CBSE Class 12th English 2023 : Most Important Short Answer Type Question; Read Before Exam

CBSE Class 12th English 2023 : Most Important Short Answer Type Question; Read Before Exam

The paper time has arrived, and there are only a few hours left in the paper. It's time to revise the concepts, and there is no better way to do that than by solving practice questions. This will help in boosting the confidence of the students and provide last minute revision. You can find here CBSE Class 12 English Short Practice Questions 2023.

The resource should be a mandatory read for the students before the exam, as it can help them prepare better for the type of questions that will come in the exam.

Que 1. Why was Little Franz scared to go school that morning?

Ans: That morning, Little Franz was scared to go to school because he was late for school. Moreover, his teacher M. Hamel had told them that he would question them on participles and Little Franz did not know the first word about them.

Que 2. What were the things that tempted/attracted Little Franz on the way to school?

Ans. On the way to school, Little Franz was attracted by the following things:

i) the bright and sunny weather, a perfect one to be spent out of doors

ii) the birds were chirping at the edge of the woods

iii) the Prussian soldiers were drilling in the open field at the back of the saw mill.

Que 3. Why did the school look like a Sunday morning?

Ans: The school looked different that day. There was no sound of children or desk and benches nor of M. Hamel’s terrible ruler. Everything was calm and quiet like a Sunday morning because of the order that had come from Berlin.

Que 4. What were the usual sounds heard out at the street when school began?

Ans: Usually when school began, there used to be a lot of noise. Opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison and the teachers great ruler rapping on the table to make the children silent are some of them heard out in the street.

Que 5. What was unusual that Franz notice about the school that day?

Ans: Franz noticed that everything was calm and quiet like a Sunday morning. The children were already seated in their desks and M. Hamel was walking up and down in the class with his iron ruler under his arm. He was wearing his best dress which he never wore except on inspection or prize distribution days.

Que 6. Describe the irony in Saheb’s name.

Ans- Saheb is a poor ragpicker who lives in Seemapuri. His full name is ’Saheb-e-Alam’, which means ’Lord of the Universe’. The irony lies in the meaning of his name itself. According to his name, he should be a king and enjoy all the luxuries of life. But unfortunately, he is a barefoot ragpicker, who lacks even the basic necessities.

Que 7. What kind of gold did the people of Seemapuri look for in the garbage?

Ans- The people of Seemapuri look for items in the garbage which can be traded for money, meaning ‘gold’, as it helps them earn their daily bread and have a roof over their heads. For a child, garbage may mean something wrapped in wonder, whereas for the elders it is a means of survival.

Que 8. Describe Mukesh as an ambitious person.

Ans- Mukesh is an ambitious person because he wants to become a motor-mechanic by breaking free from the vicious web of generations of families being involved in bangle-making. He has the courage to dream of becoming a motor mechanic, thus breaking free from destiny.

Que 9. ‘It is his karam, his destiny’. Explain this statement of Mukesh’s grandmother.

Ans – Mukesh’s grandmother believes in destiny. She believes that they cannot escape from the God[1]given lineage. It is their destiny to suffer like this. They were born in the caste of bangle-makers and will always be one, for they do not have any control over their destiny.

Que 10. Why could the bangle-makers not organise themselves into a cooperative?

Ans – The bangle-makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative because they were trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians, who exploited them. If they tried to organise themselves, they would be beaten by the police and put in jail.

Que 11. What did Douglas feel and do when he was pushed into the swimming pool?

Ans. When he was pushed into the swimming pool, he was scared but planned to hit the bottom as soon as he touched the ground and come up to the surface like a cork. Then he lay flat on the surface of water and paddled to the edge of the pool. his fear.

Que 12. Why did William Douglas use the YMCA pool and not Yakima river to learn swimming?

Ans. Douglas preferred to go to the YMCA pool because it was safe as it was only two to three feet deep at its shallow end and nine feet deep at the other end and the drop was gradual. Whereas Yakima river was treacherous and many cases of drowning had been reported.

Que 13. How did William Douglas’ aversion to water begin?

