I did not see the stone in the middle of the road and stumbled over it.

Question 8.
Guess the meaning of:
1. ‘felines’
2. chronicler
Answer:
1. felines: belonging to the cat family,
2. chronicler: a person who records something.

Question 9.
Pick out two pairs of antonyms from the : extract:
Answer:
1. old × young
2. past × present

Question 10.
Write the noun forms of:

famous
enviable
collect
including

Answer:

famous – fame
enviable – envy
collect – collection
including – inclusion

Question 11.
Write the adjective forms of the following:

incursion
territory
resentment
occasion
employment
region

Answer:

incursion – incursive
territory – territorial
resentment – resentful
occasion – occasional
employment – employable
region – regional ?

Question 12.
Choose the correct simple past tense forms of the following from the brackets:

teach – (teached, teaching, taught)
lose – (loser, lost, loose)
put – (put, putted, putting)
learn – (lean, learnt, learns)

Answer:

teach – taught
lose – lost
put – put
learn – learnt.

Non Textual Grammar:

Do as directed:

Question 1.
He had won a prize in the drawing competition. (Rewrite using the future perfect tense of the verb.)
Answer:
He will have won a prize in the drawing competition.

Question 2.
How could I call him a liar? (Rewrite as an assertive sentence.)
Answer:
I could not call him a liar.

Question 3.
All other things are unimportant. (Add a question tag.)
Answer:
All other things are unimportant, aren’t they ?

Spot the error in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly:

Question 1.
Unless you do not listen to his advice, I am not going to help you.
Answer:
Unless you listen to his advice, I am not going to help you./If you do not listen to his ? advice, I am not going to help you.

Question 2.
Hardly had I reached the airport where I heard about the change in plans.
Answer:
Hardly had I reached the airport when I heard about the change in plans.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

On Saying “Please” 12th Question Answer English Chapter 1.2 Maharashtra Board

January 17, 2025January 16, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.2 On Saying “Please” Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 12 English Chapter 1.2 On Saying “Please” Question Answer Maharashtra Board

12th Std English Chapter 1.2 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 12th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1.
List the words of courtesy that we use in our daily life. Discuss them with your partner and explain the purpose of using each.

Answer:

Question 2.
Listed below are a few character traits of people. Some are positive traits, while others are not. Tick [✓] the ones you feel are desirable.

Answer:

Question 3.
Etiquette and manners are very important for a person to live in the society. Read the following and put them in proper columns:

To receive phone calls while you are in a lecture or class.
To knock before you enter your Principal’s office.
To thank the person who offers you tea or coffee.
To be polite and courteous to others.
To leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission.
To occupy the seats reserved for ladies or physically challenged or elderly people on a bus or a train.

Answer:

Appropriate	Inappropriate
1. To knock before you enter your Principal’s office.	1. To receive phone calls while you are in a lecture or class.
2. To thank the person who offers you tea or coffee.	2. To leave the classroom without the teacher’s permission.
3. To be polite and courteous to others.	3. To occupy the seats reserved for ladies or physically challenged or elderly people on a bus or a train.

(A1)

Question (i)
Form groups and explain the following words with examples:
Answer:
1. Humility: being free from pride and arrogance – greatest example our former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – remember that ‘pride comes before a fall’ – always realize that there are people better than you are – Socrates said ‘One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing. ’
2. Self-esteem: self-respect; confidence in one’s own worth or abilities – accept oneself as one is – everyone is different and unique – highly positive quality – leads to achievements, success, healthy relationships – can be developed with a little effort.
3. Gratitude: thankfulness for something that you have got – ready to show appreciation for something – towards the Almighty, towards those who have helped you – strengthens relationships with others – creates positivity.
4. Courtesy: means good manners and polite behavior – means being kind and compassionate towards others – should be real, not artificial – creates good impression – one will be liked by all – human quality not present in animals.
5. Generosity: kindness; big-heartedness – the act of being kind, selfless and giving towards others – very positive trait – influences others – when one is generous, one feels good – many religions consider this a great virtue – encourage charity.
6. Sympathy: feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune – leads to stronger relationships – offering condolences when someone dies – helps us to bond with others-makes the other person’s distress less – beautiful emotion – should be developed.
7. Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another – putting yourself in the shoes of the other person – different from kindness or pity – listen when people talk – see things from the other person’s point of view – makes one a very humane person.

Question (ii)
Have a Group Discussion on the topic ‘The need of soft skills at the workplace’. Use the following points:
Answer:
(a) Written and verbal communication (writing notes, letters, memos, reports, instructions, speeches, presentations, etc.)
(b) Ways of interacting with others (showing courtesy, sympathy, cooperation, empathy, strictness, gratitude, humility, team work, etc.)
(c) Creative abilities (preparing reports, presentations, letters, etc.)
(d) Emotional intelligence (showing understanding, compassion, empathy, team work, motivation, self-awareness, etc.)

(A2)

Question (i)
Read the text and state whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the False statements.
(a) Bitter problems in day-to-day life can be solved by sweet words.
(b) Great wars could have been avoided by a little courtesy.
(c) Observance of etiquette in a normal situation is important but more important is their observance when the situation is adverse.
(d) Words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ help us in making our passage through life uneasy.
(e) The law permits anybody to use violence, if another person is discourteous.
Answer:
True statements:
(a) Bitter problems in day-to-day life can be solved by sweet words.
(b) Great wars could have been avoided by a little courtesy.
(c) Observance of etiquette in a normal situation is important but more important is their observance when the situation is adverse.

False statements:
(d) Words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ help us in making our passage through life uneasy.
(e) The law permits anybody to use violence, if ; another person is discourteous.

Corrected statements :
(d) Words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ help us in making our passage through life easy.
(e) The law does not permit anybody to use violence, if another person is discourteous.

Question (ii)
Select the most appropriate sentences which suggest the theme of the essay.
(a) The essay tells us about courtesy, civility, morality, responsibility and control.
(b) The essay explores the difficulties that can be incurred by an individual when dealing with the public.
(c) One can keep one’s peace of mind without having to lower themselves to the level of the perceived offender.
(d) People with low self-esteem are generally difficult to work with and they look down upon others to get a feeling of superiority.
Answer:
(a) The essay tells us about courtesy, civility, morality, responsibility and control.
(c) One can keep one’s peace of mind without having to lower themselves to the level of the
perceived offender.

(iii)

Question (a)
Find the reasons for the liftman’s uncivilized behaviour.
Answer:
Reasons for the liftman’s uncivilized behaviour when the passenger was rude and ill-mannered towards him:

he was acutely hurt by the slur cast by the passenger on his social status
the passenger’s discourtesy was a wound to his self-respect
he felt insulted by the passenger’s discourtesy.

Question (b)
List the people and their behaviour that made the passenger rude and ill- mannered.

Answer:
The people who made the passenger rude and ill-mannered:
[housemaid] → [cook] → [employer’s wife] → [employer] → [passenger] → [lift-man]

Question (iv)
Good manners are required in our daily life for making our social contacts more cooperative and friendly. Illustrate the behaviour of the polite conductor with different people in various situations.

Answer:

Situation	Behaviour
1. The writer’s sensitive toe was trampled on	The conductor said sorry with an apology and courtesy.
2. In the rainy season dealing with people	He would run up the stairs to give someone the tip that there was “room inside”.
3. Dealing with old people	He was as considerate as a son.
4. Dealing with children	He was as solicitous as a father.
5. Dealing with young people	He always indulged in some merry jest with them.
6. Dealing with a blind man	He set him down safely on the pavement and then took him wherever he wanted to go, after telling the driver to wait for a while.

Question (v)
Discuss and Write the impact of good temper and kindliness on society in the light of the good-mannered conductor.
Answer:
The conductor was always cheerful and kind-hearted to everyone in the bus. This spread to his passengers and they too became cheerful and good-humored. They would naturally pass on this feeling after getting off the bus. Thus, in society, if people are good-tempered, cheerful and kind, it will spread to others and they too will start behaving in a similar manner. This will lead to a happy and compassionate society.

Question (vi)
‘A modest calling can be made dignified by good temper and kindly feeling’. Explain the statement with examples.
Answer:
This means that whatever career or job one has, however simple or modest, it can be made more dignified by behaving in a good- tempered and cheerful manner and with kindliness towards the people one comes in contact with. For example, even a simple job like that of a security guard at a mall can be made pleasant and dignified if the guard smiles and says ‘Thank you’ or ‘Good morning’ every time he/she checks a person.

A sweeper’s job can also be made more dignified if he/she just nods and smiles at passers-by or helps them if they are in need.

Question (vii)
The service of the police is necessary for the implementation of law in our society. Do you think you require this service for a good social environment? Discuss and write.
Answer:
No, we cannot have the police monitoring us for social and moral offences. For example, one cannot be punished if one refuses to smile at an acquaintance or say Thank you’. One cannot be punished if one doesn’t hold the door open for the person who is following.

These are good manners, or courtesy, and they have to be taught right from childhood, and they will change in different cultures and different circumstances. Whether a person follows them or not depends on the individual. However, if these little courtesies are followed, life will become much simpler and more pleasant for everyone.

