INDIANSTUDYTIME.BLOGSPOT.

IN
THE LAST LESSON
1.Why was Franz tempted to play truant from school?
ANS. The French teacher M Hamel was going to ask questions on participle which Franz had
not prepared. To avoid being scolded he was tempted to play truant from school and spend the
day out doors in a pleasurable manner.
2.What was unusual about the school that Franz noticed when he entered the school?
ANS. On entering the school Franz noticed there was unusual silence. There was no usual
bustle of opening and closing of desks. The village elders had occupied the last benches that
usually remain empty.
3.Why was it the last lesson? How did Franz react to it?
ANS. As the order from Berlin had come to teach German in all schools of Alsace and Lorraine
there would be no French lesson form the next day M Hamel announced in the class. The
announcement was like a thunderclap to Franz. He felt sorry for not learning French. The
French books, which earlier were nuisance, became attractive. He felt he could not give up his
French books.
4.What reasons did M Hamel give for their lack of interest in learning French?
ANS. The lack of interest in learning French was due to the parents who wanted their children
to work in farm or mill to earn, due to the students who were reluctant to learn and often put off
the lesson for the next day and due to himself as he asked them to water the flower and gave
them off when he had to go for fishing
5. Why does not M Hamel want the people to forget French?
ANS. M Hamel wanted them not to forget French as it is the most beautiful and logical
language and as long as they hold fast to their language it would be as if they had the key to the
prison.
6.Describe how M Hamel conducted the last lesson.
ANS. In his last French class though M Hamel was emotional he fully involved himself in
the teaching learning process. He heard every lesson to the last sitting motionless in the chair.
When the church bell struck twelve he stood up pale and wrote Vive La French and with a
gesture he communicated that the school is dismissed.

LOST SPRING

1.Seemapuri a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it metaphorically. Justify
this statement.
ANS. Seemapuri the rag pickers shanty is just in the outskirt of Delhi but it is far away from
Delhi so far as Delhis glitter and amenities are concerned. Here the squatters of Bangladesh
who came after 1971 war live in structures of mud with roof of tin or tarpaulin. There is no
sewerage, drainage or pipe water that Delites enjoy.
2.Through the years rag picking has acquired the proportion of a fine art in Seemapuri. Justify
the statement.
ANS. The means of survival of migrants of Bangladesh in Seemapuri is rag picking. Garbage
to them is gold. Like a fine art that has no end in appealing the sense of beauty the rag pickers
scrounging the garbage is a never ending process which provide them their daily bread day after
day.
3.Does the rag picking mean the same thing for parents and children? Give reasons for your
answer.
ANS. No, rag picking is not the same for parents and children. For children it is wrapped in
wonders where as for parents it is the means of survival.


4.Why was not Saheb happy on getting a job?
ANS. Saheb was not happy on getting a job in tea stall for a salary of Rs.800/- per month as he
lost his freedom. He had to carry the stall owners steel canister in place of his bag. He lost his
carefree look He was now no longer his own master.
5.Why dont the bangle makers of Firozabad organise themselves?
ANS. The bangle makers are trapped in the vicious circle of middlemen and police. If they
organise a co operative they will be hauled up, beaten and dragged to jail by police for doing
something illegal. There is no leader to help them out from their misery. They are the victims of
greed and injustice.

DEEP WATER

1.What had happened when Douglas was three or four years old?
ANS.When Douglas was three or four years old he was on the California beach with his father.
There the sea waves knocked him down and swept over him. He felt breathless buried in the
water and was frightened; but his father laughed at him.
2.What was the misadventure of Douglas? How did it end?
ANS. The misadventure was his being ducked by a big bruiser of a boy of eighteen in the
YMCA swimming pool. He was drowned and nearly dying in the pool; but was somehow
miraculously saved from the mouth of death
3.How was the instructor successful in making Douglas a perfect swimmier?
ANS. The instructor made Douglas a perfect swimmer by removing his fear of being drowned
and teaching him swimming piece by piece in a period of three months. During the training he
let Douglas swim back and forth of the pool tying him with a pulley. He taught him to put his
face under the water to exhale raise above it to inhale.
4.How did Douglas finally over come his fear of water?
ANS. Douglas over came his fear of water by challenging the fear itself and going for several
round of swimming in the pool; but finally the residual fear he over came when he went up
to Tie ton to Conrad meadows and swam across the other shore and back of the warm lake as
Doug Corpron used to do.
5.What thought of Roosevelt deeply impacted Douglas? How did the thoughts apply to his life?
ANS. The thought of Roosevelt that there is terror in the fear of death had deep impact on
Douglas. He had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror of the fear of death. But
later he brushed aside his fear by challenging it by the will to live and succeeded.

