CBSE Class 12

The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Vistas Chapter 1 The Third Level Consists Of All The Answers From This pdf. You Can Download The Pdf For NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Free And Refer To The Answers To Get A Better Understanding Of The Chapter. https://mcq-questions.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-12-english-vistas-chapter-1-the-third-level/

The Third Level NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 1

The Third Level NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

The Third Level Read and Find out

The Third Level Questions And Answers Class 12 Question 1.
What does the third level refer to?
Answer:
The third level refers to a medium of escape from present into past. One day, Charley wanders down into third level at Grand Central Station where there are only two, and finds himself in the year 1894.

The Third Level Question Answers Class 12  Question 2.
Would Charley go back to the ticket-counter on the third level and buy two tickets for him and his wife to Galesburg?
Answer:
In fact, there is no third level. Charley may continue his search for a while, but we don’t think he would ever be able to find the corridor that leads to the third level at Grand Central Station. So there is no possibility of his going back to the ticket-counter on the third level and buying two tickets for him and his wife to Galesburg.

The Third Level Reading with Insight

The Third Level Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 1.
Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
Answer:
Perhaps the third level was a medium of escape for Charley. When he got into a tunnel there, he came into the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. Later, he came up in an office building. And yet another time, he escaped into the past. He travelled back into time and found himself in 1894.

The Third Level Question Answer Class 12 Question 2.
What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?
Answer:
Charley discovered Sam’s letter among his grandfather’s first-day covers. The envelope bore an old stamp. The envelope was genuine as it was received by Charley’s grandfather. However, the letter appears to be Charley’s escape into the past, like his visit to the third level.

The Third Level Class 12 Questions And Answers Question 3.
“The modem world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.” What are the ways in which we attempt to overcome them?
Answer:
We attempt to escape into a world—real or imaginary. Here, we feel secure and safe. Many people read books, some write books, others take to painting. Quite a few find shelter in music, some people undertake a hobby to divert their mind from their present-day world.

The Third Level Question And Answer Class 12 Question 4.
Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?
Answer:
There is no doubt about a definite intersection of time and space in the story. Charley goes to the third level. He travels back into time. Even though the place is the same, yet it appears as a different place. It is as it was in 1894. Likewise, Sam reaches Galesburg. But it is not modern Galesburg. But the Galesburg of 1894.

Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 1 Question Answer Question 5.
Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection. Discuss.
Answer:
There is no doubt that whatever man has achieved began with an idea. In the beginning, the idea appeared to be a dreamer’s dream. However, later it becomes a reality. We hear about men travelling to other planets. It appears highly unrealistic. But today, it appears a possibility. It was only a flight of imagination to talk to any person anywhere in the world a few years ago. But today, it is reality. H.G. Wells gives an idea of Time Machine. It looks illogical. But it may be possible to travel in time at some stages in future.

The Third Level Class 12 Question Answers Question 6.
Philately helps keep the past alive. Discuss other ways in which this is done. What do you think of the human tendency to constantly move between the past, the present and the future?
Answer:
Past is kept alive by many ways. One way is photography. The photos showing past, or scenes of nature tell us how things were in the past. Old monuments have been preserved. In museums, we keep things that people used in past. Diaries and coins are preserved. There are several other ways in which past can be preserved.

The Third Level Extra Questions and Answers

The Third Level Short Answer Questions

The Third Level Class 12 Ncert Solutions Question 1.
Why did Charley meet a psychiatrist?
Answer:
Charley met a psychiatrist, since he was in a dilemma. He felt sure that he had been on the third level of the Grand Central Station, which everyone knows has only two levels. Even the Presidents of the railroads would swear on a stack of timetables that there were only two levels.

Third Level Question Answer Class 12 Question 2.
What was the psychiatrist’s diagnosis?
Answer:
The psychiatrist said that Charlie was unhappy. The modern world, full of insecurity, fear, war and worry oppressed him, and he just wanted to escape.

The Third Level Question Answers Ncert Class 12 Question 3.
What proof did the psychiatrist provide?
Answer:
Charley’s psychiatrist and his friends said that his stamp-collecting was an indication of his desire to seek “a temporary refuge from reality”, as was his collection of first-day covers.

Third Level Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 4.
What was Charley’s argument when the psychiatrist told him that the stamp collection was a temporary refuge from reality?
Answer:
Charley argued that his grandfather lived in nice and peaceful times, yet he was the one . who had started the stamp collection. He did not need any “temporary refuge from reality”. He added that President Roosevelt collected stamps too.

Ncert Solutions For Class 12 English Vistas The Third Level Question 5.
How does Charley describe Galesburg, Illinois, 1894?
Answer:
Charley describes it as a wonderful town with a leisurely way of life with big old frame houses, huge lawns, tremendous trees and a peaceful and tranquil world. During summer evenings, people sat in their lawns, with men smoking cigars and women waving palm-leaf fans. The first World War was twenty years away and the second World War was forty years into the future.

Chapter 1 The Third Level Question Answer Class 12 Question 6.
What is a first-day cover?
Answer:
When a new stamp is issued, stamp collectors buy some and use them to mail envelopes to themselves on the very first day of sale and the postmark proves the date. The envelope is called a first-day cover. They are never opened. You just put a blank paper inside the envelope.

Third Level Class 12 Question Answers Question 7.
What role does the first-day cover play in the story?
Answer:
One night,while fussing with his stamp collection, Charley comes across a first-day cover that should not have been there. It had been mailed to his grandfather at his home in Galesburg in July 18, 1894. However, instead of a blank paper, it contained a letter for Charley from Sam. It urged him to come back to the third level with Louisa, and keep looking for it till he found it.

The Third Level Class 12 Pdf Question Answer Question 8.
What was the content of the note that Sam wrote to Charley?
Answer:
Sam said that he had found the third level, that he had already been there for two weeks, that life was peaceful, calm and tranquil. He urged Charley and Louisa to go back to the third level and keep looking for it till they found it.

Question Answer Of The Third Level Class 12 Question 9.
How was Charley often lost on the Grand Central Station?
Answer:
Cllarley had went to the Grand Central Station hundreds of times. However, at times, he was always lost in new doorways and corridors. Once, he entered a tunnel and came out in the lobby of a hotel. Another time, he reached in an office building.

