The Last Lesson
Q: Why was M. Hamel dressed in formal clothes in school?
A: It was the last day French would be taught in the school. M. Hamel wore his best clothes as a
mark of respect to the final lesson.
Q: You realise the true value of a thing only on losing it. Comment with reference to 'The Last
Lesson'.
A: The people of Alsace and the students ignored their mother tongue, French. When the order
came that French would no longer be taught, they regretted their neglect and realised the
preciousness of their language.
Q: What a thunderclap these words were to me! Which words shocked Franz and how did they
affect him?
A: The words were the announcement that French would no longer be taught. Franz was shocked,
filled with regret for neglecting his lessons, and suddenly became attentive.
Q: How was the scene in the classroom different on the day of the last lesson?
A: Usually noisy, the classroom was unusually quiet. Elders from the village attended, students
were silent, and the mood was solemn and respectful.
Lost Spring
Q: What do we learn about Anees Jung through her interactions with Saheb and Mukesh?
A: She is observant and empathetic. She highlights the plight of poor children and their lost
childhood through Saheb, a ragpicker, and Mukesh, a bangle maker.
Q: The description of Seemapuri creates a very dismal picture. Explain.
A: Seemapuri is full of garbage dumps, poor shelters, lack of basic facilities and sanitation.
Migrants live in poverty and survive on ragpicking.
Q: How bad were the living conditions in which Mukesh and his family survived?
A: They lived in a small cramped house, lacked sanitation and health facilities, worked in hazardous
conditions and struggled financially.
Deep Water
Q: How did Douglas finally get rid of the fear of water?
A: He trained with an instructor step by step, practicing breathing, kicking and swimming
techniques. He gradually gained confidence and later swam across lakes to ensure he had
overcome his fear.
Q: Which two incidents in Douglas's childhood created an aversion to water?
A: First, he was knocked down by waves at a beach in California. Second, a bully pushed him into
the deep end of the YMCA pool, leaving him terrified of drowning.
Q: 'All we have to fear is fear itself.' How does Douglas' experience reflect this?
A: Douglas suffered from fear of water for years. Once he overcame it through courage and
persistence, he realised fear itself was more dangerous than the water.
The Rattrap
Q: Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?
A: He thought the world was a trap offering bait in the form of material comforts. This gave him
philosophical satisfaction, as it reflected his own hardships.
Q: What doubts did Edla have about the peddler? How did she reassure him?
A: She suspected he was a thief, but she treated him with kindness, assuring him he was free and
welcome in her home.
Q: How did the ironmaster react on seeing the peddler near the furnace?
A: He mistook him for an old regimental comrade and treated him warmly, inviting him home for
Christmas.
Indigo
Q: Why did Gandhiji agree to only 25% refund to the peasants?
A: Though he demanded 50%, he agreed to 25% because it was symbolic. The landlords had to
part with some money, which established peasants' rights.
Q: How did Gandhiji help the peasants of Champaran?
A: He investigated their grievances, organised them, used non-violent methods, fought legal battles
and secured fair treatment for the farmers.
Poets and Pancakes
Q: Why is the Englishman's visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
A: Because he came to a Tamil film studio and spoke about English poetry. His identity and
purpose were unclear, making it a mystery.
Q: Who was the English visitor to the studios and what was his purpose?
A: He was an admirer of English poetry. He came to share and discuss poetry with the writers and
broaden their perspective.
Poem: My Mother at Sixty-Six
Q: What did the poet realise about her mother at the airport?
A: She realised her mother looked pale, old and weak, like a corpse, and feared losing her to death.
Q: Why are the trees described as 'sprinting'?
A: The trees seem to run past the car, symbolising youth, energy and contrast with the mother’s old
age.
Q: Why is the mother compared to a 'late winter’s moon'?
A: Her pale, colourless face resembled the fading, weak light of the late winter moon, symbolising
decline and death.
Q: What do the poet’s parting words and smile signify?
A: Her smile hides her fear of losing her mother. It signifies courage and reassurance to her mother
despite inner pain.
Poem: Keeping Quiet
Q: What is the significance of 'keeping quiet' in the poem?
A: It means taking a pause from rush and violence, reflecting silently and promoting peace.
Q: How can keeping quiet change our attitude to life?
A: It helps us introspect, stop harming nature, avoid wars and live harmoniously.
Q: What is the symbolic meaning of 'hurt hands' and 'clean clothes'?
A: 'Hurt hands' symbolise violence and destruction, while 'clean clothes' represent peace and new
beginnings.
Poem: A Thing of Beauty
Q: What are the beautiful things mentioned in the poem?
A: The sun, moon, trees, flowers, clear rills, daffodils, musk roses and tales of heroic men.
Q: How does a thing of beauty provide joy to us?
A: It removes the gloom and darkness from our lives, refreshes our spirits and gives eternal
happiness.
Q: Explain 'endless fountain of immortal drink'.
A: It refers to the everlasting source of joy and inspiration provided by nature and beauty.
Poem: A Roadside Stand
Q: What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
A: They wanted city people to stop, buy their goods and support their livelihood.
Q: Why didn’t the 'polished traffic' stop at the roadside stand?
A: Because they considered it an eyesore and were indifferent to rural poverty.
Q: What is the 'childish longing' mentioned in the poem?
A: It refers to the villagers’ hope that city people would help them. It is vain because the city folk
ignore them.