THE RATTRAP

1.What was the peddlers philosophy about rattrap? Why did it amuse him?
ANS. The peddlers philosophy was that the whole world is a rattrap with several baits in it. As
one is tempted to bait and touches it the door is closed and everything comes to an end like in a
rattrap. The thought amused him because he has so far been selling rattrap; but not fallen in this
worlds rattrap
2.What kind of host was the old crofter?
ANS. The old crofter was an affectionate and generous host. He warmly welcomed the peddler
as he got someone to talk to in his loneliness. He served him porridge for his supper and offered
a pipe with tobacco roll to smoke and finally played with him mjolis till bedtime.
3.The readers sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning? Is it justified? Give
reasons.
ANS. The rattrap peddler draws readers sympathy because of his poverty. The authors
description of his clothes and appearance like his clothes are in rags, his cheeks are sunken
and hunger gleams his eyes and his resorting to begging and petty thievery to keep his body
and soul together evoke readers sympathy
4. Who do you think was at fault-the ironmaster or the peddler? Give two reasons.
ANS. I think the ironmaster was at fault because it was he who invited the tramp to his house
for the Christmas thinking him to be his old acquaintance; but on knowing he was not his
acquaintance he could not oppose his daughters decision to offer him Christmas cheer.
5.Why was the peddler grateful to the ironmaster and his daughter?
ANS. The peddler was grateful to the ironmaster and his daughter as they empowered him
to release himself from the worlds rattrap through their selfless hospitality, love, sympathy,
compassion, and understanding.

INDIGO

1.Why was Gandhiji impressed with Rajkumar Shuklas tenacity and determination?
ANS. Rajkumar Shukla the Champaran-Sharecropper requested Gandhiji in Congress Session
in Lucknow to fix a date to visit Champaran where the sharecroppers were subjected to
injustice. Till Gandhiji fixed a date he did not leave him rather he accompanied him wherever
he went. Gandhiji was impressed by his tenacity and determination and finally agreed to go
there from CalcuttAns.
2. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers who represented the interests of group of sharecroppers of
Champaran?
ANS. Gandhiji chided the lawyers for collecting big fees from the sharecroppers to fight
their case in law courts. He felt taking their case to law courts would do little good when they
were so crushed and fear stricken. So his first priority was to free them from fear.
3.What were the conditions of sharecroppers of Champaran?
ANS. The peasants of Champaran were tenants of British landlords. Under long term
sharecropping arrangement they were growing Indigo on 15 percent of their holding and
surrendering the harvest as rent to the British landlord. But when Indigo price fell due to
synthetic Indigo developed in Germany the landlords obtained agreement from the peasant to
pay them compensation which some of the peasants resisted and fought their case in court.
4.What made the British realise that the Indians could challenge their might hither to
unquestioned?
ANS. The spontaneous demonstration around the courthouse by the peasants of Motihari on
knowing that Gandhiji was in trouble was the beginning of their liberation from fear of the
British which made the British realise that now the Indians can challenge their might.
5.How did Gandhiji make the peasants fearless and self-reliant?
ANS. Gandhiji made the peasants fearless by letting them know about their rights, fighting
their case and by obtaining the refund of compensation made to the British landlords who were
behaving as lords above the law.

POETS AND PANCAKES

1.Bring out gentle humour that the make-up room presents.
ANS. The make-up room once believed to be Clives stable had a look of haircutting saloon
with incandescent light around half a dozen mirrors. The gang of nationally integrated make up
men could turn any decent looking person into a hideous, crimson hued monster with pancakes
and locally made lotion and potion.
2.How did Subbu give direction and definition to Gemini Studio?
ANS. Subbu was a many sided genius. He was a poet, an actor, a director and a novelist. He
composed many story poems in folk refrain, wrote a novel, recreated the mood and manner
of the Devadasis of the early 20th century and played the subsidiary role better than supposed
main players.
3.Why is the Englishmans visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
ANS. The Englishmans visit to the studio remained a mystery because neither they could know
why an English poet visited a film studio nor they could understand what he spoke due to his
accent. The poet too after his speech looked baffled due to sheer incongruity of his talk
4.What views does the author have about the prose writers?
ANS. The authors conviction is that the prose writing is not and cannot be the true pursuit of a
genius. It is meant for the patient, persistent, persevering drudge with a shrunken heart. A prose
piece is always rejected. But the prose writer never bothers about rejection. He sends a fresh
copy to another publisher with postage for return of the manuscript.
5.What does The God That Failed refer to?
ANS. The God That Failed is a book of six essays by six eminent essayists that describe
their journey to communism and disillusioned return. The book has allusive reference to the
author who failed in getting recognition as a poet like the essayists failed in their journey to
communism.