(A3)

Question (a)
Find out the words in Column B which collocate with the words in Column A:

Answer:

A	B	Answer
regular	meal	regular exercise
mid day	concept	mid-day meal
key	food	key concept
fast	exercise	fast food
try	decorated	try hard
richly	hard	richly decorated
free	jam	free time
traffic	time	traffic jam
social	animal	social justice
wild	justice	wild animal

Question (b)
Learning collocations is essential for making your English sound fluent and natural. Make the following collocations and use them in your own sentences.

Sentences:
(1) BIG:

It was a big mistake to hold a party on a rainy day.
“Did you get a big surprise when you saw me?” asked the little girl to her mother.
There was a big welcome waiting for the winning team.
The hungry beggar prayed that he would get a big meal at the rich man’s home.
Writing the difficult exam was no big deal for the intelligent boy.
Rohan realized that it would be a big challenge for him to win the match.
The discovery of a new element was big news in the scientific community.
Losing the beauty contest was a big shock for the arrogant girl.

(2) WELL :

The well-dressed man jumped over the puddle carefully.
The advice the teacher gave Rita was well-meant, but Rita did not like it.
The cook was happy to see the well-stocked cupboard.
Little Naina was well-pleased with her birthday gift.

Question (ii)
Sometimes while using a word in a sentence, we have to change its word class. we can make several more words from the root word.
we can make several new words from the root word.
I asked Sumit to ……………. my pencil for me. (sharp).
I asked Sumit to sharpen my pencil for me.

Question 1.
Now read the following sentences and use the words given in the brackets. Change the word class and rewrite the sentences.
(a) Leena was eating a very …………. apple and obviously enjoying it. (crunch)
(b) This picture looks …………… (colour)
(c) I’m afraid that your behaviour is just not ……………. (accept)
(d) I like my elder brother. He is very ……………. (help)
Answer:
(a) Leena was eating a very crunchy apple and obviously enjoying it.
(b) This picture looks colourful.
(c) I’m afraid that your behaviour is just not acceptable.
(d) I like my elder brother. He is very helpful.

Complete the following table. Put a cross if a word class does not exist.

Question (iii)
Write appropriate expressions and words you have to use while facing an interview :
Answer:
(a) May I come in?
(b) May I have a seat?
(c) Thank you.
(d) I’m sorry, but I did not catch what you said.
(5) Please let me know

Question (b)
You are writing a letter of complaint. List the proper expressions that you would like to write.
Answer:

I disagree.
I’m sorry to say that….
I would like to suggest….
This was not expected from a company like yours.
Please replace the defective piece as soon as possible.

Question (iv)
Distinguish between a legal offence and a moral offence on the basis of the extract.

Answer:

Legal offence	Moral offence
Burglary	Rude behaviour
Assault	Discourtesy
Battery	Haughtiness
	Laceration of one’s feelings

Question (v)
Find out the meaning of the phrase ‘give and take’ and use it in your own sentence.
Answer:
give-and-take – Meaning: exchange of ideas Sentence – The TV stars engaged in an interesting give-and-take which was enjoyed by the audience.

Question (vi)
Complete the table with polite expressions that we must use in our day-to-day life:

Answer:

Don’ts	Dos
I want a cup of tea.	I would like to have a cup of tea.
Send me the mail.	Please send me the mail.
Go away or leave me alone.	Please let me be by myself.
You are wrong.	Are you sure you’re right?
That’s a bad idea.	That is not a very good idea, is it?
Your work isn’t good.	Your work can do with some improvement

(A4)

Question (i)
Edit the given paragraph using a/ an/the wherever necessary:
Rakesh is a/an ideal son who remains devoted to his father as he grows professionally to become a/the famous doctor. As his father grows old, he takes care to spend time with his father, bringing him tea in a/the morning and taking him out for a/the walk in an/the evening.
Answer:
Rakesh is an ideal son who remains devoted to his father as he grows professionally to become a famous doctor. As his father grows old, he takes care to spend time with his father, bringing him tea in the morning and taking him out for a walk in the evening.

Question (ii)
Spot the errors in each of the following sentences and correct the incorrect ones:

Question (a)
Radha brought pens and distributed them between her five children.
Answer:
Radha bought pens and distributed them among her five children.

Question (b)
Jayshree and Sujata sat besides each other in complete silence.
Answer:
Jayshree and Sujata sat beside each other in complete silence.

Question (c)
His best friend Vijay was blind within one eye.
Answer:
His best friend Vijay was blind in one eye.

Question (d)
One could dare to encroach on his rights.
Answer:
One could not dare to encroach on his rights.

Question (e)
She was taken with surprise when she saw the famous Taj Mahal.
Answer:
She was taken by surprise when she saw the famous Taj Mahal.

Question (f)
It is not possible to exchange the goods once the sale has been completed.
Answer:
It is not possible to exchange goods once the sale has been completed, (‘the’ is deleted.)

Question (g)
Dr. Sengupta has been trying to master the craft for the last five years.
Answer:
No error in this sentence.

Question (h)
The top-ranking candidates will be appointed in senior jobs in banks.
Answer:
The top-ranking candidates will be appointed | to senior jobs in banks.

Question (i)
She knows very well what is expected from her but she is unable to perform.
Answer:
She knows very well what is expected of her but she is unable to perform.

Question (j)
They will put on a note in this regard for your consideration.
Answer:
They will put up a note in this regard for your consideration.

Question (iii)
Read the following.
Santosh purchased a computer. He read the operating manual and followed the instructions.
(a) He linked the monitor, keyboard and printer.
(b) He plugged in the main cable.
(c) He switched on the monitor at the back.
(d) When the light appeared on the screen, he placed the Day Disk in Drive A.
(e) He pushed in the disk until the button clicked out.
(It took about 30 seconds for the computer to load the program.)
(f) He pressed the Drive button and the disk shot out.
(g) He replaced the Day Disk with the Document Disk.
(h) He pressed function key 7.
Convert these sentences into passive voice by filling in the blanks.

Firstly the monitor, keyboard and printer were linked up. Then the main cable was plugged in. The monitor was switched on at the back. When the light appeared on the screen, the Day Disk was placed in Drive A. The disk was pushed in until the button clicked out. It took the computer 30 seconds to load the program. The drive button was pressed and the disk shot out. The Day Disk was replaced with the Document Disk. Finally, the function key 7 was pressed. The word processor was then ready to use.

(A5)

Question (i)
Write a speech on ‘Courtesy is the light of life’ with the help of the following points.
(a) People have a good impression of you.
(b) You will be acknowledged and appreciated by all.
(c) You will he happier and contented with life.
Answer:
Courtesy is the light of life
Dear friends,

Good morning. You may be surprised with the topic I have chosen for this speech, for today the word ‘Courtesy’ seems to be an old-fashioned word for us. But it is really the light of life. I, Shivam Goswami, would like to say a few words on why I think so.

First of all, what does courtesy mean? It means good manners and polite behaviour. It means being kind and compassionate towards someone. When you are courteous, people have a good impression of you; but that is not the reason for being courteous. Politeness should be real, and not artificial.

A courteous person will be appreciated by all. People will like to spend time with him/her and find pleasure in the person’s company. Someone may ask ‘What is courteous behaviour’? Saying simple words like ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’, ‘Excuse me’ and ‘Sorry’ is courteous behaviour. Helping a person who has fallen is courteous behaviour. Holding the lift door open for someone is courteous behaviour.

When a person is courteous, people are automatically courteous in return. This leads to a more polite and happier society. As I conclude, I would like to ask all of you to do something for a week: Be courteous. Then you will see the returns and realize the truth of what I am saying. Thank you for listening to me so patiently. Bye.

Question (ii)
‘Manners maketh man’ – Expand the idea in your own words with proper examples.
Answer:
Manners maketh man

‘Manners maketh Man’ : so goes a famous saying. In the world of today, people are judged by their manners and conduct. Manners distinguish us from animals, and make us human. A person who is courteous and considerate towards others is said to possess good manners. Such a person is respectful to his superiors, courteous to his equals and sympathetic towards his subordinates. He always shows concern for the well-being and comfort of others. He uses words like ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Sorry’ while talking to others; he helps senior citizens and those in need.

Everyone likes a person who speaks and behaves politely and treats others respectfully. Good manners cost practically nothing but can buy everything. They win us friends and help us influence people. They make the world a happier place to live in by reducing friction and avoiding tension.

When we meet a person for the first time, it is the person’s courtesy which impresses us deeply. Good manners are generally taught by parents at home, and by teachers in school. Manners that are learnt during childhood generally remain with us throughout our lives. They become a part of our personality. Hence, it is desirable that good manners are instilled in children when they are very young, so that they grow up to become courteous, considerate adults.

(A6)

Question (i)
Read A. G. Gardiner’s essay “The Open Window’ and compare its theme with the essay ‘On Saying “Please.”

Question (ii)
‘Nothing clears up my spirits like a fine day’ – Keats. Collect information of the poet Keats and write it in your notebook.

