The Portrait of a Lady Questions & Answers | Class 11 English | CBSE NCERT

1 marks · mcq

1. Q1. For how many years had the author known his grandmother as an old and wrinkled woman? (a) Ten years (b) Twenty years (c) A hundred years (d) Since her marriage

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old.

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2. Q2. The author found it hard to believe that his grandmother had once been young and pretty because (a) his grandfather had forbidden any mention of her youth (b) there were no photographs of her youth (c) she had been old and wrinkled for all the twenty years he had known her (d) she refused to speak of her past

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old.

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3. Q3. In "His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest", the phrase "the best part of" means (a) most of (b) the edge of (c) the centre of (d) a little of

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old.

1 marks · mcq

4. Q4. The statement that the grandfather "looked at least a hundred years old" is an example of (a) simile (b) metaphor (c) irony (d) hyperbole

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old.

1 marks · mcq

5. Q5. In the line "He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes", "He" refers to (a) the author (b) the author's father (c) the author's grandfather (d) a family friend

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old.

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6. Q6. The tone of the opening paragraph of this chapter is best described as (a) mournful and tragic (b) affectionate and gently humorous (c) bitter and resentful (d) formal and detached

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old.

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7. Q1. In "As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting", the word "revolting" means (a) delightful (b) exciting (c) disgusting and unacceptable (d) confusing

He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere.

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8. Q2. The grandchildren treated the grandmother's stories of her childhood games like "the fables of the Prophets" because both seemed (a) deeply religious (b) unbelievable and fanciful (c) extremely boring (d) historically true

He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere.

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9. Q3. In "we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us", the word "it" refers to (a) the grandmother's prayer (b) the games she used to play as a child (c) her wrinkled face (d) the stories of the Prophets

He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere.

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10. Q4. "Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere." This line uses (a) vivid imagery with humorous exaggeration (b) a direct simile (c) personification of the face (d) irony

He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere.

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11. Q5. The details that she had "always been short and fat and slightly bent" are given to stress (a) the permanence of her aged appearance in the children's eyes (b) her illness in old age (c) her laziness (d) her tall, graceful figure

He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere.

1 marks · mcq

12. Q6. The dominant tone of this extract is (a) sorrowful (b) critical (c) fearful (d) playful and humorous

He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us. She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere.

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13. Q1. "She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment." The literary device used here is (a) metaphor (b) simile (c) hyperbole (d) irony

No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

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14. Q2. The comparison of the grandmother to the winter landscape highlights (a) her love of travelling to hill stations (b) her cold and distant behaviour (c) her serene, peaceful beauty in spotless white (d) her fear of winter

No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

1 marks · mcq

15. Q3. The distinction the author draws between "pretty" and "beautiful" is that (a) pretty refers to physical attractiveness while beautiful refers to inner serenity and character (b) pretty is a compliment while beautiful is an insult (c) both mean exactly the same (d) pretty describes the young while beautiful describes men

No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

1 marks · mcq

16. Q4. While hobbling about the house, the grandmother balanced her stoop by (a) leaning on a stick (b) resting one hand on her waist (c) holding the wall (d) holding her grandson's arm

No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

1 marks · mcq

17. Q5. The description of the rosary in her hand and her lips moving in inaudible prayer shows that she was (a) constantly and deeply religious (b) forgetful of her prayers (c) afraid of silence (d) teaching prayers to children

No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

1 marks · mcq

18. Q6. "Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older" suggests that to the author she seemed (a) to be immortal (b) frozen at the same age for twenty years, beyond change (c) to age very rapidly (d) to be pretending to be old

No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

1 marks · mcq

19. Q1. The author's parents left him with the grandmother because (a) she was lonely and needed company (b) they went away to live in the city (c) the village school demanded it (d) he was too naughty to manage

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart; I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me.

1 marks · mcq

20. Q2. The grandmother said her morning prayer in a sing-song while bathing and dressing the author because she hoped (a) he would listen and get to know it by heart (b) the prayer would keep him awake (c) the neighbours would hear it (d) the school would exempt him

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart; I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me.

