PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber’s Trade Union

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber’s Trade Union Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber’s Trade Union

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How did the village elders behave when Chandu dressed up like a doctor?
गांव के वयोवृद्धों ने कैसा व्यवहार किया जब Chandu डाक्टरों की तरह कपड़े पहन कर आया ?
Answer:
The landlord called Chandu the son of a pig. He cursed him by saying that he was bringing a leather bag of cow-hide into his house and a coat of some animal’s marrow. He told him to get out of his house less he should defile his religion.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

The Sahukar abused Chandu in the foulest way. He told him that he had come wearing the defiled clothes of the hospital people. He told him to come after wearing his own clothes. Only then will he let him cut his hair.

जमींदार ने उसको सूअर का पुत्र कह कर पुकारा। उसने उसे यह कहकर गाली दी कि वह उसके घर में चमड़े का बैग लेकर आया जोकि गाय की चमड़ी का बना है और उसने कोट पहना है जो किसी पशु के मज्जे से बना है। उसने उसको आदेश दिया कि वह उसके घर से निकल जाये ताकि वह उसके धर्म को भ्रष्ट न कर दे। साहूकार ने भी बड़े गन्दे शब्दों में Chandu को गालियां दीं। उसने उसको कहा कि वह हस्पताल के लोगों के गन्दे कपड़े पहन कर आ गया था। उसने उसे कहा कि वह अपने कपड़े पहन कर आये। तभी वह उससे अपने बाल कटवायेगा।

Question 2.
Give a brief character-sketch of Chandu’s mother.
Chandu की माता का संक्षेप में चरित्र-चित्रण दीजिए।
Answer:
Chandu’s mother was an ill-tempered woman. She was over sixty years old. She could always read the nature of the upper caste people. But she was very kind to the narrator. She did not have a good word for the upper caste people.

Probably, she must have suffered at the hands of the upper caste people. She was happy when Chandu started earning more money by shaving and cutting hair of people in the town. We can only pity Chandu’s old mother because she did not have a good quality of life.

Chandu की माता चिड़चिड़े स्वभाव की महिला थी। वह साठ साल से ऊपर उम्र की थी। वह उच्चजाति के लोगों के स्वभाव को जान लेने में सक्षम थी। लेकिन वह वर्णनकर्ता पर बहुत मेहरबान थी। उसका ऊँची जाति के लोगों के बारे में कोई अच्छा विचार नहीं था। सम्भवतः उसने ऊँची जाति के लोगों से कष्ट उठाये हैं। वह खुश थी जब चन्दू ने शहर में जाकर लोगों की दाढ़ी और हजामत करके अधिक पैसे कमाने शुरू कर दिये। हमें उसकी बूढ़ी माता पर दया आती है क्योंकि उसने अच्छे प्रकार का जीवन व्यतीत नहीं किया है।

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Give a brief character-sketch of Chandu.
Answer:
Chandu is the barber boy of the narrator’s village. He is the main character of the story. He is a close friend of the narrator. The narrator calls him one of the makers of modern India. He organises barbers into a union.

He stops going to people’s homes to give them a haircut or shave beards. He refuses to dance to the tune of upper-caste people. Chandu is the narrator’s senior. He takes lead in all matters. He is very fond of his boyish mischiefs.

He likes catching wasps. Then he takes out the poison from their tails. He makes them fly by tying their legs with a thread. The narrator considers him the embodiment of perfection. He is an expert at making kites of various designs. Despite his skill in other matters, he is a duffer in learning. He is a member of a low caste. Upper caste people often abused him and insulted him. They did not like the narrator to mix with him.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

Chandu is self-respecting. He did not like to be insulted by the upper-caste people. He decided to teach them a lesson. He bought a cycle and started shaving people in the town. He set up a barber’s shop. He organised some barbers in villages into a union.

They stopped going to people’s homes for haircutting and shaving. They forced the people to come to their shops. We cannot help admiring Chandu for his skill of enterprise.

Chandu वर्णनकर्ता के गांव के नाई का लड़का है। वह कहानी का मुख्य पात्र है। वह वर्णनकर्ता का घनिष्ठ मित्र है। वर्णनकर्ता उसको आधुनिक भारत के निर्माताओं में से एक समझता है। वह नाईयों के Union का आयोजन करता है। वह लोगों के घरों में जाकर उनके लिए बतौर नाई का काम करने से इन्कार कर देता है। वह ऊँची जाति के लोगों के इशारों पर नाचने से मना कर देता है। Chandu वर्णनकर्ता से वरिष्ठ है। वह तमाम मामलों में अगवाई करता है। वह लड़कों वाली शरारतें करता है।

वह भिड़ों को पकड़ना पसन्द करता है। फिर वह उनका विष निकालता है। उनकी टांगों को धागे से बांध कर उनको उड़ता है। वर्णनकर्ता Chandu को पूर्णता का साकार समझता है। वह कई designs वाले पतंग बनाने में बहुत निपुण है। दूसरे मामलों में प्रवीणता के बावजूद, वह पढ़ाई में निकम्मा है। वह निचली जाति का सदस्य है। ऊँची जाति के लोग उसको प्रायः गालियां देते थे और अपमानित करते थे। वे नहीं चाहते थे कि वर्णनकर्ता उससे मेलजोल रखे।

Chandu स्वाभिमानी है। वह नहीं चाहता कि ऊँची जाति के लोग उसका अपमान करें। उसने उनको सबक सिखाने का निर्णय कर लिया। उसने भिन्न गांवों के कुछ नाईयों का Union स्थापित कर लिया। उसने एक साइकिल खरीद लिया और इस पर सवार होकर अपना नाई का काम करने लगा। उसने नाई की दुकान खोल ली। नाईयों ने लोगों के घरों में हजामत और शेव आदि के लिए जाना बन्द कर दिया। हम उसकी उद्यमशीलता के लिए Chandu की प्रशंसा किए बिना नहीं रह सकते।

Question 2.
Why did Chandu go on a strike ? What was the result of the strike ?
Chandu ने हड़ताल क्यों की ? हड़ताल का क्या नतीजा निकला ?
Answer:
Chandu was a barber in a village. He used to go to people’s homes to cut their hair and shave their beards. He started going to the town from time to time. He earned more money there by haircutting. One day he put on a doctor’s dress and went on the round of his village to shave the beards of a landlord, a sahukar and some other person. They were all from higher castes. But Chandu belonged to a lower caste.

The narrator and the landlord’s little boy Devi were happy to see him in the doctor’s dress. The landlord called him the son of a pig. He insulted him by saying that he was carrying a leather bag of cow-hide and the coat of the marrow of some animal.

He told him to get out of his house. He did not want his house and his religion to be defiled. He asked him to wear the clothes that suit his profession. Then he went to the village Shaukar’s house. He abused Chandu in the foulest way.

He told him not to go about dressed like a clown. He should shoulder his own responsibilities and look after his old mother. He should not wear the defiled clothes of the hospital folk. He told him to go and come back in his own clothes.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

Then he would let him cut his hair. He decided to teach the orthodox village idiots a lesson. He would go on strike and not go to their houses to attend to them. They were forced to go to his shop to get their beards shaved and their hair cut.

Chandu गांव का नाई था। वह लोगों के घरों में जाकर उनके बाल काटता था और दाढ़ियां साफ़ किया करता था। उसने कभी-कभी शहर जाना भी शुरू कर दिया। वहां वह हजामतों द्वारा अधिक पैसे कमा लेता था। एक दिन उसने डॉक्टर की dress पहन ली और उसने अपने गांव का चक्कर लगाना आरम्भ किया ताकि वह एक जमींदार, एक साहूकार और किसी और व्यक्ति की दाढ़ी की shave कर दे। वे सब ऊँची जाति के थे। परन्तु Chandu नीची जाति का था। वर्णनकर्ता और ज़मींदार का छोटा बच्चा उसको डॉक्टर के कपड़ों में देखकर बहुत खुश हुए। लेकिन जमींदार ने उसको सूअर का पुत्र कह कर पुकारा।

उसने यह कर उसका अपमान किया कि उसने गाय की त्वचा से बने बैग और किसी पशु के मजे का कोट पहना हुआ था। उसने उसको कहा कि वह उसके घर से बाहर निकल जाये। वह नहीं चाहता कि उसका घर और धर्म भ्रष्ट हो जायें। उसने उसको यह भी कहा कि वह कपड़े पहने जो उसके व्यवसाय के अनुसार उचित हो। इसके बाद वह गांव के साहूकार के घर गया। उसने चन्दू को बहुत ही गन्दी गालियां दीं।

उसने उसे कहा कि वह जोकर के कपड़े पहन कर न घूमे फिरे। उसे अपनी जिम्मेदारियां निभानी चाहिये और अपनी बूढी माता का ध्यान रखना चाहिए। उसे हस्पताल के लोगों के प्रदूषित कपड़े नहीं पहनने चाहिए। उसने उसे कहा कि वह जाये और अपने कपड़ों में वापस आये। तब वह उसके बाल काट सकेगा। उसने गांव के गांव के रुढ़िवादी मूल् को सबक सिखाने का निर्णय किया। वह हड़ताल करेगा और उनकी सेवा में उनके घरों में नहीं जायेगा। उन्हें विवश होकर Chandu की दुकान पर जाना पड़ा ताकि वे अपने बाल और दाढ़ियां कटवा सकें।

कि ऊँची जाति के लोग उसका अपमान करें। उसने उनको सबक सिखाने का निर्णय कर लिया। उसने भिन्न गांवों के कुछ नाईयों का Union स्थापित कर लिया। उसने एक साइकिल खरीद लिया और इस पर सवार होकर अपना नाई का काम करने लगा। उसने नाई की दुकान खोल ली। नाईयों ने लोगों के घरों में हजामत और शेव आदि के लिए जाना बन्द कर दिया। हम उसकी उद्यमशीलता के लिए Chandu की प्रशंसा किए बिना नहीं रह सकते।

Question 2.
Why did Chandu go on a strike ? What was the result of the strike ?
Chandu ने हड़ताल क्यों की ? हड़ताल का क्या नतीजा निकला ?
Answer:
Chandu was a barber in a village. He used to go to people’s homes to cut their hair and shave their beards. He started going to the town from time to time. He earned more money there by haircutting. One day he put on a doctor’s dress and went on the round of his village to shave the beards of a landlord, a sahukar and some other person. They were all from higher castes. But Chandu belonged to a lower caste.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

The narrator and the landlord’s little boy Devi were happy to see him in the doctor’s dress. The landlord called him the son of a pig. He insulted him by saying that he was carrying a leather bag of cow-hide and the coat of the marrow of some animal.

He told him to get out of his house. He did not want his house and his religion to be defiled. He asked him to wear the clothes that suit his profession. Then he went to the village Shaukar’s house.

He abused Chandu in the foulest way. He told him not to go about dressed like a clown. He should shoulder his own responsibilities and look after his old mother. He should not wear the defiled clothes of the hospital folk. He told him to go and come back in his own clothes.

Then he would let him cut his hair. He decided to teach the orthodox village idiots a lesson. He would go on strike and not go to their houses to attend to them. They were forced to go to his shop to get their beards shaved and their hair cut.

Chandu गांव का नाई था। वह लोगों के घरों में जाकर उनके बाल काटता था और दाढ़ियां साफ़ किया करता था। उसने कभी-कभी शहर जाना भी शुरू कर दिया। वहां वह हजामतों द्वारा अधिक पैसे कमा लेता था। एक दिन उसने डॉक्टर की dress पहन ली और उसने अपने गांव का चक्कर लगाना आरम्भ किया ताकि वह एक जमींदार, एक साहूकार और किसी और व्यक्ति की दाढ़ी की shave कर दे। वे सब ऊँची जाति के थे।

परन्तु Chandu नीची जाति का था। वर्णनकर्ता और ज़मींदार का छोटा बच्चा उसको डॉक्टर के कपड़ों में देखकर बहुत खुश हुए। लेकिन जमींदार ने उसको सूअर का पुत्र कह कर पुकारा। उसने यह कर उसका अपमान किया कि उसने गाय की त्वचा से बने बैग और किसी पशु के मजे का कोट पहना हुआ था।

उसने उसको कहा कि वह उसके घर से बाहर निकल जाये। वह नहीं चाहता कि उसका घर और धर्म भ्रष्ट हो जायें। उसने उसको यह भी कहा कि वह कपड़े पहने जो उसके व्यवसाय के अनुसार उचित हो। इसके बाद वह गांव के साहूकार के घर गया। उसने चन्दू को बहुत ही गन्दी गालियां दीं।

उसने उसे कहा कि वह जोकर के कपड़े पहन कर न घूमे फिरे। उसे अपनी जिम्मेदारियां निभानी चाहिये और अपनी बूढी माता का ध्यान रखना चाहिए। उसे हस्पताल के लोगों के प्रदूषित कपड़े नहीं पहनने चाहिए। उसने उसे कहा कि वह जाये और अपने कपड़ों में वापस आये। तब वह उसके बाल काट सकेगा। उसने गांव के गांव के रुढ़िवादी मूल् को सबक सिखाने का निर्णय किया। वह हड़ताल करेगा और उनकी सेवा में उनके घरों में नहीं जायेगा। उन्हें विवश होकर Chandu की दुकान पर जाना पड़ा ताकि वे अपने बाल और दाढ़ियां कटवा सकें।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

Objective Type Questions:

This question will consist of 3 objective type questions carrying one mark each. These objective questions will include questions to be answered in one word to one sentence or fill in the blank or true/false or multiple choice type questions.

Question 1.
What was the age difference between Chandu and the narrator ?
Answer:
It was a difference of six months; Chandu was senior to the narrator.

Question 2.
Why did the narrator consider Chandu the embodiment of perfection for him ?
Answer:
He considered him the embodiment of perfection because he could make and fly paper kites of complicated designs and balance which the narrator could not do.

Question 3.
Why was Chandu not good at doing sums at school ?
Answer:
He was not good at doing sums because he did not do any homework given by teachers and he went to learn the work as a barber.

Question 4.
Why did the narrator’s mother constantly dissuade him to play with Chandu ?
Answer:
She dissuaded him by saying that Chandu was a low-caste barber’s son and he had to keep up the status of his caste and class.

Question 5.
What does the narrator tell us about Chandu’s dress?
Answer:
Chandu wore a Khaki shorts, black velvet waist-coat with many buttons and a round felt cap.

Question 6.
What did Chandu tell the narrator about Kalan Khan’s appearance ?
Answer:
He was a young man with parted hair, dressed in a starched shirt, an ivory collar and bow tie, a black coat and striped trousers and a wonderful rubber overcoat.

Question 7.
Why did Bijay Chand, the landlord, turn Chandu out of his house ?
Answer:
He told him to get out of his house as he was defiling it with a leather bag of cow hide, a coat of some animal’s marrow and to wear the dress suiting his profession.

Question 8.
What did the Sahukar think about Chandu’s wearing clothes like a doctor ?
Answer:
He abused him and told him to come back in his own clothes and not wear the defiled clothes of the hospital people.

Question 9.
Why had the landlord summoned Pandit Parmanand ?
Answer:
He had been called by the landlord to discuss the unholy emergency in which Chandu had landed by wearing English shoes and a doctor’s dress.

Question 10.
What type of woman was Chandu’s mother ?
Answer:
She was an ill-tempered woman from low caste and knew the reality about upper caste people.

Question 11.
How did Chandu’s mother treat the narrator ?
Answer:
She was very kind to the narrator though she spoke to him in a joking manner.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

Question 12.
Why did Chandu decide to go on strike ?
Answer:
He decided to go on strike by stopping to shave the upper-caste people as they had been abusing him.

Question 13.
Why did Chandu decide to buy a bicycle ?
Answer:
He decided to buy a cycle in order to shave people and give them a haircut and earn money after stopping to do the haircut of the upper-caste people.

Question 14.
Why had the men gathered in the Sahukar’s shop ?
Answer:
They had gathered there round the figure of the landlord to talk with him.

Question 15.
How did the Sahukar look without being trimmed by the barber?
Answer:
He looked like a leper with the brown colour of tobacco on his big moustaches.

Question 16.
What jokes became popular in every home and why?
Answer:
Jokes about the unclean beards of the elders and the landlord’s young wife threatening to run away with somebody because of his shabby appearance became popular.

Question 17.
What was the reason of the rumour that the landlord’s wife had threatened to run away with someone else ?
Answer:
She threatened to do so because being twenty years younger than her husband, she had tolerated him as long as he kept in trim. But now his unclean beard was disgusting to her.

Question 18.
What did the village elders threaten Chandu ?
Answer:
They threatened to have him sent to prison for his offences and ordered his mother to force him to obey them.

Question 19.
Name the union that gave birth to many other active trade unions in the town.
Answer:
The name was ‘Rajkot District Barber Brothers’ Hairdressing and Shaving Saloon’.

Question 20.
Was the narrator of the story caste conscious ?
Answer:
No.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

Question 21.
Did the narrator’s mother like him to play with Chandu ?
Answer:
No.

Question 22.
Who was Kala Khan ?
Answer:
Dentist.

Question 23.
Who abused Chandu ?
Answer:
The Sahukar.

Question 24.
What was the name of the landlord’s son ?
Answer:
Devi.

Question 25.
What was the opinion of Chandu’s mother about the high caste people ?
Answer:
They were hypocrites.

Question 26.
What was Chandu going to buy with five rupees ?
Answer:
A Japanese cycle.

Question 27.
The landlord’s wife threatead to run away unless :
(i) he gave her all his money.
(ii) he stopped staying away from home.
(iii) he looked smart, trim and handsome.
Answer:
(iii) he looked smart, trim and handsome.

Question 28.
Who was younger of the landlord and his wife ?
Answer:
His wife.

Question 29.
The landlord’s wife wanted to run away with someone smarter and trim. (True/False)
Answer:
True.

Question 30.
What was Chandu in Barbers’ Trade Union ?
Answer:
He was a barber boy.

The Barber’s Trade Union Summary in English

The Barber’s Trade Union Introduction:

This is the story of a barber boy. He is the main character in the story. The author calls him one of the makers of modern India. He does a great act. He unites the barbers and asks them to open their own barber shops and not to go to people’s homes to give them a haircut or shave. Thus the upper-caste people are compelled to go to the shops for hair-cut or a shave. The barber boy is senior to the narrator.

He is also the narrator’s close friend. He takes the lead in all the matters. He is very fond of boyish mischiefs. He likes catching wasps. Then he takes the poison out of their tails and makes them fly by tying their legs with a thread. He knows how to make very good kites of various designs. Despite these talents he is very dull at school. Chandu adopted the profession of his father.

As he belonged to a low caste, people of higher castes made fun of him. In the end he decided to go on strike and stopped visiting people’s houses for giving a hair-cut or shave. The people of the village had to go to barbers’ shops for hair-cuts. Then he becomes the organiser of Barbers’ Union.

The Barber’s Trade Union Summary in English:

Chandu is the barber boy of the narrator’s village. He has a place in the history of India as one of the makers of modern India. He has done something which has great significance. But he never had any idea about his greatness. The narrator knows him since his childhood. They used to play together in the streets of their village near Amritsar. Their mothers felt happy to see them at play.

Chandu was the narrator’s senior by six months. He always took the lead in all matters. The narrator always followed him because he was an expert at catching wasps, taking the poison out of their tails, tying their tails with a thread and making them fly. But the narrator used to be stung on his cheeks if he went near the wasp.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

The narrator considered Chandu to be perfect because he could make and fly kites of very good designs. At school, Chandu was not so good at doing sums as the narrator because his father put him in learning the trade of a barber. His father used to send him to villages for hair-cutting. He had no time for doing home work. But he was good at reciting poetry. He remembered all the verses in the textbook.

The narrator’s mother did not feel happy when Chandu won a scholarship at school while the narrator had to pay fees to be taught. She constantly told the narrator not to play with Chandu by saying that he was a low-caste boy and he must keep up the status of caste and class. The narrator had no sense of superiority of his class or caste.

His mother used to put a red caste-mark on his forehead every morning and he put on uchkin, the tight trousers, the gold worked shoes and the silk turban. He wanted to wear clothes like Chandu. Chandu used to wear a pair of khakhi shorts which the retired subedar had given him, a black velvet waist-coat and a round cap which had once belonged to Lala Hukam Chand, the lawyer of their village.

The narrator envied Chandu the freedom of movement which he enjoyed after the death of his father. He used to go to the houses of upper caste people and cut their hair or shave them. When Lala Hukam Chand went to town in his carriage (buggy), Chandu went with him by sitting on the foot-rest of the buggy. The narrator had to walk three miles to attend his school at Jandiala. Chandu did not have to go to school. But he used to bring some gifts for the narrator.

Chandu saw sahibs, the lawyers, the chaprasis and the policemen wearing English style clothes. Once he told the narrator that he wanted to steal some money from home to buy a dress like that of Kalan Khan, the dentist. He said that Kalan Khan was fitting people with dentures and even new eyes. Kalan Khan was a young man. He was dressed in a starched shirt, an ivory collar and bow tie. He wore a blank coat and striped trousers and rubber overcoat and pumps.

Then he asked the narrator if he, a barber educated up to the fifth class, would not look more dignified by wearing a dress like Dr. Kalan Khan. Chandu added that though he was not a doctor, he has learnt how to treat pimples, boils and cuts on people’s bodies from his father who had learnt from his father.

The narrator agreed with his plan. He encouraged him a good deal that his hero did. One day Chandu dressed up in a turban, a white rubber coat, a pair of pumps with a leather bag in his hand. He was going on his round and had come to see the narrator. How smart he looked in his new dress. The narrator told him that he looked marvellous.

Then he left for the house of the landlord to shave every morning. The narrator followed Chandu. He looked nice in a doctor’s dress. He reached the door-step of the landlord. Devi, the little son of the landlord clapped his hands to announce the coming of Chandu the barber in a beautiful heroic dress like the Padre Sahib of the Mission School.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

Bijay Chand, the stout landlord was taking the name of God. He was just coming out of the lavatory. He called Chandu the son of a pig. He regretted that Chandu was bringing a leather bag of cow-hide into his house, and the coat of the marrow of some animal, and black shoes. He ordered him to get out as he was defiling his house.

Chandu told him that he was wearing the dress of a doctor. He ordered him to wear clothes suiting his status as a barber. Chandu returned. His face was flushed as he had been insulted before the narrator. Then he rushed to the shop of Thanu Ram, the village Sahukar. He had a grocer’s store at the corner of the lane.

When the narrator reached Sahukar’s shop. Devi, the landlord’s son began to cry at his father’s harsh words for Chandu. He abused Chandu in the foulest words for wearing the dirty clothes of the hospital folk. He told him to come back in his own clothes. Then only he will let him cut his hair.

Chandu felt very angry. He ran angrily past the narrator. He felt that Chandu hated him because he belonged to a superior caste. The narrator shouted after Chandu that he should go to Pandit Parmanand and tell him that the clothes were not dirty.

Pandit Parmanand came out of the landlord’s house. He said that the boys of the village had been spoiled by education. But the low caste boy has no right to such clothes. He has to touch the heads and beards of people in the village. He should not defile them. Chandu heard what was said by Parmanand. He ran away from there. He seemed to have some set purpose in mind.

The narrator’s mother called him and told him that it was time for him to go to school. So he should eat and go to school. She advised him not to mix with the barber boy. But the narrator was very disturbed about Chandu’s fate all day. On his way back from school, he called in at the hut where Chandu lived with his mother. His mother was an ill-tempered woman.

As a low caste-woman she could understand the upper caste people. She however liked the narrator. She asked him if he had come to see his friend. She also told him that if his mother came to know that he had come to this hut, she would accuse her for casting her evil eyes on his sweet face. She asked him if he was as innocent as he looked or if he was a hypocrite like the rest of others of his caste.

The narrator wanted to know where Chandu was. She did not know where he was. She said that he earned some money by shaving people on the roadside. She also said that he was having some funny ideas. She added that he should serve the clients his father used to serve. He is only a boy. She told the narrator that she will tell him that his friend wanted to play with him. He has just gone up the road. The narrator took leave of Chandu’s mother.

Chandu whistled for the narrator in the afternoon. He came. He invited the narrator to come for a walk. He told him that he earned a rupee shaving and hair cutting near the court that morning as he had to come back on the back bar of Hukam Chand’s carriage early. In the afternoon, he should have earned more.

He told the narrator that he was going to teach a lesson to the caste conscious idiots. He was going on strike. He will not go to their houses to attend to them. He was going to buy a Japanese bicycle for five rupees. He shall learn to ride it.

Then he will go to town every day. He will ride the bicycle with his overcoat, his black shoes, and white turban on his head. He will look fine in this dress. The narrator said that he would definitely look nice.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

The narrator supported Chandu’s ideas. Chandu bought a cycle with the money le had made by haircuts and shaving in the town. Then one day he started learning how to cycle. Chandu got on the cycle and the narrator started pushing him from the backside. Chandu could not keep balance and he fell down on the other side along with the cycle.

There were peals of laughter from the shop of the Sahukar. Then the Sahukar abused Chandu for being a rascal. He said that he would come to his sense only if he broke his bones. Chandu hung his head in shame. He told the narrator that he was worthless. The narrator had thought that Chandu would grip him by the neck and give him a good beating.

Chandu did not lose courage. He decided to try riding cycle again. The narrator told Chandu that he would hold the cycle tightly this time. The landlord again said that Chandu would break his bones by falling from the cycle. Chandu however told the narrator that he was not bothered.

Chandu again began to try riding. The people at the Sahukar’s shop were watching with interest. The narrator thought that Chandu would again fall and come to greif. Chandu’s feet had got quite rightly on the pedals and he was riding smoothly. The narrator was running behind the cycle. The narrator did not see Chandu the next day.

For one or two days the narrator did not see Chandu. But on the third day, Chandu showed the narrator some men of the village sitting round the Sahukar. He showed him the unshaven faces of the villagers. They were all looking unclean.

Chandu told the narrator to run past the shop and call the elderly people beavers. The narrator did so. The peasants who had gathered round the shop laughed. The Sahukar shouted that the narrator should be caught. They said that the upper-caste boy was also with Chandu.

The rumour about the barber boy’s strike spread. Jokes about the dirty beards of the elders also spread. The landlord’s wife threatened to run away with someone because she was twenty years younger than her husband. She had tolerated him as long as he looked neat and trim. But now she was disgusted with him because his appearance had become shabby.