(A7)

Question (i)
Soft skills are required in all walks of life including careers and industries. They are increasingly becoming the essential skills of today’s workforce. Soft skills are an integral part of finding, attracting and retaining clients also. Highly developed presentation skills, networking abilities, and etiquette awareness can help you win new clients and gain more work. The following are considered the most important soft skills.
image

Question (ii)
Following are some of the institutions where you will get the courses related to soft skills.
(a) Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
(b) Indian School of Business Management, Hyderabad
(c) XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur
(d) Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi
Jobs available at –

Customer service centre
Management schools
Hotel industry, etc.

Yuvakbharati English 12th Digest Chapter 1.2 On Saying “Please” Additional Important Questions and Answers

Read the extract and complete the activities given below.:

Global Understanding:

Question 1.
Read the following sentences and find out True and False sentences. Correct the false sentences:
1. The liftman invited the passenger into the lift.
2. If you knock down a burglar, the law will acquit you.
3. There is no legislation against bad manners.
4. The complainant had to pay a fine.
Answer:
True sentences:
2. If you knock down a burglar, the law will acquit you.
3. There is no legislation against bad manners.

False sentences:
1. The liftman invited the passenger into the lift.
4. The complainant had to pay a fine,

Corrected sentences:
1. The liftman threw the passenger out of the lift.
4. The liftman had to pay a fine.

Question 2.
Explain the penalty, if any, that one has to pay if one is rude or boorish.
Answer:
There is no penalty to pay if one is rude or boorish except the penalty of being called a ill-mannered person.

Question 3.
The behaviour of the people who made the passenger rude and ill-mannered:
Answer:

Question 4.
Complete the following:
(The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

The first requirement of civility is that we should acknowledge a service.
The Underground Railway Company insists that their employees are civil.
The words which make life smooth are ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
The job of a bus conductor is very difficult and sometimes painful.

Question 5.
Tick mark the correct words:
(The answers are marked directly.)
Answer:

The author finally found/did not find the money for the ticket.
The author thought he had left home with/ without any money.
The conductor gave/did not give the author a ticket.
The author was pleased/displeased with the conductor.

Question 6.
Complete the web by choosing the correct words from the brackets that describe the conductor: (mean cheerful considerate grumpy patient solicitous impatient polite irritable good-tempered haughty good-natured kind)
Answer:

Question 7.
Complete the following :
(The answers are given directly and underlined.)
Answer:

A modest career can he made dignified by good temper and kindly feeling.
The law can only protect us against material) attack.
The narrator says he does not want to apologise for praising an unknown bus conductor.
A man who is polite may lose material advantage but he always has the spiritual victory.

Complex Factual:

Question 1.
Explain what the liftman wanted the passenger to do, and what happened afterwards.
Answer:
The passenger, on entering the lift, said ‘Top’. The liftman wanted him to say ‘Top please’. The passenger refused to do so. The liftman, instead of taking him to the top floor, threw him out of the lift.

Question 2.
Explain the sentence: The pain of a kick on the shins soon passes away but the pain of a wound to our self-respect or our vanity may poison a whole day.
Answer:
This means that if we are physically attacked i and injured, the pain of the wounds will soon heal and be forgotten. But if our self-respect or pride is hurt, it may poison our lives and behaviour for a much longer time.

Question 3.
It is not possible for the law to become the guardian of our private manners. Explain.
Answer:
The area of moral offences is quite vast and no laws or commandments can cover this area. In addition, social civilities, speech and manners are of so many types and the interpretation of these (whether they are good or bad) is so different that no court could administer a law which governed them. Hence, it is not possible for the law to become the guardian of our private manners.

Question 4.
Mention a couple of ways to keep the machine of life oiled and running sweetly.
Answer:
We can keep the machine of life oiled and running sweetly by using courteous words like ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ to acknowledge a service.

Question 5.
Complete the following:
(The answer is given directly and underlined.)
Answer:
The public owes much to the Underground Railway Company because they insist on a certain standard of civility in their employees, and take care that the standard is observed.

Question 6.
Complete the table:
Answer:

The words	Who said!	To whom	When
1. “I haven’t a copper on me.”	The narrator	The conductor	When the conductor and the narrator found that he had left home without any money in his pocket.
2. “Oh, you’ll see me some day alright.”	The conductor	The narrator	When the narrator address) he could send the borrowed asked where (to which money.
3. “Where shall I send the fare?”	The narrator	The conductor	When the narrator wanted to repay the ticket money to the conductor.
4. “Where do you want to go?”	The conductor	The narrator	When the narrator explained that he did not have any money on him, and the conductor

Question 7.
Write the narrator’s opinion about how the liftman should have dealt with the passenger’s uncivility. Give reasons for the same.
Answer:
In the opinion of the writer, the liftman, instead of throwing the passenger out of the lift, should have treated him with elaborate politeness. He would have then had the victory not only over the rude passenger, but also over himself, and that was the spiritual victory that was more important. His revenge would then have been more subtle and effective.

Inference/Interpretation/Analysis :

Question 1.
Name the ‘unpleasant specimen’ mentioned in the extract and describe his behaviour.
Answer:
The ‘unpleasant specimen’ mentioned in the extract is the type of bus conductor who regards his passengers as natural enemies whose chief purpose on the bus is to cheat him, and who can only be kept honest by using a loud voice and an aggressive manner.

Question 2.
Describe the stale old trick, according to the conductor.
Answer:
Pretending that you have forgotten your purse at home, and hence do not have the fare for the ticket is a stale old trick, according to the conductor. (The conductor does not say this the narrator only imagines that he may do so.)

Question 3.
Describe the reactions of the bus conductor.
Answer:
No, the conductor did not think that the narrator was dishonest. He cheerfully accepted what the narrator said without doubting him and offered him a free ticket.

Question 4.
Describe the experience which made the narrator comfortable in the bus.
Answer:
The conductor had trampled on the narrator’s sensitive toe, causing him pain and agony. However, the conductor had then explained matters and apologized so profusely that the narrator forgot his pain and anger. After this experience, the narrator always observed his constant good nature and cheerful behaviour with pleasure and felt comfortable in his presence.

Question 5.
Describe the narrator’s justification of his praise of the conductor.
Answer:
The narrator says that if the famous poet Wordsworth could gain wisdom from a poor leech-gatherer, he sees no reason why ordinary people should not take lessons on conduct from a bus conductor, who shows how a modest job can be made more dignified by behaving in a good-tempered and cheerful manner and with kindliness towards the people one comes in contact with.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
Describe a person you have come across who is always polite and helpful. What do you think about him/her?
Answer:
The security guard of our building is always polite and helpful. He will help senior citizens get in and out of their cars or into the lift; he will help any person who has heavy bags. He also replies politely to any question asked by anyone. We all like him very much and often share our chocolates and biscuits with him. We also give him books, stationery and toys for his little child.

Question 2.
Describe a pleasant/unpleasant experience you have had with a bus conductor.
Answer:
This is an experience I had when I was new to Mumbai. I got into a bus and asked the conductor for a ticket to Dadar. The conductor shook his head and told me that I had got into the bus going in the wrong direction. He patiently explained that I would have to get off at the next stop, cross the road, and catch a bus having the same number but going in the opposite direction. He even pointed out the bus stop to me. Though I felt a bit embarrassed, I thanked him for his kindness.

Question 3.
Give your opinion about the conductor’s behaviour.
Answer:
The conductor was really a good and kind human being who saw the best in everyone and believed everyone. He was ready to pay the fare for the narrator’s ticket himself, even though he was not sure whether it would be returned. It is difficult to find such generous and helpful people in the world today, and it leaves a very pleasant feeling in the heart when you do.

Language Study:

Question 1.
The law does not compel me to say ‘Please’.
(Rewrite as an interrogative sentence.)
Answer:
Does the law compel me to say ‘Please’?

Question 2.
It was a question of ‘Please’.
(Add a question tag.)
Answer:
It was a question of ‘Please’, wasn’t it?

Question 3.
It will permit me to retaliate with reasonable violence.
(Pick out the finite and non-finite verbs.)
Answer:
will permit – finite verb;
to retaliate – non-finite verb (infinitive)

Question 4.
The pain of a wound to our self-respect may poison a whole day.
(Pick out the auxiliary and state its function.)
Answer:
may – possibility

Question 5.
For there are few things more catching than bad temper.
(Write the part of speech of the underlined word.)
Answer:
Gerund

Question 6.
Bad manners probably do more to poison the stream of general life than all the crimes in the calendar. (Rewrite in the present perfect tense.)
Answer:
Bad manners have done probably more to poison the stream of general life than all the crimes in the calendar.

Question 7.
There is a social practice much older and much more sacred than any law which enjoins us to be civil.
(Rewrite using ‘not only … but also… ’)
Answer:
There is a social practice not only much older but also much more sacred than any law which enjoins us to be civil.

Question 8.
Most people will have a certain sympathy with him. (Rewrite using the verb form of the underlined word.)
Answer:
Most people will sympathize with him.

