Extract based.
A. He holds him with his glittering eye–
The Wedding Guest stood still,
And listens like a three years’ child:
The Mariner hath his will.
(a) Why did the mariner hold back the wedding
guest?
(b) Why was the wedding guest unable to
move?
(c) What does the word, glittering’ mean?
B. On the roof, Sebastian looked round and glanced at
his watch nervously. ‘It should be here by now.’
(a) Which game was Michael playing?
(b) Why was Sebastian nervous?
(c) What does the word, nervously’ mean?
C. There was a pause. Nicola was glaring at his younger
brother in vexation.
‘‘We could not think of troubling you, sir.’
(a) Who is referred to as ‘sir’ here?
(b) Why did Nicola glare at his younger brother?
(c) What offer was made by ‘sir’?
(d) What does the word ‘pause’ mean?
D.Caesar: How foolish do your fears seem now,
Calpurnia! I am ashamed I
did yield to them. Give me my robe, for I will go.’
(a) What were Calpurnia’s fears?
(b) Why did they seem foolish to Caesar?
(c) Where did Caesar want to go?
(d) What does the word ‘yield’ mean?
E. To lead a happy married life there must be trust
between husband and wife. Why did
Lavinia decides to leave her husband and why did
she later change her decision?
F. Animal life is as sacred as human life. Describe how
ancient mariners and other sailors are.
suffered because the ancient mariner had killed the
albatross.
G.Naresh Dutt cast an appraising look at Patol Babu
and gave a nod. ‘Oh yes,’ he said.
‘There is no doubt about that. The shooting takes
place tomorrow. morning.’
(a) Who is Naresh Dutt?
(b) Why did he come to meet Patol Babu?
(c) What do his words ‘Oh yes’ mean?
(d) What is meant by ‘shooting’?
H.But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fixed and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What is the northern star?
(c) What is special about it?
(d) What is firmament?
I. Well, I was in no position to contradict Jenkins, for
yet, his magazine.
had been the only one to print my stuff.
(a) Who is Jenkins?
(b) What does the narrator mean by ―print my
stuff?
(c) Which word in the extract means the same
as ―say no to?
J. Till over the mast at noon –
The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast,
For he heard the loud bassoon.
(a) What went higher and higher?
(b) Why did the wedding guest beat his breast?
(c) What is a bassoon?
Question textbook based.
1. In the lesson ‘Patol Babu, Film Star’, what kind of values
are being upheld. by Patol Babu? Quote instances to
show his sincerity and dedication.
Ans: In conclusion, the story of Patol Babu, Film Star,
imparts valuable life lessons such as dedication,
passion, recognizing opportunities, teamwork,
humility, self-belief, and embracing second chances.
These values serve as guiding principles for
individuals to achieve success and fulfilment in their
endeavours.
2. Show that Miss Mebbin is greedy, and Miss Packletide is
jealous.
Ans: In "Mrs. Packletide's Tiger," Miss Mebbin is
clearly depicted as greedy, using her knowledge of
Mrs. Packletide's secret (shooting a goat instead of a
tiger) to blackmail her into buying a costly weekend
cottage, essentially exploiting the situation for
personal gain; while Mrs. Packletide is portrayed as
jealous of Loona Bimberton's social status and
adventurous exploits, motivating her to embark on
the tiger hunt to outshine her, showcasing her
envious nature.
3. How, according to Shakespeare, does poetry prove to
be more powerful than statues?
Ans : According to Shakespeare, poetry is more
powerful than statues because while statues are
physical objects that can be destroyed by time and
natural forces, poetry lives on in the minds of
readers, allowing it to transcend time and be passed
down through generations, thus creating a "living
record" of the subject that cannot be
erased; essentially, poetry is immortal while statues
are not.
4. The Nightingale was a misfit in the world of cunning.’
Ans: This statement means that the Nightingale, with
her innocent and trusting nature, did not fit in with
the other creatures who were more manipulative and
deceitful, essentially making her a "misfit" in a world
where cunningness was the norm; this is often
referenced in the story "The Frog and the
Nightingale" where the Nightingale is easily taken
advantage of by the scheming Frog.
5. Why is Helen, the ghost, upset with people using Ouija
Boards?
Ans: Helen and co-ghosts were going on a strike
because they were tired of answering questions of
Ouija board fanatics. They felt they were disturbed
too often to answer silly questions. She urged the
narrator to influence his friends and acquaintances to
stop using the Ouija board.
6. What made the postmaster understand Ali’s pain later
in the Story, The Letter’?