Ans. William Douglas’ aversion to water started when he was three or four years old and his father took him to the beach in California. They stood together in the surf. He hung onto his father, yet the waves knocked him down and swept over him. He was buried in water. His breath was gone and he was frightened. His father laughed, but there was terror in his heart at the overpowering force of the waves.

Que 14. Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap?

Answer:- The peddler was an extremely poor man who earned his living by selling rattraps. His mind thus was always preoccupied with rattraps. He felt that the shelter, food, clothes, riches and joys that the world provided were all baits set to entrap man just as a rattrap offered cheese or meat to entrap rats.

Que 15. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?

Answer:- The world had never been kind to the poor peddler. Wherever he went, he was greeted with sour faces and was turned or chase away. Therefore, he derived pleasure from thinking ill of the world in this way. Moreover, he perhaps was jealous of those whose fate was better than his and was rather amuse to think that someday they too would be tempted by the bait and be caught in the rattrap.

Que 16. Who was the owner of Ramjso iron mills? Why did he visit the mills at night?

Answer:- The owner of Ramjso Iron Mill was an ex – army man. He was very particular about the quality of his products. That is why he visited the mills even at night to make sure that good iron was shipped out from his mills.

Que 17. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?

Answer:- The ironmaster has mistaken the peddler for an old regimental comrade and invited him home. The peddler declined the invitation because he was carrying the money he had stolen. He knew that if the ironmaster discovered his identity, he would hand him over to the police.

Que 18. Why was the peddler surprised when he knocked at the door of the cottage?

Answer:- The peddler was surprised as he was not only welcomed at the night but was also provided food and shelter. He was treated like a guest not as a beggar.

Que 19. Why is Raj Kumar Shukla described as being resolute?

Ans – Raj Kumar Shukla was a poor, illiterate peasant from Champaran. When he came to know that Gandhi was in Lucknow, he decided to meet him to help the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He requested Gandhi to come to Champaran but Gandhi was not free. He had appointments in Cawnpore and in other parts of India. Shukla followed him everywhere and even to his ashram at Ahmedabad and urged him to fix a date. Finally, Gandhi had to agree to visit Champaran. This clearly shows that Shukla was resolute.

Que 20. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers?

Ans – Gandhiji came to know about the plight of poor peasants of Champaran. He was told that Muzzaffarpur lawyers frequently represented peasant groups in court. Gandhiji chided them for collecting big fee from the sharecroppers. After his chiding the lawyers realised that it was shameful for them not to help peasants as Gandhi being a stranger was ready even to go to jail for the peasants.

Que 21. Instead of going to Champaran, Gandhi went to Muzzafarpur. Give a valid reason.

Ans – Shukla had already poured information about the troubles of the poor peasants. But Gandhi wanted to obtain more information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. So, he sent a telegram to Prof. J.B. Kripalani. He came at the station with his students. Gandhi stayed for two days at the house of Prof. Malkani. Muzzafarpur lawyers too called on Gandhi to brief him.

Que 22. “The battle of Champaran is won”. When and why did Gandhiji exclaim this?

Ans – Gandhiji said that the battle of Champaran is won when the prominent people agreed to go to jail for the course of Champaran. Gandhiji knew that now he would be able to pressurize the government.

Que 23. How did Gandhiji show that he cared for the cultural and social backwardness of Champaran villages?

Ans – The peasants of Champaran`s villages were culturally and socially backward, besides being crushed and fear-stricken by the British due to the sharecropper agreement. Gandhiji freed them from exploitation by teaching them that they have rights and also supporters of their cause. The backwardness was tackled by opening primary schools, improving the healthcare facilities and teaching the villagers personal cleanliness and community sanitation.

Que 24. Why was Gemini studies a place of national integration in India ?

Ans. There were people from various communities. First, the make up department was headed by a Bengali, then a Maharashtrian . He was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian an Anglo Burmese and the local Tamils.

Que 25. Why does Asokamitran call Subbu ” a Charitable and improvident man”?

Ans. Subbu had genuine love for anyone he came across. His house was permanent residene for dozens of relations and acquaintances. hence the writer calls him charitable and improvident.