1 marks · mcq

21. Q3. The author listened to his grandmother's prayer because (a) he was deeply devout (b) the priest had ordered it (c) he loved her voice (d) he feared her scolding

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart; I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me.

1 marks · mcq

22. Q4. In "tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me", the word "them" refers to (a) her prayer beads and shawl (b) the slate, the ink-pot and the pen (c) his clothes and shoes (d) the school books

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart; I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me.

1 marks · mcq

23. Q5. Which of the following was NOT part of the school bundle? (a) A wooden slate (b) An earthen ink-pot (c) A red pen (d) A rosary

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart; I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me.

1 marks · mcq

24. Q6. The grandmother's careful preparation of the school bundle shows her (a) strict discipline (b) affectionate and dutiful care for the child (c) love of tidiness alone (d) fear of the priest

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart; I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me.

1 marks · mcq

25. Q1. The grandmother always went to school with the author because (a) the school was attached to the temple (b) she feared he would run away (c) the priest had invited her (d) she wanted to learn the alphabet

After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs. My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapattis we threw to them.

1 marks · mcq

26. Q2. While the children sang the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, the grandmother sat inside the temple (a) teaching the priest (b) reading the scriptures (c) resting quietly (d) feeding the dogs

After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs. My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapattis we threw to them.

1 marks · mcq

27. Q3. The grandmother carried stale chapattis with her to school for (a) her own lunch (b) the village dogs (c) the priest (d) the sparrows

After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs. My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapattis we threw to them.

1 marks · mcq

28. Q4. The village school was run by (a) an English teacher (b) the village council (c) the priest (d) the grandmother

After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs. My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapattis we threw to them.

1 marks · mcq

29. Q5. The dogs followed the two home "growling and fighting with each other" because (a) they were angry with the grandmother (b) they were fighting over the chapattis thrown to them (c) they were playing with the author (d) they disliked the temple

After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs. My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapattis we threw to them.

1 marks · mcq

30. Q6. The grandmother's daily habit of feeding the dogs reveals that she was (a) afraid of animals (b) wasteful with food (c) compassionate and kind even towards stray animals (d) fond of hunting

After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapattis with her for the village dogs. My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapattis we threw to them.

1 marks · mcq

31. Q1. The "turning-point" in the friendship between the author and his grandmother came when (a) the author went to University (b) the author went abroad (c) they moved to the city to live with his parents (d) the grandmother fell ill

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning-point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy.

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32. Q2. In the line "they sent for us", the word "us" refers to (a) the author and his parents (b) the author and his grandmother (c) the whole village (d) the grandmother and the priest

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning-point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy.

1 marks · mcq

33. Q3. In the city, the author went to school (a) on foot with his grandmother (b) in a motor bus (c) by train (d) on a bicycle

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning-point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy.

1 marks · mcq

34. Q4. The grandmother took to feeding sparrows in the city courtyard because (a) she wanted to start a business (b) the neighbours kept sparrows (c) there were no village dogs in the streets (d) the author brought them home

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning-point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy.

1 marks · mcq

35. Q5. The grandmother was made unhappy by the author's accounts of his lessons because (a) they included English words and western science with no place for God and the scriptures (b) the teachers scolded him (c) he could not explain them properly (d) the school fees were too high

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning-point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy.

1 marks · mcq

36. Q6. The change from feeding village dogs to feeding city sparrows shows that the grandmother (a) had lost all interest in her old life (b) quietly adapted her loving habits to her new surroundings (c) disliked the city intensely (d) had become too ill to walk

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning-point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house. As the years rolled by we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy.

1 marks · mcq

37. Q1. The grandmother was very disturbed by the news of music lessons because she believed that (a) music spoiled studies (b) the school charged extra for them (c) music was meant only for children (d) music had lewd associations and was the monopoly of harlots and beggars

She could not help me with my lessons. She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.

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38. Q2. In "It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars", the word "It" refers to (a) the English school (b) music (c) dance (d) the prayer

She could not help me with my lessons. She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.

1 marks · mcq

39. Q3. The word "lewd" most nearly means (a) holy (b) silent (c) indecent (d) gentle

She could not help me with my lessons. She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.