Third Level Question Answers Class 12 Question 10.
How did Charley compare the Grand Central to a huge tree? Why?
Answer:
Charley always found new tunnels and staircase at the Grand Central. He began to suspect that Grand Central was like a huge tree. It used to push out new corridors and tunnels like the roots of a tree.

Question 11.
How did Charley reach the third level?
Answer:
Charley had been late to his office. He desired to reach home early. So he went to Grand Central to catch a suburban train. He was lost in a corridor. He thought it was the second level. But he had reached the third level.

Question 12.
How did Charley realise that he was on the third level?
Answer:
Charley realised this as there were fewer ticket windows; the information booth was of wood and old-looking. The lights were flickering as they were open-flame gaslights. There were brass spittoons on the floor. The locomotive had a funnel-shaped stack.

Question 13.
How did Charley make sure that he had actually travelled in the past?
Answer:
Charley went to a news stand. He saw the stack of newspapers. It was The World which was not published any longer. The lead story was about President Cleveland. Later, he discovered in the public library files that it was printed on June 11, 1894.

Question 14.
Why did Charley rush back from the third level?
Answer:
Charley wanted two tickets for Galesburg. But when he offered the fare, his money was different-looking from the money of those days. The clerk thought the money was fake. He threatened to get Charley arrested. Charley rushed back to escape.

Question 15.
How did Charley learn that his psychiatrist friend had reached Galesburg of 1894?
Answer:
One day, Charley discovered a first-day cover in his stamp collection. It was addressed
to his grandfather at his Galesburg address. In it, he found a letter of July 18, 1894 addressed to him by Sam. This proved that Sam had reached Galesburg of 1894.

Question 16.
What did Sam write to Charley from Galesburg?
Answer:
Sam had written to Charley that he had discovered the third level and reached Galesburg. He found Galesburg to be peaceful and friendly as Sam had described to him. He exhorted Charley to keep looking for the third level and reach Galesburg.

Question 17.
How do you find the ending of the story surprising?
Answer:
Sam was a psychiatrist. He got worried about Charley as he told Sam that he reached the third level. He firmly believed it did not exist. However, he himself was not only convinced but also escaped to Galesburg.

The Third Level Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the importance of Sam’s letter to Charley.
Answer:
Charley, the protagonist of the story, gives up hope of ever finding the third level again and resumes his hobby of collecting stamps. It is then that he comes across the first- day cover which he had not seen before and should not have been there. It carried the stamp of July 18, 1894, and had been posted from Galesburg, Illinois. As he reads the content of the letter, a shocked Charley realises that it was from Sam, his psychiatrist friend. Though he had earlier hoped that the third level existed, now he had actually found it and been there for two weeks.

Very different from the modern world full of stress, worry and insecurities, Sam describes it as a peaceful place, full of warm and friendly people and an old-world charm. He urges Charley and Louisa not to stop their search and not give up, till they find the third level. Thus, Sam reaffirms Charley’s conviction about the existence of the third level.

Question 2.
‘The Third Level’ explores an intersection of time and space. Discuss.
Answer:
In ‘The Third Level’ Jack Finney gives ‘time travel’ a new dimension through his protagonist, Charley. The third level is the point where the past and the present meet. One evening, on his way back from work, Charlie finds himself in the third level of the Grand Central Station in New York. He discovers that things were different and realises that he is back in 1894.

It was the period that Charley would love to be in. An excited Charley wants to buy two tickets to Galesburg, a peaceful town in the pre-war period, which Sam, Charley’s psychiatrist friend, interprets as his desire to escape the stress of modern living. Later, Sam himself withdraws all his savings and exchanges it for 1894 currency. He thus, is able to cross time and reach a quiet and peaceful past where his services as a psychiatrist would not be required. Louisa believes that one can cross the time dimension only after Sam’s letter of affirmation. Thus, the happiness of all the three characters of the story revolve around the third level.

Question 3.
Charley wanted to go home quickly but he reached the third level. How did he get there?
Answer:
One summer night, Charley was late at the office. As he wanted to get home quickly, he decided to take the subway from Grand Central. He went into the Grand Central and went to the steps of the first level. Then he went down another flight of stairs to reach the second level. He found an arched doorway and was lost in the corridor where he was slanted downwards. He thought it to be wrong. But he continued walking. He found nobody on the way. From there, the tunnel took a sharp turn to the left.

He went down a short flight of stairs. For a moment he perceived, he had once again come back to the second level. However, everything there was different and old-fashioned. There were fewer ticket windows. The information booth in the centre was made of wood and looked very old. It was then he realised . suddenly that he had reached the third level.

Question 4.
What was the third level like? How did Charley know he had bumped into the past?
Answer:
There was no third level at the Grand Central. It was only Charley’s journey into the past. The third level appeared to be railway station of about a century ago. The rooms were smaller and ticket windows were few. The information booth in the centre was of wood and old-fashioned. The man in the booth wore sleeve protectors and a green eyeshade.

Lights were flickering as they were open-flame gaslights. Brass spittoons were found on the floor. Most people bore beards and side burns and fancy moustache. He saw a man had a gold watch. A woman wore a dress with leg-of-mutton sleeves and high buttoned shoes. The locomotive was small with a funnel-shaped stack. A newsboy had stack of The World. It was published on June 11, 1894. It made Charley sure that he had bumped into the past.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5 A Roadside Stand Consists Of All The Answers From This pdf. You Can Download The Pdf For NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Free And Refer To The Answers To Get A Better Understanding Of The Chapter. https://mcq-questions.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-12-english-flamingo-poem-5-a-roadside-stand/

A Roadside Stand NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 5

A Roadside Stand NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

A Roadside Stand Think it out

Question 1.
The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside stand or to the people who ran it. If at all they did, it was to complain. Which lines bring this out? What was their complaint about?
Answer:
The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the roadside stand. If at all they did, it was only to complain. The following lines bring this out. “then out of sorts. At having the landscape marred with the artless paint Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong”

Question 2.
What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
Answer:
Their complaint was that the artless and clumsy paint painted on the roadside stand spoiled the whole landscape. They were also irritated that even signs like N and S were turned wrong.