THE INTERVIEW

1.Interviews are necessary. Justify the statement.
ANS. Despite the drawbacks of interviews they are supremely serviceable medium of
communication. They are an art and a source of truth. We know about our contemporary
celebrities and others through their interviews.
2.Do you think Ecos non-fictional writing style is a departure from regular style? Give reasons.
ANS. Ecos non-fictional writing is not depersonalized and boring like his scholarly works.
There is a playful and personal touch in it, which is a departure from his regular style.
3.What did Eco learn at the age of 22 that he pursued in his novels?
ANS. Eco learnt at the age of 22 that scholarly books should be written by telling the story of
research. He learnt that there should be a narrative technique employed in scholarly writing that
he later employed when he wrote novels at the age of 50.
4.What makes The Name of the Rose a serious novel?
ANS. The Name of the Rose is a serious novel as it delves into metaphysics, theology and
medieval history inspite of being a detective story at one level.
5.What does Eco think of the readers of his novel The Name of the Rose?
ANS. Eco thinks that there are readers who dont like trash and like to have difficult reading
experiences. It is contrary to what journalists and publishers think. The selling of 15 million
copies of his novel The Name of the Rose- a very serious work is testimony that readers dont
want easy reading experiences.

GOING PLACES

1.How is Jansie different from Sophie?
ANS. Jansie is practical and down to earth where as her friend Sophie lives in a world of
dream and fantasy. Sophie dreams to have a boutique, wants to become an actress and fashion
designer. But Jansie doesnt want her to go on imaginary flights, as she knows that they are
made for biscuit factory.

2.What did Sophie think of Geoff who does not share his thought with anyone?
ANS. Sophie thought of Geoff as grown up now. She suspected areas of his life about
which she knows nothing and he never spoke. Sophie thought when Geoff didnt speak he
was thinking of these places. They attained a special fascination for her simply because they
were unknown and beyond her reach.
3.Describe the reaction of Sophies family on her story.
ANS. Geoff looked around Sophie abruptly with disbelief when he heard her meeting with
Danny Casey, the wonder boy of football. When she gave the footballers detailed physical
appearance he believed her. But Sophies father turned his head on his thick neck with an
expression of disdain and ridiculed her. He muttered something inaudible and dragged himself
round in his chair called it a wild story.
4.Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
ANS. Sophie had once met Danny Casey in the arcade. When Sophie was looking at the clothes
in Royces window Danny came and stood beside her. But no one believed in her as she always
fantasized about him. Had she not met Casey she could not have felt pain when failed to make
people believe her.
5.How is the title Going Places most appropriate?
ANS. The title is appropriate as Sophie the protagonist- a teenager fantasizes and goes to places
in her imagination in the story and Geoffs areas of his life which unknown to her




SHORT QUESTIONS IN POETRY-CLASS XII ENGLISH CORE
My Mother at Sixty-Six

1. What did the poet realise looking at her mother in the car?
ANS. When the poet saw her mothers face ashen like that of a corpse in the car she realised
with pain that her mother has grown old and would die soon.

2.How was the scene outside the moving car different from the inside one?
ANS. Inside the car the scene was inert and lifeless. The poets old mother has dozed off. With
her mouth slightly opened she was looking like a corpse. In contrast the scene outside was full
of life and energy with trees sprinting and children spilling out of their homes.

3.How does the poet describe her mother?
ANS. The poet compares her sixty-six years old mother with late winters moon. In her old age
she has become pale, wan and dim like the late winters moon whose journey of life will be
over soon.