Ans: The postmaster only understood Ali's pain
after his own daughter fell ill and he anxiously
awaited a letter from her, mirroring the situation of
Ali desperately waiting for news from his daughter,
causing him to finally empathize with Ali's suffering
and realize the depth of his longing for a letter.
7. Why did the poet wait for the snake to drink first from
the trough?
Ans: The poet D.H. Lawrence waited for the snake to
quench his thirst first because the snake was the first
to arrive at the water trough. Being a good host, the
poet treated him like a guest, gave honour to him
and let him drink water first.
8. Why did the narrator feel sorry after throwing a stick at
the snake?
Ans: The narrator in D.H. Lawrence's poem "Snake"
felt sorry after throwing a stick at the snake
because he realized that the snake was not a threat,
was simply basking in the sun, and he felt a sense of
guilt for disturbing a beautiful, harmless creature,
essentially treating it as a nuisance rather than
respecting its presence in his space; he regretted his
impulsive, fearful reaction.
9. How does Mrs. Slatter plan to outshine the Jordons?
Why?
Ans: In the Drama Dear Departed, Mrs. Slater plans
to outshine the Jordans by wearing the mourning
dress and thinks that Ben and Elizabeth will never
have thought about mourning yet.
10. Who was Ali? Why did he go to the post office daily?
Ans: Ali was a character from the story "The Letter"
who went to the post office every day with the hope
of receiving a letter from his only daughter,
Miriam; he considered it a pilgrimage, driven by his
deep love and longing for her.
11. “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings.” What does
Ozymandias mean by? ‘King of kings?
Ans: When Ozymandias refers to himself as "king of
kings," he is essentially proclaiming himself as the
most powerful and dominant ruler, signifying his
belief that he reigns supreme over all other kings,
showcasing his immense pride and arrogance in his
own power and legacy.
12. Why didn’t Luigi, the driver, approve of Nicola and
Jacopo?
Ans: Luigi didn’t approve of the two boys for two
reasons. First, they were selling wild strawberries.
Second, they were very dirty and wore shabby
clothes. From their appearance they were looking for
like cheats and thieves.
13. Why did Patol Babu lose his first job in Calcutta?
Ans: Patol Babu lost his in Kolkata due to
retrenchment in office due to world war.
14. What did the traveller see in an antique land?
Ans: In the ancient land, a traveller saw a broken
statue of a man whose legs were remaining, and the
bust was at a distance. Its visage or face was
shattered but one could clearly sneer on the man's
face. According to the poet, the sculptor must have
been incredibly talented to show the expressions on
the man's face.
15. Why did Calpurnia not want Caesar to go to the
Capitol?
Ans Calpurnia had disturbing dreams and omens that
foretold Caesar's death. She feared for his safety and
tried to persuade him to stay home.
16. Why did the poet feel sorry for throwing a stick at
the snake?
After the snake retreated, the poet realized the snake
posed no real threat and felt regret for his impulsive,
violent reaction. He recognized the snake's beauty and
its right to exist.
17. Why did the news of the "miracle recovery of
Sebastian Shultz" shock the news, Michael? Michael
was shocked because he knew Sebastian Shultz had
died. The "miracle recovery" was a fabricated story
used in the game.
18. Describe how Shelley brings out the futility of power
and riches in the poem,
'Ozymandias'. Shelley portrays the futility of power
and riches by showing the ruined statue of
Ozymandias, a once-mighty king. The inscription on the
pedestal boasts of his grandeur, but the desolate
surroundings and crumbling statues reveal that his
power and legacy have not endured. Time has
conquered all, reducing even the greatest of rulers to
dust.
19. The poem, 'Snake', reminds us of the fact that
animals too have a right to life which we have no right
to deny them. Describe how man should co-exist with
nature and its creatures for ecological balance.
Humans should strive for a harmonious coexistence
with nature and its creatures. This involves respecting
their habitats, avoiding unnecessary harm, and
understanding their role in the ecosystem. For
ecological balance, we must move away from
anthropocentric views and recognize the intrinsic value
of all life forms. This includes conservation efforts,
sustainable practices, and minimizing our impact on
the natural world.
20. On what conditions was Antony allowed to speak at
Caesar’s funeral?
Brutus allowed Antony to speak on the condition that
he would not blame the conspirators for Caesar’s death
and that he would speak well of them.
21. What contradictory thoughts did the poet have on
seeing the snake?
The poet was initially fearful and wanted to kill the snake.
However, he was also captivated by its beauty and grace,
leading to a conflict between his instinctual fear and his
admiration for the creature.
22. What advice has Mr. Pakrashi given to Patol Babu?
Ans: Mr. Pakrashi advised Patol Babu to accept the role,
no matter how small, and to perform it with sincerity
and dedication. He emphasized the importance of
professionalism and giving one's best in any role.