Question 3.
The government and other social service agencies appear to help the poor rural people, but actually do them no good. Pick out the words and phrases that the poet uses to show their double standards.
Answer:
The men who put up the roadside stand pleaded pathetically for some customers to come as they wanted to earn money from them. They desired that the city folk passing through the countryside would stop there to buy something from them. It was the intention with which the roadside stand was set up.The government and the party in power were quite indifferent to the welfare of the poor rural people. Even other social service agencies did not do any good to them. The following are the words and phrases that show their double standards:
“While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,”

Question 4.
What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?
Answer:
The poet thinks that the people who are running the roadside stand suffer from a childish longing. They are always waiting for their prospective customers. They keep their windows open to attract them. But when no one turns up, they become sad. They are always waiting to hear the squeal of brakes—the sound of a stopping car. But everything goes in vain.

Question 5.
Which lines tell us about the insufferable pain that the poet feels at the thought of the plight of the rural poor?
Answer:
The poet feels that all the pains from which the poor rural people suffer must be removed at one stroke. The following two lines express his feelings:
“I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”

A Roadside Stand Extra Questions and Answers

A Roadside Stand Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Why does the poet refer to the roadside stand as pathetic?
Answer:
The poet refers to the roadside stand as pathetic because it looked awkward and unattractive to the eye. Naturally, it failed to attract the sophisticated city people who drove past, without even a second glance.

Question 2.
Who do these pitiful kin refer to? Why will they be mercifully gathered in?
Answer:
These pitiful kin refers to the villagers who have been deprived of their home and land. They will be mercifully gathered in to live in villages near the theatre and the stores.

Question 3.
What is the party in power keeping from these rural poor?
Answer:
The government, and the civic authorities who appear to help them but actually end up harming them are relocating them to the vicinity of the towns near the theatre and the shops which is a great disservice to the people. They will be thus, robbed of their voices and their freedom and ability to find solutions to their problems.

Question 4.
What is the childish longing that the poet refers to? Why is it vain?
Answer:
Childish longing seems to emanate from the roadside shed, for a life that is described in ‘ the movies, a life so far removed from their life in the village. The thoughtless occupants of a car who stop at the shed to buy a gallon of gas, speaks of the disconnect that exists in the perceptions of town people with regard to the villagers.

Question 5.
What does the poet wish he could do for these people? Why does he change his mind?
Answer:
The poem is an expression of the rage that the poet feels on behalf of the farmers, with whom his sympathies lie. Enraged, the poet wishes he could put the farmers out of their pain at one stroke. However, he immediately checks himself and wonders how he would react if someone offered to do the same to him.

Question 6.
What kind of support do the country folks expect to receive from city dwellers?
Answer:
The country folks starved of cash, look for financial support and patronage from city dwellers. They feel that if they could have some cash with them, then they could lead a much better and prosperous life.

Question 7.
How does the poet criticise the city ways?
Answer:
According to the poet, the city folks are mean and selfish. They refuse to extend any kind of support to the rural poor. Although they are rich, yet they are very possessive about their money. The city folks are so carried by their lifestyle that they have no time to stand and appreciate the nature’s beauty. They show no compassion and concern for the poor villagers.

Question 8.
What empty promises are made to the country people?
Answer:
The people in power use the media to assure the country folks that they would be soon pulled out of their poverty. Such tall promises turn out to be false as they are never fulfilled.

Question 9.
Give examples of contrast and irony in the poem.
Answer:
The use of expressions ‘greedy good-doers’ and ‘beneficent beasts of prey’ bring out the use of irony and contrast by the poet.

Question 10.
What is the ‘open prayer’ made by the country folks?
Answer:
The people in the rural areas make an open appeal to the people of the city. The rural folks pray that they should not be so selfish. Instead, they should stop at the roadside stand and help them lead a better life.

Question 11.
State the reasons for which the cars from the city halt at the roadside stand.
Answer:
The people from the city halt their cars at times to plough the grass and use the yard to back and turn around. Sometimes, they stop to ask for the right way and path. At times, they stop to enquire about a gallon of gas.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 3 Keeping Quiet Consists Of All The Answers From This pdf. You Can Download The Pdf For NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Free And Refer To The Answers To Get A Better Understanding Of The Chapter. https://mcq-questions.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-12-english-flamingo-poem-3-keeping-quiet/

Keeping Quiet NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 3

Keeping Quiet NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Keeping Quiet Think it out

Keeping Quiet Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 1.
What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
Answer:
This exercise of counting upto twelve will help us to sit still, away from the humdrum of life, meditate, reflect and introspect in silence. It will help us achieve a sense of togetherness away from the mundane activities of life. It will also help us save the world from disasters and wars.

Keeping Quiet Questions And Answers Class 12 Question 2.
Do you think the poet, Pablo Neruda advocates total inactivity and death? Why/Why not?
Answer:
No, the poet Pablo Neruda does not advocate total inactivity or death. He wants inhuman and destructive activities, specially those which are involved in war, to be stopped. He wants the human race to live in peace and harmony, perserve nature and the environment.

Keeping Quiet Solutions Class 12 Question 3.
What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer:
The sadness that the poet refers to is the sadness of isolation, of which the modern man has become a victim. This sadness has made man selfish. Man forgets the needs of his fellow men.

Keeping Quiet Class 12 Ncert Solutions Question 4.
What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be life under apparent stillness?
Answer:
The earth has been personified as a teacher. Like a teacher, the earth teaches us the best lesson in silence. It sends us a strong message that when everything on earth seems silent and quiet, it nurtures so much life underneath. Life moves on, like an ongoing process, and the cycle of birth and death, decay and renewal continues.

Keeping Quiet Extra Questions and Answers

Keeping Quiet Short Answer Questions

Keeping Quiet Question Answer Class 12 Question 1.
In the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’, what is the appeal made by the poet?
Answer:
The poet appeals the people to keep quiet for a short time. This would help them take stock of their mindless activities and conduct self-analysis. All this will help save mankind from its imminent doom.

Class 12 English Keeping Quiet Ncert Solutions Question 2.
“Under the apparent stillness there is life.” Justify this statement giving an example from the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet’.
Answer:
The poet says that just as there will be life below the snow once it melts, similarly, there will be life even in the apparent stillness.

Class 12 Keeping Quiet Ncert Solutions Question 3.
What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem? What is Neruda’s attitude towards these wars?
Answer:
Green wars – cutting the trees, war with environment; war with gas—chemical or nuclear; war with fire, and war with ammunition. Every type of war is useless and must be given up. Whenever there is victory after a war, there are no survivors. War is only destructive.

Ncert Solutions Of Keeping Quiet Class 12 Question 4.
When everything seems dead, what remains alive?
Answer:
When everything seems dead, only the earth remains alive.