Que 26. How did the people of Madras and members of Gemini studios respond to the plays staged by moral Rearmament Army?

Ans. People were terribly impressed. The two plays ‘Jotham valley’ and ‘The forgotten Factor’ ran several shows. For some time to come almost all Tamil plays presented the scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner as shown in the plays.

Que 27. What does the lesson convey about the literary taste of the staff of Gemini studios as for as English poetry was concerned?

Ans. The staff at Gemini studios was quite simple. the only English poets known to them were words-worth and Tennyson. The more literate ones knew of Keats, Shelley and Byron. Very few knew about Eliot.

Que 28. Why was Gemini studios a favourite haunt of the poets?

Ans. Gemini studios had an excellent mess which supplied coffee whole day long and most of the night. It provided satisfying entertainment required for poetry where everyone enjoyed and praised Gandhi over a cup of coffee.

Que 29. How can the importance of interview be justified in modern journalism?

Ans. The interview is the most serviceable medium of communication today. It has become commonplace of journalism. We can know about celebrities through interviews.

Que 30.  What are some of the positive points about an interview?

Ans. It is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. It provides a vivid impression of our contemporaries. It equips one with the things related to life and progress.

Que 31. ’Umberto Eco’s written output is staggeringly large and wide-ranging? How?

Ans. Umberto Eco is a versatile Genius, a prolific writer. He has written on wide ranging subjects such as literary fiction, academic texts, essays children’s books and newspaper articles. He has 5 novels and 40 non-fiction works to his credit.

Que 32. How has Umberto Eco become popular among the general public?

Ans. Umberto Eco’s novels made him popular among the people in general. Ten to fifteen million copies of the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ were sold.

Que 33. Why did the American publisher think that the novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ Won’t sell well in America?

Ans. The novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ Dealt with a period of medieval history. The publisher did not expect very good response in America because the Americans knew nothing about cathedral. People were ignorant about the medieval part.

Que 34. Why does Jansie want sophie to be sensible?

Ans. Jansie knew Sophie’s family background and financial position, She knew that both of them were earmarked for the biscuit factory. Sophie’s dreams were big and needed a lot of money and experience for their fulfillment. Sophie had neither. So, Sophie asks her to be sensible.

Que 35. Who was Danny Casey? Why did Sophie talk about him?

Ans. Danny Casey was a young Irish player of the first United team. She was infatuated by this sportsman and took him to be her lover and so wanted to date with him.

Que 36. Why was Sophie Jealous of Geoff’s silence?

Ans. Geoff was grown up and spoke little. Sophie was jealous of him as she wanted to share his secret thoughts. She craved for his affection.

Que 37. Jansie and Sophie, in spite of being friends were poles apart in their approach to life. How?

Ans. Jansie and Sophie were poles apart in thinking and temperament. Sophie was an incurable dreamer and escapist. On the other hand Jansie was realistic and practical she knows big things require money and experience money and experience which they didn’t have.

Que 38. Why did Sophie not want Jansie to know anything about her meeting with Denny Casey?

Ans. Sophie knew that Jansie was ‘nosey’. She was very inquisitive by nature. Sophie did not trust Jansie as she could not keep a secret. She could spread the rumor in the whole neighborhood.

Que 39. Where was the poet driving to? Who was sitting beside her?

Ans: The poet was driving from her parent’s home to the Cochin airport. Her mother was sitting beside her.

Que 40. What did the poet notice about her mother?

Ans: The poet looked at her mother and saw that her mother was dozing with her mouth open.. She noticed that her mother was looking pale and lifeless like a dead body.

Que 41. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

Ans: When the poet sees the pale face of her mother, her old familiar childhood fear returns. Ageing is a natural process. The poet’s mother is old and will die soon. This thought makes the poet feel miserable.

Que 42. Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’?

Ans: The poet’s mother is sixty-six years old. She has lost her shine and strength of youth. Similarly the late winter’s moon looks hazy and dull. It too lacks shine and strength.

Que 43. what do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

Ans: The poet’s parting words and her smiles are intentional attempt to hide her real feelings. The parting words give an assurance to the old lady. Similarly, her repeated smiles are an attempt to overcome the pain and fear inside her heart.