4. What is the old familiar ache the poet felt?
ANS. The childhood fear and pain about the aging and inevitability of death gripped the poet
seeing her mothers failing health. She realised soon her mother would die and she would be
separated from her forever

An Elementary Classroom In a Slum

1.How do the children of the elementary school in a slum look?
ANS. They look grim. Their faces are pale and lifeless. The torn hair around their pale faces
look like rootless weeds. They look ill, weak, exhausted and depressed due to malnutrition.
Their eyes shine like the rats eyes in their diseased body.


2.How has the poet expressed his despair and hope?
ANS. The poet has expressed his despair through the paper-thin boy who has inherited his
fathers gnarling disease and his hope through the unnoted boy who sits on the last seat and
dreams of squirrels game out side the class room in the tree- trunk.


3. Why dont the maps and pictures have any relevance to the children of the slum?
ANS. The maps and pictures that decorate the classroom walls belong to the world of rich.
There is a big gap between the world in which the slum children live and the world of the
rich. The beautiful wall hangings cannot cheer them as they are diseased and suffer from
malnutrition and their future full of uncertainties.

4.What does the poet want for the children of the slum?
ANS. The poet does not want the children to be cramped in classrooms with pictures donated
by the rich that have no relevance to their living; rather they should be allowed to explore the
world, get strength from the Sun and fight the social injustice.

Keeping Quiet

1.Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?
ANS. The poet wants us to keep quiet to feel the strangeness of being quiet. When we all will
keep quiet it will be an exotic moment which will allow us to establish communion with our
fellow beings and all other living beings at spiritual level.

2. Does the poet advocate total inactivity and death by suggesting being quiet?
ANS. No, the poet does not advocate it. He wants no truck with death. In fact he wants to live
life full bloodedly. But by advocating quietness he wants mixing of physical and spiritual aspect
of life.

3.Why does not the poet want us to speak in any language?
ANS. The poet wants us not to speak in any language to introspect and know what we are
about- know the meaning of our existence. He wants every body to know his spirit and have
spiritual contact with others for sometime for which no language is required.




Thing of Beauty

1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
ANS. A thing of beauty is a joy forever as its loveliness increases through recollection and
contemplation. It is a perennial source of pleasure that ensures good health and quiet breathing;
that brings relief in our painful existence.

2.What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
ANS. In spite of troubles and sufferings human beings love life because there are some
beautiful things that move away the gloom from the depressed minds. The beautiful things in
nature like the moon, the sun, the trees, the ferns and the daffodils bring happiness and reduce
humans sufferings.

3.What is lovelier than the lovely tales heard by us?
ANS. Our earth which is the source of all beauty; the fountain of immortal drink from heaven is
lovelier than all lovely tales heard by us.

4. Why is grandeur associated with mighty dead?
ANS. The sad things become a source of beauty and pleasure when they assume the status of
art. The poet says that the contemplation of the reminiscences of the mighty person who are
dead gives us same pleasure as we experience in contemplating beautiful things of nature.

5.What becomes of all lovely tales we have heard or read?
ANS. All lovely tales that we have heard or read become a source of pleasure. They become an
endless fountain of nectar and give us heavenly pleasure.


Roadside Stand

1.Why did the rural people set up the roadside stand? Was it successful? Give reasons.
ANS. The rural people set up the roadside stand in front of their old house at the edge of
the road to sell various country produce to have some income. But their effort remained
unsuccessful as no motorist from the city bothered to stop and buy their things.

2.How did the village folk mar the landscape?
ANS. They marred the landscape by putting their pathetically pliable stand at the edge of the
road, by putting signboards with words and letters written wrongly.

3.What do they keep for sale in their shed?
ANS. They keep for sale wild berries in wooden measurements and crooked necked golden
squash with silver warts on their external side.

4.Why do some motorist stop at the stand?
ANS. Some motorists stop at the roadside stand to inquire about the produce; some to ask
the route; some for taking a back turn; some even stop to inquire if they would sell gas. But
unfortunately no one would purchase the farm produce.

5.What would happen to the village folks if they were made live near to the theatre?
ANS. In the name of their economic upliftment if theatre and multiplexes are opened near their
house; they will only lose their sleep; but the real beneficiary would be the owner of the theatres
and multiplexes.








Aunt Jennifers Tigers

1.Describe Aunt Jennifers tigers. How are they different from her?
ANS. Aunt Jennifers embroidered tigers prance across a green screen. They are fearless. They
are not afraid of the man beneath the tree. They move elegantly with brave style and confidence
which is opposite to Aunt Jennifers character who is meek and finds difficult to pull the ivory
needle from the wool and on whom the responsibility of married life weighs heavily.