Keeping Quiet Question Answers Class 12 Question 5.
What is ‘the fisherman’ symbolic of?
Answer:
The fisherman symbolises man’s indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested interests.

Keeping Quiet Question And Answer Class 12 Question 6.
How can suspension of activities help?
Answer:
The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow men to introspect, which can help them by solving many of the problems based on caste, religion and nationality.

Class 12 English Poem Keeping Quiet Ncert Solutions Question 7.
According to the poet, what is that human beings can learn from nature?
Answer:
Life under apparent stillness in attitude is important. Just like nature carries on its work even when there is stillness all around, similarly, stillness in attitude will help in retrospection.

Keeping Quiet Think It Out Class 12 Question 8.
‘Life is what it is all about; How is keeping quiet related to life?
Answer:
Keeping quiet helps people pursue their goals single-mindedly. They need to understand that silence is productive and stillness is progress.

Class 12 English Chapter Keeping Quiet Question Answers Question 9.
Why does one feel ‘a sudden strangeness’ on counting to twelve and keeping quiet?
Answer:
The absence of hustle and bustle of life would create feeling of peace and quietness, which would make us united in our natural commitment. It will create a strange feeling of universal brotherhood.

Ncert Solutions Class 12 English Keeping Quiet Question 10.
How will ‘keeping quiet’ protect our environment?
Answer:
Keeping quiet will stop man’s indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested interests. In this moment of inactivity, fishermen will not harm the whales.

Keeping Quiet Questions And Answers Ncert Class 12  Question 11.
How would keeping quiet affect life in and around the sea?
Answer:
Keeping quiet will prevent sea life from being harmed and the person collecting salt would look at his hurt hands. It will thus, help in maintaining an ecological balance and give everyone some time to introspect.

Solutions Of Keeping Quiet Class 12 Question 12.
How is the earth a source of life when all seems dead on it?
Answer:
The seeds that lie dormant throughout winter germinate or spring to life with the arrival of spring. It appears as if nature is celebrating life.

Class 12 English Poem Keeping Quiet Question Answers Question 13.
According to Pablo Neruda, how would keeping quiet be an exotic moment?
Answer:
According to Pablo Neruda, when everything comes to a standstill, it would be a rare moment. No one would rush, no engines running. No one would harm any other organism. All would be calm and quiet reflecting upon their lives and introspecting.

Ncert Solutions Keeping Quiet Class 12  Question 14.
What are green wars? Who wage them and with what result?
Answer:
Green wars mean war against environment or environmental degradation. It is waged by the people who exploit the nature for commercial use and the soldiers. It results in damage to the environment and ultimately harming humans.

Keeping Quiet Ncert Solution Class 12 Question 15.
According to Pablo Neruda, what do we not do when we keep quiet?
Answer:
When we keep quiet, we will not be in any rush, the people will not harm any other living organisms and will not harm the environment. When we keep quiet, we will not do anything.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4 A Thing of Beauty Consists Of All The Answers From This pdf. You Can Download The Pdf For NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Free And Refer To The Answers To Get A Better Understanding Of The Chapter. https://mcq-questions.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-12-english-flamingo-poem-4-a-thing-of-beauty/

A Thing of Beauty NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 4

A Thing of Beauty NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

A Thing of Beauty Think it out

A Thing Of Beauty Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 1.
List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Answer:
The things of beauty that Keats refers to in his poem are the sun, the moon, the trees, the innocence of the sheep, the blossoming of the daffodils in the meadows, the musk- roses blooming, the mass of ferns and the clear streams among mountains.

A Thing Of Beauty Class 12 Ncert Solutions Question 2.
List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Answer:
The things that cause suffering and pain are despondency, dearth of noble nature, gloomy days and overdarkened ways. The pain and suffering that Keats had experienced in his life made him realise that sadness, pain and suffering are present in everybody’s life. Hence, Keats could not remain indifferent to the pain and hopelessness on account of the inhuman dearth of noble nature on earth. Even the hostile and inhuman attitude makes our days gloomy and darkens our ways.

Class 12 English A Thing Of Beauty Ncert Solutions Question 3.
What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Answer:
Man has always shared a special bonding with all beautiful things. Though the world is a beautiful place to live in, there is a lot of pain and suffering too. This can be enjoyed by treasuring the happiness and joy that beautiful things give us. Man lives for beauty, seeks and experiences beauty. Keats believes that man and nature are woven into an unbroken bond. He believes that beautiful things present around us are like beautiful flowers and we should wreathe them into a flowery band that keeps us connected to the earth.

A Thing Of Beauty Solutions Class 12 Question 4.
What makes human beings love life in spite of having troubles and sufferings?
Answer:
Life is to be lived meaningfully. In spite of all the sufferings, we have to find something that will make our existence meaningful in this world. Something beautiful happens that removes all the gloom and darkness from our lives and fills it with beauty and happiness. The things of beauty bring love and happiness in life by removing sadness and troubles. As nature is the best healer, it helps man to bear the sorrows and strengthens the belief to continue living despite sufferings.

A Thing Of Beauty Question Answer Class 12 Question 5.
Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Answer:
‘Grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because certain tombs and other grand constructions are created in the memory of the dead.

Class 12 A Thing Of Beauty Ncert Solutions Question 6.
Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?
Answer:
John Keats believes that beautiful things always have a lasting impression on the human mind. All beautiful objects are a source of joy forever. This beauty survives the trials and tribulations of time and exists continuously in our thoughts. A thing of beauty never ceases to be and never passes into nothingness.

The Thing Of Beauty Ncert Solutions Class 12  Question 7.
What image does Keats use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth?
Answer:
The poet uses the expression ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink, pouring into us from the heaven’s brink’. Through these lines, the poet describes the earth and its beautiful bounties that cannot be replaced by anything.

A Thing of Beauty Extra Questions and Answers

A Thing of Beauty Short Answer Questions

Thing Of Beauty Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 1.
What is the source of the endless fountain and what is its effect?
Answer:
“Endless fountain” refers to the unending beauty of nature. This is a gift from the creator. Our life is full of trials and tribulations, but the beautiful things of nature soothen our sorrows and give us the motivation to move on.