But Chandu’s mother was seeing prosperity because of Chandu’s increasing income. Then they thought of getting the barber of Verka to come and attend them. They offered him an anna instead of the two pice they had usually paid to Chandu. Chandu opened a new shop and he asked other barbers from other villages to come and start their shops.

He convinced them that it was time that the villagers came to them for hair-cut and shave. The Union of barbers was given a new name. The name was “Rajkot District Barber Brothers Hairdressing and Shaving Saloon”. The Union has been followed by many other trade unions of working men.

The Barber’s Trade Union Summary in Hindi

The Barber’s Trade Union Introduction:

यह एक नाई लड़के की कहानी है। वह इस कहानी में मुख्य पात्र है। लेखक उसको आधुनिक भारत के निर्माताओं में एक समझता है। वह एक महान कार्यकर्ता है। वह नाईयों को एक कर देता है और उनको कहता है कि वे अपनी-अपनी नाई की दुकान खोल लें और लोगों को घरों में उनके बाल काटने या शेव करने के लिए न जायें।

इस तरह ऊंची जाति के लोगों को विवश होकर नाई की दुकानों पर जाना पड़ता है। कहानी के मुख्य पात्र का नाम चन्दू है। वह वर्णनकर्ता का मित्र है। वह वर्णनकर्ता से बड़ा है। वह वर्णनकर्ता का घनिष्ट मित्र भी है। बड़ा होने के कारण Chandu हर मामले में अगवाई करता है। वह लड़कों वाली शरारतें करने का बहुत शौकीन है।

वह भिड़ों को पकड़ना पसन्द करता है। फिर वह उनकी दुमों से विष निकालता है और उनकी टांगों को धागे से बांध कर उड़ाता है। वह अच्छे नमूने के पंतग बनाना भी जानता है। इन योग्यताओं के बावजूद वह स्कूल में मन्दबुद्धि वाला छात्र है। वह जाति से नाई था। उसने अपने पिता का व्यवसाय अपना लिया।

चूंकि Chandu निचली जाति से सम्बन्ध रखता था, ऊंची जाति के लोग उसका अपमान किया करते थे। वे उसको गालियां भी दिया करते थे। अन्त में वह हड़ताल करने का निर्णय करता है और वह shave करने के लिए लोगों के घरों में जाना बन्द कर देता है। अब गांव के लोगों को हजामत करवाने के लिए उसकी दुकान में जाना पड़ता था।

The Barber’s Trade Union Summary in Hindi:

Chandu वर्णनकर्ता के गांव के नाई का लड़का है। उसका भारत के इतिहास में भारत के निर्माणकर्ताओं में से एक होने में उसका नाम है। उसने कुछ ऐसा काम किया है जिसका बड़ा महत्त्व है। लेकिन उसको अपनी महानता के बारें कोई विचार नहीं था। वर्णनकर्ता उसको अपने बचपन से जानता है।

Amritsar के समीप स्थित अपने गांव की गलियों में वे खेला करते थे। उनकी माताएं उनको खेलते हुए देखकर प्रसन्न हुआ करती थीं। Chandu वर्णनकर्ता से छः महीने बड़ा था। वह सब मामलों में अगवाई करता था। वर्णनकर्ता सदा उसका अनुसरण करता था क्योंकि वह भिड़ों (तातैया) को पकड़ने में निपुण था। वह उनकी दुमों से विष निकालता था और उनकी टांगों में धागा बांधता था और उनको उड़ाया करता था। लेकिन यदि वर्णनकर्ता भिड़ों के पास जाता तो वे उसकी गालों पर डंक मारती थीं।

वर्णनकर्ता Chandu को हर पक्ष में निपुण समझता था क्योंकि वह बहुत से नमूने के पतंग बना सकता था और उनको उड़ा भी सकता था। स्कूल में चन्दू गणित के प्रश्न हल करने में इतना अच्छा नहीं था क्योंकि उसके पिता ने उसको नाई का काम सीखने में डाल दिया था। उसका पिता उसको गांव में लोगों के बाल काटने के लिए भेजा करता था। Chandu के पास स्कूल से दिया हुआ homework करने के लिए समय नहीं था।

लेकिन वह कविता पाठ में अच्छा था। पाठ्य पुस्तकों की सब कविताएं उसे स्मरण थीं। – वर्णनकर्ता की माता खुश नहीं थी जब Chandu को स्कूल में छात्रवृत्ति मिली, जब कि वर्णनकर्ता को अपनी पढ़ाई के लिए फीस देनी पड़ती थी। वह लगातार वर्णनकर्ता को कहती थी कि वह चन्दू के साथ न खेला करे यह कहते हुए कि वह निचली जाति का लड़का था और उसे अपनी जाति और श्रेणी की प्रतिष्ठा बनाकर रखनी चाहिए। वर्णनकर्ता में अपनी श्रेणी या जाति की श्रेष्ठता के बारे कोई विचार तक नहीं था।

उसकी माता उसके माथे पर लाल रंग का तिलक लगाया करती थी और वह अचकन, चूड़ीदार पाजामा, तिल्ले वाले जूते और रेशमी पगड़ी पहना करता था। वह चन्दू जैसे कपड़े पहनना चाहता था। चन्दू खाकी निक्कर पहना करता था जो रिटायर्ड (retired) सूबेदार ने उसे दी थी और काली मखमल की बास्कट पहनता था। और साथ ही felt cap पहनता था जो कि लाला हुक्म चन्द ने उसे दी थी।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

वर्णनकर्ता Chandu से ईर्ष्या करता था क्योंकि उसको घूमने फिरने की आज़ादी थी जो उसको अपने बाप की मौत के बाद उपलब्ध थी। वह ऊंची जाति के लोगों के घरों में जाया करता था और बाल काटा करता था या उनकी Shave किया करता था। जब Chandu Lala Hukam Chand की बग्गी में शहर जाया करता था तो बग्गी के पायदान पर बैठ जाता था। वर्णनकर्ता को Jandiala के स्कूल में जाने के लिए तीन मील चलना

पड़ता था। अब Chandu को स्कूल नहीं जाना पड़ता था। लेकिन वह वर्णनकर्ता के लिए कुछ उपहार लेकर आया करता था। Chandu साहिबों, वकीलों, चपरासियों और पुलिस वाले को देखा करता था जिन्होंने अंग्रेज़ी शैली के कपड़े पहने होते थे। एक बार चन्दू ने वर्णनकर्ता को बताया कि वह अपने घर से कुछ पैसे चुराकर दांतों के डाक्टर कालन खान की तरह एक dress खरीद लेगा।

वह कहता कि कालन खान लोगों के नये दांत लगाता था और नई आंखें भी लगाता था। वह स्टारच (कलफ वाली) लगी कमीज़ पहनता था, एक हाथी दांत का कालर और एक Bow tie भी पहनता था। वह एक काला कोट भी पहनता था और लकीरदार पतलून पहनता था और रबड़ का overcoat पहनता था और चमड़े के पम्पशू (गुरगाबी) पहनता था।

फिर वह वर्णनकर्ता से पूछता क्या वह पांचवी श्रेणी पढ़ा हुआ डॉक्टर कालन खान जैसे कपड़े पहनकर रोबदार और सम्मानित दिखेगा। चन्दू कहता गया कि यद्यपि वह डाक्टर नहीं भी है फिर भी उसने pimples (मुहांसो), फुसियों और काटे जाने के कारण घावों का इलाज करना सीखा हुआ है।

उसने यह सब अपने बाप से सीखा है। वर्णनकर्ता चन्दू की स्कीम से सहमत हो गया। उसका नायक (hero) जो कुछ भी करता था वर्णनकर्ता उसकी बहुत प्रशंसा करता था। एक दिन चन्दू ने Dr. Kalan Khan जैसे कपड़े पहन लिए, पगड़ी भी पहन ली, एक सफेद रबड़ का कोट पहन लिया, पम्पशू भी पहने और अपने हाथ में चमड़े का बैग ले लिया। वह लोगों की Shave आदि करने के लिए अपने दौरे पर जा रहा था।

और वह वर्णनकर्ता को मिलने आया था। वर्णनकर्ता ने उसे कहा कि वह कमाल का लगता है। फिर वह जमींदार के घर की ओर चल दिया ताकि वह उसकी हजामत करे। वर्णनकर्ता भी उसके पीछे चल दिया। वह (चन्दू) जमींदार के घर की दहलीज तक पहुंचा। चन्दू डाक्टर की dress में बहुत अच्छा लगता था। जमींदार के लड़के देवी ने चन्दू की शानदार वेशभूषा देखकर तालिया बजाईं। उसके अनुसार वह मिशन स्कूल के पादरी साहिब की तरह लगता था।

Bijay Chand जमींदार अभी शौचालय से बाहर आ रहा था। उसने Chandu को सूअर का बच्चा कह कर पुकारा। उसे दुःख था कि चन्दू गाय की त्वचा से बना हुआ चमड़े का बैग लिए जा रहा था और वह किसी जानवर के मजे का बना कोट पहने हुआ था और काले जूते। उसने चन्दू को कहा कि वह उसके घर से बाहर निकल जाये क्योंकि वह उसके घर को प्रदूषित कर रहा था। चन्दू ने कहा कि वह डाक्टर की dress पहने हुए था।

उसने उसे कहा कि वह नाईयों को ठीक लगने वाले कपड़े पहना करे। Chandu वहां से वापस चला गया। उसका चेहरा लाल हो गया था क्योंकि उसका वर्णनकर्ता के सामने अपमान हो गया था। फिर वह जल्दी-जल्दी गांव के साहूकार Thanu Ram की दुकान पर गया। उसकी किरयाने की दुकान गली के कोने में थी।

जब वर्णनकर्ता साहूकार की दुकान पर पहुंचा, जमींदार का लड़का देवी रोने लग पड़ा क्योंकि उसके बाप ने Chandu के लिए बड़े सख्त शब्द प्रयोग किए थे। उसने चन्दू को बहुत गन्दे शब्दों के प्रयोग से उसको गालियां दी क्योंकि उसके अनुसार चन्दू ने हस्पताल के लोगों के गन्दे कपड़े पहने थे। उसने उसे कहा कि वह अपने कपड़े पहन कर आये। तब ही वह उसको अपने बाल काटने देगा।

चन्दू को बहुत गुस्सा आया। वह वर्णनकर्ता के पास से निकल गया। उसने महसूस किया कि चन्दू उससे घृणा करता था क्योंकि वह ऊंची जाति से था। वर्णनकर्ता ने ऊंची आवाज़ में कहा कि वह पंडित परमानन्द के पास जाए और कहे कि कपड़े गन्दे नहीं थे। पंडित परमानन्द ज़मींदार के घर से बाहर आया।

उसने बाहर आकर कहा कि गांव के लड़कों को शिक्षा ने खराब कर दिया था लेकिन नीची जाति के लड़के को ऐसे कपड़े पहनने का कोई अधिकार नहीं था। उसने तो गांव के लोगों की दाढ़ियां और सिरों को हाथ लगाना है। उसे उनको प्रदूषित नहीं करना चाहिए। चन्दू ने वह सब जो परमानन्द ने कहा था सुन लिया। वह वहां से दौड़ गया। वर्णनकर्ता की माता ने उसको बुलाया और उसे कहा कि उसके स्कूल जाने का समय हो गया है। इस लिए उसे कुछ खाकर स्कूल जाना चाहिए।

उसने उसको कहा कि वह Chandu के साथ मेलजोल न रखे क्योंकि वह निचली जाति से सम्बन्ध रखता है। लेकिन वर्णनकर्ता को चन्दू की दशा के बारे में बहुत चिन्ता थी। स्कूल से वापस लौटते समय वह चन्दू की झोपड़ी में गया, जहां पर चन्दू अपनी माता के साथ रहता था। . उसकी माता बड़े चिड़चिड़े स्वभाव की थी। निचली जाति की होने के कारण वह ऊंची जाति के लोगों को अच्छी तरह से समझती थी।

फिर भी वह वर्णनकर्ता को पसन्द करती थी। उसने वर्णनकर्ता से पूछा क्या वह अपने मित्र को मिलने आया था। उसने उसे यह भी कहा कि यदि उसकी माता को पता लग गया कि वह इस झोपड़ी में आया था तो वह उसको दोष देगी कि वह उसके प्यारे चेहरे पर बुरी नज़र डालती है। उसने वर्णनकर्ता को पूछा कि क्या वह उतना ही मासूम है जितना वह दिखाई देता है या अपनी जाति के दूसरे लोगों की तरह बगुलाभक्त है।

वर्णनकर्ता जानना चाहता था कि चन्दू कहां है उसकी माता को नहीं पता था कि वह कहां है। उसने कहा कि चन्दू ने सड़क के पास बैठे हुए कुछ लोगों की Shave करके कुछ पैसे कमाये थे। उसने यह भी कहा कि Chandu के कुछ विचित्र विचार थे।

वर्णनकर्ता ने चन्दू के विचारों का समर्थन किया। Chandu ने कमाए हुए पैसों से साईकल खरीद लिया। उसने साईकल पर सवार होना भी सीखने की कोशिश की। Chandu cycle पर बैठ गया और वर्णनकर्ता ने पिछली तरफ से धकेलना शुरू कर दिया। चन्दू अपना सन्तुलन न रख सका और वह cycle से दूसरी साईड पर गिर गया और साथ ही उसका साईकल भी गिर गया।

साहूकार की दुकान से हंसी के ठहाके आने लगे। फिर साहूकार ने Chandu को गालियां दे कर कहा कि वह उल्लू का पट्ठा है। उसने फिर कहा कि उसके होश ठिकाने तब ही आयेंगे जब वह अपनी हड्डियां तोड़ लेगा। Chandu का सिर शर्म से झुक गया। उसने वर्णनकर्ता को कहा कि वह निकम्मा है।

वर्णनकर्ता ने सोचा कि Chandu उसको गर्दन से पकड़ लेगा और उसकी खूब पिटाई करेगा। Chandu ने हिम्मत नहीं हारी। उसने cycle पर फिर सवारी करने का फैसला कर लिया। वर्णनकर्ता ने चन्दू को कहा कि वह अब की बार साईकल को मज़बूती से पकड़ेगा। जमींदार ने कहा कि Chandu साईकल से गिरकर अपनी हड्डियां तोड़ लेगा। Chandu ने वर्णनकर्ता को कहा कि उसको कोई परवाह नहीं है।

Chandu ने फिर साईकल पर सवारी करने की कोशिश की। Sahukar की दुकान में बैठा जनसमूह बड़ी रुचि से देख रहा था। वर्णनकर्ता ने सोचा कि Chandu फिर से गिर जायेगा और उसको कष्ट होगा। Chandu के पांव अच्छी तरह पैडलों पर जम गए और वह आसानी से साईकल चलाता गया।

वर्णनकर्ता साईकल के पीछे भागता गया। अगले दिन वर्णनकर्ता Chandu को नहीं मिला। एक दो दिन वर्णनकर्ता Chandu से मिल नहीं सका। लेकिन तीसरे दिन Chandu ने वर्णनकर्ता को कुछ आदमी साहूकार के गिर्द बैठे हुए दिखाये। उसने वर्णनकर्ता को गांव वालों के चेहरे दिखाए जिनकी दाढ़ियां साफ-सुथरी नहीं थीं। वे सब गंदे नज़र आ रहे थे।

Chandu ने वर्णनकर्ता को कहा कि वह उस दुकान के पास दौड़ कर निकल जाये और वृद्धों को ऊदबिलाव कह कर पुकारे। वर्णनकर्ता ने वैसे ही किया। जो किसान दुकानों में बैठे थे वे हंसने लगे। Sahukar चिल्लाया कि वर्णनकर्ता को पकड़ना चाहिए। वे कहने लगे कि वह ऊंची जाति का लड़का था जो Chandu के साथ है।

नाई लड़के की हड़ताल के बारे अफवाह फैल गई। गंदी दाढ़ियों के बारे तरह-तरह के मज़ाक लोगों को सुनने में मिलने लगे। ज़मींदार की पत्नी ने धमकी दी कि वह किसी के साथ भाग जायेगी क्योंकि वह अपने पति से 20 साल कम आयु की थी। उसने तब तक उसको सहन किया था जब तक वह साफ-सुथरा था।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union

लेकिन अब उसको घृणा या विरक्ति हो गई थी क्योंकि उसकी शक्ल गंदी लगती थी। तब गांव वालों ने Verka से एक नाई लाने के बारे में सोचा। Chandu ने दुकान खोल ली। नाईयों का Union बना लिया गया। इस तरह उस ने गांव वालों को दुकानों पर आने पर विवश कर दिया। Barbers के Union को नया नाम दे गिया गया।

Word Meanings:

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union 1
PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 5 The Barber's Trade Union 2

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How does the author describe the shop owned by Datta ? (V.Imp.)
लेखक ने Datta की दुकान का कैसे वर्णन किया है ?
Answer:
The name of Datta’s shop was The Modern Frame Works. But there was no modernity about the structure of the shop. It was actually a very large wooden box fixed on shaky legs. It was tucked in a gap between a medical store and a radio repair shop.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

The walls of the shop were covered by pictures of gods, saints, hockey players, children, national leaders and wedding couples. There were cheap prints of the Mona Lisa, Urdu handwriting sheets and the Japanese volcano Fujiyama. The shop was actually a centre of Datta’s activities.

Datta की दुकान का नाम था ‘The Modern Frame Works’. लेकिन दुकान की बनावट के बारे कोई आधुनिकता नहीं थी। यह वास्तव में एक लकड़ी का बड़ा बक्सा था। (लकड़ी का Kiosk या खोखा था) यह एक दवाईयों की दुकान और एक रेडियो मुरम्मत की दुकान के बीच खाली जगह में खड़ी कर दी दुकान की दीवारों पर देवताओं, सन्तों, हॉकी के खिलाड़ियों, बच्चों, राष्ट्रीय नेताओं और विवाहित जोड़ों की तस्वीरें लगी हुई थी। वहां Mona Lisa, Urdu के सुलेख और जापानी ज्वालामुखी Fujiyama के सस्ते चित्र थे। यह दुकान वास्तव में Datta की गतिविधियों का केन्द्र थी।

Question 2.
What had Datta learnt by his experience ? How was his new customer different from the old ones?
Datta ने अपने अनुभव से क्या सीखा था ? उसका नया ग्राहक उसके अन्य ग्राहकों से कैसे भिन्न था ?
Answer:
Datta had a long experience with his customers. They used to come to him for getting the frames of photos to be made. From his experience Datta knew that his customers never came punctually to carry the frame. Some came days in advance and returned disappointed or they came months later.

Some of the customers never turned up at all. The new customer was eager to have the frame made by Datta. He came to enquire : if it was ready four days before the due date. He wanted to know if it would be attachment to the photograph. He knew that there would be trouble if he did not deliver the frame on the promised date.

Datta का अपने ग्राहकों के साथ लम्बा अनुभव था। वे उसके पास अपने फोटोग्राफों पर फ्रेम लगाने के लिए दे जाया करते थे। अपने अनुभव से दत्ता जानता था कि उसके ग्राहक समय पर अपने फ्रेम लेने नहीं लेट आया करते थे। कई ग्राहक तो कभी भी नहीं आते थे। नया ग्राहक दत्ता द्वारा अपना फ्रेम बनवाने के लिए काफी उत्सुक था।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

वह यह पूछने देय तारीख से चार दिन पहले आ टपका कि क्या उसका फ्रेम तैयार था। वह जानना चाहता था क्या यह मंगलवार तक तैयार होगा। दत्ता समझता था कि नये ग्राहक को फोटो से बड़ी जबरदस्त आसक्ति थी। वह जानता था कि यदि उसने फ्रेम वायदा की गई तारीख को न दिया तो लफड़ा होगा।

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What impression do you form about Datta, the frame-maker ?
चौखटा बनाने वाले दत्ता के बारे तुम्हारी क्या राये है ?
Answer:
Datta was a frame-maker by profession. He was the owner of The Modern Frame Works. It was a modest shop. It was like a large wooden-box. It was between a medical store and a radio repair shop. Datta did not give the impression of being healthy or stout.

He had a curved figure. He used to sit in his shop. There was hardly any space for the customer to sit there. He sat working on frames for the whole day. He was a silent, hard-working man. He gave brief answers to the questions his customers asked.

He did not allow casual fuends to disturb him in his work. He was always seen sitting and doing his work. He had many things lying around him related with his profession. He had to stand up from time to time to look for a lost piece of wood, a pencil or a glass cutter. The walls of his shop were covered with pictures of actors, sportsmen, gods, national leaders, wedding couples. He used to get several orders from customers for frame-making.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

So he understood the psychology of his customers. He knew how to satisfy them. Some customers were eager to have their order to be carried out in time. Others did not bother. They never came back even once to see if their order for frame-making had been carried out.

Datta was a very diligent and honest worker. He did not deceive anyone. He did not give inferior things to his customers. When he lost the photograph of the customer’s grandfather in the story, he was much worried. He tried to satisfy him by giving him a square mount instead of an oval cut mount ordered by the customer.

व्यवसाय से दत्ता चौखटा बनाने वाला था। वह The Modern Frame Works का मालिक था। यह एक साधारण सी दुकान थी। दुकान एक लकड़ी के बड़े बक्से की तरह थी। यह दुकान एक मेडीकल स्टोर और रेडियो मरम्मत करने वाली दुकान के बीच थी। Datta स्वस्थ और हृष्ट पुष्ट नहीं दिखता था। उसका शरीर अन्दर की ओर मुढ़ा हुआ था।

वह अपनी दुकान में बैठा करता था। ग्राहक के लिए वहां बैठने की कोई जगह नहीं थी। वह सारा दिन फ्रेमों पर काम करता रहता था। वह खामोश रहने वाला परिश्रमी व्यक्ति था। अपने ग्राहकों द्वारा प्रश्नों का वह संक्षिप्त से उत्तर देता था। वह अपने अनियमित मित्रों को अपने काम को अस्त-व्यस्त करने की आज्ञा नहीं देता था। वह सदा अपनी दुकान में बैठा हुआ काम करता दिखाई देता था।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

उसकी दुकान में उसके पेशे से सम्बन्धित कई चीजें पड़ी दिखाई देती थीं। उसे कभी-कभी काम छोड़ कर किसी खोई हुई चीज़ जैसे लकड़ी का टुकड़ा, पैंसिल या शीशा काटने वाला यंत्र ढूंढ़ने के लिए खड़े होना पड़ता था। उसकी दुकान की दीवारें अभिनेताओं, खिलाड़ियों, देवताओं, राष्ट्रीय नेताओं, विवाहित जोड़ों के चित्रों से भरी हुई थीं। उसको फ्रेम बनाने के ग्राहकों द्वारा कई आर्डर दिए जाते थे। इसलिए वह अपने ग्राहकों के मनोविज्ञान को जानता था। वह उनको सन्तुष्ट करना जानता था। कुछ ग्राहक अपने आर्डर को समय पर पूरा करवाने को उत्सुक होते थे।

अन्य परवाह नहीं करते थे। वे एक बार भी पूछने नहीं आते थे कि क्या उनका फ्रेम बनवाने का आर्डर पूरा हो गया था। दत्ता बहुत मेहनती और ईमानदारी कारीगर था। वह किसी को धोखा नहीं देता था। वह अपने ग्राहकों को घटिया चीजें नहीं देता था। जब उसने अपने ग्राहक के दादा की फोटो को गम कर दिया, तो वह बहुत चिन्तित हो गया। उसके ग्राहक ने उसको अंडाकार फ्रेम चढ़ाने का आर्डर दिया था लेकिन उसने उसको वर्गाकार फ्रेम चढ़ाकर सन्तुष्ट करने की कोशिश की।

Question 2.
Datta found a solution to his problem. Did it really work for him ? Justify your answer.
‘Datta ने अपनी समस्या का हल ढूंढ लिया। क्या वह इसमें सचमुच सफल हुआ ? अपने उत्तर को ठीक सिद्ध करें।
Answer:
Datta had to deliver the frame to the new customer. Unluckily he ruined the photograph by dropping paint on it and later on rubbing it hard with cloth. He decided to find a similar photograph and frame it. He feared that the customer

might discover that it was a fake photograph. So he got a photograph from the box which looked like the old man’s double. He looked resplendent in his gold frame. He forgot that he was taking one of the greatest risks any frame-maker took.

He became bold enough to challenge the customer. If his faking was discovered, he was ready to reject the issue of faking if the new customer said so. The customer came and asked Datta if the frame was ready.

At this very time the customer uttered some flattering words to Datta for his promptness. He spread his arms widely with enthusiasm. Datta however took some time in removing the wrapper from the frame. He finally revealed the glittering frame and held it towards the customer. The customer seemed very much impressed by its beauty.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Datta wondered if the customer would discover the trick he had played on him. He told Datta angrily that he had asked for a cut mount with an oval shape but he had given him a square one. Datta had already prepared himself for such a situation.

The situation was open-ended. The customer would have discovered even the person in the photo was a fake one. The needle of suspicion on Datta’s integrity would be there. So his justification was still far away.

Datta ने नए ग्राहक को फ्रेम देना था। दुर्भाग्यवश उसने फोटो पर पेंट डाल कर और बाद में उसने इस को कपड़े से रगड़ कर खराब कर दिया। उसने निर्णय किया कि वह एक वैसा ही फोटो ढूंढकर उस पर फ्रेम चढ़ा देगा। उसको डर था कि कहीं ग्राहक को पता न लग जाये कि यह नकली फोटो है। इसलिए उसने अपनी दुकान में पड़े एक बक्से में से एक फोटो निकाला जो ग्राहक के दादा की शक्ल से मिलताजुलता था।

वह gold frame में बहुत समुजवल लगता था। वह यह भूल गया कि वह एक ऐसा जोखिम ले रहा था जो आज तक किसी चौखटा बनाने वाले ने लिया हो। वह ग्राहक का सामना करने के लिए पर्याप्त रूप से साहसी बन गया। यदि उसकी जालसाजी पकड़ी गई तो वह नए ग्राहक द्वारा कही गई जालसाजी की बात को रद्द कर देगा।

ग्राहक आया और उसने पूछा क्या फ्रेम तैयार था। ग्राहक ने इसी समय चापलूसी के कुछ शब्द दत्ता को उसकी तत्परता के लिए कहे। उसने उत्साह में अपनी बाहें फैला दीं। लेकिन दत्ता ने चौखटे पर से आवरण हटाने में कुछ समय लिया। Datta ने अन्त में चमकते हुए फ्रेम को दिखला दिया और इसे उसके सामने कर दिया। ग्राहक इस की सुन्दरता से बहुत प्रभावित हो गया।

परन्तु फिर उसने दत्ता को क्रोध भरे शब्दों में कहा कि उसने अण्डाकार फोटो फ्रेम चढ़ाने के लिए कहा था लेकिन उसने उसे वर्गाकार करके चढ़ा दिया है। दत्ता ने पहले ही स्वयम् को इस स्थिति के लिए तैयार कर रखा था। यह एक खुली स्थिति थी। ग्राहक को इस बात का भी पता चल सकता था कि फोटो भी और किसी की थी। Datta की ईमानदारी के ऊपर शक की सुई ज़रूर संकेत करती है। इसलिए दत्ता का अपने आप को ठीक सिद्ध कर लेना दूर की बात है।

Objective Type Questions

This question will consist of 3 objective type questions carrying one mark each. These objective questions will include questions to be answered in one word to one sentence or fill in the blank or true/false or multiple choice type questions.