23. How had Sebastian entered the games Michael later
bought?
Ans: Sebastian was a character programmed into the
game. Michael did not buy him separately; he came as
part of the game's programming.
24. How did ‘The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau’ function?
Ans: The Writer's Inspiration Bureau provided writers
with plot ideas, character sketches, and other creative
prompts to help them overcome writer's block and
generate new material. They essentially functioned as
a source of inspiration and guidance for struggling
writers.
25. Action speaks louder than words (Julius Caesar)
The saying "Actions speak louder than words" means that
a person’s true character and intentions are revealed
through their deeds rather than their words. This theme is
clearly reflected in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, where
Brutus and Antony use different approaches to influence
the Roman people. Brutus, after killing Caesar, tries to
justify his act by claiming he did it for the good of Rome.
He tells the citizens that Caesar was ambitious and that
his death was necessary to protect the republic. However,
his actions contradict his words, as killing Caesar creates
chaos instead of stability. Brutus also makes the mistake
of trusting Antony, allowing him to address the crowd at
Caesar’s funeral, believing that words alone cannot turn
the people against him.
Mark Antony, on the other hand, understands the power
of both words and actions. He uses sarcasm and emotion
in his famous funeral speech to expose the hypocrisy of
the conspirators. He repeatedly calls them "honourable
men" while giving examples of Caesar’s generosity, such
as his will, which left money for the citizens. Antony
further strengthens his argument with actions—he
displays Caesar’s bloody cloak and points to each stab
wound, making the crowd furious. His speech does not
just remain words; it leads to real consequences, as the
enraged citizens revolt against the conspirators. Unlike
Brutus, whose words do not justify his crime, Antony
matches his words with action, ensuring that justice is
served for Caesar’s murder.
Ultimately, Brutus’s reliance on words is ineffective
because his actions (killing Caesar) have a far greater
impact, leading to an uprising. Antony, however,
successfully turns the public against the conspirators, not
only through his speech but through carefully planned
actions that incite rebellion. This proves that while words
may influence people temporarily, actions decide history.
26. No man is an island and love despair, and human
connection are constant.
Ans The phrase "No man is an island" means that humans
cannot live in isolation and are deeply connected to each
other. This idea is reflected in Virtually True by Paul
Stewart, where the themes of love, despair, and human
connection remain central throughout the story. The
protagonist, Michael, experiences these emotions when
he discovers the strange games that hold Sebastian
Shultz's consciousness. Even though Michael has never
met Sebastian in real life, he feels a strong connection to
him and is determined to save him. This highlights the
idea that human lives are intertwined, and our actions
can have profound effects on others.
The story also explores despair and hope, showing how
love and concern for others drive people to act. When
Michael learns that Sebastian is trapped in the virtual
world after a horrific accident, he does not ignore the
situation. Instead, he keeps trying to rescue Sebastian by
playing the games, showing that compassion and
empathy push us beyond our own limits. Sebastian, too,
expresses hope and trust in Michael, proving that even in
the face of despair, human bonds stay strong. Without
Michael’s persistence and determination to save a boy he
has never met; Sebastian might have still been trapped
forever.
In the end, Virtually True reinforces that love and human
connection are constant forces, even in a world
dominated by technology. Michael and Sebastian's story
proves that friendship and selflessness can bridge the
gap between isolation and belonging. It reminds us that
even when surrounded by machines and virtual reality,
emotions like love, concern, and hope make us truly
human.
27. Mark Antony in 'Julius Caesar' says, 'Now let it work.
Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt!'
How was Antony successful in instigating the people of
Rome against the conspirators? Write your answer in
about 150 words.
Ans : Antony’s Success in Instigating the People of Rome
Mark Antony, in Julius Caesar, skillfully turns the Roman
crowd against the conspirators through his masterful
funeral speech. Although he initially claims to "come to
bury Caesar, not to praise him," he subtly discredits
Brutus and the other conspirators.
First, Antony repeatedly refers to them as "honourable
men," while providing evidence that contradicts their
justification for Caesar’s assassination. He reminds the
crowd of Caesar’s generosity, mentioning how he refused
the crown thrice and left his wealth for the people in his
will. This stirs doubt about the conspirators’ claim that
Caesar was ambitious.
Next, Antony employs emotional appeal by showing
Caesar’s wounded body and calling upon the citizens’
grief. His dramatic unveiling of Caesar’s bloodied cloak
and corpse fuels their anger.
By the end of his speech, Antony successfully turns public
opinion against the conspirators, inciting rebellion. His
words spark chaos, proving the power of rhetoric and
persuasion.