1 marks · mcq

40. Q4. The grandmother was distressed about the English school's teaching because (a) it was in a foreign language (b) it was too difficult for the author (c) the teachers were cruel (d) there was no teaching about God and the scriptures

She could not help me with my lessons. She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.

1 marks · mcq

41. Q5. "She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval." Her silence is best described as (a) a dignified form of protest (b) a sign of indifference (c) weakness of character (d) simple shyness

She could not help me with my lessons. She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.

1 marks · mcq

42. Q6. In "She rarely talked to me after that", the phrase "after that" refers to (a) the day the author announced the music lessons (b) the day the author went abroad (c) the day the family moved to the city (d) the day the grandmother fell ill

She could not help me with my lessons. She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.

1 marks · mcq

43. Q1. The "common link of friendship" was snapped when (a) the author went abroad (b) the author went up to University and was given a room of his own (c) the family moved to the city (d) the grandmother stopped praying

When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning-wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

1 marks · mcq

44. Q2. "My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation." The word "resignation" here means (a) loud protest (b) written complaint (c) calm, uncomplaining acceptance (d) sudden departure

When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning-wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

1 marks · mcq

45. Q3. The grandmother relaxed from her spinning-wheel only in the afternoon to (a) talk to neighbours (b) feed the sparrows (c) visit the temple (d) rest in her room

When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning-wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

1 marks · mcq

46. Q4. "A veritable bedlam of chirrupings" means (a) a scene of complete noisy confusion made by the birds (b) a quiet prayer meeting (c) a well-kept garden (d) a temple bell ringing

When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning-wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

1 marks · mcq

47. Q5. That feeding the sparrows was "the happiest half-hour of the day" for her suggests that (a) the birds' company filled the emptiness left by her grandson (b) she disliked spinning (c) she was paid for it (d) she preferred birds to people always

When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning-wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

1 marks · mcq

48. Q6. In "She smiled but never shooed them away", the word "them" refers to (a) her neighbours (b) the sparrows (c) the author's friends (d) the children of the house

When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning-wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

1 marks · mcq

49. Q1. "At her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could." This suggests that the grandmother (a) could predict the future accurately (b) could calmly face the uncertainty of life and death (c) did not understand the length of the journey (d) planned to travel with him

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.

1 marks · mcq

50. Q2. At the railway station, the grandmother's fingers were busy (a) waving goodbye (b) holding a gift (c) telling the beads of her rosary (d) packing his luggage

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.

1 marks · mcq

51. Q3. The author cherished the moist imprint of the kiss because (a) it was perhaps the last sign of physical contact between them (b) it was the first time she had kissed him (c) the station was crowded (d) it reminded him of childhood games

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.

1 marks · mcq

52. Q4. The grandmother's behaviour at the railway station shows that she was (a) sentimental and weepy (b) indifferent to her grandson (c) embarrassed in public (d) stoic and quietly strong

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.

1 marks · mcq

53. Q5. In "She was not even sentimental", the word "sentimental" means (a) excessively emotional (b) religious (c) forgetful (d) stubborn

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.

1 marks · mcq

54. Q6. The author expected his grandmother to be upset about his going abroad because (a) he would be away for five years and she was very old (b) she disliked foreign countries (c) he was going without her permission (d) she had never left the village

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.

1 marks · mcq

55. Q1. What was unusual about the grandmother's behaviour on the evening of the author's return? (a) She scolded him for leaving (b) She did not pray but collected the women and sang of the home-coming of warriors (c) She refused to meet him at the station (d) She left for the temple at once

But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes. In the evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.

1 marks · mcq

56. Q2. In "whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes", the word "whom" refers to (a) the neighbourhood women (b) the author's parents (c) her sparrows (d) the village dogs

But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes. In the evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.

1 marks · mcq

57. Q3. "Frivolous rebukes" are (a) serious scoldings (b) light-hearted, playful scoldings (c) angry threats (d) silent prayers

But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes. In the evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.

1 marks · mcq

58. Q4. The word "dilapidated" describing the drum means (a) brand new (b) richly decorated (c) old and falling apart (d) very large

But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes. In the evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.