Question 1.
Where was the shop ‘The Modern Frame Works’ situated ?
Answer:
It was situated in an empty space between a medical store and a radio repair shop.

Question 2.
Who was the owner of ‘The Modern Frame Works’ ?
Answer:
Datta was its owner

Question 3.
What were the walls of this shop covered with ?
Answer:
They were covered with pictures of gods, saints, hockey players, children, cheap prints of the Mona Lisa, National Leaders, wedding couples, Urdu handwriting sheets, the snow-clad volcano, Fujiyama etc.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Question 4.
What did the customer want ?
Answer:
The customer wanted a photograph of his grandfather to be framed.

Question 5.
What types of frames did Datta show to the customer ?
Answer:
Datta showed the customer a number of samples : plain, decorative, floral, geometrical, thin, hefty and so forth.

Question 6.
What did Datta do to help the customer to make his choice ?
Answer:
Datta recommended one frame with a number of gold leaves and winding creepers, imported from Germany.

Question 7.
What price did Datta quote for the frame selected by his customer ?
Answer:
The price quoted was rupees seventeen.

Question 8.
What was Datta’s experience about his customers ?
Answer:
His experience was that his customers never came punctually to collect their photoframes.

Question 9.
For whom did Datta make frames ?
Answer:
Datta made frames for those who wanted to show or pay their homage to the person in the picture.

Question 10.
How did the photograph get damaged ? (V.V. Imp.)
Answer:
First a tin of paint emptied on the photograph and later efforts to clean the paint damaged the photograph.

Question 11.
How did Datta try to rescue the picture ?
Answer:
Datta rubbed the fallen paint on the picture very hard and made a mess of it.

Question 12.
What solution did Datta finally come up with?
Answer:
He thought of putting the old man’s double in a golden frame to pass it on to his customer.

Question 13.
Why were the days that followed were filled with suspense and anxiety?
Answer:
They were filled with suspense and anxiety because Datta feared that the customer would catch him at an odd moment.

Question 14.
What effect did the picture have on the customer?
Answer:
The customer was struck by the beauty of the frame and became mum.

Question 15.
What was the customer’s complaint regarding the frame ?
Answer:
He complained that the frame-maker had given him a square frame instead of the oval shape ordered by him.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Question 16.
The Modern Frame Works was one of these : (Choose the correct name) a shop, a workshop, a factory.
Answer:
a shop.

Question 17.
The name of the shop was :
(i) The Ancient Frame Works
(ii) The Lovely Frame Works
(iii) The Modern Frame Works.
Answer:
(iii) The Modern Frame Works.

Question 18.
A large wooden packing case was placed on ………….. legs to make it look like a shop. Fill up the blank with the correct option : (strong, weak, shaky)
Answer:
shaky.

Question 19.
How did the frame-maker sit in his shop ?
Answer:
He sat hunched up.

Question 20.
Datta, the frame-maker did not have a ……….. body. (weak/strong)
Answer:
strong.

Question 21.
The frame-maker wore one of these glasses :
(i) Spectacles
(ii) Silver-rimmed glasses
(iii) Goggles.
Answer:
(ii) Silver-rimmed glasses.

Question 22.
List three things by which the frame-maker used to be surrounded.
Answer:
Card-board pieces, sheets, boxes of wood.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Question 23.
What happened to Datta’s shop when he shook his dhoti to get some of the lost things?
Answer:
His whole shop shook.

The Gold Frame Summary in English

The Gold Frame Introduction:

This story has been written by R.K.Laxman who was India’s greatest cartoonist. He was well-known for his creation The Common Man’. The story is about a picture frame maker Datta. He was a silent and hard-working man. One day a customer came to his shop.

He wanted a frame for a photograph he had brought with him. It was a photograph of his late grandfather. The customer wanted the best frame for the photograph. Datta promised to keep it ready in two weeks. But by mistake the picture got damaged.

He found some other picture of a similar looking man. The customer failed to know that it was not the picture of his grandfather. His only complaint was that the picture was not framed according to his order.

The Gold Frame Summary in English:

The Modern Frame Works was the name of a shop. It was not a shop made of bricks and cement and wood. It was a very large wooden packing case. It was placed on shaky legs. It was fixed in an empty space between a medical store and a radio repair shop.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

Datta was its owner. He did not have a strong body. He wore silver-rimmed glasses. He had the complexion of seasoned timber. Datta was a silent, hard-working man. He gave very brief answers to his customers. He did not encourage casual friends to come to his shop. He was always seen sitting hunched

up. He was surrounded by cardboard pieces, bits of wood, glass sheets, boxes of nails, glue bottles, paint-tins and other things needed for putting a picture in a frame. In this mixture of things a glass cutter or a pencil, a tub was often lost. Then he looked for his missing things impatiently.

Many times he had to stand up and shake his dhoti to get the lost thing. This operation shook his whole shop. The pictures on the walls gently went on swinging.

Every inch of space in the shop was covered by a picture. Several odd things were lying in his shop. One day a customer standing outside the shop told Datta that he wanted a picture framed. Datta just ignored him and went on driving screws into the sides of a frame.

He wanted a good job to be done without bothering about its cost. The customer placed before Datta a photograph of an old man. It was a good bright photograph.

Datta remained bent over his work. He asked the customer what kind of frame he would want for the photograph. The customer wanted the best kind of frame. Datta then saw the photograph. He was an elderly person of those days. It was the standard portrait of a grandfather.

At least half a dozen people came to him every month bringing similar portraits. They wanted to show their respect to the person in the picture in the shape of a glittering frame.

The customer began to describe the qualities of the man in the picture. He said that he was kind, noble, charitable. If there had been a few more persons like him, it would have been a different place. Of course, there are some wicked people who are out to disagree with him. The customer says that his grandfather is God in his home. Datta then asked the customer what kind of frame he wanted. The customer said that he wanted the best.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

He said that he did not have inferior stuff in his shop. He was shown a number of samples. The customer was puzzled by seeing so many varieties of frames. He did not want a cheap frame for his grandfather’s portrait. Datta recommended a frame with a number of gold leaves and winding creepers. He also told the customer that this frame was imported from Germany.

The customer felt impressed. Datta asked the customer if he wanted a plain mount or a cut mount. The customer felt puzzled. He had no answer. Datta told him that a cut mount would look better. He said that the total expense would be seventeen rupees.

The customer tried to bargain. Datta did not reply to the customer and returned to his corner. The customer then asked Datta when it would be ready. He said that it would be ready within two weeks from the day.

Datta knew from his experience that his customers did not come punctually. They came days in advance and went away disappointed or they came months later and some never turned up at all. So he made frames for those who came to him and visited him at least twice before he actually executed their orders.

Ten days later the customer came and enquired if the picture had been framed. Datta merely nodded his head. He wanted to know if the frame would be ready by Tuesday. Datta decided to get the frame ready. Next morning he made that his first job. Then he looked for the pencil to mark the measurements. As usual the picture was missing. He felt angry. Then he stood up to shake up the folds of his dhoti. But still he could not get the picture.

He upset the tin containing enamel paint and it landed right on the sacred photograph of the old man emptying its contents on it. Datta felt very much upset. Then the glasses of his spectacles clouded with perspiration and screened his vision.

He wanted to save the picture but he made a worse mess of it. He rubbed the picture so hard with a cloth. The old man’s face was nearly gone. He was feeling absolutely hopeless. He could not make out what answer he would give to his customer when he came to ask for the frame.

He had no way to tackle the problem: The gods in pictures on the walls seemed to tell him that he should pray. He stared at the gods. Datta looked at a photograph on the wall of his shop. He looked at so many photographs lying in the wooden box. He worked very hard at finding the old man’s substitute. After a couple of hours work, he proudly surveyed the old man’s double.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

He thought of taking a similar photograph. He feared that his customer might challenge him to say that it was a fake photograph of his grandfather. In that case, he thought of telling the customer that he had brought that picture for framing. He could take it or leave it. The days that followed were filled with anxiety and suspense.

The customer turned up after a few days later and asked Datta if his picture frame was ready. Datta gave the framed photograph to the customer. The customer was very much impressed by the beauty of the frame. The frame-maker was afraid and nervous.

He feared that the customer would come to know that somebody else’s photo had been framed. The customer told the frame-maker that he had asked for a cut mount with an oval shape. But he had given him the frame with a square look. Obviously it had not been according to his order.

The Gold Frame Summary in Hindi

The Gold Frame Introduction:

यह कहानी R.K.Laxman ने लिखी है जो कि भारत का सबसे बड़ा Cartoonist (व्यंग्य चित्रकार) था। वह अपनी रचना ‘The Common Man’ के नाम से बहुत जाना जाता था। यह कहानी एक फोटो के चौखटा बनाने वाले के बारे है जिसका नाम दत्ता था। वह एक खामोश और परिश्रमी व्यक्ति था।

एक दिन एक ग्राहक उसकी दुकान पर आया। वह अपने साथ एक फोटोग्राफ लाया और उसके लिए उसे एक चौखटा चाहिये था। यह फोटो उसके स्वर्गीय दादा जी की थी। ग्राहक को उस फोटो के लिए बेहतरीन चौखटा (frame) चाहिये था। दत्ता ने वादा किया वह इस फ्रेम (चौखटा) को दो हफ्तों में तैयार कर देगा।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

लेकिन गल्ती से चित्र क्षतिग्रस्त हो गया। उसको इस फोटोग्राफ से मिलता-जुलता एक और फोटोग्राफ मिल गया। ग्राहक को यह पता न लग सका कि यह उसके दादा जी का फोटोग्राफ नहीं था। उसको केवल यही शिकायत थी कि चौखटा उसके आर्डर के अनुकूल नहीं बनाया गया था।

The Gold Frame Summary in Hindi:

The Modern Frame Works एक दुकान का नाम था। यह दुकान ईटों और सीमेन्ट और लकड़ी की नहीं बनी हुई थी। यह एक बहुत बड़ी लकड़ी की पेटी या बक्सा था। यह अस्थिर या हिलने-जुलने वाले पायों पर खड़ी थी। इसको एक खाली स्थान में एक Medical store और एक रेडियो मुरम्मत करने वाली दुकान के मध्य में जमा दिया गया था या अचल कर दिया था। Datta इसका मालिक था। उसका शरीर कोई मज़बूत नहीं था।

वह चाँदी के फ्रेम वाला चश्मा पहनता था। उसका रंग पूर्णरूप से तैयार सिझायी की गई लकड़ी की तरह था। . Datta एक खामोश और परिश्रमी व्यक्ति था। वह अपने ग्राहकों को बड़े संक्षिप्त उत्तर दिया करता था।

वह आकस्मिक मित्रों को अपनी दुकान पर नहीं आने दिया करता था। वह सदा झुके हुए बैठा देखा जा सकता था। उसके इर्द-गिर्द गत्ते के टुकड़े, लकड़ी के टुकड़े, शीशे की शीटें (चादरें), कीलों के डिब्बे, चिपकाने वाली गोंद की बोतलें, पेंट के डिब्बे और अन्य छोटी-2 चीजें पड़ी रहती थीं। ये सब चीजें picture को frame (चौखटा) में लगाने के लिए आवश्यक थीं। इन चीजों के मिले-जुले होने के कारण glass काटने वाला यन्त्र या एक पैंसिल

का टुकड़ा प्रायः खो जाया करता था। फिर वह अपनी गुमशुदा चीज़ों को बड़ी बेसब्री से ढूंढता था। कई बार उसको खड़े हो कर अपनी धोती को हिलाना पड़ता था ताकि उसको खोई चीज़ मिल सके। इस प्रक्रिया से उसकी सारी दुकान हिल जाया करती थी। दीवार पर टंगी हुई या लगी हुई तस्वीरें बड़ी नर्मी से झूलती थीं।

दुकान का हर इंच स्थान तस्वीर से ढका रहता था। कई अजीब चीजें उसकी दुकान में पड़ी होती थीं। एक दिन दुकान के बाहर खड़े एक ग्राहक ने Datta को बताया कि उसको एक फोटोग्राफ़ पर एक चौखटा चढ़वाना था। Datta ने उसकी ओर ध्यान नहीं दिया और वह एक चौखटा की side में पेंच लगाता रहा।

ग्राहक चाहता था कि वह कीमत की परवाह न करते हुए चौखटे पर अच्छा काम करे। उसने दत्ता के सामने एक बूढ़े व्यक्ति का फोटो रख दिया। यह फोटोग्राफ़ अच्छा और चमकीला था। दत्ता अपने काम पर झुका रहा। उसने ग्राहक को पूछा कि उसको किस प्रकार का फोटो फ्रेम चाहिये। ग्राहक ने कहा कि उसे सबसे बढ़िया फोटो फ्रेम चाहिये।

Datta ने फिर फोटोग्राफ़ देखा। फोटोग्राफ़ का व्यक्ति उन दिनों का बुजुर्ग व्यक्ति था। यह एक दादा का आदर्श फोटोग्राफ़ था। कम से कम आधा दर्जन लोग उसके पास हर रोज़ आते थे और अपने साथ ऐसे ही फोटोग्राफ़ लाते थे। वे चित्र में व्यक्ति के लिए अपना आदर दिखाना चाहते थे और उसके फोटो को एक चमकदार फ्रेम में रखना चाहते थे।

ग्राहक ने फोटोग्राफ़ वाले व्यक्ति के गुणों का बखान करना. आरम्भ कर दिया। उसने कहा कि वह दयालु, भला और उदार था। यदि उस जैसे और व्यक्ति होते, तो संसार भी और तरह का होता। निस्संदेह कुछ बुरे आदमी भी हैं जो उसके साथ सहमत न होंगे। ग्राहक तो यह भी कहता है कि उसके दादा उसके घर में परमात्मा के समान हैं। दत्ता फिर ग्राहक को पूछता है कि उसको किस प्रकार का फ्रेम चाहिए। ग्राहक ने कहा कि उसको सर्वोत्तम फ्रेम चाहिये।

फ्रेम मेकर (Datta) ने कहा कि उसकी दुकान में घटिया माल नहीं है। उसने उसको कई नमूने दिखाये। ग्राहक अपने दादा के लिए कोई सस्ता फ्रेम नहीं चाहता था। Datta ने एक ऐसे फ्रेम की सिफ़ारिश की जिस पर काफी संख्या में सोने के पत्ते थे और ऊपर को जाती हुई बेले थीं। Datta ने ग्राहक को बताया कि यह फ्रेम Germany से मंगवाया गया था।

ग्राहक प्रभावित हो गया। Datta ने ग्राहक से पूछा कि उसे साधारण बनावट या सजावटी बनावट वाला चाहिए। ग्राहक उलझन में था। उसके पास उत्तर नहीं था। Datta ने उसे बताया कि सजावटी बनावट वाला अधिक बढ़िया लगेगा। उसके कहा कि कुल खर्च 14 रुपये होगा। ग्राहक ने सौदेबाजी करने की कोशिश की।

Datta ने ग्राहक को जवाब नहीं दिया और अपने कोने में वापिस लौट गया। तब ग्राहक ने Datta से पूछा कि यह कब तक तैयार होगा। उसने कहा कि यह उस दिन से लेकर दो सप्ताह में तैयार हो जायेगा। Datta अपने अनुभव से जानता था कि उसके ग्राहक फोटो फ्रेम के लिए समय पर नहीं आया करते थे। वे कई दिन पहले आ जाते थे और निराश हो कर चले जाते थे या कई महीनों देर से आया करते थे और कई ग्राहक कभी भी नहीं आते थे।

इसलिए वह फ्रेम उसके लिए बनाता था जो उसके पास कम से कम दो बार उनके order को अमल में लाने से पहले आ जाते थे। दस दिन के बाद ग्राहक आया और उसने Datta से पूछा क्या चित्र को फ्रेम में लगा दिया गया था।

Datta ने केवल अपना सिर हिलाया। वह जानना चाहता था कि फ्रेम मंगलवार तक मिल जायेगा। Datta ने फ्रेम तैयार करने का निर्णय किया। अगली प्रातः उसने उस काम को करना चाहा। फिर उसने पैंसिल को ढूंढना शुरु किया ताकि वह माप ले सके। Pencil गुम थी। उसे क्रोध आ गया।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame

फिर वह खड़ा हो गया और उसने अपनी धोती की तहों को हिलाया। लेकिन फिर भी उसको फोटो नहीं मिली। उसने enamel पेंट से भरे हुए डिब्बे को उलट दिया और यह पेंट उस बूढ़े के पवित्र फोटोग्राफ पर जा गिरा। तब Datta घबराकर अशान्त हो गया। फिर उसके चश्मे के शीशे पसीने के कारण मद्धम हो गये और उसकी नज़र पर बादल की तरह दिखने लगे।

Word Meanings:

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame 1
PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 4 The Gold Frame 2

 

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Ramlal was not worried about his children except Bholi. Why? (Feb. 2017)
रामलाल को भोली के सिवा किसी और बच्चे की चिन्ता नहीं थी। क्यों ?
Answer:
Ramlal had seven children. They were three sons and four daughters. Bholi was the youngest of the four. Ramlal was a prosperous farmer. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong. The sons had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges.

The eldest daughter Radha had already been married. The second daughter Mangla’s marriage had also been settled. After Mangla’s marriage, he would think of the third Champa. They were good-looking and healthy girls. It was not difficult to find bridegrooms for them. But Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She was neither good-looking nor intelligent. He felt that it would be very difficult to find a bridegroom for Bholi.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

रामलाल के सात बच्चे थे। वे थे तीन बेटे और चार बेटियां। भोली चारों बेटियों में से सबसे छोटी थी। रामलाल एक समृद्ध किसान था। भोली के सिवा सब बच्चे स्वस्थ और हष्ट-पुष्ट थे। लड़कों को शहर भेज दिया गया ताकि पहले वे स्कूल में पढ़ें और फिर कॉलिज में। सबसे बड़ी लड़की राधा की पहले ही शादी हो चुकी थी।

दूसरी लड़की मंगला की शादी भी तय हो चुकी थी। मंगला की शादी के बाद, वह तीसरी बेटी चम्पा के बारे विचार करेगा। वे सुन्दर और स्वस्थ लड़कियाँ थीं। उनके लिए दूल्हे ढूंढ लेना कोई मुश्किल नहीं था। परन्तु रामलाल को भोली के बारे बहुत चिन्ता थी। उसने महसूस किया कि भोली के लिए दूल्हा ढूंढ़ लेना बहुत कठिन होगा।

Question 2.
Write in brief a character-sketch of Bholi’s teacher. (V. Imp.) (Feb. 2017)
संक्षेप में भोली की अध्यापिका का चरित्र-चित्रण करें।
Answer:
Bholi’s teacher was a kind lady. She asked Bholi her name. Being a stammerer Bholi said BHO…BHO…BHO. She could not go further than Bho. The school bell rang. Her teacher again called her in a very soothing voice. The kind teacher asked Bholi her name again. For the sake of this kind teacher she decided to make an effort. Bholi knew that she would not laugh at her.

She began to stammer. The teacher encouraged her. She asked Bholi to tell her. full name. At last with the teacher’s sympathetic encouragement, she was able to say her name. She was an ideal teacher.

भोली की टीचर एक दयालु महिला थी। उसने Bholi को उसका नाम पूछा। एक हकलाने वाली होने के नाते Bholi ने Bho…Bho…Bho रुककर कहा। वह Bho कहने के बाद आगे न जा सकी। स्कूल की घंटी बजी। टीचर ने फिर भोली को बुलाया। उसने सन्तोष देने वाली आवाज़ में उसको बुलाया। दयालु टीचर ने भोली को फिर उसका नाम पूछा।

दयालु टीचर की खातिर भोली ने प्रयत्न करने की कोशिश की। भोली जानती थी कि वह उस पर नहीं हंसेगी। टीचर उसको हिम्मत देती थी। टीचर भोली की हिम्मत बढ़ाती थी। यह वह टीचर थी जिसने भोली को आत्मनिर्भर, विश्वस्त और दलेर बनने के लिए तैयार किया जोकि पहले एक गूंगी गाय थी।

वह अपना नाम साफ-2 बोलने में सक्षम हो गई। उसने एक लालची, कमीने, कायर और घृणा योग्य पति के साथ शादी करने से इन्कार कर दिया। उसने उसी स्कूल में टीचर बन कर पढ़ाने का मन बना लिया। उसने इस टीचर से बहुत कुछ सीखा था। वह भी लड़कियों में जागृति पैदा करेगी।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Question 3.
Write in brief a character-sketch of Bishamber.
संक्षेप में बिशम्बर का चरित्र-चित्रण करें।
Answer:
Bishamber was a greedy man. His greed came to be known to Bholi on their wedding day. He had to garland Bholi in the marriage mandap. He sair pockmarks on her face. He asked his friend if he had seen pock-marks on her face.

His friend told him that he was not young either. But he said that Bholi’s father must give him five thousand rupees. Ramlal had to give him the demanded amount. Bishamber felt victorious. Bholi refused to marry such a greedy man. Bishamber had to go back with his marriage party.

बिशम्बर लालची आदमी था। भोली को बिशम्बर के लालच का ज्ञान उनकी शादी के दिन ही पता चल गया। उसको शादी के मंडप में भोली को हार पहनाना था। उसने उसके चेहरे पर चेचक के धब्बे देख लिये। उसने अपने मित्र को पूछा क्या उसने भोली के चेहरे पर चेचक के धब्बे देखे थे।

उसके मित्र ने उसको उत्तर दिया कि वह भी तो नौजवान नहीं था। लेकिन उसने कहा कि भोली के पिता को उसे 5 हज़ार रुपये अवश्य देने चाहिए। रामलाल को उसे मांगी गई धन-राशि देनी पड़ी। बिशम्बर ने अपने आपको विजयी समझा। भोली ने ऐसे लालची आदमी से शादी करने से इन्कार कर दिया। बिशम्बर को अपनी बारात के साथ वापस लौटना पड़ा।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe, in brief, the early childhood of Bholi.
संक्षेप में Bholi के बचपन के प्रारम्भिक दिनों का वर्णन करे।
Answer:
Her real name was Sulekha. But since her childhood everyone had been calling her Bholi, the simpleton. She was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head. This had damaged some part of her brain. She became a mentally retarded child. So she was called Bholi, the simpleton.

At birth, she was very pretty and fair. At the age of two, she had an attack of smallpox. Her eyes were safe but her entire body got permanently disfigured by deep black pock marks. She could not speak till she was five. Then she used to stammer. The other children often made fun of her. So she talked very little. She was one of the seven siblings.

She had three sisters and three brothers. Her brothers had gone to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Her sisters were healthy and good-looking. Bholi was neither good-looking nor intelligent.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

उसका असली नाम सुलेखा था। लेकिन उसके बचपन से ही सब उसको भोली कह कर बुलाते थे, भोली बुद्ध। वह नम्बरदार रामलाल की चौथी बेटी थी। जब वह दस महीने की हुई तो वह अपनी चारपाई से अपने सिर के बल गिर गई। इसने उसके दिमाग के किसी भाग में क्षति पहुँचाई थी। वह दिमागी तौर पर एक पिछड़ा हुआ बच्चा बन गई।

इस लिए उसको बुद्ध Bholi कहकर पुकारा जाने लगा। अपने जन्म के समय वह बहुत गोरी-चिट्टी थी। दो साल की आयु में उसे चेचक का आक्रमण हो गया। उसकी आँखें तो सुरक्षित रहीं लेकिन सारा शरीर काले चेचक के धब्बों से स्थाई तौर पर बदशक्ल हो गया। पाँच वर्ष की आयु से पहले वह बोल भी नहीं सकती थी।

फिर वह हकलाती थी। दूसरे बच्चे प्रायः उसका मजाक उड़ाते थे। इसलिए वह बहुत कम बातें करती थी। वह सात भाई-बहनों में एक थी। उसके तीन भाई और तीन बहनें थीं। उसके भाई शहर में पहले स्कूल और फिर कॉलिज में पढ़ने के लिए चले गये थे। उसकी बहनें स्वस्थ और देखने में सुन्दर थीं। Bholi न देखने में सुन्दर थी न बुद्धि वाी थी।

Objective Type Questions

This question will consist of 3 objective type questions carrying one mark each. These objective questions will include questions to be answered in one word to one sentence or fill in the blank or true/false or multiple choice type questions.

Question 1.
How many siblings did Bholi have ?
Answer:
Bholi had six siblings-three brothers and three sisters.

Question 2.
Why was Sulekha called Bholi ?
Answer:
Because of damage to her brain, she became a backward child and so was called Bholi, the simpleton.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Question 3.
What was the effect of small-pox on Bholi ?
Answer:
Her body was permanently disfigured.

Question 4.
Why did children make fun of Bholi ?
Answer:
They made fun of her because of her stammering.

Question 5.
Why was Ramlal worried about Bholi ?
Answer:
He was worried about Bholi because she had neither good looks nor intelligence for getting married.

Question 6.
Why did the Tehsildar come to the village ?
Answer:
He came to the village to perform the opening ceremony of the primary school.

Question 7.
Why did the Tehsildar want Ramlal to send his daughters to the school ?
Answer:
He wanted Ramlal to do this as he must set an example to the villagers being an agent of the government in the village.

Question 8.
Why did Ramlal’s wife agree to send Bholi, but not other daughters to school ? (V.V. Imp.)
Answer:
She agreed to send Bholi to school because she had no chance of getting married with her ugly face and lack of sense ; other beautiful daughters had no chance of getting married, if they went to school.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Question 9.
Why was Bholi glad to see so many girls of her own age at school ?
Answer:
She was glad because she hoped that one of these girls would become her friend.