Question 9.
Here and there you will meet an unpleasant specimen who regards the passengers as his natural enemies. (Replace the verb in the future tense with a modal auxiliary showing possibility.)
Answer:
Here and there you might meet an unpleasant specimen who regards the passengers as his natural enemies.

Question 10.
I had left home without any money in my pocket. (Pick out the verb and state the tense.)
Answer:
had left-past perfect tense.

Question 11.
I know that stale old trick.
(Rewrite beginning ‘That stale old trick ’.)
Answer:
That stale old trick is known to me.

Question 12.
I said it was very kind of him.
(Identify the clauses.)
Answer:
I said – main clause
it was very kind of him – subordinate noun clause

Question 13.
I began to observe him whenever I boarded his bus. (Pick out the subordinate clause and state the type.)
Answer:
subordinate clause – whenever I boarded his bus; adverb clause of time.

Question 14.
He seemed to have an inexhaustible fund of patience and a gift for making his passengers comfortable. (Rewrite using ‘as well as…’)
Answer:
He seemed to have an inexhaustible fund of patience as well as a gift for making his passengers comfortable.

Question 15.
In lightening their spirits he lightened his own task. (Rewrite using the verb form of the underlined word.)
Answer:
When he lightened their spirits he lightened his own task.

Question 16.
A very modest calling may be dignified by good temper and kindly feeling. (Rewrite as an interrogative sentence.)
Answer:
Can’t a very modest calling be dignified by good temper and kindly feeling?

Question 17.
“I never give the wall to a scoundrel,” said a man who met Chesterfield one day in the street. “I always do,” said Chesterfield, stepping with a bow into the road. (Rewrite using reported speech.)
Answer:
A man who met Chesterfield one day in the street said that he never gave the wall to a scoundrel. Chesterfield, stepping with a bow into the road, replied that he always did.

Question 18.
The polite man may lose the material advantage, but he always has the spiritual victory. (Rewrite beginning ‘Though’)
Answer:
Though the polite man may lose the material advantage, he always has the spiritual victory.

Vocabulary:

Find out the meanings of the following phrases and use them in your own sentences.

Question 1.
knock someone down –
Answer:
Meaning: to hit someone forcefully so that he/she falls down
Sentence: The young boy was so angry with the bully that he knocked him down.

Question 2.
to comply with :
Answer:
Meaning: to obey.
Sentence: We must comply with the laws of the country we live in.

Question 3.
Find out 2 words with prefixes and 2 with suffixes from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. Words with prefixes : discourtesy, uncivil.
2. Words with suffixes : instruction, reasonable.

Question 4.
Complete the following:
Answer:

A liftman is a person who is employed to operate a lift.
An assailant is a person who attacks another person.
A complainant is a person who makes a formal complaint in a law court.
A burglar is a person who illegally enters houses and steals things.

Question 5.
Write the meanings of the following words :

redress
henpecked
black eye.

Answer:

redress – to set right to remedy.
henpecked – being controlled by and frightened of one’s wife.
black eye – an area of skin around the eye that has gone dark because it has been hit.

Question 6.
Use the phrase ‘a black eye’ in your own sentence.
Answer:
When I saw my friend with a black eye, I knew that he had been in a fight with someone.

Question 7.
Find out 2 words with suffixes and 2 compound words from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. words with suffixes: vanity, really.
2. Compound words: breakfast, housemaid.

Question 8.
Write the meaning of the following words:

endorse
verdict
resentment
calling

Answer:

endorse – express support
verdict – judgement
resentment – anger
calling – vocation or profession.

Question 9.
Find out 2 words with suffixes from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
Words with suffixes : sympathy, requirement.

Question 10.
Find out two words with prefixes and two with suffixes from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. Words with prefixes: unfriendliness, inconvenience
2. Words with suffixes: existence, discovery

Question 11.
Pick out four adverbs of manner from the extract.
Answer:
coldly, cheerfully, luckily, easily.

Question 12.
Write the meanings of the followings words:

countenance
treading
assured (someone)
benediction
uncouth

Answer:

countenance – face.’
treading – walking on.
assured (someone) – made something certain to someone.
benediction – a blessing.
uncouth – impolite, unrefined.

Question 13.
Find out 2 words with prefixes and 2 with suffixes from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
1. words with prefixes: inexhaustible, unusually
2. words with suffixes: investment, cheerful

Question 14.
Write the meaning of ‘moral affront’.
Answer:
moral affront: a deliberate offence or insult to one’s dignity or self-respect.

Question 15.
Find out the meaning of the following phrase and use it in your own
sentence: lower than the angels
Answer:
lower than the angels – Meaning : less than perfect
Sentence: The unexpected behaviour of the religious men was somewhat lower than the angels.

Question 16.
Write four words with suffixes from the extract and write them down.
Answer:
agreement, politeness, institution, sweeten.
Note: Students can find more words on their own.

Vocabulary:

A Collocation is a combination of words in a language that often go together. They habitually occur together and hence convey some meaning by association, e.g. early morning, hot dinner, fast train.

Non-Textual Grammar:

Do as directed:

Question 1.
Hearing the sound of music from a side street, Mona had an idea.
(Rewrite as a compound sentence.)
Answer:
Mona heard the sound of music from a side-street and had an idea.

Question 2.
Siddharth could not ask his father for a cricket bat.
(Rewrite using the antonym of ‘able’.)
Answer:
Siddharth was unable to ask his father for a cricket bat.

Question 3.
“I will try,” the lady smiled.
(Rewrite in indirect speech.)
Answer:
The lady smiled and said that she would try.

Spot the error in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly:

Question 1.
I picked some of the lovely, tasty fruits and had eaten my fill of them.
Answer:
I had picked some of the lovely, tasty fruits and had eaten my fill of them.

Question 2.
I miss my friends a lots.
Answer:
I miss my friends a lot.

12th Std English Questions And Answers:

Extracts of Drama – (B) An Enemy of the People 11th Question Answer English Chapter 4.3 Maharashtra Board

January 13, 2025January 12, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 11th Digest Chapter 4.3 Extracts of Drama – (B) An Enemy of the People Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 11 English Chapter 4.3 Extracts of Drama – (B) An Enemy of the People Question Answer Maharashtra Board

11th Std English Chapter 4.3 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 11th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Character:

Question 1.
Mayor Peter Stockmann is a contrast to Dr. Thomas Stockmann. Justify.
Answer:
There are lots of good things you can say about Dr. Stockmann, the protagonist of ‘An Enemy of the People’. He is an idealist and a man having great love and care for his family. He is generous with his neighbors and truly cares for his fellow men. Despite his troubles, he wishes to make the world a better place. Most importantly, the doctor is a man of principles willing to fight for justice no matter what it costs.

On the contrary, Mayor Peter Stockmann, his brother is a practical man. He is the antagonist in the play who is less worried about the common men in the city. Throughout the play, the Mayor, Stockmann mercilessly tries to ruin his brother’s life in order to keep the truth from being revealed. He hardly shows any affinity towards his brother. He never shows any feeling of guilt for the fact that he’s totally messing up the life of a family member.

Question 2.
Write the character sketch of Dr. Stockmann.
Answer:
Dr. Stockmann is the brother of the Mayor, Peter Stockmann and the protagonist/hero of the play. He is a practising medical doctor and the medical officer of the town baths. He is an ideal person who has great love for family, fellow citizens and social values. Dr. Stockmann believes strongly in individual freedom and the right of every man to express himself freely.

He is a man of morality and truth and is ready to fight against injustice. He tries to raise his voice against the hypocritical ways of his brother and the members of conservative government. The play revolves around his struggle to give justice to common men of the city. Finally, his fruitless efforts lead him to such misfortune to ruin everything in his profession and life. However, he is not ready to give up his efforts for truth. We see him as a man of patience and strength when he remarks – “The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone!”

3. Read the given extract.

Question (i)
Complete the following table. (Answers are given directly in bold)
Answer:

Character	Supportive Character	Incident
1. Dr. Stockmann	(a) Mrs. Stockmann (b) Petra Stockmann	(a) Ready to stand with him in every difficulty. (b) Joins her father in his fight against injustice.
2. Peter Stockmann	(a) Aslaksen (b) Hovstad	(a) To stand in opposition of Dr. Stockmann (b) Turned to the Mayor’s side in the final scene.
3. Aslaksen	(a) Dr. Stockmann (b) Tradesmen	(a) Trusted him for printing the article. (b) Gave their support to him.

Question (ii)
Match the column ‘A’ with column ‘B’

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
1. Dr. Thomas Stockmann	Opportunist
2. Katherine	Vulnerable
3. Peter	Honest and upright
4. Petra	Coward
5. Hovstad	Timid but supportive
6. Billing	Cunning and corrupt
7. Aslaksen	Courageous

Answer:

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
1. Dr. Thomas Stockmann	Honest and upright
2. Katherine	Vulnerable
3. Peter	Cunning and corrupt
4. Petra	Courageous
5. Hovstad	Timid but supportive
6. Billing	Opportunist
7. Aslaksen	Coward

Plot:

Question 1.
Describe the climax scene in your own words. Write your comments on it.
Answer:
In the final scene, Dr. Stockmann realizes that no one is going to support him to publish the article as no one is ready to take any step against the Mayor. So, Stockmann asks Hovstad to give him back his papers (article). He announces in front of the Mayor that he will read out the article in a mass meeting for everybody to hear the voice of truth. But, the Mayor assures him that no one will lend him a hall in the city to do this.

