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CBSE FEEDS

HERIDITY AND EVOLUTION

1.Why do asexually reproducing organisms shows very little variation and what is cause of this variation?
2.Do the survival of variants have equal chances? If not explain the factors on which survival depends.
3.How the creation of variation in certain species promotes survival?
4.Why did Mendel select pea plant for his experiment?
5.What are the seven contrasting character observed by Mendel in pea plant?
6.With schematic figure show inheritance of any trait over two generations?
7.With schematic figure show independent inheritance o0f two separate traits.
8.What experiment confirms that the F2 generation did in fact have a 1:2:1 ratio. Show this giving an example.
9.A man with blood group A marries a woman with blood group O and their daughter has blood group O. With schematic figure explain how this could be possible?
10.Briefly describe sex determination in human beings.
11.How did Mendel’s experiment show that traits might be dominant or recessive?
12.Give an example in which adaptation in the population fit an organism better in its environment.
13.How does genetic drift change the frequency of same gene? Explain this giving an example.
14.If tails of rats are cut upto many generation’s tailless rats are not found. Why?
15.What is the limitation of Darwin’s natural selection?
16.Name the scientist who proved that life originated from a-biogenetic molecule?
17.What are the factors that led to the rise of new species?
18.What is microevolution? What are its limitations?
19.Define speciation? How do evolution of species occur due to speciation?
20.Distinguish between homologous and analogous organs with examples of animals and plants.
21.What are fossils? How do fossils provide evidences of evolution of species?
22.Give one example that explains that a change that is useful for one property can become useful later for a quite different function.
23.What is the basic event in evolution process?
24.Give the scientific name of man.
25.Where did first thinking man appear on the earth surface?
How is equal genetic contribution of male and female parent ensured in the progeny?

- S. Rath PGT Biology

HOW DO ORGANISMS REPRODUCE?

1.What is reproduction?
2.What is the necessity of reproduction?
3.What is the basic event in the reproduction process?
4.Why does variation occurs when a single cell divides into two cells?
5.What is the importance of DNA copying in variation?
6.Why is variation beneficial to species, but not to individuals?
7.What are the two ways of reproduction? Give difference between the two.
8.Explain the process of reproduction in bacteria and protozoa?
9.Give example of an organism whose cell divides in a specific orientation?
10.What is fragmentation? Give examples of organisms that reproduce by this process.
11.Why does multicellular organisms reproduce by fragmentation?
12.Define regeneration? Give examples of organisms that can regenerate.
13.Differentiate fragmentation and regeneration.
14.How does regeneration takes place?
15.Why is regeneration not considered as reproduction?
16.How does budding take place?
17.Give two examples of organisms that can reproduce by budding process.
18. Define vegetative reproduction? Give three advantage of such method. Why is vegetative propagation practised for some types of plants?
19.Name the method of reproduction:
i. Buds arise from the leaf margin of bryophyllum which gives rise to a full plant.
ii. Blob on a stick like structure of Rizophora. 20.How will an organism be benefited if it reproduces through spores?
21.Differentiate male and female germ cell.
22.Give labeled diagram for the following:
i. Longitudinal section of a flower.
ii. Germination of pollen on stigma.
iii. Parts of dicot seed (pea).
iv. A dicot embryo.
v. Spore formation in rhizopus.
vi. Regeneration in hydra.
vii. Hydra budding.
viii. Binary fission in amoeba.
ix. Human male reproductive system.
x. Human female reproductive system.
23.What are the common changes that occur in both male and female during puberty?
24.Describe the changes found in girls not found in boys in puberty.
25.Describe the changes found in boys not found in girls in puberty.
26.With labeled diagram briefly describe the male reproductive system.
27.Write the functions of following structures:
i. Testes.
ii. Vas deferens.
iii. Prostrate gland.
iv. Seminal vesicle.
28.Which structure of sperms helps them in locomotion?
29.Give functions of following structure:
i. Ovary
ii. Oviduct
iii. Fallopian tube.
iv. Uterus.
30.Where does fertilization take place in female reproductive system and where does implantation of embryo occurs?
31.How does uterus prepares itself to receive the growing embryo?
32.Name the vital connection between mother and foetus? Write its function.
33.What happens to the egg when it is not fertilized?
34.Define the following:
i. Ovulation.
ii. Menstruation.
35.Name two bacterial and two viral disease spread by sexual contact?
36.Write the adverse effect of having children prior to the age of 18.
37.What are the various devices to avoid pregnancy?