Que 44. ‘At the back of the dim class …’ Why is the classroom dim ?

Ans: It is dim as it is poorly lit and in a miserable condition.

Que 45. What is the theme of the poem?

Ans: The poem focuses on the theme of social injustice and inequalities. The poet presents it by talking of the two different worlds – the rich and the civilized and the world of the poor and the deprived.

Que 46. What does the poet tries to depict in the poem?

Ans: The poet tries to depict the pathetic and miserable picture of the elementary classroom in a slum. It is poorly lit and needs repair. The children attending it are in a pitiable and miserable condition.

Que 47. Do these children have dreams?

Ans: Yes, some of them do have dreams. A sweet young boy is sitting at the back of the dim classroom dreaming of a squirrel’s game.

Que 48. What has been said about their future?

Ans: Their future is painted with fog. Their future is not clear.There is no one to guide them.

Que 49. What will counting to twelve and keeping quiet help us achieve?

Ans – The poet asks each one of us to count twelve and then be quiet, silent and motionless so that at least for once on the surface of the earth no language will be spoken. We will be able to meditate, reflect and introspect in silence. It will help us to achieve a sense of togetherness among all, a condition which is important for the survival of humanity.

Que 50. What is the sadness that the poet ,Pablo Neruda, refers to in the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet’?

Ans-  The poet refers to the sadness, which surround man due to not having any time for himself, of not understanding what he and his fellowmen want. He has no time for introspection, as a result, he is not able to analyze his own actions and understand its consequences.

Que 51. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death? Why?

Ans-  No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity or death. He clearly states that his asking for stillness should not be confused with inactivity. He only wants to stop inhuman and destructive activities particularly those involved in war. He wants to live in peace.

Que 52. What are the different types of wars mentioned in the poem? What is Neruda’s attitude towards these wars?

Ans- The poet mentions war against humanity and nature. Green wars, wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire do no good to any one.  Neruda feels that such wars may bring victory but there are no survivors. It is a hollow victory. It means there is heavy loss on both sides.

Que 53. Why does a thing of beauty never pass into nothingness?

Answer : A thing of beauty never passes into nothingness because it creates a lasting impression in our minds. It would give us joy which would last with us forever and would never end.

Que 54. Mention any two things which cause pain and suffering.

Answer : There are many things cause us pain and suffering. Malice and disappointment are the biggest source of our suffering. Another one is the lack of noble qualities in many people which also makes us sad and despondent.

Que 55. Mention any four things of beauty that add joy to your life.

Answer : Everything in the nature is a thing of beauty and a source of happiness. Some of them are the sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers. All of these are things of beauty and a constant source of joy and happiness for us.

Que 56. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life?

Answer : Beautiful things help us to lead a happy life because a thing of beauty is like a bower. It brings us endless pleasure, provides respite from our sorrows and gives us peaceful sleep and a calm mind.

Que 57. How can ‘mighty dead’ be things of beauty?

Answer : The ‘mighty dead’ refers to the glorious tales of our forefathers which fill us with a sense of pride and are also things of beauty as they fill us with pleasure and motivation. 

Que 58. Why do the people who run the roadside stand wait for the squeal of brakes so eagerly?

Ans. The “squealing of brakes” means that a car has stopped at their roadside stand. It raises their hopes that the city-folk have stopped there to buy something from their roadside stand and some city money will come into their hands.

Que 59. Why does Robert Frost sympathise with the rural poor?

Ans. Robert Frost feels an unbearable agony at the plight of the rural poor who are ignored and neglected by the rich politicians. The Government and the party in power are indifferent to their welfare. They fool them by making false promises and then fully exploit them to suit their own selfish interests.

Que 60. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?

Ans. The folk who had put up the roadside stand pleaded to the city dwellers to stop and buy their wares so as to enable them to earn some extra money for a decent living. They wanted that the rich people who passed from there in their cars should stop there and buy some goods from them. The money that these folks would earn from the rich people would help them to lead a better life.

Que 61. What is the ‘childish longing’ of the folk who had put up the roadside stand? Why is it ‘in vain’?