Question 10.
What happened when the teacher asked Bholi her name?
Answer:
Sweat broke out over her whole body but then she stammered her name Bho-Bho Bho.

Question 11.
Why did Bholi’s parents agree to Bishamber’s proposal for Bholi ?
Answer:
They agreed to the proposal fearing if they did not accept it, she may remain unmarried all her life.

Question 12.
How did Bishamber come to wed Bholi ?
Answer:
Bishamber came to wed Bholi with a big party of friends and relatives on a decorated horse and led by a band.

Question 13.
Why did Bishamber demand five thousand rupees as dowry?
Answer:
He wanted five thousand rupees as dowry as his would-be wife Bholi had pock marks on her face.

Question 14.
Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber?
Answer:
She did not want to marry a mean, greedy and hateful coward as Bishamber.

Question 15.
Bishamber was a heartless man. (True/False)
Answer:
True.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Question 16.
An old woman said that Bholi was a ………… girl. (Fill up the blank with a suitable word) (shameless/proud)
Answer:
shameless.

Question 17.
Bishamber demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees from Bholi’s father. (True/False)
Answer:
True.

Question 18.
Bholi’s school teacher felt the satisfaction of …… (Choose the correct option)
(i) a singer
(ii) a dancer
(iii) an artist.
Answer:
(iii) an artist.

Question 19.
Write how Bholi used three pauses in telling her name.
Answer:
Bho-Bho-Bho-Bholi.

Question 20.
Bholi had neither beauty nor intelligence. (True/False)
Answer:
True.

Question 21.
Bishamber was a …………… by profession. (labourer/dancer/grocer)
Answer:
grocer.

Question 22.
Pick up the correct word for Bholi’s trouble in speaking. (stuttering, lisping,stammering).
Answer:
Stammering.

Bholi Summary in English

Bholi Introduction:

This story tells us about a girl named Sulekha who was called Bholi because she was a simpleton. She was a neglected child. She used to stammer. She was disliked and neglected by everyone. So she had an inferiority complex. She was guided by her primary school teacher properly.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Her education gave her the courage and capability to fight against her weakness. She refused to marry an elderly man Bishamber Nath who was a greedy person. Her education helped her to be independent. Her right decision made her respectable in her society.

Bholi Summary in English:

She was called Bholi, the simpleton although her name was Sulekha. She was fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she fell off her cot and received an injury on some part of her brain. She remained a backward child.

She came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton. At her birth, she was very fair and pretty. At the age of two she had an attack of small-pox. Only her eyes were saved. Her entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pock-marks.

She could not speak till she was five. When she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little. She had three brothers and three sisters. She was the youngest of them all.

Her father was a wealthy farmer. All the children except Bholi were healthy. The brothers had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Radha, the eldest girl, was already married.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

The second daughter Mangla’s marriage had also been settled. The third daughter Champa was waiting to be married. They were good looking girls. They would easily get bridegrooms. Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence.

Mangla was married when Bholi was seven. The same year a primary school was opened in their village. The Tehsildar performed the opening ceremony of the school. He told Ramlal, the Numberdar, to send his daughters to school. His wife did not like this idea.

She was of the view if girls went to school, nobody would marry them. But Ramlal did not have the courage to disobey the Tehsildar. Ramlal and his wife sent Bholi to school as she had no chance to get married. He told his wife to dress Bholi in good clothes and send her to school. Previously she used to wear old clothes worn by her sisters.

Ramlal and. Bholi went to school. She was handed over to the headmistress. Bholi was glad to find so many girls of her own age present there. Bholi saw some pictures in the classroom. She felt fascinated by the colours. The teacher stood by her side.

She was smiling. The teacher asked her name. Since Bholi was a stammerer, she could not go further than Bh-Bh-Bho. She began to cry and tears began to flow from her eyes. She kept her head down. She saw the girls were laughing at her.

The school bell rang. All the girls ran out of their classes. The teacher called her in a very soft voice. She asked her to tell her name. She again said Bho-Bho-Bho-Bho. At last she was able to say Bholi. The teacher patted her affectionately and told her that she had done well.

She told Bholi to put the fear out of her heart and then she would be able to speak like everyone else. Bholi said that she would come to school every day. The teacher then told her to take the book.

The book was full of nice pictures and the pictures were in colour—dog, cat, goat, horse, parrot, tiger and a cow. She assured Bholi that she will be given a bigger book. After finishing she will get a still bigger one. In time she will be learned. Then nobody will laugh at her. She told her to come to school every day.

Bholi feit happy. She thought that she was having a new life. Thus the years passed. The village became a small town. Ramlal and his wife settled the marriage of Bholi with one Bishamber Nath who was an old man. He was a well-to do grocer.

His marriage party came in village. Bishamber told his friend in the marriage mandap that his would-be wife had pock marks on her face. His friend told him that it should not matter as he himself was quite old.

But Bishamber told Bholi’s father if he was to marry Bholi, her father must give him five thousand rupees. Ramlal begged Bishamber Nath not to humiliate him. He offered him two thousand rupees. He told him to be merciful. Bishamber told him to give him five thousand rupees.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

Bholi threw a garland of her neck into the fire. She told her father that she was not going to marry this greedy old man who was lame. The guests began to say that she was shameless. Ramlal shouted at Bholi not to disgrace her family. Bholi said that for the sake of her father’s izzat she was willing to marry this lame old man. But now she will not marry such a mean, greedy and hateful coward.

An old woman said that she is a shameless girl. They all thought that she was a dumb cow. She said that the auntie was all right. That is why they had decided to hand her over to that heartless creature. Bishamber. Nath, the grocer, started to go back with his party. Ramlal stood rooted to the ground. His head was bowed low. The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Ramlal told Bholi that nobody would marry her.

She told her father not to worry. She said that she will serve her father in her old age. She will teach in the same school. Her teacher was present there. In her smiling eyes there was the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when he sees the completion of his work.

Bholi Summary in Hindi

Bholi Introduction:

यह कहानी हमें एक लड़की के बारे में बताती है जिसका नाम सुलेखा था। उसको Bholi कह कर पुकारते थे क्योंकि वह बुद्ध थी। वह हकलाती थी। वह उपेक्षित बच्ची थी। उसको कोई पसन्द नहीं करता था। इसलिए उसमें हीन भावना थी। उसके प्राईमरी स्कूल की अध्यापिका ने उसको ठीक ढंग से मार्गदर्शन किया।

इसलिए उसकी शिक्षा ने उसको उत्साह और योग्यता प्रदान की ताकि वह अपनी कमज़ोरी के विरुद्ध लड़ सके। उसने एक वृद्ध व्यक्ति बिशम्बर नाथ से विवाह करने से इन्कार कर दिया। वह बहुत लालची आदमी था। उसकी शिक्षा ने उसको अपने पाँव पर खड़ा होने में सहायता की। उसके ठीक निर्णय ने उसको अपनी सोसाईटी में सम्मानित बना दिया।

Bholi Summary in Hindi:

उसको भोली कहते थे, वह बुद्ध थी यद्यपि उसका नाम सुलेखा था। वह नम्बरदार रामलाल की चौथी बंटी थी। जब वह दस मास की थी, वह अपनी चारपाई से गिर गई और उसके दिमाग के किसी भाग में चोट लग गई। वह एक पिछड़ी हुई बच्ची बन गई। उसको भोली, बुद्ध कह कर पुकारा जाने लगा। अपने जन्म के समय वह गोरी चिट्टी थी।

दो साल की आयु में उस पर चेचक का आक्रमण हो गया। केवल उसकी आंखें बची और उसका बाकी शरीर स्थाई तौर पर चेचक के काले निशानों के कारण बदशक्ल हो गया। पाँच साल की आयु तक तो वह बोल भी न सकी। जब वह बोलने लगी तो वह हकलाती थी। दूसरे बच्चे उसका मज़ाक उड़ाते थे और उसकी नकल भी करते थे।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

इसका नतीजा यह हुआ कि वह बहुत कम बातें करती थी। उसके तीन भाई और तीन बहनें थीं। वह आयु में सबसे छोटी थी। उसका बाप एक धनी ज़मींदार था। भोली को छोड़कर उसके सब बच्चे स्वस्थ थे। उसके भाइयों को स्कूल में पढ़ने के लिए शहर में भेजा गया और स्कूल के बाद college में।

सबसे बड़ी लड़की राधा की पहले ही शादी हो चुकी थी। दूसरी बेटी मंगला की शादी भी तय हो चुकी थी। तीसरी बेटी चम्पा शादी होने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी। वे सुन्दर दिखने वाली लड़कियाँ थीं। उनको आसानी से दूल्हे मिल जाने थे। रामलाल को भोली के बारे में बड़ी चिन्ता थी। न तो उसकी रूपरेखा अच्छी थी और न ही वह बुद्धिमान थी। जब भोली 7 वर्ष की थी तो मंगला की शादी हो गई। उसी वर्ष उनके गांव में एक प्राईमरी स्कूल खुल गया।

स्कूल का उदघाटन समारोह तहसीलदार ने किया। तहसीलदार ने रामलाल नम्बरदार को कहा कि वह अपनी बेटियों को स्कूल भेजे। उसकी पत्नी को यह राय अच्छी नहीं लगी। उसका विचार था कि यदि लड़कियाँ स्कूल पढ़ने जायेंगी तो उनसे कोई विवाह नहीं करेगा। लेकिन रामलाल में इतनी हिम्मत नहीं थी कि वह तहसीलदार का कहना न माने। रामलाल और उसकी पत्नी ने भोली को स्कूल भेज दिया क्योंकि उसके शादी होने का अवसर नहीं था। उसने अपनी पत्नी को कहा कि भोली को अच्छे कपड़े पहनाकर स्कूल भेजे। इससे पहले वह अपनी बहनों के पहने हुए पुराने कपड़े पहना करती थी।

रामलाल और भोली स्कूल गये। उसे headmistress के हवाले कर दिया गया। भोली अपनी आयु की बहुतसी लड़कियां वहां देखकर बहुत खुश हुई। उसने class-room में बहुत से चित्र देखे। वह रंगों को देखकर मन्त्रमुग्ध हो गई। उसकी teacher भी उसके पास खड़ी थी। वह मुस्करा रही थी। Teacher ने उसका नाम पूछा।

चूँकि वह हकलाती थी इसलिए वह अपने नाम को साफ ढंग से बोल नहीं सकी। वह Bho- के आगे न जा सकी। फिर उसने रोना आरम्भ कर दिया और उसकी आंखों से आंसू बहने लगे। उसने अपना सिर नीचे झुका लिया। उसने देखा कि दूसरी लड़कियाँ उस पर हंस रही थीं। इतने में स्कूल की घंटी बजी। सब लड़कियां अपनी classes से बाहर आ गई। भोली की teacher ने उसको बड़ी कोमल आवाज़ में बुलाया। उसने उसको अपना नाम बताने को कहा।

Bho-Bho-Bholi अन्त में वह Bholi कहने में सफल हो गई। टीचर ने बड़े प्यार से उसको थपकी दी और उसको उत्साहित भी किया। टीचर ने भोली को कहा कि वह अपने हृदय से भय को निकाल दे। तब वह सब की तरह साफ-साफ बोल सकेगी। भोली ने यह भी कहा कि वह प्रतिदिन स्कूल आयेगी। Teacher ने उसको कहा कि वह किताब को ले ले।

किताब में अच्छी-अच्छी तस्वीरें थीं और वे सब चित्र रंगीन थे-कुत्ता, बिल्ली, बकरी, घोड़ा, बाघ और गाय। उसने भोली को कहा कि इस किताब को समाप्त करने के बाद उसे इससे बड़ी पुस्तक मिलेगी। उसको समाप्त करने पर उससे भी बड़ी किताब मिलेगी। समय बीतने पर वह काफ़ी कुछ सीख जायेगी। तब कोई भी उसकी हंसी नहीं उड़ायेगा। उसने भोली को कहा कि उसे प्रतिदिन स्कूल आना चाहिए।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi

भोली प्रसन्न हो गई। उसने सोचा कि उसका नया जीवन आरम्भ हो रहा है। इस प्रकार वर्ष बीतते गये। गांव एक छोटा नगर बन गया। Ramlal ने भोली की शादी वहां के किरयाने के दुकानदार बिश्म्बरनाथ से कर देने का निर्णय कर लिया। शादी के दिन मंडप में बैठे हुए बिश्म्बरनाथ ने देखा कि उसकी होने वाली पत्नी के चेहरे पर चेचक के दाग हैं। बिश्म्बरनाथ के एक मित्र ने उसको बताया कि भोली के चेहरे पर चेचक के दाग थे।

Word Meanings:
PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 3 Bholi 1

 

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Why did Otchumyelov’s statement keep on changing regarding Hryukin’s complaint ?
Otchumyelov का वक्तव्य Hryukin की सिकायत के बारे क्यों बदलता रहता है
Answer:
Otchumyelov was a police officer with a wavering mind. Hryukin complained about his being bitten by a dog. He wanted compensation. Otchumyelov said that he would teach a lesson to those who let loose their dogs. He was told that the dog belonged to the General or the General’s brother. He changed his mind out of fear.

Otchumyelov अस्थिर मन वाला पुलिस अफ़सर था। Hryukin ने स्वयम् को कुत्ते द्वारा काटे जाने के बारे में शिकायत की। वह मुआवज़ा चाहता था। Otchumyelov ने उन लोगों को सबक सिखाने के लिए कहा जो अपने कुत्तों को खुला छोड़ देते थे। उसे बताया गया कि कुत्ता General अथवा General के भाई का था। उसने डर कर अपना मन बदल लिया।

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Why did Otchumyelov’s statement keep on changing regarding Hryukin’s complaint ?
Hryukin की शिकायत के बारे Otchumyelov का बयान क्यों बदलता
Answer:
Otchumyelov was not a resolute officer. He had a wavering mind. Hryukin made a complaint about his having been bitten by a dog. He wanted compensation because he had to stay away from his work. The S.P. heard his complaint very attentively.

He threatened to teach a lesson to those people who allowed their dogs to run all over the place. He felt that such dogs should be throttled. He wanted to find out the name of the owner. He wanted a report to be prepared about it.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

It was known that the dog belonged to General Zhigalov. The S.P. felt nervous. Then he started questioning Hryukin how a heavy and tall man could be bitten by a weak and small dog. Then the General’s cook came on the scene. He said that the dog was that of the General’s brother.

This again made him nervous. He was willing to send the dog to the General. In the mean while the cook took away the dog. The S.P. had no definite views. He was lacking firmness. He had a wavering mind. A chameleon could not help changing his mind depending on the situation.

Otchumyelov कृतसंकल्प अधिकारी नहीं था। उसका मन विचलित होने वाला था। Hryukin ने SP. से शिकायत की कि उसको कुत्ते ने काटा था। उसे कुछ मुआवजा चाहिए था क्योंकि उसे अपना काम बन्द करना होगा। S.P. ने उसकी शिकायत को बड़े ध्यान से सुना। उसने उन लोगों को सबक सिखाने की धमकी दी जो अपने कुत्तों को हर स्थान पर बिना रोक-टोक जाने देते थे। उसका विचार था कि ऐसे कुत्तों का गला घोंट देना चाहिए।

वह कुत्ते के मालिक का नाम जानना चाहता था। वह इस बारे रिपोर्ट भी तैयार करना चाहता था। पता चला कि यह कुत्ता General zhigalov का था। S.P. घबरा गया। फिर उसने Hryukin को प्रश्न करना आरम्भ कर दिया कि एक भारी-भरकम और लम्बे आदमी को एक कमजोर और छोटा कुत्ता कैसे काट सकता था।

तब General का खानसामा वहाँ आ पहुंचा। उसने कहा कि यह कुत्ता General के भाई का था। वह कुत्ते को General के पास भेजना चाहता था। इतने में खानसामा कुत्ते को ले गया। S.P. की कोई निश्चित राय नहीं थी। उसमें दृढ़ता की कमी थी। उसका मन अस्थिर था। वह स्थिति के अनुसार गिरगिट की तरह अपनी राय बदल लेने वाला व्यक्ति था।

Question 2.
Justify the title of the story. (V. V. Imp.)
कहानी के शीर्षक को उचित सिद्ध करो।
Answer:
The title of a story should be appropriate. It should throw light on the main events of the story and capture its theme. Chameleon is the title of the story. The Superintendent of Police represents the title. He changes his opinion from time to time.

He is walking across the market square. A goldsmith is bitten by a dog. He makes a complaint to the Superintendent of Police. He listens to him attentively. The Superintendent of Police threatens to teach a lesson to those who allow their dogs to run all over the place. He even says that stray dogs must be throttled. He seems to be serious in redressing the complaint of Hryukin.

He wants to know the name of the owner of the dog. Soon he comes to know that General Zhigalov is the owner of the dog. This makes him nervous. He starts snubbing Hryukin. He questions him how a tall and heavy man like him was bitten by a small and weak looking dog.

It is decided to send the dog to the General. Then the General’s cook comes on the spot. He says that the dog belongs to the General’s brother. He takes away the dog. Obviously the complaint of Hryukin is forgotten by the chameleon of a Superintendent of Police. The title is quite apt.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

कहानी का शीर्षक उचित होना चाहिए। इसे कहानी की मुख्य घटनाओं पर प्रकाश डालना चाहिए और इसके विषय को भी दर्शाना चाहिए। Chameleon इस कहानी का शीर्षक है। Police Superintendent इस शीर्षक का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है। वह market square में चलता जा रहा है। एक सुनार को कुत्ता काट लेता है। वह अपनी शिकायत S.P. के पास लेकर आता है। वह उसकी बातों को ध्यान से सुनता है।

वह उन लोगों को सबक सिखाने का मन बनाता है जो अपने कुत्ते को इधर-उधर आवारागर्दी करने के लिए छोड़ देते हैं। वह यहां तक कह देता है कि आवारा कुत्तों का गला घोट कर उन्हें मार देना चाहिए। वह Hryukin की शिकायत दूर करने के लिए गम्भीर है। वह कुत्ते के मालिक का नाम जानना चाहता है। शीघ्र ही उसे पता चलता है कि General Zhigalov इसका मालिक है। वह यह सुनकर घबरा जाता है।

वह Hryukin की बेइज्जती करना शुरु कर देता है। वह उससे प्रश्न करता है कि उस जैसे लम्बेचौड़े और भारी-भरकम मनुष्य को एक छोटे से और कमज़ोर कुत्ते ने कैसे काटा। वह निर्णय करता है कि कुत्ते को General के यहां भेज दिया जाये। तब General का खानसामा वहां आ जाता है। वह कहता है कि यह तो General के भाई का कुत्ता है। वह कुत्ते को ले जाता है। स्पष्टतया Hryukin की शिकायत को गिरगिट जैसे Police Superintendent के द्वारा नज़रअन्दाज़ कर दिया जाता है। शीर्षक बिल्कुल उचित है।

Question 3.
Give a character sketch of Otchumyelov. (V. Imp.)
Otchumyelov का चरित्र-चित्रण करो।
Answer:
Otchumyelov is the Police Superintendent in a Russian town. When the story begins, he is walking across the market square. He is wearing a new. overcoat. He is bothered by a man named Hryukin, a goldsmith by profession. He says that he has been bitten by a dog without reason. He wants to be compensated for the injury caused to his finger by the dog.

Otchumyelov poses to be strict. As he hears the goldsmith’s complaint, he threatens to teach a lesson to those people who let their dogs run all over the place. He tells the policeman to find out the name of the owner of the dog. He wants the dog to be throttled.

Otchumyelov is a chameleon. He changes his stand every now and then. When he comes to know that the dog belongs to General Zhigalov, he feels nervous. He begins to feel hot and asks the constable to remove his coat. He questions Hryukin as to how a small dog could bite a big man like him. In the meantime, the General’s cook comes on the scene.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

He tells Otchumyelov that the dog belongs to the General’s brother. Otchumyelov wants the dog to be sent back to the General. The General’s cook Prohor takes away the dog. The Superintendent of Police is a comic figure. His handling of the case produces fun. His use of his overcoat to cover his nervousness makes us laugh.

Otchumyelov रूस के किसी नगर में Police Superintendent है। जब कहानी शुरू होती है तो वह किसी market square में चलता जा रहा है। उसने नया overcoat पहना हुआ है। उसे एक व्यक्ति जिसका नाम Hryukin है और जो व्यवसाय से सुनार है उसको परेशान कर रहा है। वह कहता है कि उसको बिना कारण एक कुत्ते ने काट लिया है। उसकी ऊंगली पर कुत्ते ने काट कर जख्म कर दिया है और वह उसके लिए मुआवजा माँगता है।

Otchumyelov कठोर होने का दिखावा करता है। ज्यों ही वह सुनार की शिकायत सुनता है, वह उन लोगों को सबक सिखाने की धमकी देता है जो अपने कुत्ते खुले छोड़ देते हैं। वह पुलिसमैन को कहता है कि वह कुत्ते के मालिक के नाम का पता लगाये। वह कहता कि ऐसे कुत्ते का गला घोंट कर मार दिया जाना चाहिए। Otchumyelov एक गिरगिट की तरह रंग बदलता है। वह बार-बार अपना stand बदल लेता है।

जब उसे पता चलता है कि कुत्ते का मालिक General Zhigalov है, वह घबरा जाता है। उसको गर्मी लगनी शुरु हो जाती है। वह सिपाही को कहता है कि वह उसका कोट उतार दे। वह Hryukin को पूछता है कि एक छोटे-से कुत्ते ने उस जैसे भारी-भरकम व्यक्ति को कैसे काट लिया। इतने में जनरल का खानसामा उस स्थान पर पहुँच जाता है। वह Otchumyelov को कहता है कि यह कुत्ता तो जनरल के भाई का है।

Otchumyelov चाहता है कि कुत्ते को जनरल के पास भेज दिया जाये। जनरल का खानसामा जिसका नाम Prohor है, कुत्ते को ले जाता है। Police Superintendent एक हास्यस्पद व्यक्ति है। उसके case का निपटारा करने पर हंसी आती है। उसके द्वारा अपनी घबराहट को Overcoat के प्रयोग से काबू पाने पर भी हमें हंसी आती है।

Question 4.
Give a character sketch of Hryukin.
Hryukin का चरित्र-चित्रण करो।
Answer:
Hryukin is the second important character in the story. According to the Superintendent of Police, he is a goldsmith by profession. He claims that he does fine work on gold. He has a fertile brain. He wants to make easy money. He complains to the Superintendent of Police that a dog bit him without any reason.

Since he is a fine craftsman, he claims to get compensation from the Superintendent of Police. At first the S.P. listens to him carefully and begins to think over his claim. He plans to teach a lesson to those people who allow their dogs to run all over the place. People in the crowd say that Hryukin is a liar.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

The dog did not bite him. It is he who tried to burn the dog’s face with a cigarette. The dog took revenge by biting his finger. He is a victim of the chameleon S.P. In the beginning, the S.P. heard his complaint carefully. But when he comes to know that the owner of the dog is a General, then the S.P. questions him how a heavy and tall man like him (Hryukin) could be bitten by a small dog.

Hryukin becomes a butt of the people. The General’s cook comes and takes the dog away, because the dog belongs to the General’s brother. The crowd of people laugh at Hryukin the liar. They laugh at his being deprived of the compensation.

Hryukin कहानी में दूसरा महत्त्वपूर्ण पात्र है। S.P के अनुसार, वह अपने व्यवसाय से सुनार है। वह अपने आपको सोने का बढ़िया कारीगर समझता है। उसका दिमाग़ बड़ा उपजाऊ है। वह सुगम तरीके से पैसे बनाना चाहता है। वह S.P को शिकायत करता है कि एक कुत्ते ने उसे बिना कारण काट लिया। पहले तो S.P. उसकी बात को ध्यान से सुनता है और उसके दावे के बारे विचार करता है। वह उन लोगों को सबक सिखाने की योजना बनाता है जो अपने कुत्तों को हर स्थान पर आवारा घूमने देते हैं। जनसमूह (भीड़) में लोग कहते हैं कि Hryukin झूठा व्यक्ति है।

उनके अनुसार कुत्ते ने उसको नहीं काटा। वास्तव में Hryukin ने सिगरेट से कुत्ते के चेहरे को जलाने का प्रयत्न किया। कुत्ते ने बदला लेने के लिए उसकी ऊंगली को काटा। वह गिरगिट S.P. का शिकार बन गया। शुरू में S.P. ने उसकी शिकायत को ध्यान से सुना। परन्तु S.P. को पता लगा कि कुत्ते का मालिक एक General है।

फिर S.P. उसको प्रश्न पूछता है कि छोटा-सा दुबला कुत्ता Hryukin जैसे एक भारी-भरकम आदमी को कैसे काट सकता है। Hryukin लोगों के मज़ाक का पात्र बन जाता है। General का खानसामा आता है और वह कुत्ते को ले जाता है क्योंकि यह कुत्ता General के भाई का है। जनसमूह झूठे Hryukin पर हंसता है। वे इसलिए हंसते है क्योंकि वह मुआवज़े से वंचित रह जाता है। .

Objective Type Questions

This question will consist of 3 objective type questions carrying one mark each. These objective questions will include questions to be answered in one word to one sentence or fill in the blank or true/false or multiple choice type questions.

Question 1.
What does the author tell us about Miss Beam ?
Answer:
He tells us that Miss Beam was a middle-aged, kindly, understanding and impressive lady.

Question 2.
What was the real aim of Miss Beam’s school ?
Answer:
Its real aim was to make the students thoughtful, helpful and sympathetic citizens.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Question 3.
Why did the author feel sorry for some of the children ?
Answer:
He felt sorry for some children because they seemed to be handicapped.

Question 4.
Were the children playing in the ground really physically handicapped ?
Answer:
They were not really handicapped.

Question 5.
Why were the children acting to be blind, deaf or lame ?
Answer:
The children were acting to be blind, lame and deaf to have experience of misfortune.

Question 6.
What is the educative value of a blind, deaf or lame day?
Answer:
Students get an idea of the discomfort of handicapped persons and then they have sympathy for the handicapped.

Question 7.
Which day is the most difficult for children ?
Answer:
The blind day is the most difficult for children.

Question 8.
Who did Miss Beam lead the author to ?
Answer:
Miss Beam led the author to the girl whose eyes were bandaged.

Question 9.
How did the girl with bandaged eyes feel on her blind day?
Answer:
All the time she feared that she was going to be hit by something.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Question 10.
What does the girl with the bandaged eyes tell the author about her guides ?
Answer:
She tells the author that the guides were very good.