Billing and Hovstad have also the same opinion. Mrs. Stockmann feels shameful to know the fact that no one is willing to give her husband a hall. She is rather shocked to know that everyone has turned against her husband. Dr. Stockmann is ready to hire a drum to walk on the city streets reading the article. It shows his determination to reveal the truth at any cost. All the family members are ready to stand with Dr. Stockmann in his sincere efforts to purify the society.

Question 2.
Describe in your own words the incident when Hovstad’s real intention to help Dr. Stockmann is exposed.
Answer:
When Dr. stockmann reached Hovstad’s office, he notices the Mayor’s stick and hat and suspects him of hiding in the next room. Dr. Stockmann enquired if Hovstad was going to publish the article in ‘People’s Messenger’. Hovstad answered him that he had to wait for publishing the article.

Hovstad didn’t refuse him but was not ready to publish it. He was under the influence of the Mayor and had personal interest. In addition, both Billing and Aslaksen supported the editor. Dr. Stockmann approached to Aslaksen for requesting him to atleast print the article as a pamphlet. However he denied doing so. Finally, Hovstad refused to print the article saying it would ruin doctor’s family. Here, the Dr. realized Hovstad’s real intention of not printing the article as he was doing everything to protect himself.

3. Write down the consequences of the following occurrences, with the help of the play.

Question (a)
Dr. Thomas Stockmann wants an article exposing social evils to be printed in the newspaper.
Answer:
Dr. Stockmann was an idealist and a lover of truth. When he came across the unhygienic condition of the baths which was a direct threat to the health of the people, he decided to publish the article in the newspaper exposing the Mayor and his cronies. This would directly affect the ruling government to lose their seats. In addition, it would raise public outcry against the social injustice of the Mayor and his stakeholders had to pay a large amount to rectify the issue.

Question (b)
The Mayor, Peter Stockmann persuades Mr. Hovstad and Mr. Billing from printing the article.
Answer:
The Mayor entered Hovstad’s office through the back doors. He didn’t want to let Dr. Stockmann know about his visit to Hovstad. When he met Hovstad and Billing, he told them that Dr. Stockmann is a headstrong man and had some wrong informations about the condition of the baths.

He also praised both Hovstad and Billing and assured them that he had another article to publish which would clear the doubts of all regarding the baths. He indirectly assured them to have their favour in this matter if they supported him. As Dr. Stockmann came to know about the Mayor’s visit to Hovstad’s office to persuade them, he was of the firm opinion that they would not publish his article.

Question (c)
Aslaksen declares that he would not print Dr. Stockmann’s article.
Answer:
As the Mayor told Aslaksen his idea of raising the money from the small tradesmen, Aslaksen thought that Dr. Stockmann’s idea of extensive alternation of the baths was unrealistic. So he decided not to print the article in the newspaper and save the small tradesmen from this unnecessary burden. As Aslaksen denied printing the article, Dr. Stockmann assured them that he would read the article in the mass meeting or raise the issue on the streets of the city. He would anyway expose the ruling government and give justice to common men.

Question (d)
Katherine encourages Dr. Stockmann to proceed in his attempts in the cause of public attempts.
Answer:
When the Mayor and his supporter opposed Dr. Stockmann, Mrs. Stockmann felt shameful that all of them turned against her husband. She put her arm onto his neck and told him that she was ready to stand with him. She encouraged him not to give up his idea and she and her children would help him in his mission. She finally promised to support him till the end. She added that her children Morten, Ejlif and Petra would follow him on the streets of the city.

Setting:

Question 1.
The setting of the act is the office of the newspaper ‘The Herald’. Explain how it is the proper background for the theme of the play.
Answer:
This act is set in the editor’s room at the office of ‘People’s Messenger’. One door leads to the printing office and another to the rest of the offices. There is a large table in the middle covered with books, papers and newspapers and there is a desk at the window. The room is described as ‘dingy and cheerless’.

The setting of the play is appropriate to the theme as the single door opening shows that truth is the only way to be followed by everyone. The dingy and clumsy atmosphere and old furniture urge need of change and renovation in the existing situation. The table covered with books and newspapers is a symbol of chaos and anarchy in the government.

The window stands for a ray of hope in the darkness of injustice. A few closed chairs symbolize time to wind-up prevailing conservative government and bring in new liberal governance. The glass panels stand for transparency and clarity in every section of the government.

Question 2.
Explain the use of the following property in the development of the play.
Answer:
(a) Hat – Hat plays an important role in the development of the play. It stands for the city’s authority, ‘the Mayor’ as it was a part of the official uniform. When Dr. Stockmann put on the hat, he told his brother that the entire city was in his hand. He also added that with that supreme power he would throw him off the existing government. Dr. Stockmann saw the Mayor’s hat in the editor’s room and could realize that the Mayor was hiding in the next room, listening his conversation with the editor. This made him understand the Mayor’s plot of ruining his article.

(b) Stick – The stick at certain instances was a symbol of assertiveness, commitment, new ideas or sticking to the old things. The stick in Dr. Stockmann’s hand suggests his assertiveness, commitment and new ideas in the existing government with the support of everyone. But the stick in the Mayor’s hand, suggests that the whole situation was groomed by him to turn against Dr. Stockmann. The stick in the hand of the Mayor also proves his authority and command over other people.

(c) An envelope containing the letter – The envelope of the letter focuses over the issue of grievance which everyone keeps by hiding a secret. Dr. Stockmann took various efforts to expose the issue but finally Hovstad returned the envelope to him, which suggests how everyone tried to conceal the burning issue. The issue needed immediate attention, but was hidden from the public as the letter was hidden by the envelope.

3. Explain the following statements with reference to the context.

Question (a)
And then, once the ring is broken, we’ll get to work and show the public every day just how incompetent the Mayor is!
Answer:
When both Hovstad and Billing read Dr. Stockmann’s article, they were shocked to know that the article would bring a revolution in the city. Hovstad was ready to publish that article the next day in ‘People’s Messenger’. Billing thought that if the Mayor didn’t like it then it would be a great trouble for them. But Hovstad was ready to take the risk as the problem was acute.

The Mayor would be in trouble from either by the small tradesmen and the householders’ association or by the shareholders in the bath. Anyhow the ring would be a broken and they would get a chance everyday to expose the Mayor through the newspaper and the entire government would go in the hands of the liberals.

Question (b)
From now on The Herald shall be my artillery.
Answer:
Billing, Aslaksen, Hovstad and Dr. Stockmann were discussing about the article. Hovstad was ready to publish the article in the ‘People’s Messenger’ on the next day only. Seeing this Aslaksen agreed with Hovstad to print whatever he wished to print. Dr. Stockmann was of the opinion that it would disrupt on the entire system.

Dr. Stockmann told them that the Mayor and his cronies tried to persuade him by all means but he was determined to publish the article at any cost. Now, Dr. Stockmann considered ‘People’s Messenger’ as his sheet-anchor (additional support)to use it as an artillery to attack on the Mayor with one article after another.

Question (c)
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Answer:
Petra visited Hovstad and she told him that she could not translate the novel he had given her. Hovstad asked the reason why she could not translate that book. She answered that the book was unrealistic and she didn’t find it to be read by the common men. At that time, Petra came to know Hovstad’s original intention not printing her father’s article revealing the truth. She thought him as a loyal person but he turned a traitor. So she said that he ought to be ashamed of himself.

Question (d)
Because your father can’t do without my help.
Answer:
Petra did not wish to translate the book as it was unrealistic. When she asked Hovstad about her father’s article, Hovstad told her that he was not going to print the article. She sensed the intention of Hovstad and his behaviour. She did not like his way of looking at the truth. She got upset when Hovstad told her that she was fighting against it as it was only a matter of her father. She became furious as she heard his remarks that her father couldn’t do anything without his help. She got to know the attitude of Hovstad to support the Mayor in the issue.

Question (e)
And it’s by no means the small sacrifice the town will have to make.
Answer:
The Mayor tried hard to persuade Aslaksen and Hovstad that they should not support Dr. Stockmann in his attempts to publish the article as it was not in favour of the small tradesmen and the householders. If the Mayor would go for the extensive alteration of the baths, the town would have to sacrifice. It would incur great expenditure on the municipal.

As a result, they would have to put extra burden of taxes over the tradesmen and commoners. In addition, the baths would be shut down for two years. In such condition, the householders would have to suffer a lot. Eventually, the city would have to be ready to make the sacrifice but Aslaksen was in no mood to put the additional burden over the tradesmen and householders.