- S. Rath PGT Biology

CONTROL AND COORDINATION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS- CLASS X BIOLOGY

1.Give the scientific name of the receptor, which receives:
i. Taste.
ii. Smell.
iii. Hearing.
2.What is receptor?
3.Draw the diagram of neuron showing the direction of nerve impulse.
4.What is synapse? How does nerve impulse pass through synapse?
5.Give the term for junction between two neurons/ neuron of muscle/ gland.
6.What is reflex action?
7.What is reflex arc?
8.Name the nervous system that brings communication between C.N.S and body parts. Name two types of their nerves and distinguish between them.
9.Name the part of brain:
i. Thinking part.
ii. Have area of sensory impulse
iii. Memory.
iv. Controls beating of heart, size of pupil
v. Blood pressure and salivation.
vi. Body posture.
10.What is CSF? Write its function.
11.Differentiate between tropic and nastic movement with examples.
12.Give an activity to explain response of the plant:
i. To the direction of light
ii. Geotropism.
13.Define
i. Geotropism.
ii. Hydrotropism
iii. Chemotropism.
iv. Phototropism.
14.Write the functions of following plant hormones:
i. Gibberllins.
ii. Auxins
iii. Cytokinins.
iv. ABA.
15.What are endocrine glands?
16.Write the characteristics of hormones.
17.Name a gland that is both endocrine and exocrine.
18.Explain the mechanism by which hormone secretion is regulated.
19.With label diagram describe the function of various part of brain.
20.Giving an example explain reflex action with labeled diagram.
21.Briefly describe mechanism of muscle contraction for movement in response to nerve impulse.
22.How does hormone action takes place.
23.Give a tabular form showing the following name of gland, their main hormones and functions:
i. Thyroid.
ii. Adrenal.
iii. Pituitary.
iv. Pancreas.
v. Ovary.
vi. Testis.
24.Which signal will get disrupted in case of spinal cord injury?
25.Name the endocrine gland, which are different in male and female in human.