Question 11.
What, according to the girl with the bandaged eyes, is almost a fun ?
Answer:
According to her, hopping about with a crutch is almost a fun.

Question 12.
Why does the girl with the bandaged eyes say that her head aches all the time on her blind day?
Answer:
She says that her head aches all the time just from dodging things that are not there.

Question 13.
What does the girl, with the bandaged eyes, tell the author about the head girl ?
Answer:
She says that she is very decent.

Question 14.
What does the girl with the bandaged eyes say about the gardener ?
Answer:
She says that he is hundreds of years old.

Question 15.
What made Miss Beam think that there was something in her system?
Answer:
Miss Beam was right to think so because her school had taught the author to share the sorrows of others.

Question 16.
Choose the correct option:
(i) Miss Beam was a cruel lady.
(ii) Miss Beam was a young lady, teaching in a school.
(iii) Miss Beam was a middle aged, kindly and impressive lady.
Answer:
(iii) Miss Beam was a middle aged, kindly and impressive lady.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Question 17.
Choose the correct option :
(i) The aim of Miss Beam’s school was to make the students thoughtful, helpful and sympathetic citizens.
(ii) The object of Miss Beam’s school was to make the students bookworms.
(iii) Miss Beam’s school made the students into good sportspersons.
Answer:
(i) The aim of Miss Beam’s school was to make the students thoughtful, helpful and sympathetic citizens.

Question 18.
Choose the correct option :
The author was sorry for some children of Miss Beam’s school because they were :
(i) poor.
(ii) handicapped.
(iii) sick.
Answer:
(ii) handicapped.

Question 19.
Write True or False as appropriate :
(i) The children in Miss Beam’s school were handicapped.
(ii) They were acting to be handicapped.
(iii) They were being treated for being handicapped.
Answer:
(i) False
(ii) True
(iii) False.

Question 20.
Write True or False as appropriate :
The most difficult day for the students in Miss Beam’s school was the lame day.
Answer:
False.

Question 21.
Write True or False as appropriate :
The most difficult day for the students in Miss Beam’s school was the deaf day.
Answer:
False.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Question 22.
Write True or False as appropriate :
The most difficult day for the students in Miss Beam’s school was the blind day.
Answer:
True.

Question 23.
The writer had heard of the ……….. of the system of Miss Beam’s school. (Fill up the blank)
Answer:
originality

Question 24.
The bandaged girl tells the writer that the gardener was …………. of years old. (Fill in the blank)
Answer:
hundreds

Question 25.
What was the name of the bandaged girl ?
Answer:
Millie.

A Chameleon Summary in English

A Chameleon Introduction:

The dictionary meaning of chameleon is a small lizard that can change colour according to the surroundings. It also stands for a person who changes his behaviour or opinion according to the situation. In Hindi and Punjabi a chameleon is a ‘girgit’. The story is about a Superintendent of Police. He is bothered by a man looking for easy money.

We come to know the man when he chases down a dog in front of the Superintendent. He shows the Superintendent his bleeding finger. He says that the dog has bitten him for no reason. He demands to be compensated for his pain. But the crowd complained that the man had burned the dog with a cigarette. So the dog had hit him back.

The Superintendent changes his stand like a chameleon in handling the case. The story goes on. It is asked whose dog it is. It comes to be known that the dog belongs to the General’s brother. Being friends with the General, the Superintendent sends the dog back to its owner.

A Chameleon Summary in English:

The Police Superintendent whose name is Otchumyelov is walking across a market square. He is wearing a new overcoat. He carries a parcel under his arm. A red-haired policeman walks after him with a sieve full of gooseberries in his hands. There is silence all around. The doors of shops and inns are open. There is not even a beggar near them.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

A dog is barking. Otchumyelov looks in the direction of the sound. He sees a dog. The dog is moving on three legs out of a timber-yard. A man is chasing him. While chasing him, he falls. The dog barks. The man catches him by his hind legs.

Soon a crowd of people gathers round the timber-yard. The policeman tells the Superintendent that it is a noisy quarrel. The Police Superintendent walks towards the crowd. He sees a man in an unbuttoned waist-coat.

He is Hryukin, the goldsmith. It is he who has created the sensation. A dog is sitting on the ground. It is trembling all over. The Police Superintendent asks the man Hryukin about the problem. He says that this dog has bitten his finger. He explains and further says that he is a working man.

He does fine work. His finger has been bitten by the dog without any reason. He must have damages. He regrets to say that he would not be able to use his finger for a week. The Police Superintendent wants to know who the owner of the dog is.

He would not allow such a thing to happen. He would teach a lesson to those who let their dogs run all over the place. He seems to be stern and is determined to teach a lesson to the owner of the dog.

He tells the policeman to find out the name of the owner of the dog and make a report. He orders that such a dog must be throttled. Such a dog is likely to be mad. Someone in the crowd says that the dog is General Zhigalov’s.

On hearing this, the Superintendent feels hot in his overcoat. He thinks that it is going to rain. He is not able to understand how the dog happened to bite Hryukin. He wonders how the little dog could reach. Hyrukin’s finger. Hryukin is a heavy man. He says that Hryukin must have scratched his finger with a nail. And then the idea came to him to claim compensation for it.

Someone from the crowd told the Police Superintendent that Hyrukin had put a cigarette in the dog’s face and the dog had hit him back. He added Hyrukin is a stupid person. Hyrukin said that it was a lie. He added that the honourable Police Superintendent could easily make out who was telling a lie and who was speaking the truth.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

He said that his own brother is in the police. The policeman said that it was not the General’s dog. The Police Superintendent began to feel cold. He told the policeman to help him on with his overcoat. He ordered him to take the dog to the General. He should be told that his dog should not be in the street. It may be a valuable dog. He told Hryukin to put his hand down. He should not display his finger. It was his own fault.

In the mean time Prohor, the General’s cook came on the scene. He was asked if it was the General’s dog. The Police Superintendent himself said that it was no use wasting time talking about the dog. Since it is a stray dog, he must be destroyed.

Prohor said that the dog belongs to the General’s brother. Prohor calls the dog and walks away from there. The crowd laughs at Hryukin. The Police Superintendent threatens Hyrukin. He puts on his overcoat and then tells. Hyrukin that he will set him right.

A Chameleon Summary in Hindi

A Chameleon Introduction:

Chameleon (कैमिलियन) शब्द का dictionary अर्थ है एक छोटी छिपकली जो कि अपने वातावरण के . अनुसार अपना रूप बदल लेती है। यह शब्द एक ऐसे व्यक्ति का प्रतिनिधित्व भी करता है जो स्थिति के अनुसार अपनी राय बदल लेता है। हिन्दी और पंजाबी में Chameleon को बहुरुपी ‘गिरगिट’ कहते हैं।

यह कहानी एक पुलिस Superintendent के बारे है। उसको एक ऐसा आदमी परेशान करता है जो आसानी से पैसे बनाना चाहता है। हमें ऐसे आदमी से तब सामना होता है जब वह Superintendent के सामने कुत्ते का पीछा करता है। वह Superintendent को अपनी ऊंगली दिखाता है जिससे रक्त बह रहा है। वह कहता है कि कुत्ते ने उसको बिना कारण काट लिया है। लेकिन लोग शिकायत करते हैं कि इस व्यक्ति ने कुत्ते को सिगरेट से जलाया था।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

इसलिए कुत्ते ने इससे बदला लेने के लिए उसको काटा था। केस से निपटने के लिए Superintendent अपना stand गिरगिट की तरह बदल लेता है। पूछा जाता है कि यह कुत्ता किसका है। पता चलता है कि कुत्ता General के भाई का है। General का मित्र होने के नाते Superintendent कुत्ते को मालिक के पास भेज देता है।

A Chameleon Summary in Hindi:

Police Superintendent जिसका नाम Otchumyelov है एक Market Square में जा रहा है। उसने नया overcoat पहना हुआ है। उसने अपने बाजू के नीचे एक पार्सल उठा रखा है। लाल बालों वाला एक पुलिस का सिपाही उसके पीछे-पीछे चल रहा है, उसके हाथों में एक छलनी है जिसमें gooseberry (काक बदरी) के फल हैं। चारों और खामोशी है। दुकानों और Pubs (शराबघरों) के दरवाजे खुले है लेकिन उनके समीप कोई भिखारी भी नहीं है।

एक कुत्ता भौंक रहा है। (वास्तव में यह एक कुतिया है।) Otchumyelov कुत्ते के भौंकने की दशा में देखता है। उसे एक कुत्ता दिखाई देता है। कुत्ता लकड़ी (Timber) के आंगन से तीन टांगों पर भागता बाहर आ रहा है। एक आदमी उसके पीछे भागता आ रहा है। उसके (कुत्ते के) पीछे भागते-भागते वह गिर जाता है।

कुत्ता भौंकता है। आदमी उसको उसकी पिछली टाँगों से पकड़ लेता है। शीघ्र ही timber-yard के पास लोगों की भीड़ इकट्ठी ही जाती है। पुलिसमैन Police Superintendent को बताता है कि कोई शोर भरा झगड़ा हो रहा है। Police Superintendent भीड़ की ओर जाता है। वह एक आदमी को वहां देखता है जिसने खुले बटनों वाली वासकिट पहनी हुई है।

उसका नाम है Hryukin सुनार। यह वह व्यक्ति है जिसने यहां सारा गुलपाड़ा पैदा कर दिया है। एक कुत्ता ज़मीन पर बैठा हुआ है। यह पूरी तरह से कांप रहा है। Police Superintendent Hryukin को पूछता है कि क्या माजरा है। वह कहता है कि इस कुत्ते ने उसकी ऊंगली को काट दिया है। वह और स्पष्टीकरण करता है और कहता है कि वह काम करने वाला आदमी है। वह सुन्दर काम करने वाला कारीगर है। बिना किसी कारण कुत्ते ने उसकी ऊंगली काट दी है। उसे मुआवज़ा मिलना चाहिए। वह खेद से कहता है कि वह सात दिन तक काम नहीं कर सकेगा।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon

Police Superintendent जानना चाहता है कि कुत्ते का मालिक कौन है। वह ऐसी घटना कभी भी घटित नहीं होने देगा। वह उन लोगों को सबक सिखायेगा जो अपने कुत्तों को हर जगह जाने देते हैं। वह कठोर दिखाई देता है और उसने पक्का इरादा किया हुआ है कि वह कुत्ते के मालिक को सबक सिखायेगा। वह पुलिसमैन को आदेश देता है कि कुत्ते के मालिक के नाम का पता करे और उसकी रिपोर्ट तैयार करे। वह आदेश देता है कि ऐसे कुत्ते का गला घोंट देना चाहिये। हो सकता है कि यह कुत्ता पागल हो।

भीड़ में से एक आदमी कहता है कि कुत्ता General Zhigalov का है। यह सुनकर Police Superintendent को अपने Overcoat में गर्मी लगनी शुरू हो जाती है। उसका विचार है कि अब वर्षा होगी। उसको यह समझ नहीं आती कि कुत्ते ने Hryukin सुनार को कैसे काट दिया। वह यह देखकर हैरान रह जाता है कि एक छोटा सा कुत्ता Hryukin जैसे भारी-भरकम आदमी की ऊंगली को कैसे काट सकता है। वह कहता है कि Hryukin ने किसी कील से अपनी ऊंगली को खरोच लिया हो। और उसको बाद में यह विचार आ गया कि उसे इसका मुआवज़ा मांगना चाहिये।

भीड़ में से किसी ने Police Suprintendent को कहा कि Hryukin ने कुत्ते के चेहरे को सिगरेट से जलाया था और फिर कुत्ते ने बदला लेने के लिए काटा था। उसने यह कहा कि Hryukin एक मूर्ख व्यक्ति था। Hryukin ने कहा कि झूठ है। उसने यह भी कहा कि माननीय Police Superintendent यह बात आसानी से समझ सकते थे कि कौन झूठ बोल रहा है और सच कौन बोल रहा था। उसने कहा कि उसका अपना भाई भी Police में है। Policeman ने कहा कि यह General का कुत्ता नहीं था। Police Superintendent को सर्दी लगनी शुरु

Word Meanings:
PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 2 A Chameleon 1

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II Exercise Questions and Answers, Notes.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Comprehension means understanding. At the learner s level comprehension is a fairly good exercise for ability enhancement and confidence building. It involves deriving or getting the meaning of reading material. It means the understanding of what is written or heard or spoken.

A passage given for comprehension is a tool to test ability to understand it. In order to acquire efficiency in understanding a passage, practice supplemented by reading books written by eminent authors, acts like the benefits of comprehension in the real sense. You could be asked different types of questions in order to find out if your knowledge is sound. Some of these questions may be:

  1. Multiple Choice Questions.
  2. You should read the passage again slowly so as to know all the details.
  3. Read the passage after reading all the questions.
  4. Answer the question in a complete sentence.
  5. Read the words in a group, not one by one.
  6. Try to get the meaning of unknown or unfamiliar words.
  7. Do not feel nervous if you do not know the meanings of one or two words. Sometimes two or three readings are quite helpful.
  8. Revise your answer to correct mistakes.
  9. Every passage embodies a viewpoint.
  10. As far as possible, use your own words in answering one line questions. You should not try to lift the words of the passage.
  11. You should try to create the impression that you are the master and you have thorough understanding of the passage given in the question paper.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Question No. 1 (b) in the question paper will be based on comprehension of an unseen passage.

Unseen passage for comprehension (passage of 150-200 words) followed by two Multiple Choice Questions, two single line comprehension questions, one question on fill in the blanks (two), one question on matching the words (two). There will be six questions in all carrying 6 marks.

Sample Paragraphs for Comprehension

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

There are in our country, as in other countries of the world, thousands of handicapped persons, such as those who are blind or deaf and dumb. In some cases these persons may have been born blind or deaf while in others they may have gone blind or deaf as a result of some illness or accident.

You sometimes hear people say of such handicapped persons : “It is the work of fate” or “It is the will of God.” Some even say, “They suffer the fruits of their own actions in the past.” Even parents of handicapped children often express such feelings and opinions, and they scarcely ever think of how they can help these unfortunate ones. This certainly is not the way to look at the problems of the handicapped.

Whatever may be the cause of their suffering, we have got to treat the handicapped with sympathy and understanding. In many instances physically handicapped children suffer neglect and are left to themselves in their homes. This makes their life extremely sad and lonely. Our first duty is to make these children happier and less lonely. Secondly, we have got to educate these children and help them to live useful lives. We should secure for them benefits of education in schools intended for them. We have got to make them useful citizens by creating for them suitable opportunities to be employed. They will then have a sense of achievement, and we can be happy that we have done our duty for them.

Question 1.
How must we treat the handicapped children ?
(a) Strictly.
(b) With loneliness.
(c) With sympathy and understanding.
(d) With neglect, carelessness and loneliness.
Answer:
(c) With sympathy and understanding.

Question 2.
According to the author, what is our first duty towards the handicapped ?
(a) It is to leave them alone.
(b) It is to make them do hard work.
(c) It is to make them happier and less lonely.
(d) It is to get them employed.
Answer:
(c) It is to make them happier and less lonely.

Question 3.
How do some children become handicapped ?
Answer:
They become handicapped by being deaf or blind.

Question 4.
What do some people say about the blind and deaf being handicapped ? You may give one of the opinions expressed in the passage.
Answer:
Some children are handicapped because of the will of God.

Question 5.
Handicapped children suffer and are left to themselves their own homes.
Answer:
neglect, in

Question 6.
Match words in column A with their meanings in column B:

A B
Handicapped physically unfit
Sympathy not brave
feeling of pity and

Answer:

A B
Handicapped physically unfit
Sympathy feeling of pity and

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man. With its help we can heal wounds caused by bacteria which cannot be otherwise healed. To begin with, very few people knew of this wonderful discovery or its uses. First scientists and then ministers of governments were interested in it. Since penicillin could save the wounded soldiers, it could be helpful in war. And so they decided to encourage the process of manufacture. Vast factories were set up for preparing it.

Lives of hundreds and thousands of soldiers were saved with its help. Most people benefited from it. Penicillin when introduced into the stream of the human blood, acts as an aid to those parts which are always fighting the deadly germs. It has not power over every kind of bacteria, but certain kinds are destroyed by penicillin in the great majority of cases.

Question 1.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Penicillin is harmful like other drugs used by drug addicts.
(b) With the help of penicillin we can heal many wounds caused by bacteria.
(c) In the beginning many people knew the use of the wonderful penicillin.
(d) Nobody was first interested in penicillin.
Answer:
(b) With the help of penicillin we can heal many wounds caused by bacteria.

Question 2.
Who were interested in the-discovery of penicillin in the beginning ?
(a) Ministers of governments and scientists.
(b) Smugglers.
(c) Researchers.
(d) Students studying science in Colleges.
Answer:
(a) Ministers of governments and scientists.

Question 3.
How was penicillin helpful in war ?
Answer:
It was helpful in war because it saved many wounded soldiers.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Question 4.
Who benefited from the use of penicillin ?
Answer:
Thousands of people benefited from the use of penicillin.

Question 5.
The water level dips …………… the streams ………….. the winter season.
Answer:
in, in

Question 6.
Match the following words in column A with their meanings in column B:

A B
Aid method
Process help

Answer:

A B
Aid help
Process method

3. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

Brain drain, also referred to as human capital flight, is the action of having highly skilled and educated people leaving their country to work abroad. It has actually become one of the serious concerns for the developing nations. While many people believe that immigration is a personal choice that must be understood and respected, others look at the phenomenon from a different perspective. What makes those people leave their country, their own people, should be seriously considered and a distinction between pull and push factors must be made. The push factors include low wages and lack of satisfactory working and living conditions.

Social unrest, political conflicts and wars may also be determining causes. The pull factors, however, include intellectual freedom and substantial funds for research. Brain drain has negative impact on the economic prospects and competitive skills of sending countries. It reduces the number of dynamic and creative people who can contribute to the development of their country. Likewise, with more entrepreneurs taking their investments abroad, developing countries are missing opporunity of wealth citation.

Question 1.
The term brain drain is also referred to as:
(a) Human capital flight
(b) Capital flight
(c) Pull factors
(d) Push factors.
Answer:
(a) Human capital flight
(b) Capital flight

Question 2.
Brain drain has terrible consequences on the economic development of:
(a) Sending countries
(b) Receiving countries
Answer:
(a) Sending countries
(b) Receiving countries

Question 3.
What do you mean by the term brain drain ?
Answer:
It means the departure of skilled and educated people to other countries for better opportunities.

Question 4.
Give the push factors that lead to brain drain.
Answer:
Push factors are low wages, lack of satisfactory working and living conditions and some determining causes.

Question 5.
Fill in the two blanks in the given sentence with suitable words from the passage:
Every citizen must …………. to the development of the …………….. whole-heartedly.
Answer:
contribute, nation

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings under column B:

A B
Conflicts decrease
Reduce increase
disputes.

Answer:

A B
Conflicts disputes.
Reduce decrease

4. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

Health and hygiene go hand in hand. Health refers to a state of sound mind and physically fit body, free from any form of sickness, disorder or ailment. Hygiene refers to the good practices that prevent disease and leads to good health through cleanliness, proper sewage disposal, balanced and nutritious food, regular exericse, proper sleep, pure and fresh air and supply of safe drinking water. The proverb, ‘Health is Wealth’ is truly said of all things in the world.

Good health is the most valuable that one can possess. Money is undoubtedly a prized possession, but can it provide pleasure to a ruined health ? As body and mind are closely related, the mind can never be sound and cheerful without sound health. An unhealthy man may have intelligence, merit and wealth but he cannot put them to use and reap their benefits. We must, therefore, adopt proper hygienic measures to preserve and maintain good health. Too much work or exercise, eating or drinking are injurious to health. A regulated life coupled with clear and pure mind makes life worth living.

Question 1.
Choose the factors that refer to health:
(a) sound mind
(b) physically fit body
(c) freedom from sickness
(d) drunkenness
Answer:
(a) sound mind
(b) physically fit body
(c) freedom from sickness

Question 2.
Life can be worth living through:
(a) smoking and drinking
(b) taking drugs
(c) regulated life
(d) healthy body.
Answer:
(c) regulated life
(d) healthy body.

Question 3.
Which is most valuable thing that one can possess ?
Answer:
Good health is the most valuable thing.

Question 4.
How can we preserve and maintain good health ?
Answer:
We can preserve and maintain good health by adopting proper hygienic measures.

Question 5.
Drinking and smoking are injurious ………….. health and ruinous ………….. our economy.
Answer:
to, for

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings under column B:

A B
Injurious to prevent from
Preserve harmful for
beneficial to.

Answer:

A B
Injurious harmful for
Preserve to prevent from

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

More than 150 years ago after the death of John Dalton, whose atomic thoery is the basis of chemistry, a scientist has established the cause of his colour blindness, Dalton could not distinguish red from green. In 1784 English chemist was the first to describe colour blindness which became known as Daltonism. The word is still used in French, Spanish and Russian.

Scientists from London and Cambridge have examined DNA from fragments of Dalton’s eyes preserved at his request by the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, and have shown that he lacked the gene for making green pigment in the retina.

Dalton who lived from 1766 to 1844 gave instructions for his eyes to be examined after his death. He had believed that the vitreous humour, the clear substance in the inner chamber of the eyes must in his case be tinted blue so that it absorbed red light. At the autopsy no such blue tint was found. But from Daltons perception of how he perceived light, historians have concluded that he must have lacked the pigment in the retina that is sensitive to red light.

That is now showing to be wrong after work by a team led by Dr. David Hut of the institute of Ophthalmology of London and Dr. John Milton from Cambridge University.

Question 1.
What colours Dalton could not distinguish ?
(a) Red from blue.
(b) Red from brown.
(c) Red from green.
(d) Red from purple.
Answer:
(c) Red from green.

Question 2.
What instructions did Dalton give regarding his eyes ?
(a) To be preserved at home.
(b) To be examined after death.
(c) To be checked without delay.
(d) To be kept in museum.
Answer:
(b) To be examined after death.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Question 3.
Which languages still use the word ‘Daltonism’?
Answer:
French, Spanish and Russian languages still use the word Daltonism.

Question 4.
What did Dalton believe about his own blindness ?
Answer:
He believed that the clear substance in the inner chamber of the eyes must be tinted blue so that it absorbed red light.

Question 5.
Historians came to the ………… that he …………….. a pigment in his retina.
Answer:
conclusion, lacked

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings in column B :

A B
Tinted assimilate
Absorb coloured
blackened.

Answer:

A B
Tinted coloured
Absorb assimilate.

6. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

One night a man came to our house and told me, “There is a family with eight children. They have not eaten for days.” I took some food and went out. When I finally came to the family, I saw the faces of those little children disfigured by hunger. There was no sorrow or sadness in their faces, just the deep pain of hunger. I gave the rice to the mother. She divided it in two and went out, carrying half the rice with her. When she came back, I asked her, “Where did you go ?” She gave me this simple answer, “To my neighbours. They are also hungry.” I was not surprised because poor people are generous but I was surprised that she knew they were hungry.

As a rule, when we are suffering, we are so focused on ourselves ; we have no time for others. We become selfish and self-centred. Having experienced the pangs of sufferings, we should, rather extend a helping hand to the poor and the needy.

Question 1.
The faces of the little children showed :
(a) hunger.
(b) sorrow.
(c) sadness.
(d) patience.
Answer:
(a) hunger.

Question 2.
The action of the mother shows:
(a) sympathy.
(b) generosity.
(c) love.
(d) hatred.
Answer:
(a) sympathy.

Question 3.
Where did the mother go ?
Answer:
She went to hungry neighbours.

Question 4.
Why was the gendeman surprised ?
Answer:
He was surprised because the mother knew that her neighbours were hungry.

Question 5.
Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the passage :
Generally those who are suffering, are …………. on themselves and have no …………….. for others.
Answer:
focussed, time

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings under column B:

A B
Generous give attention to one particular thing
Focussed inattentive
large-hearted.

Answer:

A B
Generus large-hearted
Focussed give attention to one particular thing.

7. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

Less obviously, but just as significant, are the social reasons behind the modern urge to travel. Foreign journeys were at one time expensive and difficult for most people to organize, in fact a luxury for the wealthy. Today cheap airfares and package holidays have made foreign travel fashionable for many, especially for those who spend their working lives in crowded cities and in industry. Travel to foreign countries is now within reach of families who only thirty years ago would have hardly dreamt of such a thing.

Indeed, for some it has become a matter of personal pride to boast of time spent abroad, and the more glamorous and far- flung the destination, the better. Indians are now looking beyond the beaches of Goa to Miami beaches or to the mountains of Alps or the Niagara Falls or even the safaris of Africa for a new and vastly different experience. Travel companies have been quick to advertise the cultural and educational advantages of such holidays, selling wildlife exploration trips of the Amazon or the ancient temples of the east just as earnestly as they once did the ‘magic of Rome’ or the ‘splendours of ancient Athens’.

Question 1.
What was once a luxury for the wealthy ?
(a) Betting on horse-races.
(b) Gambling in a Cassino.
(c) Foreign travel
(d) Keeping a stable of horses.
Answer:
(c) Foreign travel

Question 2.
What has made foreign travel fashionable now ?
(a) Cheap airfares and package holidays.
(b) Attraction of glamorous and far-flung destinations.
(c) Peoples longing to go abroad.
(d) People’s yearning to see the panorama of foreign countries.
Answer:
(a) Cheap airfares and package holidays.
(b) Attraction of glamorous and far-flung destinations.

Question 3.
Why do people look forward to go to foreign locations now ?
Answer:
People’s yearning to see the panorama of foreign countries.

Question 4.
Name four cities in the East which you would like to visit.
Answer:
Singapore, Dubai, Flongkong, Abu Dhabi.

Question 5.
Fill up the two blanks in the following sentence :
The pull …………….. our country remains with us even when we go to far-flung beaches of Gold Coast and Miami …………… America.
Answer:
of, in

Question 6.
Match the words given under column A with their meanings under column B :

A B
Splendours beautiful features of a place
Earnestly seriously
insincerely.

Answer:

A B
Splendours beautiful features of a place
Earnestly seriously

8. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that are given at the end:

Water and soil are two other important factors in the environment of plants. All the chemical processes that take place in living things depend on water, without water all living things die. The only plants that can survive in a desert where there is very little water, are those that can retain water in their tissues. The amount of water in any place on land depends first on the rainfall. But the kind of soil is also important. If it lets water through too quickly none is left- for plants. And even if the soil does hold water, wind and sun may dry out the surface. Wind, sun and rainfall are the main influences of climate. Different combinations of these three produce different climates, and in turn different plants are adapted to these climates. Animals follow the plants or other herbivorous animals which they need for food so that animal distribution also is tied closely to climate.