Glossary:

sledgehammer – mallet or a heavy hammer used for breaking rocks
chicken-hearted – cowardly or easily frightened
prudent – wise and sensible, shrewd
bombard – attack/ assault/ bother
bigwigs – VIP or important persons
mince – cut/ chop/ crumble
salvation – deliverance/ escape/ rescue
alderman – an elected member of a city council /next in status to the mayor
compositor – a person who arranges the text and pictures of a newspaper or a book before it is printed
trembling – shake/shiver/vibrate
dingy – dull/colourless
hypocrite – fraud/ deceiver/ pretender
trivial – unimportant/ little/ worthless
subscription – membership fee/ donations/ contribution.

11th Std English Questions And Answers

Extracts of Drama – (A) A Midsummer – Night’s Dream 11th Question Answer English Chapter 4.3 Maharashtra Board

January 13, 2025January 12, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 11th Digest Chapter 4.3 Extracts of Drama – (A) A Midsummer – Night’s Dream Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 11 English Chapter 4.3 Extracts of Drama – (A) A Midsummer – Night’s Dream Question Answer Maharashtra Board

11th Std English Chapter 4.3 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 11th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Characters:

1. Choose the odd one out.

Question (i)
Bottom, Moth, Mustard seed, Cobweb
Answer:
Bottom

Question (ii)
Flute, Snug, Quince, Cobweb
Answer:
Cobweb

Question 2.
Match the columns.

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
(a) Theseus	1. Robin Goodfellow
(b) Titania	2. Queen of the Amazons
(c) Puck	3. Duke of Athens
(d) Hippolyta	4. Fairies
(e) Cobweb, Moth	5. Queen of the fairies

Answer:

Column ‘A’	Column ‘B’
(a) Theseus	3. Duke of Athens
(b) Titania	5. Queen of the fairies
(c) Puck	1. Robin Goodfellow
(d) Hippolyta	2. Queen of the Amazons
(e) Cobweb, Moth	4. Fairies

Question 3.
Draw a character sketch of Oberon as an enemy of his wife but a friend of lovers.
Answer:
Oberon, the king of fairies, is shown having two faces. On the one hand, he is shown hatching a plan with the help of Puck by using ‘Love in Idleness’ ensuring that the proper lovers end up loving each other. He is also shown sympathising Helena on seeing Demetrius’ cold behaviour towards her. He brings blessings, good health and peace to all the newly married couples towards the end.

On the other hand, in his dealings with his wife Titania, Oberon is potrayed as a wicked man. At the beginning of the play, Oberon is shown fighting with Titania over the custody of an Indian boy. Here, he is however, trying to prove his authority as a male and win the boy. He also tricks his wife by casting a spell upon her that leaves her fall in love with Bottom. He then releases the spell off her when he gets what he has wanted – The boy.

Question 4.
Comment on the loving pair of Lysander and Helena from the point of view of developing their character sketch.
Answer:
Hermia and Lysander loved each other and they eloped in the forest to get married. Helena loved Demetrius but it was the effect of the love potion which was applied to Lysander’s eyes when he slept. Therefore, as he woke up he saw Helena and he started developing feelings for her. But Helena loved Demetrius. On her part Helena was very right. At the end both found their right companions Helena – Demetrius and Lysander – Hermia.

Setting:

1. Correct the given sentences with justification.

Question (i)
The play is restricted to only a part of the woods.
Answer:
The play is not restricted to only a part of the woods because the references, Quince’s cottage, in the another part of the wood etc., are there in the play.

Question (ii)
Since there is a reference to the Indian boy, there are some scenes from India too.
Answer:
The reference to the Indian boy is found in Act II scene I as Puck says “A lovely boy, stolen from an Indian king” and when Titania said that his mother was a votaress of my order and in the spiced Indian air. The reference of Titania’s Indian friend is also found.

Question 2.
The characters are a part of the stage setting. How does this reflect when the characters of the play range from the Duke and the Indian boy to the fairies?
Answer:
Characters are a part of stage setting. This reflects in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ from the Duke in the palace as he instructs Philostrate to arrange for the celebration with great revelry. However, in the another part of the wood Oberon and Titania struggle for the custody of the Indian boy. Oberon uses love potion on the eyelids of Titania when she sleeps. As the setting of the stage changes the characters change accordingly. Because of the presence of the fairies and an Indian boy, the characters in the play range from real to imaginary.

Question 3.
What changes in the stage setting would you suggest.
Answer:
The characters are the part of stage setting and the play starts with Theseus, Duke of Athens as he wins the queen of Amazons, Hippolyta. But later, in their marriage celebration there are the king and the queen of fairies, Oberon and Titania as well as other fairies and elves as imaginary characters. Characters are arranged from real to imaginary. I suggest that all characters should be real humans.

Question 4.
Comment on the versality and the aptness of the stage setting, as per the requirement of the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Answer:
As per the requirement of the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ the versality and the aptness of the stage setting go hand in hand. The play starts in the palace and then the stage of the play develops in two different parts of the wood. The stage-setting has been arranged according to the need of the characters and the plot. The characters are set accordingly onto the stage.

Plot:

Question 1.
State whether the following statements are True/False.

Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena as a result of the love potion.
Oberon transforms Bottom’s head into that of an ass.
Titania falls in love with an ass.
Both Demetrius and Lysander fight for Helena.

Answer:

True
False
False
True

2. Give reasons:

Question (i)
Oberon and Titania fight for the custody of the Indian boy because –
(a) Oberon wants the custody of the Indian boy so that Titania would give him a lot time along with the boy.
(b) Titania wants the Indian boy because of her love and duty towards the small boy.

Question 3.
The consequences of Oberon ‘s jealousy for Titania are comic rather than tragic, comment.
Answer:
Oberon was jealous of his queen Titania because she refused to give the boy to him . She fell in love with Bottom. Oberon decided to seek revenge on his queen. It was Oberon himself who made Titania to fall in love with Bottom who wa§ having the head of a donkey. Comic incident was created by that scene in the drama.

Question 4.
There were some reasons why Theseus was initially against but later gave consent for the marrige of Hermia with Lysander. Explain.
Answer:
The reasons why Theseus was initially against but later gave consent for the marrige of Hermia with Lysander because Hermia’s father’s wish was that she should marry with Demetrius and she disobeyed her father. The Duke wants that Hermia should follow the rules and decision of her father. But she eloped with Lysander. It was Hermia’s true love for Lysander that made Theseus to change his decision and agreed that Hermia should marry with Lysander.

Form:

1. Select the correct options.

Question (i)
A Midsummers Night’s Dream is a _______
(a) poetic drama
(b) comedy of errors
(c) comedy based on fantasy
(d) a character play
(e) a revenge tragedy
(f) belongs to realm of dreams.
Answer:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedy of errors.

Question 2.
Find 2/4 expressions of humour from the extract.
Answer:
Expressions of humour from the extract are:
1. Helena: You do advance your cunning more and more –
Lysander: I had no judgement when to her I swore.
2. Hermia: What’s this to my Lysander? Where is he? Ah, good Demetrius, wilt thou give him me ?
Demetrius: I had rather give his carcass to my bounds.
Hermia: Out dog / out cur/ thou drivest me past the bounds.

Question 3.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is one of the best examples of Shakespeare’s comedy of errors. Comment.
Answer:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of the best examples of Shakespear’s comedy of errors because it has all the features of comedy of errors like conflict between characters, resolution over the problem, cleared confusions between the love triangle, reunion and marriage. It all seem very funny and interesting.

Theme:

Question 1.
Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer because he understood human nature better than anyone else. Explain the statement in context of the of play.
Answer:
Many authors have tried to potray love as human nature, however, none could display it better than Shakespeare does in his plays. In this play – ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ he explains human nature of ‘control’ through love. He has given a clear picturisation of how love controls a person in the character of Theseus as he forgives Hermia and allows her to marry her love Lysander. It reveals that true love prevails and finds solace.

Shakespeare also explains human nature of conflicts between family and friends. He gives a clear picturisation of conflict when the magic potion ‘Love in Idleness’ was wrongly used on Lysander and he falls in love with Helena because of which Hermia and Helena start a quarrel. Another conflict potrayed, is between the family, when Hermia is given three choices by her father – marry Demetrius, become a nun or die to which she rebels against her father and decides to elope to the woods to marry her love Lysander. Hence, Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest writer of human nature.

Question 2.
Prove with the theme of the play/ extract that the deeper human emotion which profoundly interested Shakespeare, was jealousy.
Answer:
The theme of the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is love. Shakespeare portrays how people fall in love with those who appear beautiful to them. However, if one rejects other’s true love, then jealousy starts in the minds of the lovers. The same situation arises if one does not spend quality time with the other. In this play the example of Oberon and Titania is apt to describe human emotion.

Language:

Question 1.
Interpret the following lines in Simple English.
Puck: I’ll follow you.
Bottom: The finch, the sparrow.
Answer:
The song is sung by Bottom to try to keep his courage up as Puck has just turned his head into that of an ass. This transformation scared everyone around him and he is alone in the forest. But his song awakens Titania who falls in love with him immediately and the use of appropriate words and songs are there for the other parts of the wood also.