-S. Rath, P.G.T Bio

LIFE PROCESSES-CBSE CLASS X BIOLOGY

Q1.What is the most important characteristic of living organism?
Q2.Why are viruses in the border of living and nonliving?
Q3. Define life processes?
Q4.Why is diffusion insufficient to meet the oxygen requirement of the body?
Q5. Define photosynthesis
Q6. Name the stored carbohydrate of plants and animals?
Q7. Explain the events of photosynthesis.
Q8. Name the mode of nutrition (i) food is digested outside the body (ii) nutrition is derived from other organism without killing (iii) whole material is taken and digested inside body.
Q9. What are the functions of saliva?
Q10. Name the enzyme present in saliva and its function?
Q11. Which gland of stomach secretes gastric juice?
Q12. What are the three constituents of gastric juice and its constituents?
Q13. Why do herbivores have longer small intestine than carnivores?
Q14.What is the secretion of liver and its function.
Q15. Explain the functions of pancreas?
Q16. What are the end products of carbohydrate, fat, protein digestion?
Q17. Give schematic figure showing break down of glucose by various pathways.
Q18. Differentiate between aerobic & anaerobic respiration.(Hint-product, energy, site, oxygen dependence)
Q19. Why does muscle cramp take place after vigorous exercise?
Q20. Name the energy currency of body.
Q21. What happens to the energy released in respiration process?
Q22. What are the two factors on which diffusion of gases between plants and environment depends?
Q23. Why is breathing rate much faster in aquatic organism than others?
Q24. Why do fish open and close the mouth and operculum during respiration?
Q25. What are the characteristics of respiratory surface?
Q26. Why does trachea has rings of cartilage?
Q27. What is the function of balloon like structure of lungs?
Q28. Explain mechanism of breathing.
Q29. What do you mean by residual volume of air? What is its function?
Q30. Name the respiratory pigment of our blood? In which component is it present?
Q31. Why respiratory pigment is required for transportation?
Q32. What is the average surface of our lungs?
Q33. What type of tissue is blood?
Q34. Name the three substances transported by blood?
Q35. Name the organ and their function in transportation?
i. Pumping organ.
ii. Network of tubes.
iii. Repair and damage network
Q36. What is the advantage of separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in 4-chambered heart?
Q37. Name the device that measures blood pressure? What is the normal blood pressure of human beings?
Q38. Differentiate systole and diastole?
Q39. Differentiate artery and vein with respect to
i. Wall
ii. Direction of blood flow.
iii. Valves
Q40. Why are capillaries thin walled?
Q41. Name the blood vessel where arteries and vein join?
Q42. Write the functions of Platelets.
Q43. Write the functions of blood cells.
Q44. Differentiate blood and lymph?
Q45. The wall of ventricle is thicker than atrium. Why?
Q46. Write the functions of Valve.
Q47. Name the blood vessel that:
i. Carries blood to lungs.
ii. Brings blood to heart from lungs.
iii. Carry deoxygenated blood to heart.
iv. Take oxygenated blood to body part.
Q48. Why do plants need low energy than animals?
Q49. What are the two cells of Xylem that transport water?
Q50. Differentiate between xylem and phloem.
Q51. How does water enter into root cells from soil?
Q52. Name the process of movement of ions into the root cells.
Q53. How does water rise in tall trees?
Q54. Which process transports soluble products of Photosynthesis?
Q55. Name two materials transported by phloem tissue.
Q56. In which form photosynthate is transported in phloem tissue?
Q57. Explain the mechanism of transport of photosynthate?
Q58. Define excretion?
Q58. What are the main organs of excretion?
Q59. Name two main constituent of urine.
Q60. Describe the mechanism of urine formation.
Q61. Name three causes that reduce the activity of kidney.
Q62. What are the various ways of excretion by plant?
Q63. Draw the labeled diagram of:
i. Main organs of excretion in human.
ii. Main organs of respiration.
iii. Digestive system.
iv. Human heart.
v. Nutrition in Amoeba.
vi. Stomata.
vii. Glomerulus.

VISTAS-CLASS XII ENGLISH CORE

The Third Level

1.How was the third level different from the second level?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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 narrator’s ‘ailment’ could have created more problems.
4.What is so enigmatic about Sam Weiner’s disappearance and resurfacing in Galesburg? What could his ‘old business’ be?
A. Sam Weiner’s disappearance and resurfacing in Galesburg may be due to the narrator’s 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?
A.I think the third level stands for the escapist’s world -away from the world of worries, anxieties and tension. But why the narrator couldn’t find it again though the psychiatrist found out is highly enigmatic. It may be narrator could overcome his escapist’s tendency where as the psychiatrist fell in it.

THE Tiger King

1.How did the chief astrologer react to the tiger king’s question about the manner of his death? How did the tiger king take it?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. The Maharaja obtained some fifty expensive diamond rings of different designs from a British Jewellery Company in Calcutta and send them to the British officer’s 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?
A. 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?
A. The prophecy of the chief astrologer came true. A toy-wooden tiger-the hundredth tiger killed the Maharaja. The silver quill on the wooden tiger pierced his hand when he was plying with it on the crown prince’s 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?
A. 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 fauna.
2.What is that thing that can happen in a million years and would be ‘mind- boggling’?
A. 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 America. 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?
A. 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?
A. The microscopic phytoplanktons are the grasses of the sea, which nourish and sustain the entire South Ocean’s food chain. These single- celled plants use the Sun’s 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?
A. 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 didn’t Dr Sadao put the wounded man back in the sea even though he was his enemy?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. ‘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?
A. 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 Roger’s problem.
2.Decribe the wizard’s room.
A. The wizard’s 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 Skunk’s mommy react when he smelling ‘roses’ went home?
A. 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 umbrella.
4.How did Jo react to Jack’s storyline?
A. Jo did not agree with Jack’s version of the story in which Roger Skunk’s mommy hit that wizard right over his head for changing Roger Skunk’s smell. Instead she wanted the wizard hit Skunk’s mommy and did not change that little Skunk’s smell back.
5.What does Jack actually want Jo to know and understand in the story?
A. 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 Jo’s 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?
A. 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?
A. 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.It’s all relative, beauty and beast. Justify the statement.
A. 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 individual’s perceptions. One may see beauty in a thing; but to another it may be a beast.
4.How does Derry’s attitude change?
A. Due to his burnt face Derry had withdrawing attitude. He curses his handicap; is afraid of people’s 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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 charmer’s 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?
A. 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 animals driven by a herder.
3.What did Judewin tell the narrator? What was the effect?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. Bama’s 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.