1 marks · mcq

59. Q5. The family had to persuade her to stop singing (a) to avoid overstraining her (b) because the neighbours complained (c) so that she could pray (d) because dinner was ready

But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes. In the evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.

1 marks · mcq

60. Q6. The grandmother's singing of the home-coming of warriors expresses (a) her hidden love of music (b) joy too deep for her usual quiet prayers at her grandson's safe return (c) her sorrow at his departure (d) her distress at his western education

But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes. In the evening a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.

1 marks · mcq

61. Q1. The grandmother refused to waste time talking to her family in her last hours because (a) she was angry with them (b) the doctor had advised complete silence (c) she had lost her speech (d) she believed her end was near and wanted to spend her last hours praying

The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us. We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

1 marks · mcq

62. Q2. "The close of the last chapter of her life" is a metaphor for (a) the end of a book she was reading (b) her approaching death (c) her last conversation (d) the doctor's final visit

The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us. We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

1 marks · mcq

63. Q3. The grandmother thought differently from the doctor because she (a) knew more about medicine (b) believed her end was near though the fever was mild (c) feared hospitals (d) wanted to stay in bed

The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us. We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

1 marks · mcq

64. Q4. The moment of her death is marked by (a) a loud cry (b) the rosary falling from her lifeless fingers (c) the doctor's arrival (d) the family's protests

The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us. We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

1 marks · mcq

65. Q5. The word "pallor" in "a peaceful pallor spread on her face" means (a) paleness (b) redness (c) swelling (d) brightness

The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us. We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

1 marks · mcq

66. Q6. The grandmother's peaceful end reflects her (a) fear of death (b) anger at being left alone (c) complete faith in God and calm acceptance of death (d) desire to see her grandson

The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she had omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us. We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.

1 marks · mcq

67. Q1. After her death, the grandmother's body was laid on the ground and covered with (a) a white sheet (b) a red shroud (c) flowers (d) a silken blanket

We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral. In the evening we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard.

1 marks · mcq

68. Q2. In the extract, the word "customary" indicates that laying the dead on the ground was (a) a doctor's instruction (b) a legal requirement (c) a family quarrel (d) a traditional practice

We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral. In the evening we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard.

1 marks · mcq

69. Q3. The crude stretcher was brought in the evening to (a) carry her out for cremation (b) move her to another room (c) take her to hospital (d) support the shroud

We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral. In the evening we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard.

1 marks · mcq

70. Q4. The "blaze of golden light" in the room and verandah came from (a) burning lamps (b) the setting sun (c) a fire in the courtyard (d) flashes of lightning

We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral. In the evening we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard.

1 marks · mcq

71. Q5. The word "shroud" means (a) a bed cover (b) a curtain (c) a cloth for wrapping the dead (d) a winter shawl

We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral. In the evening we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard.

1 marks · mcq

72. Q6. The description of the evening light at the close of the extract creates a mood of (a) terror and panic (b) serenity and solemn grandeur (c) festive joy (d) humorous lightness

We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral. In the evening we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard.

1 marks · mcq

73. Q1. When the author's mother threw the bread crumbs to the sparrows, they (a) ate them eagerly (b) took no notice of the bread (c) carried them away to their nests (d) fought over the crumbs

All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrows took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin.

1 marks · mcq

74. Q2. The silent gathering of the sparrows and their refusal to eat suggest that they had (a) come to mourn the grandmother (b) been frightened by the crowd (c) already eaten their fill (d) lost their way into the room

All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrows took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin.

1 marks · mcq

75. Q3. In "threw it to them", the word "them" refers to (a) the mourners in the house (b) the sparrows (c) the sweeper and his helpers (d) the neighbours

All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrows took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin.

1 marks · mcq

76. Q4. The mother broke the bread "the way my grandmother used to" because (a) it was the family's custom (b) she was imitating the grandmother's way of feeding the sparrows, hoping they would eat (c) the grandmother had ordered her to (d) the birds would accept crumbs only from her

All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrows took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin.

1 marks · mcq

77. Q5. The detail "There was no chirruping" emphasizes (a) the solemn stillness of the birds' mourning (b) the birds' hunger (c) the noise of the house (d) the evening hour

All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrows took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin.