2. Comment on the literary device, used in the following lines.

Question (i)
Titania: Be kind and courteous to this gentleman
Answer:
Tautology. The words kind and courteous denote the same meaning to give dramatic effect.

Question (ii)
Titania: Come wait upon him: lead him to my bower.
Answer:
Repetition. The word him is repeated two times to give dramatic effect.
Apostrophe. Time has been addressed by Titania to other fairies.

Question 3.
Shakespeare’s poetry has come to be valued for its own sake on the stage. Comment with reference to the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Answer:
Shakespeare’s poetry, in his ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is found outstanding and valued for it’s own sake on the stage. The expressions of love through poetry made his drama lively and interesting. Through the poetic language Shakespeare underlined the truth of human nature and through poetic expressions made the critical moments easier.

Yuvakbharati English 11th Digest Chapter 4.3 Extracts of Drama – A Midsummer – Night’s Dream Additional Important Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Then will two at once woo one;
That must needs be sport alone:
Answer:
Reference : These lines are taken from William Shakespeare’s famous comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Act III scene II.
Context: The lines are said by Puck as he applied love potion on the eyelids of Demetrius with negligence. Explanation : In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, a comic character Puck was told by Oberon, the king of fairies to use the love potion on the eyelides of Demetrius so that he wakes up and sees Helena and will fall in love with her.
But Puck uses the love potion on the eyelids of Lysander, supposing him to be Demetrius. Helena sees the first person Lysander after waking up and falls in love with her instantly. A misunderstanding of Puck made a chaotic situation between the lovers.

Question 2.
Shakespeare’s poetry has come to be valued for its own sake on the stage. Comment with reference to the play ‘A midsummer Night’s Dream’
Answer:
In midsummer night’s dream, Shakespeare’s used theatrical circle simply as fantasy. In order to made it more effective he used poetic lines for enlightening the beauty of the actions in the drama. These poetic lines revealed the nature of characters and developed poetic structure of the drama.

Extracts of Drama – A Midsummer – Night’s Dream Summary in English

In the Palace:

Theseus, Duke of Athens wins Hippolyta in war and they are to be married. So, he instructs Philostrate to arrange for the celebration.

Egeus, the father of Hermia wants his daughter to be married with Demetrius. But she refuses to marry Demetrius as she is in love with Lysander. The Duke Theseus urges her to obey her father and gives her three alternatives: (1) marry Demetrius (2) become a nun or (3) suffer a death sentence. Hermia has time to decide until Theseus, The Duke of Athen’s marriage.

Hermia and Lysander decide to elope to the woods and get married but, Demetrius who used to love Helena, now rejected her love and is interested in Hermia. Hermia tries to win back the love of Demetrius for Helena. As Hermia elopes with Lysander, Demetrius follows her and Helena follows Demetrius.

At the Quinces Cottage:

The workmen from Athens wish to perform a play ‘Pyramus and Thisby’ at the Duke’s wedding. They all plan to meet in the forest for the rehearsal.

In the Woods:

A different world has been seen in the woods. The king of fairies, Oberon and Queen of fairies, Titania are having a fight over the custody of an Indian boy. To teach a lesson to her, Oberon, with the help of Puck, a mischievous spirit, plans to use the magic potion ‘Love in Idleness’, the juice if poured on the eyelids of a sleeping person, makes his/her fall madly in love with the first person he/she sees after waking up. He thus plans to madden Titania and get the custody of the Indian boy.

Oberon then sees Demetrius’ cold behaviour towards Helena and tries to help them by developing feelings in the heart of Demetrius for her. Therefore, he asks Puck to squeeze the magic juice on the eyelids of Demetrius Taking Lysander for Demetrius, Puck squeezes the magic juice on his eyelids.

Helena who enters the wood following Demetrius, proves to be the first person Lysander sees after waking up and falls in love with her instantly. Titania found too much interested in Bottom, one of the workmen of Athens. Puck bewitches him by transforming his head into that of an ass and it bewildered Titania.

In the Another Part of the Wood:

Puck wins the heart of Oberon for punishing Titania and Bottom. But when Oberon realises Puck’s mistake of using magic potion for Lysander instead of Demetrius, he himself squeezes it on the eyelids of Demetrius and orders Puck to fetch Helena as he wakes up to restore the love of Demetrius for Helena. He also corrects the relations of Lysander with Hermia as well as orders Puck to restore Bottom’s head and feels sorry for Titania.

Theseus, Hippolyta and Egeus enter and see the four Athenians and the love between them. He allows Demetrius and Helena and Hermia and Lysander to marry. At last, in the final scene, ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’ was performed for the marriage ceremony of Theseus and Hippolyta in the presence of Oberon and Titania with their fairies and elves to sing and dance and bless the newly wedded. Thus, the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ends on a happy note.

Glossary:

night-rule – dark deeds,
consecrated – sacred,
dote on – to love,
extremity – whole heartedly,
patches – clowns,
nuptial – marriage/ matrimonial/ moments of nuptial bliss,
nole – head,
mimic – commie actor,
russet-pated choughs – birds of the crow family with reddish, brown (or grey) heads,
sever – separate from each other,
stamp – a noise made by bringing one’s foot heavily on the ground but, here – thing like ‘trick’ (i.e. giving
Bottom an ass’s head),
yielders – those who yield (giving up or surrender),
latch’d – leached, anointed (love juice),
ey’d – seen,
antipodes – the opposite side of the earth,
venus – the evening star,
carcass – dead body,
mispris’d – mistaken,
an – and (or) even,
adder – circuit,
debt that bankrupt sleep doth sorrow owe – sleepless due to sorrow,
confounding – confusing and breaking,
Ioi tartars bow – weapon used by the Asian warriors who invaded Europe in the 13 century,
cupid’s archery – Roman God of love,
a lover’s fee – love requited,
fond pageant – silly behaviour,
tales – untrue stories,
sport alone – fun by itself,
devilish holy – a conflict between two truths,
nymph – nature goddess,
Taurus – a mountain range in Turkey,
superpraise – praise excessively,
conjure – summon/call,
disparage – regards being of little worth,
englids – brightens,
confederacy – plot/plan,
chid – rebuked/scold,
artificial gods – creators of works of art,
union in partition – two in one,
incorporate – united,
so in grace – so much in favour/in a good condition,
ethiope – black face, but actually a scornful reference to her dark hair,
canker blossom – a flower blighted by a worm lodged in the bud,
stealth – stealing away,
fond – foolish,
suffer her to flout – allow her to mock,
knot grass – a weed which creeps and makes entangling roots,
officious – meddlesome/self assertive enthusiastic,
aby – pay a heavy penalty,
check by jowl – closely,
king of shadows – fairy kings,
sort – occur,
welkin – sky,
Acheron – the world of dead,
rail thou – use violent language,
Aurora’s harbinger – forerunner of the dawn (the morning star),
wormy beds – graves,
Neptune – the ocean, in ancient mythology,
hither (archaic word) – to or towards this place,
constraineth (archaic word) – to impose limitations,
crust – (archaic words)to curse,
a knavish lad – a mischievous boy,
woe – great sorrow,
bedabbled – sensuous,
briers – wild shrubs,
mare – an adult female horse,
stalls – work-benches,
barren – stupid/brainless,
Anon – quickly,
the creeping fowler eye – wild geese keep a close watch on hunter who is creeping up to shoot,
of force she must be ey’d – inevitably (perforce) she will be seen,
lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe – speak so bitterly to no one but your bitter enemy,
may be bored – may have a hold driven right through it,
dead – pale and bloodless,
touch – feat,
tender – attention and care,
look – be sure,
cheer – countenance.

11th Std English Questions And Answers

The Rising of the Moon 11th Question Answer English Chapter 4.2 Maharashtra Board

January 13, 2025January 12, 2025 by Bhagya

Balbharti Yuvakbharati English 11th Digest Chapter 4.2 The Rising of the Moon Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

Class 11 English Chapter 4.2 The Rising of the Moon Question Answer Maharashtra Board

11th Std English Chapter 4.2 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 11th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

(A1)

Question 1.
There are some dialogues that are short, but quite effective. They give us enjoyment and add beauty to the main story. Find some more from the text. (Answers are given directly in bold)

Answer:

(A2)

Theme

Comment on the given statement after reading the given dialogue.

Question (a)
“And if we get him itself, nothing but abuse on our heads for it from the people, and may be from our own relations”.
Answer:
We don’t think of our society at large. If we catch the prisoner, Irish people will abuse us. They expect us to cooperate with the patriots as they are our own people. If we do not catch the escaped prisoner, the British Government will abuse us. In any case if we catch the prisoner or do not catch anyhow we are the one who are going to be abused.

Question (b)
“It’s a pity some honest man not to be better of that”.
Answer:
It was a good opportunity for the sergeant to show his honesty to the Britishers. He wanted to catch the escaped prisoner and also to get the reward.

Question (c)
“I wouldn’t be in your shoes if he reward me ten times as much. People generally fall victim to incentives. Some people stick to values”.
Answer:
Those who stick to values and are not templed at all, are the people of principles. Such people don’t betray anyone. They are very brave and loyal.