Class 12 English Chapter A Thing Of Beauty Question Answers Question 2.
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it removed?
Answer:
Trials and tribulations of life spread the pall of despondence over our dark spirits. Loss of faith and disappointment are the results of our own making. We can remove it by making life worthwhile with the beautiful things of life that lift the veil of gloom, paving way for optimism and hope.

Ncert Solutions Of A Thing Of Beauty Question 3.
What is the message of the poem,‘A Thing of Beauty’?
Answer:
The message of the poem is that a beautiful object is treasured in our mind because it provides us eternal and everlasting joy. Therefore, let us keep the natural beauty intact. Let us not destroy it.

A Thing Of Beauty Questions And Answers Class 12 Question 4.
How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
Answer:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever because its loveliness increases. A beautiful thing is
perennial and constant. It sustains human spirit in all ages and stages. It never passes into nothingness. In fact, it moves away the pall from our dark spirits and makes life worth living.

Class 12 English Poem A Thing Of Beauty Ncert Solutions Question 5.
Describe any three things of beauty mentioned in the poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’.
OR
According to Keats, what moves the pain and suffering away from human life?
Answer:
Everything in nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. Some of them are the sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, the green pastures and the blooming musk-roses. All of them are things of beauty. They are the constant sources of joy and pleasure, and remove the gloom of life.

A Thing Of Beauty Poem Question Answers Class 12 Question 6.
What does Keats consider as an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call its drink immortal?
Answer:
God has created so much beauty around us; everywhere it is endless. In nature, there is divine beauty, a fountain of eternal joy. Keats considers the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal drink. That immortal drink has to be poured into the heart and soul of man.

Ncert Solutions A Thing Of Beauty Class 12 Question 7.
What does a thing of beauty do for us?
Answer:
A thing of beauty brings joy and removes the gloom. It makes life worth living in spite of being despondent. Its loveliness keeps on increasing, providing a pleasant and quiet place for us.

A Thing Of Beauty Question Answers Class 12 Question 8.
Mention any four things of beauty that add joy to our life.
Answer:
‘The things of beauty that Keats refers to in his poem are the sun, the moon, the trees, the innocence of the sheep, the blossoming of the daffodils in the meadows, the musk-roses blooming, the mass of ferns and the clear streams among mountains.

Ncert Solutions Class 12 English A Thing Of Beauty Question 9.
Mention any two things which cause pain and suffering.
Answer:
The things that cause pain and suffering are despondency, dearth of noble natures, gloomy days and overdarkened ways.

A Thing Of Beauty Answers Class 12 Question 10.
Which objects of nature does Keats mention as sources of joy in his poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty’?
Answer:
Everything of nature is a thing of beauty and a source of pleasure. Some of them are the sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, mass of fern and the blooming of musk-roses. All of them are things of beauty. They are the constant sources of joy and pleasure.

Question 11.
How can ‘mighty dead’ be things of beauty?
Answer:
The ‘mighty dead’ can be things of beauty as the inspirational deeds of martyrs are not only splendid but continue to live as guides, enhancing the quality of life.

Question 12.
In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort?
Answer:
In the hot season, man and beast take shelter in the green world where clear rills a quiet bower, and the mid forest brake rich with springling of fair musk-roses blossom.’

Question 13.
What rich bounty has the heaven given us?
Answer:
Heaven has blessed us with unending beauty in nature that encircles and makes our life beautiful eternally whenever we think of it. Like an eternal fountain from the brink of heaven, beauty blesses us with joy forever.

Question 14.
How does Keats show his unhappiness with his fellow human beings?
Answer:
Keats shows his unhappiness by saying that there are only few people, who are noble in character and who rise above pretty differences by being magnanimous and generous. There is a dearth of such noble souls on our earth; as man is selfish and self-centred. Trials and tribulations of life spread the pall of despondence over our dark spirits. We can remove it by making life worthwhile by enjoying the beautiful things of life bestowed upon us by nature, but we are keen on destroying them.

Question 15.
How does Keats define a thing of beauty?
Answer:
Keats says that a thing of beauty is eternal and is forever. It does not fade with time, and our love for it enhances with time. He says that thing of beauty acts like a soothing, relaxing shade of trees that helps us sleep peacefully and enjoy good health.

Question 16.
What troubles and sufferings do human beings face in life?
Answer:
In life, humans face adverse circumstances and gloomy days which cause suffering. Malice and disappointment dampen our spirits. Lack of noble qualities, death and bad health bring sadness in life.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 2 An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Consists Of All The Answers From This pdf. You Can Download The Pdf For NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Free And Refer To The Answers To Get A Better Understanding Of The Chapter. https://mcq-questions.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-12-english-flamingo-poem-2-an-elementary-school-classroom-in-a-slum/

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 2

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Think it out

An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Questions And Answers Class 12 Question 1.
Tick the item which best answers the following.

(a) The tall girl with her head weighed down means The girl
(i) is ill and exhausted
(ii) has her head bent with shame
(iii) has untidy hair

(b) The paper-seeming boy with rat’s eyes means The boy is
(i) sly and secretive
(ii) thin, hungry and weak
(iii) unpleasant looking

(c) The stunted, unlucky heir of twisted hones means The boy
(i) has an inherited disability
(ii) was short and bony

(d) His eyes live in a dream, A squirrel’s game, in the tree room, other than this means The boy is
(i) full of hope in the future
(ii) mentally ill
(iii) distracted from the lesson

(e) The children’s faces are compared to ‘rootless weeds’ This means they
(i) are insecure
(ii) are ill-fed
(iii) are wasters
Answer:
(a) (i) is ill and exhausted
(b) (ii) thin, hungry and weak
(c) (i) has an inherited disability
(d) (iii) distracted from the lesson
(e) (ii) are ill-fed

An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 2.
What do you think is the colour of ‘sour cream’? Why do you think the poet has used this expression to describe the classroom walls?
Answer:
The poet has used the expression ‘sour cream’ to describe the dull and pale walls of the classroom in order to bring forth the prevalent neglect of these slum classrooms. ‘Sour-cream’ is of an off-white or yellowish colour. It expresses the sick and repulsively morbid atmosphere of the classroom. It echoes the grim situation of the students in the class and the hopelessness engulfing them.

An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Solutions Class 12 Question 3.
The walls of the classroom are decorated with the pictures of‘Shakespeare’, ‘buildings with domes’, ‘world-maps’ and ‘beautiful valley’. How do these contrast with the world of these children?
Answer:
‘Shakespeare’ symbolises the study of classical literature, wealth and power, symbolised by ‘building with domes’, the world away from the reach of the children of the slums, symbolised by ‘world-maps’ and the ‘beautiful valleys’ are symbolic of beauty of nature and landscapes.