Question 1.
Choose the correct statements:
(a) Water and soil are two important factors in the environment of plants.
(b) All chemical processes taking place in living things depend on water.
(c) Without water all livings die.
(d) Only plants that can survive in a desert are those having water in their tissues.
Answer:
(a) Water and soil are two important factors in the environment of plants.
(b) All chemical processes taking place in living things depend on water.
(c) Without water all livings die.
(d) Only plants that can survive in a desert are those having water in their tissues.

Question 2.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Wind, sun and rainfall are the main influences of climate.
(b) Different combinations of wind, sun and rainfall produce different climates.
(c) Animals follow the plants or other herbivorous animals which they need for food.
(d) Animal distribution also is tied closely to climate,
Answer:
(a) Wind, sun and rainfall are the main influences of climate.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Question 3.
Give the names of two important factors in the environment of plants.
Answer:
Water and Soil are the two important factors.

Question 4.
Name the three main influences of climate.
Answer:
Wnd, sun and rainfall.

Question 5.
Fill up the two blanks in the sentence below by taking words from the passage:
Wind, …………. and rainfall are the main …………… of climate.
Answer:
sun, influences

Question 6.
Match the words given under column A with their meanings in column B:

A B
Tied surroundings
Environment barricade
linked to.

Answer:

A B
Tied linked to
Environment surroundings.

9. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

In a reversal of the norm elsewhere, in India policymakers and economists have become optimists while bosses do the worrying. The country’s Central Bank has predicted that India’s economy is likely to grow at a double digit rate during the next 20-30 years. India has the capability with its vast labour and lauded entrepreneurial spirit. But the private sector which is supposed to do the heavy lifting that turns India from the tenth largest economy to the third largest by 2030 has become fed up.

Business people often carp about India’s problems but their irritation this time has a nervous edge. In the first quarter of 2011, GDP grew at an annual rate of 7-8 percent; in 2005-07 it managed 9-10 percent. The economy may be slowing naturally as the low interest rates and public spending that got India through the global crisis are belatedly withdrawn. At the same time the surge in inflation caused by exorbitant food prices has spread more widely, casting doubts over whether India can grow at 8-10 percent in the medium term without over heating.

Question 1.
What rate of growth does the Central Bank predict for the Indian economy for the next 20-30 years ?
(a) Double digit percent.
(b) Eight percent.
(c) Seven percent.
(d) Five percent.
Answer:
(a) Double digit percent.

Question 2.
Who is presumed to do the heavy lifting to convert India into third largest economy ?
(a) Private sector.
(b) Public sector.
(c) Government agencies.
(d) Exorbitant food prices.
Answer:
(a) Private sector.

Question 3.
On what is India’s capability to grow based ?
Answer:
It is based on the predictions of Central Bank.

Question 4.
What is casting doubts over India’s growth rate ?
Answer:
Exorbitant food prices are casting doubts about India’s growth rate.

Question 5.
Fill up the two blanks by using your own words or words from the passage:
He suffered heavy ……………… in his business and he had a …………….. breakdown.
Answer:
losses, nervous

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings in column B:

A B
Lauded starting own business seeing a new opportunity
Entrepreneurial speculative
highly praised.

Answer:

A B
Lauded highly praised
Entrepreneurial starting own business seeing a new opportunity.

10. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it:

He was a funny-looking man with a high, bald, dome-shaped head, a face very small in comparison, a round upturned nose and a long wavy beard that didn’t seem to belong to such a perky face. His ugliness was a standing joke among his friends and he helped them to enjoy the joke. He was a poor man and something of an idler-a stone-cutter by trade, a sort of semi-skilled sculptor. But he didn’t work any more than was necessary to keep his wife and three boys alive. He preferred to talk. And since his wife was a complaining woman who used her tongue as an irate wagon driver uses a horse-whip, he loved above all things to be away from home.

He would get up before dawn, eat a hasty breakfast of bread dipped in wine, slip on a tunic and throw a coarse mantle over it, and be off in search of a shop, or a temple, or a friend’s house, or the public baths, or perhaps just a familiar street corner, where he could get into an argument. The whole city he lived in was seething with argumentation. The city was Athens, and the man we are talking about was Socrates.

Question 1.
Choose the correct name of the person whose important physical features are given under (a), (b), (c) and (d):
(a) He was a funny looking man with a high bald, dome-shaped head. He was very ugly.
(b) He did not work very hard to earn more than required to feed his wife and children.
(c) His wife was a complaining woman, so he often kept away from home.
(d) Was he one of these-Aristotle, Plato, Socrates ?
Answer:
Socrates.

Question 2.
Identify the individual who followed his daily routine through the following activities:
(a) He got up before dawn and had his breakfast.
(b) He reached one of the places-a street corner, a public bath, a temple to get into an argument.
(c) It was the city of Athens.
(d) The whole city was seething with argumentation.
Answer:
Socrates.

Question 3.
Whose ugliness was a standing joke among the people ?
Answer:
It was the ugliness of Socrates.

Question 4.
Give a brief description of the ugly man.
Answer:
He was funny-looking, with a high bald, dome-shaped head, a small face, with an upturned nose, happy and energetic face etc.

Question 5.
Fill up the two blanks in the given sentence using your own words or words from the passage :
Socrates loved to stay ……………. from ……………
Answer:
away, home.

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings under column B:

A B
Coarse happy and foil of energy
Perky angry
rough.

Answer:

A B
Coarse rough
Perky happy and full of energy.

11. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

In the eighteenth century, one of the first modern economists, Adam Smith, thought that the whole annual produce of the land and labour of every country provide revenue to three different orders of people; those who live by rent, those who live by wages and those who live by profit. Each successive stage of the industrial revolution, however, made the social structure more complicated.

Many intermediate groups grew up during the nineteenth century between the upper middle class and the working class. There are small scale industrialists as well as the large ones, small shopkeepers and tradesmen, officials and salaried employees, skilled and unskilled workers, and professional men as doctors and teachers. Farmers and peasants continue in all countries as independent groups.

In spite of this development, one of the most famous writers on social class in the nineteenth century, Karl Marx, thought that there was tendency for society to split into huge class camps, the capitalists and the workers. Influential as Marx’s theory of social class, it was much over-simplified. The social make-up of modern societies is much more complex than he suggested.

Question 1.
According to passage, doctors and teachers belong to the:
(a) Upper class.
(b) Upper middle class.
(c) Working class.
(d) Middle class.
Answer:
(b) Upper middle class.

Question 2.
What effect did each stage of the industrial revolution have on social structure ?
(a) Made it easier to learn.
(b) Made it simple.
(c) Made it complicated.
(d) Made it flexible.
Answer:
(b) Made it simple.

Question 3.
Who developed the two-class theory ?
Answer:
Karl Marx developed the two-class theory.

Question 4.
Who are considered as intermediate group ?
Answer:
The small shopkeepers and tradesmen are considered as intermediate group.

Question 5.
Fill up the blanks (two) in the following sentence :
The new country of Pakistan was created ………….. 14th August, 1947 though the partition
of United India was declared a day ………….. on 15th August, 1947.
Answer:
on, later

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings in column B

A B
Split big
Huge not heavy
broken
undivided.

Answer:

A B
Split broken
Huge big.

12. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

Named after former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral’s mother, Pushpa Gujral Science City located on Jalandhar-Kapurthala Road, just west of Jalandhar is extremely thrilling. Almost every branch of science is exhibited, right from physical, applied, natural and social sciences. Similarly health sciences, human evolution and civilization, engineering, technology, agriculture, the environment, ecosystems and Jurassic Park are presented in great details and show the various aspects of Science. In the Dome theatre, large format films are projected on 23 meter-tilted dome. Semi-circular giant dome screen produces huge images that soar and swoop above, beside and behind you, to give you a spectacular, immiscible experience.

The light-speed 3D Digital Theatre presents three dimensional computer graphics, videos and the most advanced animation. Amazing Living Machine Gallery presents the intricate structures and functions of the human body using large human models. The flight simulator provides the visitors a sense of adventure. The laser theatre presents laser shows that carry the visitors to a wonderland to experience a mind boggling mix of sound and laser beams. The Dinosaur Park displays the evolution of dinosaurs and the probable reasons for their extinction. There is also a kids’ park containing tunnels, rides, bouncers etc. and an artificial lake that allows the visitors to indulge in boating. With all the wonderful attractions, a visit to the Science City would be highly informative and enjoyable.

Question 1.
Choose on? of the following facilities which provides a sense of adventure :
(a) Laser Theatre.
(b) Dome Theatre.
(c) Kids’ Park.
(d) Flight Simulator.
Answer:
(d) Flight Simulator.

Question 2.
Large human models are found in :
(a) Dinosaur Park.
(b) Amazing Living Machine Gallery.
(c) Digital Theatre.
(d) Laser Theatre.
Answer:
(b) Amazing Living Machine Gallery.

Question 3.
Where is the science city situated ?
Answer:
It is situated on Jalandhar-Kapurthala Road.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-II

Question 4.
What is displayed in the Dinosaur Park ?
Answer:
The Dinosaur Park displays the evolution of the dinosaurs and the probable reason of their disappearence.

Question 5.
Fill up the two blanks in the sentence given below with the words used in the passage above:
Our visit to Pushpa Gujral Science City was very ……………. and …………….
Answer:
thrilling, mind boggling.

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings under column B :

A B
Located shown
Exhibited situated.

Answer:

A B
Located situated
Exhibited shown.

13. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:

In the pleasant valley of a country which was called Thessaly, there lived a man whose name was Orpheus. Everyday he made soft music with his golden harp and sang beautiful songs such as no one had ever heard before. And whenever Orpheus sang, everything came to listen to him. It was strange to watch the beasts that came and stood all around him. Cows came, and sheep and dogs, and horses and with them came bears and wolves; but the wild beasts did not hurt the cows and sheep, for they forgot their cruel ways as they heard the songs of Orpheus. The high hills listened to him also and even clouds sailed along more gently and brightly in the sky when he sang; and the stream which ran close to his feet made a softer noise to show how glad his music made it.

Question 1.
Identify the man :
(a) Who lived in the pleasant valley of a country.
(b) Who made soft music with his golden harp.
(c) Who sang beautiful songs.
(d) Who sang songs which had never been heard by anyone before.
Answer:
Orpheus.

Question 2.
State the event :
(a) Everything came to listen ……………..
(b) Beasts stood all around ……………..
(c) The high hills listened ……………..
(d) Horses, wolves and bears came ……………..
Answer:
when Orpheus sang.

Question 3.
How did the beasts behave towards sheep and cows ?
Answer:
They forgot their cruel ways.

Question 4.
What was the effect of the singers songs on the animals ?
Answer:
They came and stood around the singer.

Question 5.
Fill up the two blanks in the given sentence with your own words or words from the passage:
The stream a noise to show its gladness.
Answer:
made, softer

Question 6.
Match the words under column A with their meanings under column B:

A B
Harp musical instrument
softer gentler.

Answer:

A B
Harp musical instrument
softer gentler.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Give a brief account of Mr. Lucas’s visit to Miss Beam’s school.
Mr: Lucas के Miss Beam के स्कूल में दौरे का संक्षिप्त वर्णन करो।
Answer:
Once the author visited Miss Beam’s school. It taught normal school subjects and also made the students sympathetic, thoughtful and kind. The author saw many handicapped children. Actually they were all healthy. They were playing at being crippled. Each child was made to have one blind day, one lame day, one dumb day and one maimed day in a term.

This made the students understand the misfortunes of the handicapped. The blind day was very troublesome. At the end of the visit, the author thought that Miss Beam’s school did a very useful service in making the students sympathetic and kind.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

एक बार लेखक मिस बीम के स्कूल गया। इसमें आम विषय पढ़ाए जाते थे और यह विद्यार्थियों को सहानुभूतिपूर्ण, विचारशील और दयालु बनाता था। लेखक ने बहुत से अपंग बच्चे देखे। वास्तव में वे सभी स्वस्थ थे। वे अपंग होने का अभिनय कर रहे थे।

एक अवधि में हर बच्चे के लिए एक अन्धा होने का दिन, एक लंगड़ा होने का दिन, एक बहरा और गूंगा होने का दिन और एक अपाहिज होने का दिन आवश्यक था। इससे विद्यार्थियों को अपंग मानवों के दुर्भाग्य की जानकारी होती थी। अन्धा होने का दिन बहुत कष्टदायक था। दौरे के अन्त में लेखक ने सोचा कि मिस बीम का स्कूल विद्यार्थियों को सहानुभूतिपूर्ण तथा दयालु बनने में बहुत लाभदायक काम करता था।

Question 2.
“In the course of the term every child has one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day, one maimed day, one dumb day.” What were the children expected to do on these days ? ”
(पढ़ाई की) अवधि के दौरान प्रत्येक बच्चे को एक दिन अन्धा, एक दिन लंगड़ा, एक दिन बहरा, एक दिन अपंग, एक दिन गूंगा होना पड़ता है।” इन दिनों बच्चों से क्या आशा की जाती थी ?
Answer:
On the blind day, the eyes of children were bandaged. Such children needed help in everything. On the lame day, a leg of the child was tied up and he was to hop about on a crutch. On the deaf day, the ears of children were clogged. On the maimed day, an arm was tied up and the children had to get their food cut for them.

On the dumb day, they were to remain silent. As their mouths were not bandaged, they had to depend upon their will power. They were made to take part in these misfortunes in order to make them appreciate and understand the misfortune of others. The basic idea was to make the children sympathetic towards such helpless children.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

अन्धा होने के दिन, बच्चों की आंखों पर पट्टी बांध दी जाती थी। ऐसे बच्चों को प्रत्येक काम में सहायता की आवश्यकता थी। लंगड़ा होने के दिन बच्चे की एक टांग बांध दी जाती थी और उसे बैसाखी पर फुदकना पड़ता था। बहरा होने के दिन, बच्चों के कान अवरुद्ध कर दिये जाते थे।

अपंग होने के दिन बच्चे की एक भुजा बांध दी जाती थी और बच्चों को उनका भोजन काटना होता था। गूंगा होने के दिन उन्हें चुप रहना होता था। क्योंकि उनके मुंह पर पट्टी नहीं बांधी जाती थी उन्हें अपनी इच्छा-शक्ति पर निर्भर रहना पड़ता था। उन्हें इन दुर्भाग्यों में भाग लेने के लिये शिक्षित किया जाता था ताकि वे दूसरों के दुर्भाग्य को समझ सकें। मुख्य विचार बच्चों को ऐसे असहाय बच्चों के प्रति सहानुभूतिपूर्ण बनाना था।

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What did the author see in Miss Beam’s school at first sight? How did he feel about it?
पहली नज़र में लेखक ने Miss Beam के स्कूल में क्या देखा ? इस के बारे में उसे कैसा लगा ?
Answer:
The author visited Miss Beam’s school. He looked out of the window. He told Miss Beam that he had seen some very beautiful grounds and a lot of jolly children. But it was an unpleasant and painful experience. He pointed out that all the children were not as healthy and active as they should be.

On entering the school, he saw a girl being led about by another child. It could be understood that the girl had some trouble with her eyes. After that, the writer could see two more girls in the same condition. He also saw a girl with a crutch watching the other children at play. He came to the conclusion that the girl must be a helpless cripple.

लेखक मिस बीम के स्कूल गया। उसने खिड़की से बाहर देखा। उसने मिस बीम को बताया कि उसने बहुत सुन्दर स्थल और बहुत से प्रसन्न बच्चे देखे हैं। लेकिन यह असुहावना और दुखद अनुभव था। उसने कहा कि सब बच्चे इतने स्वस्थ और चुस्त नहीं थे जितने होने चाहिये। स्कूल में प्रवेश करने पर उसने एक लड़की को दूसरे बच्चे द्वारा ले जाते हुए देखा।

यह समझा जा सकता था कि लड़की की आंखों मे कोई तकलीफ थी। इसके पश्चात् लेखक दो और लड़कियों को उसी हालत में देख सकता था। उसने एक लड़की को बैसाखी के साथ दूसरे बच्चों को खेलते हुए देखा। वह इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुंचा कि लड़की असहाय विकलांग थी।

Question 2.
Give a character-sketch of Miss Beam.
Answer:
Miss Beam was kind-hearted, middle-aged, authoritative and full of understanding. She started a new school known as the School for Sympathy. Important school subjects were taught in this school. But this school was different in one aspect. Here the students were given training in good qualities. The real aim of the school was to give training in thoughtfulness, humanity and good citizenship.

Every child in her school had one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day and one dumb day etc. The children thus had a taste of misfortune. As a result, they learnt to be sympathetic towards handicapped people. Miss Beam was an asset to society. She wanted to promote noble ideas in society.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

मिस बीम एक दयालु-हृदय वाली, अधेड़ अवस्था की, रौबदार और समझदार स्त्री थी। उसने School for Sympathy के नाम से एक नया स्कूल चालू किया। स्कूल के महत्त्वपूर्ण विषय इस स्कूल में पढ़ाये जाते थे। लेकिन एक बात में यह स्कूल भिन्न था। यहां विद्यार्थियों को अच्छे गुणों की शिक्षा दी जाती थी। स्कूल का मुख्य उद्देश्य विचारशीलता, मानवता और नागरिकता में प्रशिक्षण देना था।

इसके स्कूल के प्रत्येक बच्चे का एक अन्धा होने का दिन, एक लंगड़ा होने का दिन, एक बहरा होने का दिन और एक गूंगा होने का दिन होता था। इस तरह बच्चे दुर्भाग्य का अनुमान लगा सकते थे। परिणामस्वरूप, उन्होंने अपंग लोगों के प्रति सहानुभूतिशील होना सीख लिया। मिस बीम समाज के लिए एक पूंजी थी। वह समाज में अच्छे विचारों का विकास करना चाहती थी।

Question 3.
Give in your own words the theme of the lesson ‘The School For Sympathy’.
Answer:
Traditional or conventional education given in schools is not ideal. It gives information of facts. It enables a person to earn his living. In addition to the normal subjects, the students of Miss Beam’s ideal school were also given lessons on humanity and citizenship.

Here students got a real understanding of misfortune. During training every child had one blind day, one deaf day and one dumb day. During the blind day their eyes were bandaged. The bandage was also put during the night. By being blind for a day the child realised what a misfortune it was to be blind. In the same way children learnt the difficulties of the deaf and the dumb people.

स्कलों में दी जाने वाली परम्परागत शिक्षा आदर्श नहीं है। यह तथ्यों की सूचना देती है। यह मनुष्य को अपनी आजीविका कमाने योग्य बनाती है। आम विषयों के अतिरिक्त मिस बीम के आदर्श स्कूल में विद्यार्थियों को मानवता और नागरिकता के पाठ पढ़ाए जाते थे। यहां विद्यार्थियों को दुर्भाग्य की वास्तविक जानकारी दी जाती थी।

प्रशिक्षण के दौरान प्रत्येक बच्चे का एक अन्धा होने का दिन, एक बहरा होने का दिन और एक गूंगा होने का दिन होता था। अन्धे होने के दिन के दौरान उनकी आंखों पर पट्टी बांध दी जाती थी। पट्टी रात को बांध दी जाती थी। एक दिन अन्धे बने रहने पर बच्चे को महसूस होता था कि अन्धे होना कितना दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण था। इसी तरह बच्चों को बहरे और गूंगे लोगों की कठिनाइयों का पता चलता था।

Objective Type Questions

This question will consist of 3 objective type questions carrying one mark each. These objective questions will include questions to be answered in one word to one sentence or fill in the blank or true/false or multiple choice type questions.

Question 1.
What does the author tell us about Miss Beam ?
Answer:
He tells us that Miss Beam was a middle-aged, kindly, understanding and impressive lady.

Question 2.
What was the real aim of Miss Beam’s school ?
Answer:
Its real aim was to make the students thoughtful, helpful and sympathetic citizens.

Question 3.
Why did the author feel sorry for some of the children ?
Answer:
He felt sorry for some children because they seemed to be handicapped.

Question 4.
Were the children playing in the ground really physically handicapped ?
Answer:
They were not really handicapped.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

Question 5.
Why were the children acting to be blind, deaf or lame ?
Answer:
The children were acting to be blind, lame and deaf to have experience of misfortune.

Question 6.
What is the educative value of a blind, deaf or lame day?
Answer:
Students get an idea of the discomfort of handicapped persons and then they have sympathy for the handicapped.

Question 7.
Which day is the most difficult for children ?
Answer:
The blind day is the most difficult for children.

Question 8.
Who did Miss Beam lead the author to ?
Answer:
Miss Beam led the author to the girl whose eyes were bandaged.

Question 9.
How did the girl with bandaged eyes feel on her blind day?
Answer:
All the time she feared that she was going to be hit by something.

Question 10.
What does the girl with the bandaged eyes tell the author about her guides ?
Answer:
She tells the author that the guides were very good.

Question 11.
What, according to the girl with the bandaged eyes, is almost a fun ?
Answer:
According to her, hopping about with a crutch is almost a fun.

Question 12.
Why does the girl with the bandaged eyes say that her head aches all the time on her blind day?
Answer:
She says that her head aches all the time just from dodging things that are not there.

Question 13.
What does the girl, with the bandaged eyes, tell the author about the head girl ?
Answer:
She says that she is very decent.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

Question 14.
What does the girl with the bandaged eyes say about the gardener ?
Answer:
She says that he is hundreds of years old.

Question 15.
What made Miss Beam think that there was something in her system?
Answer:
Miss Beam was right to think so because her school had taught the author to share the sorrows of others.

Question 16.
Choose the correct option:
(i) Miss Beam was a cruel lady.
(ii) Miss Beam was a young lady, teaching in a school.
(iii) Miss Beam was a middle aged, kindly and impressive lady.
Answer:
(iii) Miss Beam was a middle aged, kindly and impressive lady.

Question 17.
Choose the correct option :
(i) The aim of Miss Beam’s school was to make the students thoughtful, helpful and sympathetic citizens.
(ii) The object of Miss Beam’s school was to make the students bookworms.
(iii) Miss Beam’s school made the students into good sportspersons.
Answer:
(i) The aim of Miss Beam’s school was to make the students thoughtful, helpful and sympathetic citizens.

Question 18.
Choose the correct option :
The author was sorry for some children of Miss Beam’s school because they were :
(i) poor.
(ii) handicapped.
(iii) sick.
Answer:
(ii) handicapped.

Question 19.
Write True or False as appropriate :
(i) The children in Miss Beam’s school were handicapped.
(ii) They were acting to be handicapped.
(iii) They were being treated for being handicapped.
Answer:
(i) False
(ii) True
(iii) False.

Question 20.
Write True or False as appropriate :
The most difficult day for the students in Miss Beam’s school was the lame day.
Answer:
False.

Question 21.
Write True or False as appropriate :
The most difficult day for the students in Miss Beam’s school was the deaf day.
Answer:
False.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

Question 22.
Write True or False as appropriate :
The most difficult day for the students in Miss Beam’s school was the blind day.
Answer:
True.

Question 23.
The writer had heard of the ……….. of the system of Miss Beam’s school. (Fill up the blank)
Answer:
originality

Question 24.
The bandaged girl tells the writer that the gardener was …………. of years old. (Fill in the blank)
Answer:
hundreds

Question 25.
What was the name of the bandaged girl ?
Answer:
Millie.

The School for Sympathy Summary in English

The School for Sympathy Introduction:

In this essay the writer tells us about a new type of school. As the name indicates, its purpose is to create sympathy among its students for the lame, the blind and the handicapped. It teaches all the subjects taught by other schools. But it differs from other schools in one important aspect. It makes its students good citizens.

The School for Sympathy Summary in English:

The writer had heard a lot about Miss Beam’s School for Sympathy. One day he got the chance to visit it. He saw a twelve-year old girl. Her eyes were covered with a bandage. An eight-year old boy was leading her carefully between the flower-beds.

After that the author met Miss Beam. She was a middle-aged, kindly and understanding lady. He asked her questions about her way of teaching. She told him that the teaching methods in her school were very simple. The students were taught spelling, arithmetic and writing.

The author told Miss Beam that he had heard a lot about the originality of her teaching method. Miss Beam told him that the real aim of her school was to make the students thoughtful. She wanted to make them helpful and sympathetic citizens. She added that parents sent their children to her school gladly. She then asked the writer to look out of the window.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

The author looked out of the window. He saw a large garden and playground. Many children were playing there. He told Miss Beam that he felt sorry for the physically handicapped. Miss Beam laughed at it. She explained to him that they were not really handicapped. It was the blind day for a few while for some it was the deaf day. There were still others for whom it was the lame day. Then she explained the system.

To make the students understand misfortune, they were made to have experience of misfortunes. In the course of the term every child had one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day, one maimed day and one dumb day. On the blind day, their eyes were bandaged. They did everything with the help of other children. It was educative to both the blind and the helpers.

Miss Beam told the author that the blind day was very difficult for the children. But some of the children feared the dumb day. On the dumb day, the child had to exercise willpower because the mouth was not bandaged. Miss Beam introduced the author to a girl whose eyes were bandaged. The author asked her if she ever peeped. She told him that it would be cheating. She also told the author that she had no idea of the difficulties of the blind.

All the time she feared that she was going to be hit by something. The author asked her if her guides were good to her. She replied that they were very good. She also informed the author that those who had been blind already were the best guides. The author walked with the girl leading her to the playground. She told him that the blind day was the worst day.

She didn’t feel so bad on the maimed day, lame day and deaf day. The girl asked the author where they were at the moment. He told her that they were going towards the house. He also told her that Miss Beam was walking up and down the terrace with a tall girl. The blind girl asked what that tall girl was wearing.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

When the author told her about the tall girls dress, she at once made out that she was Millie. The author described the surroundings to her. He felt that as a guide to the blind, one had to be thoughtful. He was full of praise for Miss Beam’s system of education which made the student sympathetic and kind. The writer himself had become ten times more thoughtful.