1 marks · mcq

78. Q6. The last line, about the sweeper sweeping the crumbs into the dustbin, underscores (a) the finality of the grandmother's death and the end of her bond with the sparrows (b) the sweeper's carelessness (c) the mother's generosity (d) the birds' return the next day

All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrows took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dustbin.

2 marks · short

79. Q1. Describe the author's grandfather as he appeared in the portrait.

2 marks · short

80. Q2. How did the author and his grandmother become "good friends"?

2 marks · short

81. Q3. What did the grandmother do while the author studied at the village school?

2 marks · short

82. Q4. How did the grandmother feed the village dogs on the way to school?

2 marks · short

83. Q5. What was the turning-point in the friendship between the author and his grandmother?

2 marks · short

84. Q6. Mention any three reasons why the grandmother was disturbed by the author's education in the city school.

2 marks · short

85. Q7. Why was the grandmother against the music lessons given at the English school?

2 marks · short

86. Q8. How did the grandmother spend her days after the author went up to University?

2 marks · short

87. Q9. Why did the author think his grandmother would be upset when he decided to go abroad?

2 marks · short

88. Q10. How did the grandmother behave when the author left for abroad?

2 marks · short

89. Q11. How did the grandmother receive the author when he returned after five years?

2 marks · short

90. Q12. What "change" came over the grandmother in the evening of the author's return?

2 marks · short

91. Q13. What did the grandmother say when she fell ill the morning after the author's return?

2 marks · short

92. Q14. How did the grandmother die?

2 marks · short

93. Q15. How did the sparrows mourn the grandmother's death?

2 marks · short

94. Q16. What does the phrase "an expanse of pure white serenity" tell us about the grandmother?

2 marks · short

95. Q17. How did the grandmother show her affection for animals in the village?

2 marks · short

96. Q18. What was the author's reaction to his grandmother's stories about her childhood games?

2 marks · short

97. Q19. Why did the grandmother stop talking to the author in the city?

2 marks · short

98. Q20. What is the significance of the "moist imprint" that the author cherished?

3 marks · short

99. Q1. Describe the three phases of the author's relationship with his grandmother before he left the country for higher studies.

3 marks · short

100. Q2. The author's grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this?

3 marks · short

101. Q3. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?

3 marks · short

102. Q4. Would you agree that the author's grandmother was a person strong in character? Give instances from the text in support.

3 marks · short

103. Q5. How does the author portray his grandmother's bond with the dogs and the sparrows?

3 marks · short

104. Q6. What was the grandmother's view of education, and why was she distressed by the English school?

3 marks · short

105. Q7. Describe the grandmother's celebration on the evening of the author's home-coming. What was its significance?

3 marks · short

106. Q8. The grandmother's death is portrayed as peaceful and full of dignity. Comment.

3 marks · short

107. Q9. How did the sparrows express their sorrow when the author's grandmother died?

3 marks · short

108. Q10. Describe the grandmother's daily routine in the city after the author went up to University.

3 marks · short

109. Q11. Compare the grandmother's life in the village with her life in the city.

3 marks · short

110. Q12. How does the author use the image of "the winter landscape in the mountains" to describe the grandmother?

3 marks · short

111. Q13. What does the grandmother's behaviour at the railway station reveal about her attitude to life and death?

3 marks · short

112. Q14. Comment on the mood of the ending of the story, from the grandmother's death to the sweeping away of the crumbs.

3 marks · short

113. Q15. Justify the title "The Portrait of a Lady".

5 marks · broad

114. Q1. Draw a character sketch of the author's grandmother.

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115. Q2. The relationship between the author and his grandmother passed through many phases, yet their feelings for each other remained unchanged. Discuss.

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116. Q3. The grandmother represents the traditional Indian way of life, while the author's education symbolises the modern western world. Discuss this clash of values in the story.

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117. Q4. What values do you learn from the life of the author's grandmother? How are they relevant today?

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118. Q5. "Love does not need words." Show how this idea runs through the story of "The Portrait of a Lady".

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119. Q6. Describe the scene of the sparrows' tribute at the end of the story. What makes it so moving?

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120. Q7. "She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful." How does the author distinguish between outer beauty and inner beauty in the story?