All these things are far removed from the lives of the slum children. Surely, education has failed to open ‘doors’ or ‘windows’ to the other worlds for these children. It has also failed to liberate them from their physically cramped malnourished existence. In contrast to the highly intellectual embellishments on the walls of the classroom, the impoverished exasperated condition of the schools in the slums has not anyhow improved.

Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Ncert Solutions Class 12 Question 4.
What does the poet want for the children of the slums? How can their lives be made to change?
Answer:
The poet wants the children of the slum to get rid of the dull and morbid state of affairs of the school. They should be provided with basic civic amenities, proper educational infrastructure, and opportunities to explore the world outside along with its gifts and bounties. He appeals to the people in power to rescue these slum dwellers from this vicious circle of poverty and oppression. He also encourages them to liberate themselves and be able to run on ‘gold sand’ and create history, so that they too can become part of the mainstream.

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Extra Questions and Answers

An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum Short Answer Questions

Class 12 English Poem 2 Question Answers Question 1.
How does the poet describe the classroom walls?
Answer:
According to the poet, the walls of the classroom are discoloured and have a faded look which looks like sour cream. The poet compares the faded walls to that of the faces of the children who look pale.

Ncert Solutions Of An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Class 12 Question 2.
“So blot their maps with slums as big as doom,” says Stephen Spender. What does the poet want to convey?
Answer:
The poet is requesting to provide a clean atmosphere. The world maps create just an illusion. He is telling that the teachers and rulers must take these children out in the open green fields and golden beaches.

Class 12 English Poem 2 Ncert Solutions Question 3.
What does the poet want for the children of the slums?
OR
What does Stephen Spender want to be done for the children of the school in a slum?
Answer:
The poet wants the children of the slum to get rid of the dull and morbid state of affairs of the school. They should be provided with basic civic amenities, proper educational infrastructure, and great accessible opportunities to explore the world outside with its gifts and bounties. The poet wishes good education for the children of the slums as he thinks that it is only education that can free these children from the shackles of poverty.

Ncert Solutions Of Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Class 12 Question 4.
In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are not devoid of hope. How far do you agree?
Answer:
The burden of poverty and disease crushes the slum children physically. They are denied basic amenities of food, shelter and education. Despite living in deprivation, these children fight the battle of life courageously. They still dream and hope for a better future.

Ncert Solutions Class 12 An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum  Question 5.
The poet says, ‘And yet, for these children, these windows, not this map, their world…’ Which world do these children belong to? Which world is inaccessible to them?
Answer:
In these words, the poet wants to convey that the slum children have never gone out of the slum, so the world map was meaningless in the classroom. It was only through the open window of the classroom, that they could see the world outside. So he wants the window to be made bigger and the children should be able to come out and see the outside world for themselves.

Ncert Solution Of An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Class 12 Question 6.
What is the theme of the poem, ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’?
Answer:
The poem, ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’ highlights the theme of social injustice and class inequalities in the society. The meaninglessness of having such schools in the slums is brought out. The poet wants meaningful education for the slum children which will liberate their minds and pave a way for them for a better future.

Ncert Solutions An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Class 12 Question 7.
What is the irony in ‘run azure on gold sands?’
Answer:
Gold sands refer to the sand of deserts while azure is the colour of the nature in spring season. Nothing grows in the desert. The world of the poor children is also like the desert sand. The irony in the expression is the impossibility of spring in the desert land.

An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Questions And Answers Ncert Class 12 Question 8.
Explain; ‘From fog to endless night.’
Answer:
It describes the miserable life of the slum children. From morning till night, these children make desperate attempts to live life despite all odds. Their life is full of misery, hopelessness and suffering.

Class 12 Elementary School Ncert Solutions Question 9.
What is the message that Stephen Spender wants to convey through this poem?
OR
What message does Stephen Spender convey through the poem, ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’?
Answer:
The need is to free these children, liberate them and bring them into the mainstream by bringing meaningful changes to improve the standard of life and education in the slums. The poet deals with the theme of social injustice and class inequalities. There are two different worlds. Art, culture and literature have no relevance to the slum children. They live in dark, narrow, cramped holes and lanes. Unless the gap between the two worlds is abridged, there can’t be any real progress or development. The children will have to be made mentally and physically free to lead happy lives.

An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Question Answer Class 12 Question 10.
How does the poem, ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’ portray the children?
Answer:
The slum children in an elementary school look pathetic. They are undernourished and diseased. Their unkempt and dull hair has been compared to rootless weeds. One of the girls is apparently burdened with the miseries of poverty. Another boy has inherited his father’s diseases and has stunted growth.

Class 12 English An Elementary School Classroom In A Slum Ncert Solutions Question 11.
How is ‘Shakespeare wicked and the map a bad example’ for the children of the school in a slum?
Answer:
Both represent a beautiful world and high values which the slum children will have never experienced. Since the slum children cannot relate to these things, there was no point in giving such examples.

Question 12.
What does Stephen Spender want for the children of the slums?
Answer:
Stephen Spender wants that slum children should be taken care of by providing them facilities to make their survival fit and to gift them the fruits of literacy. He urges people to help these slum children come out of poverty and oppression of the power.

The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes Consists Of All The Answers From This pdf. You Can Download The Pdf For NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Free And Refer To The Answers To Get A Better Understanding Of The Chapter. https://mcq-questions.com/ncert-solutions-for-class-12-english-flamingo-chapter-6-poets-and-pancakes/

Poets and Pancakes NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6

Poets and Pancakes NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Poets and Pancakes Think as you read

Chapter 6 Poets And Pancakes Question Answer Question 1.
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Answer:
The make-up room had incandescent lights at all angles. These lights gave fiery heat. Sitting in the make-up room with these lights was sitting near furnace. It was a fiery misery the boys and girls had to endure.

Question 2.
What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Answer:
The make-up department included people from all parts of India. Initially a Bengali headed it. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the local Tamils. So it presented a picture of national integration.

Question 3.
What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer:
The office boy painted the faces of the actors who acted for crowd. He had joined the studios years ago with the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screenplay writer, director or lyricist. However, he was disappointed as he felt his great literary talent was being wasted.