The School for Sympathy Summary in Hindi

The School for Sympathy Introduction:

इस लेख में लेखक एक नये प्रकार के स्कूल के बारे बतलाता है। जैसा कि इसके नाम से स्पष्ट होता है, इसका उद्देश्य उसके छात्रों में लंगड़ों, अन्धों और अपंगों के लिए सहानुभूति पैदा करना है। इस स्कूल में वे तमाम विषय पढ़ाये जाते हैं जो कि अन्य स्कूलों में पढ़ाये जाते हैं। लेकिन यह स्कूल दूसरे स्कूलों से एक महत्त्वपूर्ण पक्ष में भिन्न है। यह अपने छात्रों को अच्छे नागरिक बनाता है।

The School for Sympathy Summary in Hindi:

लेखक ने Miss Beam के सहानुभूति के लिए स्कूल के बारे में बहुत कुछ सुन रखा था। एक दिन उसे यह देखने का अवसर मिला। उसने एक 12 वर्ष की लड़की देखी। उसकी आंखें पट्टी से ढकी हुई थीं। एक आठ वर्ष का लड़का बड़ी सावधानी के साथ फूलों की क्यारियों में से उसका मार्ग-दर्शन कर रहा था।

उसके बाद लेखक मिस बीम को मिला। वह अधेड़ उम्र की दयालु समझदार स्त्री थी। उसने उससे पढ़ाने के ढंग के बारे में पूछा। उसने उसे बताया कि उसके स्कूल में पढ़ाने का ढंग बहुत सादा था। विद्यार्थियों को हिज्जे करना, गणित और लिखना सिखाया जाता था।

लेखक ने मिस बीम को बताया कि वह उसके पढ़ाने के ढंग की मौलिकता के विषय में बहुत कुछ सुन चुका था। मिस बीम ने उसे बताया कि उसके स्कूल का वास्तविक ध्येय विद्यार्थियों को विचारशील बनाना था। वह अपने विद्यार्थियों को सहायक और सहानुभूतिशील नागरिक बनाना चाहती थी। उसने फिर कहा कि माता-पिता बच्चों को उसके स्कूल में खुशी से भेजते थे। उसने तब लेखक को खिड़की से बाहर देखने को कहा। .

लेखक ने खिड़की से बाहर देखा। उसने एक बड़ा बाग़ और खेल का मैदान देखा। बहुत से बच्चे वहीं खेल रहे थे। लेखक ने मिस बीम को बताया कि उसे इन अपंग बच्चों से हमदर्दी है। मिस बीम हंस पड़ी। उसने बताया कि वे अपंग बच्चे नहीं थे। कुछ बच्चों के लिए यह ‘अन्धा रहने का दिन था’ और कुछ के लिए बहरा रहने का दिन था। कुछ बच्चों के लिए यह लंगड़ा रहने का दिन था। फिर मिस बीम ने शिक्षा प्रणाली समझाई।

विपत्ति से पीड़ित मनुष्य की भावनाओं का अनुभव कराने के लिए बच्चों को विपत्ति में भागीदार बनाया जाता था। शिक्षा के दौरान हर बच्चे को एक दिन अन्धा, एक दिन बहरा, एक दिन लंगड़ा और एक दिन गूंगा रहना पड़ता था। अन्धे रहने वाले दिन उसकी आंखों पर पट्टी बांध दी जाती थी। वे हर काम दूसरे बच्चों की सहायता से करते थे।

यह अन्धे लड़के और उसके सहायक दोनों के लिए शिक्षाप्रद होता था। मिस बीम ने लेखक को कहा कि अन्धा रहने वाला दिन बच्चों के लिए कठिन होता था। किन्तु कुछ बच्चे गूंगे रहने वाले दिन से डरते थे। गूंगे रहने वाले बच्चे को इच्छा शक्ति प्रयोग करनी पड़ती थी क्योंकि मुंह पर

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy

पट्टी नहीं बांधी जाती थी। मिस बीम ने लेखक को एक अन्धी लड़की से मिलवाया। उसकी आंखों पर पट्टी बन्धी थी। लड़की और लेखक अकेले रह गए। लेखक ने पूछा क्या वह कभी पट्टी में से झांकती है। लड़की ने बताया यह धोखा होगा। उसने यह भी बताया कि अन्धे मनुष्य की कठिनाइयों का उसे कोई भी अनुमान नहीं था।

उसे हर समय यही डर लगा रहता था वह किसी चीज़ से टकराने वाली थी। लेखक ने पूछा क्या उसके सहायक उसके प्रति अच्छे थे। उसने उत्तर दिया कि वे काफ़ी अच्छे थे। उसने लेखक को यह भी बताया कि जो सहायक पहले अन्धे रह चुके थे वे सबसे बढ़िया थे।

लेखक लड़की को खेल के मैदान तक ले आया। उस अन्धी लड़की ने बताया कि ‘अन्धा दिन’ सबसे बुरा था। उसने ‘लंगड़े दिन’, ‘बहरे दिन’ ऐसा बुरा महसूस नहीं किया था। अन्धी लड़की ने पूछा कि वे इस समय कहां थे। लेखक ने बताया कि वे मकान की ओर जा रहे थे। उसने यह भी बताया कि मिस बीम एक लम्बी लड़की के साथ बरामदे में टहल रही थी। अन्धी लड़की ने पूछा कि उस लम्बी लड़की ने क्या पहना है।

जब लेखक ने लड़की को उसकी वेश-भूषा के विषय में बताया तो अन्धी लड़की एकदम भांप गई कि यह मिल्ली है। लेखक ने लड़की के आस-पड़ोस का वर्णन किया। उसने अनुभव किया कि अन्धे मनुष्य का पथ-प्रदर्शक बनने के लिए विचारवान् बनना पड़ता है। लेखक ने मिस बीम की शिक्षा प्रणाली की बहुत सराहना की। इस शिक्षा प्रणाली से विद्यार्थी हमदर्द और दूसरों के प्रति दयालु बनता था। लेखक स्वयं दस गुना अधिक विचारशील बन गया था।

Word Meanings:

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 The School for Sympathy 1

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I Exercise Questions and Answers, Notes.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Comprehension means understanding. At the learners level comprehension is a fairly good exercise for ability enhancement and confidence building. It involves deriving or getting the meaning of reading material. It means the understanding of what is written or heard or spoken.

A passage -given for comprehension is a tool to test ability to understand it. In order to acquire efficiency in understanding a passage, practice supplemented by reading books written by eminent authors, acts like the benefits of comprehension in the real sense. You could be asked different types of questions in order to find out if your knowledge is sound. Some of these questions may be:

1. Multiple Choice Questions.
2. You should read the passage again slowly so as to know all the details.
3. Read the passage after reading all the questions.
4. Answer the question in a complete sentence.
5. Read the words in a group, not one by one.
6. Try to get the meaning of unknown or unfamiliar words.
7. Do not feel nervous if you do not know the meanings of one or two words. Sometimes two or three readings are quite helpful.
8. Revise your answer to correct mistakes.
9. Every passage embodies a viewpoint.
10. As far as possible, use your own words in answering one line questions. You should not try to lift the words of the passage.
11. You should try to create the impression that you are the master and you have thorough understanding of the passage given in the question paper.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Question No. 1 (a) in the question paper will be based on comprehension of an unseen passage.

One unseen passage with a variety of Objective Type Questions, including Multiple Choice questions and Short Answer Questions to test Comprehension, interpretation and inference. The length of this passage will be between 200-250 words. Six Multiple Choice type question and four Objective Type Questions (total 10 marks) shall be asked from this pasage.

Sample Paragraphs for Comprehension

Passage 1

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

The great advantage of early rising is the good start that it gives us in our day’s work. The early riser has done a large amount before other men have got out of bed. In early morning this mind is fresh and there are few sounds or other distractions, so the work done at that time is generally well done. In many cases the early riser also finds some time to take exercise in the fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening. By beginning so early, he has plenty of time to do thoroughly all his work being finished in good time, has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. He goes to sleep several hours before midnight, at the time when sleep is most refreshing, and after a sound night’s rest, rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labours of a new day.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose one of the following as a suitable title for the passage:
(a) Advantages of Early Rising
(b) Early Rising versus Late Rising
(c) Disadvantages of Early Rising
(d) An Early Riser or An Early Bird
Answer:
(a) Advantages of Early Rising

Question 2.
Choose the correct meaning of the Word ‘Distraction:
(a) Destruction
(b) Disappointment
(c) State of being upset or disturbed
(d) Destinations
Answer:
(c) State of being upset or disturbed

Question 3.
Choose the correct answer:
The work done by an early riser is:
(a) Hurriedly done
(b) Well done
(c) Carelessly done
(d) Badly done
Answer:
(b) Well done

Question 4.
Select the correct statement:
(a) An early riser gets time to take exercise in the fresh morning air
(b) One gets no time for exercise
(c) The early riser does not take exercise
(d) He takes exercise in the evening.
Answer:
(a) An early riser gets time to take exercise in the fresh morning air

Question 5.
Pick the correct statement:
(a) The early riser gets time for rest in the morning.
(b) The early riser does not find time for rest in the evening.
(c) The early riser does not take rest in the evening.
(d) The early riser hates taking rest in the evening.
Answer:
(a) The early riser gets time for rest in the morning.

Question 6.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) The life of the early riser is far more conducive to health than that of the late riser.
(b) The life of the early riser is not conducive to health.
(c) The life style of the early riser is envied by others.
(d) The life of the early riser is marked by hurry, worry and stress.
Answer:
(a) The life of the early riser is far more conducive to health than that of the late riser.

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is the advantage of rising early ?
Answer:
Early rising gives a good start to the day’s work. The early riser is able to do a good deal of work while the others are still asleep.

Question 8.
Why is the work done in the early morning well done ?
Answer:
In the early hours of the morning, work is done in a very good way. The early morning time is free from noise. There is no disturbance of any kind.

Question 9.
What enables the early riser to go to bed at the proper time ?
Answer:
The mind of the riser is also quite fresh. By rising early, the early riser adds to his hours of work. He gets ample time to do full justice to each one of tasks or jobs assigned to him. He does not have to hurry over anything.

Question 10.
Why is the late riser unable to do his work properly ?
Answer:
The late riser gets fewer hours of work. He gets no rest during the day, no time for rest, no time for exercise in the evening and has to keep awake till late hours in order to finish his work. And still whatever work is done is done unsatisfactorily.

Passage 2

Read the following passage and answer the Questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man. With its help, we can heal wounds caused by bacteria which cannot be otherwise healed. In the beginning very few people knew of this wonderful discovery on its uses. First the scientists and then the ministers of governments were interested in it. Since penicillin could save the wounded soldiers, it was helpful in war. So they decided to encourage the process of manufacture. Vast factories were set up for preparing it. Lives of hundreds and thousands of soldiers were saved with its help. Most people benefited from it. Penicillin when introduced into the streams of the human blood, acts as an aid to those parts which are always fighting the deadly germs. It does not have power over all kinds of bacteria. But certain kinds are destroyed by penicillin in the great majoriy of cases.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Select the correct statement:
(a) Penicillin is not the most useful drugs invented by man.
(b) Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man.
(c) Penicillin has not been able to cure Corona virus.
(d) Vaccine for the Corona virus is still at the testing stage.
Answer:
(b) Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man.

Question 2.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Penicillin could not save the wounded soldiers.
(b) Penicillin could save the soldiers.
(c) Penicillin could injure the soldiers.
(d) Penicillin could kill the soldiers.
Answer:
(b) Penicillin could save the soldiers.

Question 3.
Pick up those who were interested in the discovery of penicillin in the beginning.
(a) Teachers
(b) Ministers of governments
(c) doctors
(d) Scientists.
Answer:
(b) Ministers of governments

Question 4.
Penicillin was helpful in war to:
(a) Save wounded soldiers
(b) Save ordinary people
(c) Save healthy people
(d) Save children.
Answer:
(a) Save wounded soldiers

Question 5.
Just write how many of the people given below knew about the penicillin at the time of its discovery ?
(a) Very few people
(b) A few scientists
(c) Famous physicians
(d) Important world leaders.
Answer:
(a) Very few people

Question 6.
Choose the people who encouraged the process of manufacture.
(a) Factory owners
(b) Military men
(c) Scientists
(d) Ministers of governments.
Answer:
(c) Scientists

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Why did scientists and ministers of governments encourage the process of manufacture ?
Answer:
Penicillin was useful for war because it saved the lives of soldiers. So the scientists and government ministers encouraged the process of manufacture.

Question 8.
Why were vast factories set up ?
Answer:
Vast factories were set up to prepare penicillin.

Question 9.
How did most people benefit from penicillin ?
Answer:
Most people benefited from penicillin because it saved the lives of many soldiers and people.

Question 10.
What kind of bacteria are destroyed by penicillin ?
Answer:
Certain kinds of bacteria are destroyed by penicillin in the great majority of cases.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 3

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Platinum is pure, rare, eternal and versatile, it is a precious and special metal. It is pure, an expression of integrity, and a reflection of inner truth. Its purity endows it with a brilliant white lustre. This helps to reflect the true radiance of diamonds. Because it is generally 95% pure (18 karat gold is 75% pure), platinum jewellery does not fade on tarnish and keeps its looks for a lifetime. Platinum’s purity makes it hypoallergenic an ideal for those with sensitive skin.

It is rare, the coveted treasure of discerning individuals. There is very little platinum on this earth and it is found in very few places around the world. This exquisite metal is thirty times rarer than gold. In fact, it is estimated that if all the platinum in the .world were poured into one Olympic swimming pool, it would be scarcely deep enough to cover your ankles. Gold would fill more than three pools. Platinum’s rarity makes it exclusive and distinctive —a celebration of your individuality.

Platinum jewellery is the perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday^ wear. Its density and weight make it more durable than other jewellery metals. It does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. Like all precious metals, platinum scratches. However the scratch on a platinum piece is merely a displacement of the metal and none of its volume is lost. So, even though wearing it each and every day may leave an impression on the surface. It remains what it was—a symbol for all thing eternal.

In addition to its strength and density, plantinum has another remarkable quality-pliability. It is so pliable, that just one gram of the metal can be drawn to produce a fine wire over one mile (almost 2 km) long. This quality has enabled jewellers to create some amazing versatile platinum mesh accessories, which could not be fashioned from other precious metals. It is also in demand in other fields-it is used in industry, most notably in catalytic converters. It also plays an important role in medicine. It is not affected by the oxidising reaction of blood, has excellent conductivity, and is compatible with living tissues. Because of these properties, platinum is used for pacemakers. At present, more than 50,000 people are living healthily on pacemakers. Platinum is a life-saving metal for these people.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose two of the correct qualities of platinum as referred to in the passage.
(a) Versatile
(b) Rare
(c) Transient
(d) Crude-looking.
Answer:
(a) Versatile

Question 2.
Platinum can be described as:
(a) A gold metal
(b) A silver grey precious metal
(c) An iron metal
(d) A type of diamond.
Answer:
(b) A silver grey precious metal

Question 3.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Platinum has a reflection of inner truth.
(b) The platinum jewellery’s looks fade very soon.
(c) Platinum jewellery retains its looks for a lifetime.
(d) Platinums rarity makes it exclusive and distinctive.
Answer:
(a) Platinum has a reflection of inner truth.

Question 4.
Select the correct statement:
(a) Platinum is the coveted treasure of discerning individuals.
(b) There is a big store of platinum on this earth.
(c) Platinum is found in many places round the world.
(d) All the platinum would fill one Olympic swimming pool.
Answer:
(a) Platinum is the coveted treasure of discerning individuals.

Question 5.
Select the correct statement:
(a) Plantinum jewellery is a poor choice for everyday wear.
(b) The weight of the platinum jewellery makes it less durable than other jewellery metals.
(c) Platinum jewellery does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly.
(d) Platinum jewellery is a short-lived thing.
Answer:
(c) Platinum jewellery does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly.

Question 6.
Because of its remarkable pliability, one gram of platinum can be drawn to produce a fine wire of one of the given lengths.
(a) One mile
(b) Half a mile
(c) Two miles
(d) Two km.
Answer:
(a) One mile

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What are the uses of platinum ?
Answer:
The brilliant white lustre enables it to reflect the true radiance of diamonds.

Question 8.
How is platinum a distinctive mark of one’s individuality ?
Answer:
The unusual quality of platinum makes it a distinctive mark of ones individuality.

Question 9.
How does platinum save people with heart ailments ?
Answer:
Platinun is used in making pace-makers for heart patients.

Question 10.
Give in simple English the meanings of the following words:
Eternal, integrity.
Answer:
everlasting, honesty/truth.

Passage 4

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Do birds know how to come back home after a long flight ? Bird scientists known as ornithologists, say that birds know exactly where they are and where their nests are. Even the young ones can fly hundreds of nautical miles without losing their way. How do they do it ? God has given them a tremendous sense of direction; possibly they have a compass of sorts in their brain. Every year, we see birds from North India who fly to the South. In India we have several bird sanctuaries where birds from both parts of the globe come, spend a few months and return when the climatic conditions in their homeland are more favourable. When it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it is summer in the southern hemisphere. The birds which cannot stand the cold climate fly to the warmer regions. They are called migratory birds. They can fly non-stop up to twenty hours in sky in one stretch and cover a few hundred miles in one stop. The migratory birds always fly in groups.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose one of the correct words which is closer to the subject matter of the passage :
(a) Orthopaedist
(b) Ornithologist
(c) Orthographies
(d) Orthodontist.
Answer:
(b) Ornithologist

Question 2.
Choose some of the terms which are used by sailors of the navy and naval ships the author has used in the passage :
(a) Nautical mile
(b) Compass
(c) Hemisphere
(d) Regions.
Answer:
(a) Nautical mile

Question 3.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) It is difficult to say that birds know how to come back home after a long flight.
(b) We can say for sure that birds come back home after a long flight.
(c) Birds cannot come back to their nests after a long flight.
(d) It is impossible for the birds to get back home.
Answer:
(b) We can say for sure that birds come back home after a long flight.

Question 4.
Nautical mile is:
(a) Sea mile used by ships and sailors.
(b) Sea mile used by birds.
(c) Sea mile used by scientists.
(d) Distance covered by birds.
Answer:
(a) Sea mile used by ships and sailors.

Question 5.
A statute mile is:
(a) Used in water
(b) Used on land
(c) Used in air
(d) Used by scientists.
Answer:
(b) Used on land

Question 6.
Choose the correct statements :
(a) Young birds fly hundreds of miles.
(b) Young birds have some magnetic power.
(c) Some birds lose their way.
(d) Birds have a kind of compass in their brain.
Answer:
(a) Young birds fly hundreds of miles.

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
State the query that has been raised at the opening of the passage.
Answer:
The query is Do birds know how to come back home after a long flight ?

Question 8.
What is a sanctuary ?
Answer:
Sanctuary is an area where wild animals and birds are protected.

Question 9.
What is a migratory bird ?
Answer:
Migratory birds move from their homelands during summer and winter seasons.

Question 10.
In what form do migratory birds fly ?
Answer:
They fly in groups.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 5

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Health and hygiene go hand in hand. Health refers to a state of sound mind and physically fit body, free from any form of weakness, disorder or ailment. Hygiene refers to the good practices that prevent diseases and lead to good health through cleanliness, proper sewage disposal, balanced and nutritious food, regular exercise, proper sleep, pure and fresh supply of safe drinking water, The proverb that ‘health is wealth’ is truly said of all things in the world. Health is the most valuable thing that one can possess.

Money is undoubtedly a prized possession but can it provide pleasure to a ruined health, an unhealthy man? As body and mind are closely related, the mind can never be sound cheerful without sound health. An unhealthy man may have intelligence, merit and wealth, but he cannot put them to use and reap their benefits. We must therefore adopt proper hygienic measures to preserve and maintain good health. Too much of work or exercise, eating and drinking are injurious to health. A regulated life coupled with clear and pure mind makes life worthliving.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Health and Hygiene go hand in hand.
(b) Health and Hygiene go separately.
(c) Health and Hygiene never go together.
(d) Health and Hygience rarely go together.
Answer:
(a) Health and Hygiene go hand in hand.

Question 2.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Health refers to a state of sound mind and physically fit body.
(b) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.
(c) Health refers to physically fit with minor mental ailments.
(d) Health means excellent physical fitness and partially weak mental condition.
Answer:
(b) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.

Question 3.
Choose the correct statement
(a) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.
(b) Health means a fat and robust body.
(c) We must not adopt proper hygienic measures to preserve and maintain good health.
(d) Too much of work or exercise, eating and drinking are not injurious to health.
Answer:
(a) Health stands for physical and mental wellness.

Question 4.
Choose the correct statement:
(a) Health is wealth is truly said of all things in the world.
(b) Money is a prized possession.
(c) Money can provide pleasure to a ruined health.
(d) The human mind can be cheerful without good health.
Answer:
(a) Health is wealth is truly said of all things in the world.

Question 5.
Choose some of the practices that can lead to good health :
(a) Smoking
(b) Drinking wine
(c) Regulated life
(d) Gambling.
Answer:
(b) Drinking wine

Question 6.
Choose some of the following things which can keep us in good health :
(a) Eating opium
(b) Gambling
(c) Abundant wealth
(d) Regular exercise.
Answer:
(c) Abundant wealth

Other Objective Type Questions

Question 7.
What do you mean by being healthy ?
Answer:
Being healthy means being phyically fit and mentally sound.

Question 8.
Is it possible for a person with ruined health to be cheerful ?
Answer:
A man with ruined health cannot be cheerful.

Question 9.
Mention at least three practices that lead to good health ?
Answer:

  1. balanced diet
  2. regular exercise
  3. pure air.

Question 10.
Is pure water injurious to health ?
Answer:
No, pure water is not injurious to health.

Passage 6

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

We take water so much for granted, but we cannot live without it. Almost three fourth of the surface of the earth is covered with water. You may ask, so why worry about water ?

But have you realised that 97 percent of the water on earth is in the oceans ? This water cannot be directly used to meet any of our daily needs. Almost 2 percent of the water is stored in ice caps and glaciers and again cannot be used, unless melted. That leaves us with just 1 percent to meet all the! needs of all living beings. This is what we call fresh water, and this is found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and some of this is underground. Can you think of all the uses of water in our daily lives ? It is this 1 percent that meets all these needs.

It is because of this scarcity that we have to be really careful about how this water is used world over, there is a growing concern about the depleting water sources. The demand for water is the effect of the increased population and industrial growth around the world. In cities like Chennai there is a price of drinking water.

Then there is the reality of the skewed distribution of water. We know that there are some localities in our cities that enjoy water all round the clock, while others are deprived for days. The insensitivity of some is glaring when they use the scarce water to hose their cars or water their manicured gardens, and all the while people are thirsty.

There is also the growing pollution of water sources all over the world. This pollution is caused by water released from several industries or sometimes even an accident or disaster in water bodies, which causes the release of pollutants in the water. There are several areas in the country where water has become unfit for drinking because of this. So next time you keep the tap running, while you brush your teeth or wash your face, think about it. By turning off the tap, you may be helping someone, somewhere, to get a bucketful of water.

Water, in its pure form, is a tasteless and odourless substance that is essential to all known forms of life and is known as the most universal solvent. It appears colourless to the naked eye in small quantities.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the correct response:
What percent of water on earth is in the oceans ?
(a) 95
(b) 88
(c) 79
(d) 97.
Answer:
(d) 97.

Question 2.
Two percent of the water on earth remains stored in some of the following:
(a) Rivers
(b) Lakes
(c) Ice-caps
(d) Glaciers.
Answer:
(d) Glaciers.

Question 3.
Living beings on the earth are left with one of the following percentages:
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 1.
Answer:
(d) 1.

Question 4.
Choose the correct word for water:
(a) Rain
(b) Liquid
(c) Aqua
(d) Acua.
Answer:
(c) Aqua

Question 5.
The demand for increased supply of water is due to some of these factors.
(a) Increased population
(b) Industrial growth
(c) Urbanization
(d) Tourism.
Answer:
(a) Increased population

Question 6.
The author has mentioned some city where water is available for some price:
(a) Kolkata
(b) Vadodara
(c) Chennai
(d) Karnal.
Answer:
(c) Chennai

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is skewed distribution of water ?
Answer:
Skewed distribution of water is unfair, some localities get preferential treatment; others are denied even the bare minimum.

Question 8.
What advice does the author give to a person brushing his teeth with the water tap open ?
Answer:
He advises him to turn off the tap and avoid the wastage. Some needy person could fill his empty bucket.

Question 9.
How is water pollution caused ?
Answer:
Pollution is caused by water released from several industries, by pollutants in the water bodies, filth and garbage thrown in the water.

Question 10.
Explain the following statement from the passage:
We take water so much for granted but we cannot live without it.
Answer:
We take certain things casually. Water is one such thing. Water is easily available to us. But when it becomes scarce, we get troubled. We cannot live without water. Water is the elixir of life.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 7

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Pollution, the simple visible kind of pollution, is now worldwide. When Apollo 8, took photographs of the earth’s surface, it revealed the most serious smog and polluted air over Osaka and Tokyo in Japan. Along this 31 tons of dirt a mount fell on every square kilometre, compared with a mere 17 tons in New York. Coastal vessels collide regularly because they cannot see each others navigation lights. Traffic policemen go back to the police station after four hours on duty and breathe pure oxygen from cyclinders, to re-oxygenate their carbon monoxide loaded-blood.

In cafes and shopping centres coin-in-slot machines give oxygen to shoppers who feel themselves about to collapse. In schools, the children wear face masks while they do their lessons on smog in warning days.

The existence of environmental pollution has recently gained recognition as a major problem but pollution is only part of the story. It is not that we load the environment with gases, acids, metals and assorted poisons which comprise a damage to health. It is rather that we alter the environment every possible way. We dump heat into it, and dust particles; we fell forests and pave over fields; we destroy one species of animal and cultivate another; we make noises and dump trash. There is a limit to how much of this treatment it can take.

If we dump sewage into a stream, on a small scale, the stream dissolves it and purifies it. Ten miles downstream the water is pure again. But we dump large quantities of sewage, we end by killing the purifying bacteria and then the stream has lost its power to purify. It can no longer deal even with the small quantity of sewage which it once accepted without difficulty. The system has broken down. For this overwhelming kind of pollution we need a new term. I call it super-pollution.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the various ways in which we alter environment.
(a) Gases
(b) Acids and assorted poisons
(c) Heat
(d) Water.
Answer:
(a) Gases

Question 2.
Super Pollution is one of the following:
(a) Absence of pollution
(b) Total clearing of pollution
(c) Overwhelming pollution
(d) Nauseating pollution.
Answer:
(c) Overwhelming pollution

Question 3.
Choose two or three of the under-mentioned things which are harmful to health:
(a) Gases
(b) Acids
(c) Metals
(d) Assorted poisons.
Answer:
(b) Acids

Question 4.
Which of the following two activities do not damage the environment ?
(a) Felling the trees
(b) Sea navigation
(c) Garbage- throwing in water
(d) Emission of gases.
Answer:
(c) Garbage- throwing in water

Question 5.
Choose the correct meaning of sewage:
(a) Cloth sewn by a sewing machine.
(b) Waste matter carried away in sewers.
(c) Throwing garbage in streams.
(d) Polluting water resources.
Answer:
(b) Waste matter carried away in sewers.