2.Explain massive weight of Uncles wedding band.
ANS. Aunt Jennifer is tied down by the constraints of married life. The wedding band
symbolizes the ordeals of married life.

3.Why do you think Aunt made the tigers that were proud and unafraid?
ANS. Aunt Jennifer wanted to be chivalric like the tigers; but was stifled by the institution of
marriage. To give an expression of freedom to her subdued self she embroidered the prancing
tigers that were proud and unafraid.


Vistas
The Third Level

1.How was the third level different from the second level?
ANS. In the third level the room was smaller; there were fewer ticket windows and train gates.
The information booth in the centre was wood and old looking. The man in the booth wore a
green eyeshade and long black sleeve protectors. The lights were dim and flickering as they
were open-flame gaslights. There were brass spittoons on the floor.
2.How does the narrator describe Galesburg, Illinois?
ANS. The narrator states that Galesburg, Illinois is a wonderful town with big old frame houses,
huge lawns and big trees whose branches roof the streets. Summer evenings were twice as long.
People sat out on their lawns, men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm-
leaf fans.
3.What did the narrator do the next day when the clerk in third level warned him? Why was his
psychiatrist friend worried over his action?
ANS. In the third level the clerk warned the narrator for tendering insufficient money for two
tickets to Galesburg. The next day the narrator withdrew his entire money from the bank and
bought old-style currency to buy tickets. When his psychologist friend learnt it he became
worried and thought that the narrators ailment could have created more problems.
4.What is so enigmatic about Sam Weiners disappearance and resurfacing in Galesburg? What
could his old business be?
ANS. Sam Weiners disappearance and resurfacing in Galesburg may be due to the narrators
insistence on the existence of third level, which affected his mind. He may have found
Galesburg a good place and may have gone there

5.What do you think does the third level stand for?
ANS.I think the third level stands for the escapists world -away from the world of worries,
anxieties and tension. But why the narrator couldnt find it again though the psychiatrist found
out is highly enigmatic. It may be narrator could overcome his escapists tendency where as the
psychiatrist fell in it.

THE Tiger King

1.How did the chief astrologer react to the tiger kings question about the manner of his death?
How did the tiger king take it?
ANS. When the baby barely ten days old opens its lips in speech the chief astrologer was
wonderstruck. He thought it to be incredible that the baby raised an intelligent question to
know about the manner of his death. The astrologer told that the prince was born in the hour of
the bull. The bull and tiger are enemies. Therefore, death to him shall come from the Tiger. The
tiger king growled, Let tigers be ware!
2.Why was it celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram?
ANS. There was a celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram because the
state banned tiger hunting by any one except the Maharaja and a proclamation was issued to
the effect that if any one dared to fling a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be
confiscated.
3.What did the Maharaja do when he stood in danger of losing his kingdom in refusing the
British officer permission for tiger hunting?
ANS. The Maharaja obtained some fifty expensive diamond rings of different designs from
a British Jewellery Company in Calcutta and send them to the British officers good lady
expecting her to choose one or two rings and send the rest back. But she kept all the rings and
thanked the Maharaja for the gift. This cost the Maharaja three lakh rupees; but his kingdom
was saved.
4.What plan did the Maharaja think of to fulfill his vow to kill hundred tigers after the tiger
population became extinct in his state?
ANS. When the tiger population became extinct in his state the Maharaja planned to marry
a girl of royal family of a native state with a large tiger population so that he would kill the
remaining thirty tigers in the sate of his father in-law when he visits that.
5.What caused the death of the Maharaja?
ANS. The prophecy of the chief astrologer came true. A toy-wooden tiger-the hundredth tiger
killed the MaharajAns. The silver quill on the wooden tiger pierced his hand when he was
plying with it on the crown princes third birthday. It caused a suppurating sore that spread all
over the arm. He was operated but died

Journey to the End of the Earth

1.What, according the author, did exist in place of Antarctica six hundred and fifty million years
ago?
ANS. Six hundred fifty million years ago in place of present day Antarctica a giant
amalgamated southern super continent - Gondwana existed Things were quite different then.
Then humans had not arrived on the global scene. The climate was much warmer. There was a
huge variety of flora and faunAns.
2.What is that thing that can happen in a million years and would be mind- boggling?
ANS. In a million years India may push northwards, jamming against Asia to buckle its crust
and form the Himalayas. South Africa may drift off to join North AmericAns. The Drake
Passage may open up to create a cold circumpolar current. Antarctica may remain frigid,
desolate and at the bottom of the world.