Question 4.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer:
The writer used to sit at his desk and cut newspapers clippings. So everyone thought that he was doing nothing.

Question 5.
Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer:
The office boy had the belief that he possessed a great literary talent. He was frustrated as his talent had not been recognised and he was given work fit only for barbers and perverts. He showed his anger on Kothamangalam Subbu who was No. 2 at Gemini Studios. The office boy thought that Subbu was responsible for this neglect.

Question 6.
Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
The producer was Subbu’s principal.

Question 7.
Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer:

• Subbu had the ability to keep cheerful every time.
• He was tailor-made for films.
• He could completely identify himself with his principal.
• He possessed a great poetic talent.

Question 8.
Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Answer:
Others referred to him as ‘illegal adviser’ as he did not help others. On the contrary, he created legal hurdles for others.

Question 9.
What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Every member of the story department where the lawyer worked wore khadi dhoti and an oversized khadi kurta. However, the lawyer wore pants and a tie. Sometimes, he even wore a coat. Thus, he looked different from others.

Question 10.
Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Answer:
They did not have any particular political affiliations. However, they were averse to communism.

Question 11.
Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed as they presented two plays in the most professional manner. The staff of the Gemini Studios used to have a nice time hosting two hundred people of at least twenty nationalities.

Question 12.
Give one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer:
The MRA depicted beautiful scenes of sunrise and sunset in their play, ‘Jotham Valley”. The studios were greatly impressed by these scenes, and imitated it for years to come.

Question 13.
Who was the boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Mr. Vasan was the boss of Gemini Studios.

Question 14.
What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The audience at Gemini Studios did not understand what the Englishman talked about as his accent was different.

Question 15.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
Answer:
The Englishman had been a poet. It became quite difficult to understand as to why he had come in a film studio that made Tamil films for simple people. They could have no taste for English poetry. The author even thinks that the Englishman too was baffled by this incongruity.

Question 16.
Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Answer:
The English visitor to the studios was a poet called Stephen Spender.

Question 17.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
Answer:
A notice came out in the Hindu announcing a short story contest organised by a British periodical named The Encounter. The writer wanted to join the contest. As he had no idea of the periodical, he went to the British Council Library. There he located The Encounter. Its editor was Stephen Spender. Immediately, he realised that Stephen Spender was the poet who had visited Gemini Studios.

Question 18.
What does ‘The God that Failed’ refer to?
Answer:
“The God that Failed” is a collection of six essays by separate men of letters. They portray about the writers’ visits into Communism and their disillusioned return.

Poets and Pancakes Understanding the Text:

Question 1.
The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
Answer:
The office boy depicts an example of a man who had been in the studios for years, but did not rise. However, all the time he dreamt of becoming a star actor or director or lyrics writer. This was not a mere dream. His talent seemed to be all rolled in one. He thought himself to be a poet who could write long poems and pestered the author by reciting his boring poems to him. He often used to complain that his talent went waste in the make-up department as it was fit for only barbers and perverts. The author only prayed that shooting went on all the time so the office boy was busy and did not have time to recite his poems to him. Oddly enough he held Subbu responsible for his neglect. In reality, he was frustrated and required someone to direct his anger to.

Question 2.
Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Though Kothamangalam Subbu had been a member of the story department, he had always been seen with the boss. The boss gave him prominence as he was a talented person. Subbu’s opinion was taken on every problem. Subbu was always ready with suitable suggestions and with Subbu film making was not a problem.

Question 3.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Gemini Studios’ films were for simple folks in Tamil. These movie-goers were not expected to develop a taste for English poetry. The author did not understand what an English poet was doing in Gemini Studios. Further surprise was that even the boss knew very little about the Englishman as his speech was mostly in general terms.

Englishman’s speech baffled everybody as his accent made it difficult for them to understand what he said. Even the Englishman perhaps felt baffled by the incongruity of his presence among the simple members of Gemini family. The purpose behind his visit to the studios was an unexplained mystery.

Question 4.
What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer:
This story tells that the author had the capability of writing in gentle satire. His job had +been to cut newspaper clippings on wide variety of subjects. It gave him an opportunity to read a lot and know a lot. He had been a prose writer and sent his articles and stories to several newspapers. He even sent a short story to The Encounter to take part in the contest. Being a good reader, he did not give up his habit even after he had retired. He saw a low-priced book The God that Failed and purchased a copy to read immediately.

Poets and Pancakes Talking about the Text

Discuss in small groups taking off from points in the text.

Question 1.
Film-production today has come a long way from the early days of the Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Nowadays, film production is more technical than before. Earlier, only five per cent of the shooting was done outdoors, but nowadays outdoor shooting is no more limited to such a negligible percentage. The cameras and other equipment are more advanced. This makes the presentation more varied and accurate. Even the quality of make-up has improved a lot from the days of the Gemini Studios, where only pancake was used. Nowadays, the people involved in various departments are experts in their specialised work, be it the director, producer scriptwriter, lyricist or the actors.

Question 2.
Poetry and films
Answer:
In India, poetry and films are intricately linked. The people at Gemini Studios claimed to have the talents of a poet because it was their monotonous and leisurely life at the studios. However, they were not knowledgeable or educated to be poets. Films can be enjoyed by people with little resources, unlike poetry.

Question 3.
Humour and criticism
Answer:
The story is interspersed with instances dipped in subtle humour. The humorous instances, however, make interesting and relevant comments on the behaviour of general people. A humorous story has more readers, a humorous film has more viewers. This is because they provide entertainment and a respite from the tedious existence. Criticism by means of humour is more effective, hence writers and film-makers often use humorous elements in their works and make sarcastic comments and criticism.

Poets and Pancakes Extra Questions and Answers

Poets and Pancakes Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Describe the make-up room of Gemini Studios.
Answer:
The make-up room of Gemini Studios looked more like a hair-cutting salon with incandescent lights at all angles and half a dozen large mirrors. The lights made the room so hot that those subjected to make-up had to put up with its ‘fiery misery’.

Question 2.
How was strict hierarchy maintained in the make-up room?
Answer:
Each make-up man was allotted his task according to his designation. The chief make¬up man put make-up on the chief actors and actresses, his senior assistant attended to the “second” hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main comedian. The actors who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy.