FLAMINGO-CLASS XII ENGLISH CORE

THE LAST LESSON

1.Why was Franz tempted to play truant from school?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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.
A. 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.
A. Seemapuri the rag pickers shanty is just in the outskirt of Delhi but it is far away from Delhi so far as Delhi’s 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.
A. 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 picker’s 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.
A. 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?
A. 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 owner’s steel canister in place of his bag. He lost his carefree look He was now no longer his own master.
5.Why don’t the bangle makers of Firozabad organise themselves?
A. 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?
A.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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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 peddler’s philosophy about rattrap? Why did it amuse him?
A. The peddler’s 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 world’s rattrap
2.What kind of host was the old crofter?
A. 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 reader’s sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning? Is it justified? Give reasons.
A. The rattrap peddler draws reader’s sympathy because of his poverty. The author’s 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 reader’s sympathy
4. Who do you think was at fault-the ironmaster or the peddler? Give two reasons.
A. 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 daughter’s decision to offer him Christmas cheer.
5.Why was the peddler grateful to the ironmaster and his daughter?
A. The peddler was grateful to the ironmaster and his daughter as they empowered him to release himself from the world’s rattrap through their selfless hospitality, love, sympathy, compassion, and understanding.

INDIGO

1.Why was Gandhiji impressed with Rajkumar Shukla’s tenacity and determination?
A. 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 Calcutta.
2. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers who represented the interests of group of sharecroppers of Champaran?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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.
A. The make-up room once believed to be Clive’s 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?
A. 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 Englishman’s visit referred to as ‘an unexplained mystery’?
A. The Englishman’s 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?
A. The author’s 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?
A. ‘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.
A. 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 Eco’s non-fictional writing style is a departure from regular style? Give reasons.
A. Eco’s 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?
A. 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?
A. ‘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’?
A. Eco thinks that there are readers who don’t 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 don’t want easy reading experiences.

GOING PLACES

1.How is Jansie different from Sophie?
A. 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 doesn’t 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?
A. 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 didn’t 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 Sophie’s family on her story.
A. Geoff looked around Sophie abruptly with disbelief when he heard her meeting with Danny Casey, the wonder boy of football. When she gave the footballer’s detailed physical appearance he believed her. But Sophie’s 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?
A. Sophie had once met Danny Casey in the arcade. When Sophie was looking at the clothes in Royce’s 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?
A. The title is appropriate as Sophie the protagonist- a teenager fantasizes and goes to places in her imagination in the story and Geoff’s ‘areas of his life’ which unknown to her holds a special fascination for her about which she romanticizes.

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?
A. When the poet saw her mother’s 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?
A. Inside the car the scene was inert and lifeless. The poet’s 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?
A. The poet compares her sixty-six years old mother with late winter’s moon. In her old age she has become pale, wan and dim like the late winter’s moon whose journey of life will be over soon.

4. What is the old familiar ache the poet felt?
A. The childhood fear and pain about the aging and inevitability of death gripped the poet seeing her mother’s 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?
A. 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 rat’s eyes in their diseased body.


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


3. Why don’t the maps and pictures have any relevance to the children of the slum?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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 human’s sufferings.

3.What is lovelier than the lovely tales heard by us?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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.
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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?
A. 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 Jennifer’s Tigers

1.Describe Aunt Jennifer’s tigers. How are they different from her?
A. Aunt Jennifer’s 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 Jennifer’s 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 Uncle’s wedding band’.
A. 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?
A. 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.