3.Why all earthly sense of perspective and time are lost in Antarctica?
ANS. In Antarctica there is no human markers like trees, billboards and buildings. One feels
like walking on a giant ping-pong ball here. He loses all earthly sense of perspective and time.

4.What are the microscopic phytoplanktons? How are they important in the food chain and
photosynthesis?
ANS. The microscopic phytoplanktons are the grasses of the sea, which nourish and sustain the
entire South Oceans food chain. These single- celled plants use the Suns energy to assimilate
carbon and synthesise organic compounds in the important process called photosynthesis.
5.What was the best epiphany that occurred in the Antarctic journey?
ANS. Their vessel got wedged into a thick ice-stretch. The captain decided to turn around
and instructed them to walk on the ocean. While walking on the ocean they saw underneath
their feet 180 metres of living, breathing salt water. Crab eater seals stretching and sunning
themselves on the ice floes like stray dogs under a banyan tree. It was the best epiphany.

The Enemy

1.Why didnt Dr Sadao put the wounded man back in the sea even though he was his enemy?
ANS. Dr Sadao could not put the wounded man back in the sea even though he was an enemy
because he was a Doctor and the foremost duty of a doctor is to save life. He knew the man
would die if not tended medically. This would be against medical ethics. So, he rescued him to
give medical treatment.
2.How did the servant express their displeasure?
ANS. The servants did not like the idea of helping an enemy. Yumi refused to wash the white
man. They stopped working; but became watchful as long as a white man was harbored there.
3.How did Hanna show her human side to the wounded man after the operation?
ANS. Hanna nursed the man herself. When he was getting ready to face some fearful
eventuality she told him not to be afraid of anything. Then she knelt and fed him gently from
the porcelain spoon. She also told him that he would be soon strong.
4.What did Dr Sadao do to send off the man?
ANS. As soon as it was dark Dr Sadao dragged the stout boat down to the shore. He put food,
bottled water and two quilts. He medically examined the man. Then gave him his own little
flashlight to signal for food, gave him Japanese clothes, covered his blond head and let him go.
5.What message does The Enemy give?
ANS. The Enemy gives the message that humanism transcends all man made prejudices and
barriers. Here Dr Sadao upholds the ethics of medical profession in treating an enemy. The
story is a great lesson of peace, love, sympathy, fellow feeling and humanism.

Should Wizard Hit Mommy?

1.What was usually the basic storyline of the tale that Jack told Jo almost daily?
ANS. The stories that Jack used to tell Joe were the slight variation of the basic tale about a
small creature usually named Roger. Roger would go to the wise owl whenever in trouble. The
wise owl would ask him to go to the wizard who would finally solve Rogers problem.
2.Decribe the wizards room.
ANS. The wizards room is a white house over the crick. Inside it are all magic things all
jumbled together in a big dusty heap as the wizard did not have any cleaning lady.
3.How did Roger Skunks mommy react when he smelling roses went home?
ANS. When Roger Skunk smelling roses reached home his mommy asked what was that
awful smell. Roger Skunk replied that the wizard had made him smell like that. She got angry
and with Roger went to the wizard and hit his head with an umbrellAns.
4.How did Jo react to Jacks storyline?
ANS. Jo did not agree with Jacks version of the story in which Roger Skunks mommy hit that
wizard right over his head for changing Roger Skunks smell. Instead she wanted the wizard hit
Skunks mommy and did not change that little Skunks smell back.
5.What does Jack actually want Jo to know and understand in the story?
ANS. Jack actually wants Jo to know and understand that parents always love their children as
they are. Smelling good or bad is immaterial against the natural biological bond. But this thing
is Jos beyond understanding. She understands what she sees around; but not beyond that.