Ans. The ‘childish longing’, the poet refers to, is the dreams and desires of the rural folk who have a child-like longing for a better life that they hope to live with the help from the city dwellers. Their longing is in vain because the city folk are not willing to help them and so their ‘childish longings’ are not likely to be fulfilled.

Que 62. Why didn’t the ‘polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand?

Ans. The ‘polished traffic’ conveniently overlook the roadside stand and do not stop there as their mind is focussed only on their destination. Moreover, they were critical of the poor decor of the stand, its artless interior and paint.

Que 63. Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer. 

Answer: The poet describes Aunt Jennifer’s tigers as ‘bright topaz denizens’ of the forest. They are fearless and ferocious in sharp contrast to their creator, Aunt Jennifer’s nervousness and timidity. Gallant and confident, they are sure of their purpose and move ahead undeterred by any kind of hindrance or obstruction. 

Que 64. How has Aunt Jennifer created her tigers? What traits of tigers do they reveal? 

Answer: Aunt Jennifer has created shining topaz yellow-coloured tigers who are denizens of a dense, green forest. They are fierce, unafraid and fearless and pace in ‘sleek’ and ‘chivalric’ certainty. 

Que 65. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands fluttering through her wool? 

Answer: Aunt Jennifer is a victim of gender oppression at the hands of her husband. She lives a life of total domination and constant fear. So she feels nervous and terrified that the hands shake and flutter through her wool as she sits down to knit.

Que 66. What does the third level refer to?

Ans: The third level refers to a railway station in the Grand Central Terminal at New York, USA. In reality there is no third level as there are only two levels but, in the story, the third level serves as a portal leading to the past. There’s no logic behind that except the fact that it helps in some sort of time travel which is theoretically possible.

Que 67. Would Charley ever go back to the ticket-counter on the third level to buy tickets to Galesburg for himself and his wife?

Ans: It entirely depends on chance. If he could locate the third level then he will surely go for he is fascinated by the idea of settling in the past as money taken from the present to the past can have a reverse impact on devaluation of currency and make him rich in the past. Till the end of the story he is not able to achieve that.

Que 68. What is a first day cover?

Ans: A first day cover is a new stamp with the post mark pasted on an envelope containing a blank paper. When a new stamp is issued, on the first day, people mail a blank paper to themselves and then retain that unopened letter with the date on the postmark. Such an envelope is known as a ‘first day cover’.

Que 69. What was the miracle that took place in the royal palace?

Ans. When the Maharaja was a 10-day old infant, he spoke and asked intelligent questions about his death. After knowing that he would be killed by a tiger he uttered saying, let tigers beware.”

Que 70. How was the Tiger King brought up?

Ans. As a child the Tiger King was brought up by an English nanny and tutored in English by an Englishman. He was given the milk of an English cow. He watched only English movies.

Que 71. What did the State astrologer say he would do ‘if the hundredth tiger were also killed’?

Ans. The State astrologer was so sure of his prediction that he announced that he would cut off his ceremonial tuft, crop his hair short and become an insurance agent in case the king was able to kill the 100^th tiger too.

Que 72. He was sure that the Maharaja’s death would be caused by the 100^th tiger. What did the high-ranking British officer wish to do? Was his wish fulfilled?

Ans. The high-ranking British Officer wanted to kill a tiger. He was denied the permission for hunting. He sent a word to the king that he would be happy if he was allowed to get photographed with the carcass of a tiger killed by the King. His wish remained unfulfilled.

Que 73. How did the Maharaja get more tigers to kill, when he had killed all the tigers in his kingdom?

Ans. Left with no other alternative, the king ticking thought of getting married into a royal family. His only criteria for selecting a bride were that his-in-laws’ estate should have sufficient number of tigers. Finally, he found his desired match. He pursued his one-point program of meeting the tally of hundred tigers.

Que 74. Mention the author‘s emotions when he set his foot on Antatica.

Ans. Far flung white landscape and blue horizon of Antarctica was a relief to the author. The author with his team had travelled 100 hours. She wondered at the sight of the large continent, its isolation and serenity. She could not believe the fact that once India and Antarctica were the part of the same land mass.