Question 3.
Why did the office boy go to the author? Why was the author praying for crowd s*hooting?
Answer:
The author worked in a cubicle, apparently with nothing to do. The office boy, frequently barged in to enlighten him on how Gemini Studios was allowing his great literary talent to go waste in a department fit for barbers and perverts. The author’s only hope of reprieve was to pray that make-up for crowd shooting would call him away.

Question 4.
What advantage did the office boy think Subbu had?
Answer:
The office boy believed that Subbu’s advantage was by virtue of being born a Brahmin. This would have given him greater exposure to a more affluent society, greater opportunities and better openings.

Question 5.
What were Subbu’s literary achievements?
Answer:
Subbu was an accomplished poet who addressed his poetry to the masses, in spite of being talented enough to write higher forms of poetry. His works included several ‘story poems’, and a full length novel, ‘Thilana Mohanambal’.

Question 6.
Who was Subbu’s enemy? Why?
Answer:
Subbu’s success and his undisputed position as No. 2 of Gemini Studios made the office boy his enemy. He firmly believed that Subbu was responsible for all his woes, humiliating neglect, and ignominy.

Question 7.
Subbu was charitable and generous. Why did he have enemies?
Answer:
Subbu’s closeness to the Boss and his desire to please him, made him appear to be a sychophant. His readiness to say nice things about everyone was misconstrued as cunning. So Subbu had enemies like the office boy who wished the direct things for him.

Question 8.
How did the legal advisor ruin an actress’ career?
Answer:
When an extremely talented but temperamental actress lost her temper and blew up the producer on the sets, the lawyer quietly recorded the outburst. He then played back the recording. Utterly shocked and dumbfounded, this actress was unable to deal with the shock and terror she experienced, and her career ended.

Question 9.
How did the lawyer lose his job?
Answer:
The lawyer lost his job when the story department of Gemini Studios was closed down. This was the first time in human history that a lawyer lost his job because the poets were asked to go home.

Question 10.
What did the khadi clad poets believe about Communism?
Answer:
Though none of them had any abiding political ideology, they worshipped Gandhiji and were averse to Communism. To them, a Communist was a man with no filial or conjugal love, could easily kill his parents and children, and was always out to spread unrest and violence.

Question 11.
What role does the MRA play in the narrative?
Answer:
Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament army was a kind of counter-movement to international Communism. They presented two plays in the Gemini Studios, with simple and homely messages, in an effort to counter the spread of communism in southern India.

Question 12.
Why was the English poet who visited Gemini Studios as baffled as his audience?
Answer:
The poet was baffled to address an audience that was utterly dazed and silent. No one understood his accent or the content of his speech. The audience was baffled as they had no idea why an English poet had been invited to a film studio that made Tamil films for the simplest sort of people.

Question 13.
Why did Stephen Spender visit Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Stephen Spender was a disillusioned communist. He had been invited to talk on his journey into Communism and his disillusioned return to the people of Gemini Studios who too were anti-communism.

Question 14.
Why does Asokamitran say that prose writing is not the true pursuit of a genius?
Answer:
Asokamitran feels that prose writing requires a lot of patience and perseverance.The prose writer’s mind should be so shrunken that no rejection can disappoint him. Nothing breaks his resolve to keep making fresh copies of his prose writings to send to one editor after, another.

Question 15.
The boss of Gemini Studios had nothing to do with Spender’s poetry but not with his ‘God that failed’. Explain.
Answer:
Years later, the mystery of Stephen Spender’s visit to Gemini Studios became clear to the author when he chanced upon the book,‘The God That Failed’, and read Spender’s essay. He realised that the Boss, S.S.Vasan, had deliberately brought the English poet to Gemini Studios to destroy all illusions about Communism among its simple inmates.

Question 16.
What does the author refer to as Pancake? Name the actresses who must have used it.
Answer:
Pancake was the brand name of a make-up material. Truckloads of this material were used by Gemini Studios. Greta Garbo, Miss Gohar and Vyajayantimala might have used it. But Rati Agnihotri might not have even heard of it.

Question 17.
Where was the make-up department of the Gemini Studios? Does the author think the building was what it was believed to be?
Answer:
The make-up department was located in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. But the author does not think it was actually so. There were many buildings in the city supposed to have been Clive’s residences.

Question 18.
In what sense was Subbu loyal to the boss?
Answer:
Subbu was totally loyal to the boss. He fully identified himself with him. He put all his creativity to the benefit of his boss. He felt inspired whenever commanded. He could suggest to the boss a number of ways to deal with a difficult scene or situation in a film.

Question 19.
In what way was Subbu better than the office boy?
Answer:
Subbu was No. 2 at Gemini Studios. However, in reality he was in no better position than the office boy. He had to face more difficulties. But Subbu had more affluent exposure and many abilities.

Question 20.
What was the poet’s preconceived idea about a Communist?
Answer:
The poet’s thought that a Communist was a godless person. He loved neither his children nor his wife. He was a terrorist, always prepared to cause violence and unrest among innocent and ignorant people.

Poets and Pancakes Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Describe the make-up department of the Gemini Studios. How did it prepare the players for a movie?
Answer:
The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was located in the upstairs of Robert Clive’s stables. They bought and lavishly used truckloads of a make-up material called Pancake. The make-up room contained large mirrors and bright lights set at various angles. It looked like a hair-cutting salon. It was a terrible experience for an actor or actress to undergo the make-up.

The lights generated intense heat. The members of the make-up department represented different parts of India. It symbolised national integration. Ninety-five per cent of the shooting of a film during those days was done on the sets. It demanded that every pore of the actors’ faces should be closed. Thus, they were painted, and looked ugly. A strict hierarchy was maintained. The chief make-up man made the hero and the heroine ugly. The office boy painted the crowd players ugly.

Question 2.
What was Moral Rearmament Army? Describe their visit to the Gemini Studios.
Answer:
Frank Buchman’s Moral Rearmament Army visited the Gemini Studios in 1952. It was a
drama company. In reality, it was a counter movement to international communism. It had two-hundred players and was called an international circus. The players belonged to twenty different nationalities.

They presented two plays in the most professional manner. The plays represented simple homilies and the costumes and sets were superb. Their play, ‘Jotham Valley” impressed the Tamil theatre. They imitated the sunrise and sunset scenes in their manner for years. The scenes were played on a bare stage with a white background and a tune played on the flute.Though the MRA was anti-communist and the anti-communist feeling existed at the Studios, the coming of the MRA had no impact on the attitude of the bosses; their enterprises went on as usual.