On The Face of It

1.What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb inspite of himself?
ANS. Mr. Lamb is a good inspirer, a motivator and a patient listener. He holds a positive
attitude to life. On seeing Derry he neither asks anything about his face nor does he look
disgusted rather he makes Derry feel comfortable with his burnt face. He instills confidence in
Derry. He wants him to understand the world and see the difference by watching and listening
due to these qualities Derry is drawn towards Lamb.
2.What does Mr. Lamb tell about himself?
ANS. Lamb tells that he is old and has a tin leg. Children tease him calling Lamey-Lamb, but
still they come to his garden. They are not afraid of him because he is not afraid of them. He is
never bothered about his old age or tin leg as life has many more things to offer.
3.Its all relative, beauty and beast. Justify the statement.
ANS. Mr. Lamb and Derry though both have physical deformity perceive things differently.
Mr. Lamb tells Derry there are plenty of things to stare at and if people look at their handicap
they should not mind, as they will be tired of soon. Beauty or ugly depends upon individuals
perceptions. One may see beauty in a thing; but to another it may be a beast.
4.How does Derrys attitude change?
ANS. Due to his burnt face Derry had withdrawing attitude. He curses his handicap; is afraid of
peoples stare at him. But Lamb a lame person changed his attitude. Lamb instilled courage in
him to live life as it is. He cited his own example. Children call him Lamey Lamb but he does
not mind. He has a tin leg but that does not stop him from making friends
5.What do you think the play On the Face of It is all about?
ANS. It is play about frustration, loneliness and sadness of the physically disabled persons. It
is about their suffering due to criticism by some unscrupulous people which is shown by Derry.
There are people like Lamb who finds way to live inspite of their disabilities.

Evans Tries an O-Level

1.What kind of a person Evans was?
ANS. Evans was a young, clever prisoner. He had escaped thrice from the prison for which he
was known Evans the Break. He was not a violent short of a person. He was quite a pleasant
person and was a star at the Christmas concert.

2. What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?
ANS. For smooth conduct examination various precautionary measures were taken. All sharp
instruments like razor nail scissors were removed. The Governor, senior prison officer Jackson
and officer Stephen were put on duty. A special invigilator was arranged. A microphone was
fitted in the prison cell where the examination was to be conducted.
3. Why was the sigh of relief short lived after the examination?
ANS. After conducting the examination the governor heaved a sigh of relief. But their relief
was short lived as they found Evans had escaped from the prison injuring McLeery. Later truth
came to light that Evans had stayed as injured McLeery
4.What helped the prison officers track Evans?
ANS. The German question paper helped. A photocopied sheet had been superimposed over
last page of the question paper with the plan and instruction which helped track Evans.
5.What did the Governor do to find out about the correction slip?
ANS. The governor immediately dialed the Examination Board Office; but could not contact
as the line was engaged. He applied his own knowledge of German which he had studied up to
sixth standard and was convinced that it was about the agreement of adjectives. Then he heard
the invigilator announcing the correction which sounded genuine.
6.Do you agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly a battle of wits?
ANS. Yes, it is a battle of wits between crime and punishment. If the government and law
enforcing officials are vigilant crime can be detected and criminals can be booked. But
criminals like Evans can hoodwink the authorities and escape punishment as long as the
officials are slow and lack alertness and wit.

Memories of Childhood

1.Why was the narrator taking an hour or half to reach home instead of ten minute?
ANS. The narrator was taking an hour or half to reach home as she used to watch the roadside
fun and games. The entertaining novelties like the performing monkey, snake charmers display
of snake, marathon cycling, dried fish stall by the statue of Gandhi, street play or puppet show
used to pull her stand still on her way back home.
2. How had Zitkala Sa been subjected to extreme indignities?
ANS. Since the day she was taken from her mother Zitkala had suffered many indignities. She
was stared at and tossed like a wooden puppet. Her long hair was shingled like a cowards. In
her pain when she cried for her mother no one came forward to comfort her. She was just like
one of animals driven by a herder.
3.What did Judewin tell the narrator? What was the effect?
ANS. Judewin who could understand a little English informed the narrator that the strange
woman intended to cut their long hair. But the narrator had learnt from her mother that the
enemy cut the hair of the unskilled warrior when they are captured and among their people
mourners wear short hair and cowards shingled hair. So, she decided to resists. She hid herself
under a bed in a dark room.
4.How did Bama come to know about untouchability?
ANS. Bama saw an elder carrying a packet containing food with its string and without touching
the packet gave it to the landlord. She found it funny and told her elder brother about it. Her
elder brother told her that the man who handed over the food packet was a low caste- an
untouchable. Then she came to know about untouchability.
5. Why did Bama study so hard?
ANS. Bamas brother who was studying at a University told her because they were born in a
low caste they are deprived of honour and dignities. He advised her to study and make progress
to throw away the indignities. The words of her brother left a deep impression in her mind and
she studied hard. holds a special fascination for her about which she romanticizes.