Question (d)
“But when I saw a man in trouble, I could never help trying to set him out of it. It’s human to help others”.
Answer:
The sergeant was alone in the dangerous dark night. The man wanted to help the sergeant to keep a watch. He told the sergeant that he would help him in his task and would not demand any share in the reward that the sergeant gets for catching the escaped prisoner.

Question (ii)
The priorities of the sergeant are shifted. Complete the given table by using the given clues.
Answer:

Priorities of the Sergeant in the beginning	Priorities at the end of the play
Law and duty	patriotism
To Catch the escaped prisoner	Sympathised the prisoner

Question (iii)
Find the sentence from the play selected to the given points.
Answer:
a. Loyalty in Irish nationalism.

(a) “May be Sergeant, you’ll be on the side of the country yet”.
(b) “I have my duties and I know them”.
(c) “I am in the force”.
(d) “We have to do our duty in the force”.

b. Tension between different loyalties.

(a) “It’s little we get but abuse from the people, and no choice but to obey our orders”.
(b) ‘You won’t betray me… the friend of Granuaile”.
(c) “May be Sergeant, it comes into your head sometimes, in spite of your belt and your tunic, that it might have been as well for you to have followed Granuaile”.
(d) “Stop that that’s no song to be singing in these times”.

(A5)

The description of the character is given below. Identify the character from the play. Find some sentences which support your choice.

Question (a)
He is a brave but irresponsible person.
Answer:
The character is sergeant.
(Brave) (a) “I don’t want it. Bring it with you, He is irresponsible”.
(b) Sergeant (after a pause) – no one.

Question (b)
He is a major character. He dominates the story.
Answer:
The character is the man. ,
(Major) (a) “I know well the man you are waiting for”.
(Dominate) (b) “Will you let me pass or must I make you let me?”

Question (c)
He is smart as well as brave.
Answer:
The character is the man.
(Smart) (a) “Back to the town isn’t it?”
(Brave) (b) “You need’nt ask me who I am, that placard will tell you”.

Question (d)
He is the centre of the play.
Answer:
The character is sergeant.
(a) “Am I as great a fool as I think I am?”
(b) “Indeed it’s a hard thing to be in the force, out at night and no thanks for it, for all the danger we’re in. And it’s little we get but abuse from the people, and no choice but to obey our orders, and never asked when a man is sent into danger”.

Question (e)
He is obedient and simple.
Answer:
The answer is the policeman B.
(Obedient) (a) “You bade us to come back here and keep watch with you”.
(Simple) (b) ‘You might want it. There are clouds coming up and you have the darkness of the night before you.”

Yuvakbharati English 11th Digest Chapter 4.2 The Rising of the Moon Additional Important Questions and Answers

Character Analysis:

Question 1.
Write your opinion about the man and the sergeant.
Answer:
The sergeant plays an important character and grips the audience’s attention. He is basicallyan Irish man, however, his duty requires him to serve the British and go against his own country. In the beginning of the play, he is in need of money. He is eager to arrest the prisoner who has escaped the gaol and get the reward of hundred pounds. He is seen as a loyal police officer under the British Government. His words, “The whole country depends on us to keep law and order”, is inspiring. However, his character undergoes a change as the play proceeds.

He develops arrogance and begins to argue with the ragged man. When the ragged man begins to sing patriotic ballads, the sergeant’s behaviour suddenly turns patriotic and reminds him of the days when he used to indulge in freeing Ireland from the chains of the Britishers. Towards the end of the play we see the sacrificing behaviour of the sergeant as he sacrifices his reward and promotion by not arresting the prisoner. He is shown to be less intelligent than the ragged man but soft-hearted. However, he then asks himself, “I wonder, now, am I as great a fool as I think I am?” As audience, we can term him foolish but also call him a great patriot.

On the other hand, the ragged man in the play is having heroic qualities as he is smart and a passionate lover of his country. He introduces himself as a ballad singer and also touches the heart of the police officer by singing love and patriotic ballads. He is so perfect in making-up his identity that the policeman (sergeant) cannot suspect him until he reveals his identity. He intelligently brings out stories from the sergeant which proves his wittiness.

He succeeds in bringing out the feelings of patriotism from the sergeant, turns himself into a friend of the sergeant and escapes safely from being imprisoned again. But before escaping, he expresses gratitude to the sergeant with a note of optimism. He promises him to pay back his good turn. He is optimistic and tells that a day will surely come that Ireland will be free from the British rules.

Reference To Context:

Comment on the given statement after reading the given dialogue.

Question 1.
The man tries to enforce the sergeant in favour of the criminal.
Answer:
The man tries to enforce the sergeant in favour of the criminal by repetedly saying, “Never mind. I’m going. I wouldn’t be in your shoes if the reward was ten times as much”.

Thought-Provoking Questions:

Question 1.
The man and the sergeant need each other’s support. Find such examples.
Answer:
On that dark night, while keeping a watch, the man and the sergeant needed each other’s support. The man told the sergeant that he had seen the escaped criminal at his own place. Describing the criminal the man told that there wasn’t any weapon he didn’t know the use of. He also told that the escaped criminal was a strong and muscular man.

This description created fear in the mind of the sergeant and he actually needed the support of the man. The man also needed the sergeant’s support. He had planned to escape from the place which was not possible without the help of the sergeant. Thus the man and the sergeant both needed each other’s support.

Question 2.
Find out the reason of the man for staying at the place.
Answer:
The ballad singer, as the ragged man introduces himself in the play, is actually the escaped prisoner. Using his intelligence he however tries to stay with the sergeant because he knows that the police are in search of him to put him back into custody. The hour is not safe for him to move and therefore he engages himself with the sergeant so that the other policemen do not doubt him and he can make a move when the time is safe.

Question 3.
Write about the persuasive approach of the man.
Answer:
The man (the escaped prisoner) introduced himself as a ballad singer. He started singing ballads to persuade the sergeant in believing his identity. He also told the sergeant that he was so poor that he would earn money by singing ballads and would arrange for his supper. The man was dominating enough as he stuck to the place in spite of repeated warnings of the sergeant to go away from the place.

Question 4.
Find the life of a singer that is mentioned in the play.
Answer:
The man introduces himself as a poor ballad singer who sings patriotic ballads for the sailors to earn himself a living.

Question 5.
The wavelength of the man and the sergeant goes together. Find the evidences from the text.
Answer:
The wavelength of the man and sergeant goes together, this can be proved when the sergeant is eager find the escaped prisoner for a hundred pounds and a promotion on the basis of which he can support his family in a better way. On the other hand, the man introduces himself as a ballad singer who sings patriotic ballads to the sailors to earh living. In the other part of the act, the ragged man proves his patriotism by hiding his identity of prisoner belonging to Ireland. As the play comes to an end, the sergeant allows the man to escape in spite of knowing that he is the prisoner they were in search of. This is because the ragged man belongs to Ireland, the nation the sergeant used to belong, in his youth.

Question 6.
Discussion about patriotic songs goes on. Find the points from the text.
Answer:
On the dark night while keeping a watch,the man sings patriotic songs to which the sergeant says, “Stop that that’s no song to be singing in these times”. The man then explains to the sergeant that he was only singing to keep his heart up. The sergeant sympathetically says, “Well, you can sing if it gives you more courage”.However, when the man continues to sing the sergeant corrects the lyrics. They also further discuss about ‘Granuaile’.

Question 7.
The sergeant’s reaction surprises the audience. Write your opinion. .
Answer:
In the begining of the play, the sergeant was loyal to the British Government. As the play unfolds we find that the man has successfully brought about a change in the mind of the sergeant. He has aroused patriotism in the sergeant. The sergeant now lets go the prisoner easily. This surprises the audience. The change from the loyal British sergeant into the man with patriotism in the mind is drastic and surprising for the readers.

Question 8.
The sergeant supports the man by misguiding his comrades. Write your views.
Answer:
The sergeant was the loyal British servant. He wanted to catch the escaped prisoner for a reward. As the play unfolded the man who introduced himself as a ballad singer brought about changes in the mind of the sergeant. During their discussion the man arouse patriotism in his mind and reminded him of his youth when he had joined a group of patriots. The sergeant was torn between his duty and his nation. But finally patriotism won and the sergeant helped the man to escape. He misguided his assistants in order to let the prisoner escape easily.

Glossary:

lonesome – lonely, without any company
quay – wooden or metal platform projecting into the water for loading and unloading of ships
sergeant – a police officer ranking below an inspector
placard – a sign for public display, either posted on the wall or carried during a demonstration
gaol – jail
kelp – a large brown seaweed that typically has long, tough stalk
assize – The court which sat at intervals in each country of England and Wales to administer the civil and
criminal law
plaid – a type of woolen cloth
shuffles – move/walk by dragging one’s feet
barrack – police accommodation
queer – strange
to keep one’s heart up – to keep oneself happy
tunic – a loose garment
pike – an infantry weapon with a pointed steel or iron head on a long wooden shaft.

11th Std English Questions And Answers