Que 75. What are Geoff Green‘s objectives for including high school students in ―Student on Ice Programme?

Ans. Student on Ice Programme‘ was aimed to provide educational opportunity for the student to study and explore the past, present and future of the Earth. The future generation of policy makers was offered a life changing experience to understand and respect the planet. The students at this age are ready to absorb, learn and act.

Que 76. Take care of small things, the big things will take care themselves‘. What is the significance of the statement?

Ans. Antarctica has simple ecosystem and lacks in bio-diversity. Little changesin environment can have big consequences. A very small single stemmed plant phytoplankton nourishes and sustains the entire food chain of Southern Ocean. These grasses to the sea use solar energy to absorb carbon. They to synthesize various organic compounds. We must take care of the small things to avoid the food chain reaction.

Que 77. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?

Ans: Dr Sadao was a famous Japanese surgeon and a scientist. He was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. His house was located next to a narrow beach. The beach was outlined with bent pines. A little uninhabited island also existed near his house. In storm, it had been submerged. A mile or two on either side of the house was a fishing village, but near his house, there existed only the bare and lonely coast, dangerous with rocks. The water beyond the beach was spiked with rocks.

Que 78. What did Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man?

Ans: Dr Sadao operated the wounded man. The operation was successful. Dr Sadao knew that the wounded man would now be out of danger. So he and his wife decided to give him to the police as a prisoner of war. However, the man was very weak. Thus, they decided to keep him till he recovered, so that later they could decide, what to do with him.

Que 79. What did Dr Sadao do to help Tom escape to freedom?

Ans: Dr Sadao knew that the wounded American sailor, Tom could be arrested any time. So he decided to help him in escaping. He decided to give his private boat with food and clothes in it. He could row it to a little island not far from the coast. Nobody lived there. In this way, he could escape to freedom.

Que 80. Why did the messenger come to Dr Sadao? What did Hana think about it? 

Ans: Dr Sadao had been summoned to the palace to treat the ailing General. This relieved Hana, since she expected it to be a punishment for helping and providing refuge to an enemy. As the General was ill, he could require an operation any moment. Hana got very anxious to think about the consequences her family might have to face for harbouring an enemy soldier. When an official in uniform knocked her door, she thought that he might have come to apprehend her husband.

Que 81. Why did Hana wash the wounded soldier herself?

Ans: Hana helped the wounded man and washed him herself. The wounded American was in a very bad state and needed to be washed before being operated on. Hana did not want Dr Sadao to clean the dirty and unconscious prisoner, and so asked their servant, Yumi, to do so. However, Yumi defied her master’s order and did not help. She thought she would be punished by law for being a traitor to her country. As a result, Hana had no other option but to wash him herself.

Que 82. What was the basic tale or plot of stories told by Jack

Ans. Every story told by Jack had a small creature usually named Roger. He had some problem and went with it to the wise old owl. The owl would tell him to go to the wizard. The wizard solved the problem with some magic spell. However, he charged some pennies for it.

Que 83. Why did Roger Skunk go to the owl? What advice did he get?

Ans. Roger Skunk smelled very bad. Whenever he went out to play, all other little animals would run away from him. He would then fell very sad and humiliated. In order to find a way out of his problem, he decided to go to the wise old owl. The owl advised Roger Skunk to go to the wizard.

Que 84. When would Jack tell her daughter, Jo, a story? When had this custom begun?

Ans. Jo’s father Jack used to tell her a story in the evenings and for Saturday naps. This custom began when Jo was two but now she was four years old. Thus, he had been telling her the stories for the last two years.

Que 85. ow did the wizard solve the skunk’s problem?

Ans. The wizard asked the skunk what he wanted to smell like. At this the skunk told her that he wanted to smell like roses. The wizard took his magic wand and chanted a spell. Soon, the whole inside of the wizard’s house was filled with the fragrance of roses.

Que 86. Who is Derry? 

Ans. Derry is a fourteen years old boy. One side of his face is burnt due to spilling of acid. He avoids people. He thinks people talk about him, feel pity for him, some are scarred of him.

Que 87. Who is Mr. Lamb? 

Ans. Mr. Lamb is an old man. One of his legs was blown off in war. So, He has a tin leg. He lives all alone in his house. He has a garden where he remains busy the whole day. People have spread many stories about him.

Que 88. What physical impairment is Mr. Lamb suffering from? 

Ans. Mr. Lamb is retired from the army. In a war, he lost one of his legs. In its place, there is a tin leg now. Because of it, kids call him ‘ Lamey Lamb’. But it doesn’t trouble him.

Que 89. Why does Derry come to Mr.Lamb’s garden? 

Ans. Derry has a burnt face. So, he avoids people and wants to stay alone. In order to find a secluded place, he jumps a wall to enter Mr. Lamb’s garden. He thinks the garden is empty.

Que 90. What surprised Derry when he entered the garden? 

Ans. Derry thought that the garden he entered was empty. When Mr. Lamb spoke to him, he became surprised. Mr. lamb was friendly in approach. He only told Derry to mind the crab apples.

Que 91. Why did the Governor ring up the Secretary of Examination Board and what was his request?

Ans. Early March, the Governor of Oxford Prison rang up the Secretary of Examinations Board that one of their prisoners, Evans, wanted to take an O-Level examination in German. Evans had been taking night classes since September and eager to get some academic qualification.

Que 92. What enquiry did the Secretary of the Examination Board make about Evans? What did the Governor tell him about Evans?

Ans. The Secretary wanted to know if Evans was a violent sort of person. The Governor told him that there was no record of violence. He was informed that Evans was quite a pleasant fellow—an amusing person. He was good at imitation and hence h star at the Christmas concert. He suffered from the desire to steal. He had this disease from birth.

Que 93. What facts about Evans did the Governor of Oxford Prison not reveal to the Secretary of the Examination Board?

Ans. Evans was called ‘Evans the Break’ by the prison officers. He had escaped from prison three times already. He would have done so from Oxford Prison as well if there had not been unrest in the maximum security establishments up north.

Que 94. What issue regarding conducting the examination did the Secretary of Examination Board raise? What was he told?

Ans. The Secretary wanted to know whether a room could be arranged for holding examination. The Governor told him that Evans had a cell on his own. He could sit the exam in there. Secondly, they could easily get one of the parsons from St. Mary Mags to invigilate. The Secretary hoped that they would not have much trouble in keeping Evans without communicating with others.

Que 95. Who met Evans on the eve of the examination? What does this brief interview reveal?

Ans. It was Evans’ German teacher who shook him by the hand at 8.30 p.m. on Monday, 7 June. They met in the heavily guarded Recreational Block, just across from D Wing. The teacher wished him good luck in German, which Evans failed to understand. The teacher observed that he had a remote chance of getting through. Evans remarked that he might surprise everybody. These remarks prove quite meaningful and prophetic.

Que 96. What were the indignities that the new girls were subjected to at Carlisle Indian School?

Ans. The girls were scrutinized thoroughly and supervised by a grey- haired woman. They were made to wear tight fitting immodest clothes and stiff shoes. During breakfast a systematic and regimental discipline was observed. The girls with long hair had to get them shingled and they had to submit to the authorities who were strong, unfeeling and cruel.

Que 97. 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 coward’s. In her pain when she cried for her mother no one came forward to comfort her. She was just like one of the animals driven by a herder.

Que 98. 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 her 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 have shingled hair. So, she decided to resist. She hid herself under a bed in a dark room.

Que 99. Why was Zitkala-Sa so averse to having her hair cut?

Ans. It was an age old tradition among the people of her tribe, to which Zitkala-Sa belonged, to maintain their long shining and beautiful hair. It was believed that only the warriors or the mourners get their hair shingled. Short hair were worn by cowards as per their tradition. So, obviously Zitkala-Sa never wanted her hair to be cut short.

Que 100. How was the teacher/M. Hamel dressed?

Ans: M. Hamel was wearing his best dress that day. He was wearing his green coat, frilled shirt and a little black silk cap, all embroidered which he never wore except on inspection or prize distribution days.

CBSE Class 12 Study Materials