Question 6.
Traffic policemen go back to the police station after four hours on duty and breath pure:
(a) Carbondioxide
(b) Oxygen
(c) Methane
(d) Hydrogen.
Answer:
(b) Oxygen

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Give a definition of pollution in simple English.
Answer:
Pollution may be defined as the process of making air, water and soil dirty.

Question 8.
As mentioned by the author of the passage, why do policemen breathe pure oxygen from cylinders ?
Answer:
Policemen breathe pure oxygen from cylinders, to re-oxygenate their carbon monoxide loaded-blood.

Question 9.
How do collapsing shoppers get oxygen from cylinders ?
Answer:
Collapsing shoppers get oxygen from cylinders by coin-in-slot machines.

Question 10.
What do school children wear on their faces while doing their lessons on smog in warning days ?
Answer:
In schools, the children wear face masks while they do their lessons on smog in warning days.

Passage 8

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

The robot soldier is coming. The Pentagon predicts that the robots will be a major fighting force in the American military in less than a decade, beating and killing enemies in combat. Robots are a crucial part of the army’s effort to rebuild itself as a twenty-first century fighting force and a dollar 127 billion project called Future Combat Systems is the biggest military contact in American history.

The military plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in automated armed forces. The cost of that transformation will help drive the Defence Department’s budget up almost 20 per cent from a requested 419.3 billion dollars in 2010, excluding the cost of war. The annual cost of buying new weapons is scheduled to rise 50 percent from 578 billion to 5118.6 billions. Military planners say that robot soldiers will think, see and react increasingly like humans. In the beginning, they will be remote controlled, looking and acting like deadly toy trucks. As the technology develops, they may take many shapes. And as their intelligence grows, so will their autonomy.

But even supporters like Robert Finklestein of Robotic Technology in Potomac M.D., are telling the Pentagon that it.could take until 2035 to develop a Robot that looks, thinks and fights like a soldier with a laptop. “The Pentagons goal is there”, he said, “but the path is not totally clear.” Already however hundred robots are scouring caves in Afghanistan, and serving as armed sentries at American Weapons depots.
By April, an armed version of the bomb disposal robot will be in Baghdad, capable of firing 1000 rounds a minute. Though controlled by a soldier with a laptop, the robot will be the first thinking machine of its kind to take up a frontline infantry position, ready to kill enemies.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
The passage opens by stating that the robot soldier is coming. Choose the correct date or year when it will come:
(a) In a decade
(b) In two decades
(c) 2035
(d) Not clear.
Answer:
(c) 2035

Question 2.
Choose the correct option:
The cost of the innovation robot soldiers will:
(a) Shoot up
(b) Decline
(c) Marginally decrease
(d) Be unbearable.
Answer:
(a) Shoot up

Question 3.
Choose the correct option:
The path about robotic soldiering is:
(a) Not very clear
(b) It may not materialise
(c) Very hard
(d) Very tempting.
Answer:
(a) Not very clear

Question 4.
A robot is a machine controlled by:
(a) Computer
(b) Human beings
(c) Skilled men
(d) Scientists.
Answer:
(a) Computer

Question 5.
Say whether the following facts mentioned about the robot soldier are correct:
(a) Looks
(b) Thinks
(c) Fights
(d) does other activities like a soldier.
Answer:
(d) does other activities like a soldier.

Question 6.
The Pentagon predicts that the robots will be a major fighting force in the American military :
(a) In less than two decades
(b) In less than a decade
(c) In less than ten decades
(d) Within a year.
Answer:
(b) In less than a decade

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Can you identify Pentagon ?
Answer:
Pentagon is the U.S. Defence Department.

Question 8.
What is the prediction of the Pentagon ?
Answer:
It is a prophecy of the Pentagon that the robot soldier will be a reality in 2035.

Question 9.
What is the importance of robots in the army’s efforts ?
Answer:
It is believed that robot soldiers will think, see and react increasingly like human beings.

Question 10.
Do you think that robot soldier is a reality ?
Answer:
It is not very clear. It is difficult to see it in the domain of reality.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 9

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

Viruses are notorious villains. They cause serious human diseases like AIDS, polio and influenza. Oxford Dictionary defines virus as a living thing, too small to be seen without a microscope. It causes infectious diseases in people, animals and plants. During this year (2020), the world is in the grip of the Corona Virus. A virus can lead to system crisis and data loss in computers. China generated virus Corona and has made the world order topsy-turvy. So far we do not see the end to Corona virus. No vaccine seems to come up by November or December.

We wonder if some of the power-losers are hit by another virus of nightmarish dreams of negativity, disaster, eternal doom. One nanotechnology researcher Angela Belcher is working with viruses, proteins and yeast offers hope for new ground bringing solutions to the worlds energy problems. It holds the prospect of using nanotechnology in a variety of ways, ranging from improving the efficiency of production, storage and transmission of energy overcoming many of the obstacles to a hydrage based transportation system based on fuel cell powered cars and trucks.

Nanotechnology entails the measurement, prediction and construction of materials on the scale of atoms and molecules. Nanometre, is one billionth of a metre and nanotechnology typically deals with particles and structure larger than nanometre, but smaller than 100 nanometres. To put this into perspective the width of a human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometres. It is estimated that 2-6 trillion dollars in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotech, or about 15 percent of total global output in 2014.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose the appropriate reasons to prove why viruses are notorious.
(a) They are widely known to be villains.
(b) They are responsible for causing human diseases like AIDS, polio and some others.
(c) They can cause virus among power losers.
(d) They can lead to system crisis and data loss in computers.
Answer:
(a) They are widely known to be villains.

Question 2.
Choose the elements that go to make the definition of a virus.
(a) A virus is a living thing.
(b) It is too small.
(c) It can be seen with the naked eye.
(d) It can be seen with a microscope.
Answer:
(a) A virus is a living thing.

Question 3.
Angela Balcher is a researcher in one of the following:
(a) Psychology
(b) Biology
(c) Philosophy
(d) Nanotechnology.
Answer:
(d) Nanotechnology.

Question 4.
Nanotechnology entails the:
(a) measurements
(b) prediction of materials
(c) rare things
(d) very costly things.
Answer:
(b) prediction of materials

Question 5.
Choose the correct measurement in the following:
(a) A nanometre is one billionth of a metre
(b) One tenth of a metre
(c) One hundredth of a metre
(d) One thousandth of a metre.
Answer:
(a) A nanometre is one billionth of a metre

Question 6.
Choose the correct measurement of a human hair:
(a) approximately 80,000 nanometres
(b) 50,000 nanometres
(c) 8000 nanometres
(d) 18,000 nanometres.
Answer:
(a) approximately 80,000 nanometres

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is the unique characteristic of viruses ?
Answer:
Viruses are very harmful for man in various fields.

Question 8.
How is nanotechnology defined ?
Answer:
It is going to bring about a revolution in the future. It will bring change in medical care, communication and food. It will solve energy problems.

Question 9.
What example is given for the concept of nanometre ?
Answer:
A nanometre is one billionth of a metre.

Question 10.
Give in simple English the meanings of the following:
Replicate, entails, notorious, inexpensive.
Answer:
make something again, involves, having a bad nature, cheap.

Passage 10

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Be brief and to the point.

If you are not in the grip of avarice, you will choose a trade or profession that appeals to you as the means of self-expression and social service, even if you cannot earn much money by it. Your daily duty is not mere money,’making drudgery; it is your contribution to social progress and the path of personal development. How sad must be the lot of a man or woman who must do uncongenial work simply for the sake of more money ? I know a younger professor who loved literature passionately and taught it admirably; but his salary was small, and he became a lawyer in order to secure a larger income.

I tell you that man was guilty of a crime, and he will not be happy as a lawyer, although he may be a little more comfortable, a little better fed, dressed and lodged. A musician who is born a violinist can never be personally happy or socially useful as a prosperous merchant or stock-broker, as he will miss the violin all the time. Avarice puts round men in square jobs and square men in round jobs. At present, many persons in all classes, rich and poor are unhapp^ and restless because their daily work is not interesting. It does not provide an outlet for the creative impulse and the insistent urge of personality. Therefore, don’t ask in youth, “How can I earn the biggest salary ?” Ask rather, “How can I be truly happy and do most good to society ?” Then you may have less money, but you will have more of life and joy.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Choose one of the following words which are the synonyms of Avarice’.
(a) Greed
(b) Wealth
(c) Covetousness
(d) Richness.
Answer:
(a) Greed

Question 2.
Choose the antonym of Avarice:
(a) Miserliness
(b) Grandeur
(c) Penury
(d) Unselfishness.
Answer:
(d) Unselfishness.

Question 3.
Why are most of the people unhappy at present ?
(a) Because their daily work is not interesting.
(b) Because their daily work is tough.
(c) Because their daily work is laborious.
(d) Because their daily work is time-consuming.
Answer:
(a) Because their daily work is not interesting.

Question 4.
Name the parts of speech as which of the following words have been used in the unseen passage given for comprehension.
(a) Caprice
(b) Trade
(c) Passionately
(d) Daily.
Answer:
(c) Passionately

Question 5.
The advice of the writer to the youth is:
(a) To find ways to earn money.
(b) To work hard to earn money.
(c) To work according to one’s capacity.
(d) To study hard to get good job.
Answer:
(a) To find ways to earn money.

Question 6.
A violinist can never be happy as a prosperous merchant because:
(a) He will miss the violin all the time.
(b) He will not earn enough money.
(c) He will not get sufficient time to enjoy his life.
(d) He will be bored by his profession.
Answer:
(a) He will miss the violin all the time.

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
Make adjective from Avarice.
Answer:
Avaricious.

Question 8.
When will a violinist be unhappy ?
Answer:
The violinist will always be unhappy because he will not be able to play on the violin by being busy in business.

Question 9.
Who are the misplaced persons according to the writer ?
Answer:
Misplaced persons are those who put themselves in such situations to earn more at the cost of their own interests and personality.

Question 10.
What is the advice of the writer to the youth ?
Answer:
The writer wants the young people to find ways to earn money.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Passage 11

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Be brief and to the point.

Social media has impacted the world in many ways. Millions of people are using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all over the world. Such websites have enabled us to connect with friends, families and acquaintances. These have also become the best tools, to be aware of the latest buzz in every field. Children have to be trained to use media very carefully and judiciously. It is the responsibility of the teachers to train the students in making use of the social media in a responsible way.

Facebook started by Mark Zuker Berg is the most used social media tool. Its business depends on persuading people into sharing their personal experiences with public or their known people. Posting pictures or uploading status has become an important part of their daily routine. No one is immune to its addictive effect. Periodically looking at their phones for any updates has become a norm for people. Users must be made aware of the fact that sharing personal details and photos can be misued by criminals or anti-social elements.

One must understand that every post on Facebook or such sites is not always backed by facts or truth. One must not make friends with unknown persons. Time and effort spent on social media can be used productively. Some people use media to spread religious fanaticism or hatred. Social media should be used to help connect with people not to disconnect or disintegrate from mainstream. It should be used to bring harmony and love only.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Name at least three websites which are used by social media all over the world.
(a) Facebook
(b) Instagram
(c) Computer
(d) Twitter.
Answer:
(a) Facebook
(b) Instagram
(d) Twitter.

Question 2.
Choose the utility of the websites of Social Media :
(a) Social media has impacted the world in many ways.
(b) They enable the users to connect and communicate with friends and families.
(c) They are the best tools to keep oneself abreast of or with the latest buzz in the world.
(d) They are so convenient that they need to be used very judiciously.
Answer:
(a) Social media has impacted the world in many ways.
(b) They enable the users to connect and communicate with friends and families.
(c) They are the best tools to keep oneself abreast of or with the latest buzz in the world.
(d) They are so convenient that they need to be used very judiciously.

Question 3.
Social media has impacted the world in many ways such as :
(a) Facebook
(b) Twitter
(c) Instagram
(d) Whatsapp.
Answer:
(a) Facebook
(b) Twitter
(c) Instagram
(d) Whatsapp.

Question 4.
The Media of Facebook is proved very popular by:
(a) The way to connect and communicate with friends
(b) Families
(c) To keep oneself aware of the latest buzz in every field
(d) Very useful for social media users.
Answer:
(a) The way to connect and communicate with friends
(b) Families
(c) To keep oneself aware of the latest buzz in every field
(d) Very useful for social media users.

Question 5.
Choose the advantages and disadvantages of social media from the following points:
(a) It has additive effect.
(b) It has become a norm for people to use the facebook.
(c) One must not take friends with unknown persons.
(d) Some people will use social media for religious fanaticism or hatred.
Answer:
Advantages (a) It has additive effect.
Disadvantages (c) One must not take friends with unknown persons.

Question 6.
Who started the Facebook ?
(a) Alexandar
(b) Columbus
(c) Mark Zuker Berg
(d) Bill Gates.
Answer:
(c) Mark Zuker Berg

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is Twitter ?
Answer:
Twitter is an American micro blogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as tweets.

Question 8.
What is Instagram ?
Answer:
Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service. Posts can be shared publicly pre-approved followers.

Question 9.
Which is the most used tool of social media?
Answer:
Facebook is the most used tool of social media.

Question 10.
What has become a norm for the people?
Answer:
Periodically looking at their phones for any updates has become a norm for the people.

Passage 12

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it. Your answers should be brief and to the point.

English has become by default global language. Someone who speaks English can travel all over the world without any inconvenience or difficulty. English is also the language of business and science. Scientists from all parts of the world are publishing their studies and papers in English and thus their research is benefiting most people around the globe. Almost all journal articles, conference papers and even human case studies are in English. Therefore, these merits validate the importance of the English language.

Hundreds of students migrate abroad for higher studies. English is the most preferred language in which they continue their studies. Most of the countries have set English language bench marks for different educational courses. To attain these language levels, students have to appear in different, internationally accepted, language testing systems. The use of English as the global language in the fields such as business, university studies, and research has improved the communication and exchange of information.

Trade transactions from different countries have been empowered by English settled as the primary language in this sector. People in certain countries find English learning to be extremely difficult because of the extreme differences in written expression. For example, each symbol is a word in the Chinese language. So learning English may be a very difficult task for people from now. English speaking countries may have to learn English as a second language in addition to their native language. And some of these are valid excuses for not learning English because someone who speaks English has a clear advantage over someone who does not speak English.

Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1.
Pick a suitable heading for the passage.
(a) Importance of English Language
(b) English as a Global Language
(c) Difficulty in Learning English Language
(d) The Need of a Second Language.
Answer:
(a) Importance of English Language
(b) English as a Global Language

Question 2.
Choose the reasons by which English has become a global language.
(a) By default
(b) By travellers who speak English
(c) It is the language of business and science
(d) Language spoken by students going abroad for studies.
Answer:
(a) By default
(b) By travellers who speak English
(c) It is the language of business and science
(d) Language spoken by students going abroad for studies.

Question 3.
Choose some of the indications of importance of English.
(a) Most preferred language of tourists
(b) Language of Science & Research
(c) Global Communication
(d) Trade Communication.
Answer:
(a) Most preferred language of tourists
(b) Language of Science & Research
(c) Global Communication
(d) Trade Communication.

Question 4.
Choose some of the challenges in learning English.
(a) Difference of expression in different languages
(b) Additional language along with native language
(c) Challenges in English learning
(d) English users are advantaged over non-English speakers.
Answer:
(a) Difference of expression in different languages
(b) Additional language along with native language
(c) Challenges in English learning
(d) English users are advantaged over non-English speakers.

Question 5.
What is the language used for journal writing ?
(a) Hindi
(b) Spanish
(c) English
(d) Chinese.
Answer:
(c) English

Question 6.
English is also the language of:
(a) Students all over the world
(b) Non-english speaking peopli
(c) Business and science
(d) Trade.
Answer:
(a) Students all over the world
(c) Business and science
(d) Trade.

PSEB 12th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Type-I

Other Objective Type Questions:

Question 7.
What is the preferred language for studies for foreign students ?
Answer:
English is the preferred language.

Question 8.
How have trade transactions been empowered in different lands ?
Answer:
Trade transactions from different lands have been empowered by Shakespearean English.

Question 9.
How is each symbol represented in the Chinese language ?
Answer:
Each symbol is a word in the Chinese language.

Question 10.
What is the scope of English language ?
Answer:
English is used for higher studies in other countries.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Poem 8 On His Blindness

1. When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days ; in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He, returning chide.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

Word-Notes:
Consider-think. How…………. spent-how I have lost my eye-sight. Ere-before. Half my days-half of my life is spent. Dark world-for he has lost his eyesight. Wide-big. Talent-poetic gift. Milton refers to the story of the talents in the Bible. “A master on the eve of going out to some place gives talents (a sum of money) to his three servants who are expected to make proper use of them.

On his return he desires to know what they have done with their talents. The first two servants have increased their talents. The master is well pleased with them. But the master is angry when he learns that the third servant, who had received only one talent, had kept it hidden beneath the earth and had not increased it.

The master then condemns and punishes the third servant.” Here the master stands for God, the servants for men, and the talents for natural gifts. Milton compares himself to the third servant who receives only one talent and keeps it hidden. He thinks that he has not made the proper use of his gift of poetry. He fears lest he should be punished by God.

Word-Notes :
Which is death to hide–not making use of his poetic gift is like death … to the poet. Lodged-kept. Lodged useless—the poet cannot utilize his poetic gift due to his blindness. Bent-determined. Therewith—with the help of his poetic gift. MakerGod. Present-show. True account-full use of poetic gift. Lest ………….chide–that God may take the poet to task for not using His gift to serve Him.

Explanation. In these lines Milton expresses his sorrow on the loss of his eye-sight. The world becomes totally dark to him. He felt very helpless and restless. God had given him the gift of writing poetry. He felt sad because he was unable to make use of this gift. He wanted to write religious poetry in the service of God. He wanted to present a good account, of his activities lest God should scold him for remaining idle.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

Milton is perhaps thinking of the parable of talents (coins). Once a master went on a long voyage. Before leaving, he gave a few talents, to his servants. When he came back he found that the third servant had not made any use of his talent. So the master rebuked him. Milton also fears that God, his master, would rebuke him for not using his talent of writing poetry. But it is not his fault. He is blind. So he is not able to make use of his talent.

इन पंक्तियों में Milton अपने अफसोस को व्यक्त करता है क्योंकि उसकी देखने की शक्ति खो गई है। दुनिया उसके लिए बिल्कुल अंधकारमयी हो गई है। वह बहुत बेबस और बेचैन हो गया। परमात्मा ने उसे कविता लिखने की प्रतिभा दी थी। वह उदास हो गया क्योंकि वह कविता लिखने के योग्य नहीं रह गया। वह परमात्मा की सेवा में धार्मिक कविता लिखना चाहता था।

वह अपनी सरगरमियों का अच्छा लेखा-जोखा देना चाहता था ताकि परमात्मा उसको बेकार रहने के लिए न कोसे। Milton शायद तोड़ों या सिक्कों की नीति कथा का जिकर कर रहा है। एक बार एक स्वामी लम्बी समुद्री यात्रा पर गया। जाने से पहले उसने अपने नौकरों को कुछ सिक्के दिये। जब वह वापस आया तो उसने देखा कि तीसरे नौकर ने सिक्के का प्रयोग नहीं किया था।

इसलिए स्वामी ने उसको कौसा| Milton को डर है कि कहीं परमात्मा उसे अपनी प्रतिभा (talent) को प्रयोग न करने के लिए न कोस लेकिन उसका कोई दोष नहीं है। वह अन्धा है। इस लिए वह अपनी प्रतिभा का प्रयोग नहीं कर सकता।

2. “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied
I fondly ask ; but Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies : ‘God doth not need
Either man’s work or His own gifts ; who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best.

Word-Notes:
Exact-desire, demand, expect. Day-labour-work that can be done during day. Light denied – when light has not been given. Fondly – foolishly. Patience inner voice. To prevent that murmur-to stop all those doubts. Yoke-burden.

Explanation:
In these lines, Milton foolishly questions God how He can expect him to work when He has denied him his eye-sight. He murmurs against the ways of God to man. He feels that God has no right to demand work from him because He has made him blind. The poet’s inner voice or conscience comes to his help. It tells him that God does not want any return for His gifts. Those who accept His will willingly are His best servants.

इन पंक्तियों में Milton परमात्मा से प्रश्न पूछता है कि जब उसने उसके देखने की शक्ति छीन ली है तो उससे काम करने की आशा नहीं की जा सकती। वह आदमी के प्रति परमात्मा के तौर-तरीकों के विरुद्ध बुड़बुड़ करता है। वह महसूस करता है कि परमात्मा को कोई अधिकार नहीं है कि वह कोई किया हुआ काम माँगे क्योंकि उसने उसे अन्धा बना दिया है। कवि की भीतर की आवाज़ या अन्तरात्मा उसे कहती है कि परमात्मा को अपने दिए हुए उपहारों का कोई मुआवजा नहीं चाहिये। जो लोग परमात्मा की मर्जी के अनुसार काम करते हैं वे ही उसके बेहतरीन नौकर होते हैं।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

3. His state is kingly ; thousands at His bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest ;
They also serve who only stand and wait. (V.V. Important)

Word-Notes: State-kingdom. Kingly-like that of a king. Thousands–thousands of angels. At His bidding-when ordered by Him. Speed-travel. Post – do their duty.

Explanation:
In these lines the poet says that God has thousands of angels at His command. They are willing to carry out the orders of God. Some of the angels go to far off places. Other angels stand near God and wait for His orders. Those who stand near God are as faithful servants of God as those angels who do active duty.

The poet means to say that those men who cannot do active work need not grumble. They must have the humility to work for God. In that case they are as good as active workers. One should learn to submit oneself to the will of God without questioning His authority.

इन पंक्तियों में कवि कहता है कि परमात्मा के पास अपने आदेश के अनुसार काम करने वाले हज़ारों फरिश्ते हैं। वे परमात्मा के आदेशों को मानने के लिए हर समय तैयार रहते हैं। उनमें से कुछ फरिश्ते दूर के स्थानों पर नियुक्त किये गये होते हैं। जो परमात्मा के पास खड़े रहते हैं वे भी उतने ही वफ़ादार होते हैं जितने सक्रिय सेवा करने वाले होते हैं।

कवि के कहने का मतलब है कि जो व्यक्ति सक्रिय काम नहीं कर सकते उन्हें बुड़बुड़ करने की आवश्यकता नहीं। उन्हें परमात्मा के लिए नम्रता से काम करना चाहिए। उस हालत में वे सक्रिय काम करने वालों जितने अच्छे होते हैं। परमात्मा के आदेश को चुनौती दिए बिना उन्हें परमात्मा के प्रभुत्व को मानना चाहिए।

Comprehension Of Stanzas

1. When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless …..

Questions :
(a) In the first line ‘light’ is a ………. for vision. (alliteration/metaphor) .
(b) The word ‘spent’ means …….. (used up, alienated)
(c) Name the poet of this poem.
(d) What is the meaning of the word ‘talent in the line “…….. and that one talent ……. ” ?
Answers :
(a) metaphor
(b) used up.
(c) John Milton.
(d) Poetic gift or poetic ability.

2. But Patience to prevent
That murmur soon replies,
‘God doth not need
Either man’s work or His own gifts.
Who best Bear
His mild yoke, they serve Him best.’ (V.V. Imp.)

Questions :
(a) Identify the figure of speech in the line ……. But Patience to prevent That murmur, soon replies ……..
(b) The speaker’s murmur is about the question whether God would be so cruel as to make impossible demand of work. But then who steps in to stop him.
(c) What does Patience say about God ?
(d) Which line in the poem says, “Those who accept God’s control over their own existence are the best servants of God.”?
Answers :
(a) The figure of speech is personification.
(b) Patience (voice of conscience) steps in to stop him.
(c) Patience says that God does not need man’s work nor any compensation for the gifts that God has given to man.
(d) Who best bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

On His Blindness Summary in English

On His Blindness Introduction:

This poem deals with the loss of Milton’s eye-sight. He has become blind. He has hardly lived half of his life. The gift of writing poetry is lying unused with him. He is very anxious to serve God with it. He fears lest God should punish him for not making use of his gift. He becomes impatient. He asks himself if God expects work from him even after his blindness. But soon he realises that they also serve who only stand and wait. He submits himself to the will of God.

On His Blindness Summary in English:

Milton lost his eye-sight at the age of forty three. He felt grief-stricken at this loss. The world appeared dark and desolate to him. God had given him the gift of writing poetry. He felt helpless. He could not make use of this gift. He was a religious-minded man. He wanted to use the gift of writing poetry in the service of God. He felt that his gift was useless.

He feared that God would scold him for wasting His gift. He thought of the servant who did not use a talent given to him by his master. On his return the master scolded the servant for not using the talent. In the same way, Milton feared that God would scold him for not making use of the talent of writing poetry.

So Milton starts grumbling. He foolishly asks himself the question if God wants him to work after taking away his eye-sight. His inner voice however comes to his help. It tells him not to grumble about the ways of God to man.

It assures him that God’s ways to man are absolutely just. God does not want any compensation for the talents that He gives to human beings. He does not want man to work to please Him. Those who accept God’s will happily are His best servants. God has given a light responsibility to each one of us. We must accept that responsibility without grumbling.

On His Blindness Summary in Hindi

On His Blindness Introduction:

यह कविता कवि Milton की आँखों की रोशनी चले जाने से सम्बन्धित है। वह अन्धा हो गया है। उसने अभी तक अपने जीवन की आधी अवधि व्यतीत की है। कविता लिखने की प्रतिभा उसके पास बेकार पड़ी है। वह इस प्रतिभा को परमात्मा की सेवा में प्रयोग करना चाहता है। उसे डर लगाता कि कहीं इस योग्यता या प्रतिभा को प्रयोग न करने से परमात्मा उसे दंड न दे दे।

वह अधीर हो उठता है। वह अपने आप को पूछता है क्या परमात्मा उससे यह आशा करता है कि उसकी दृष्टि शक्ति चले जाने के बाद भी वह कुछ काम करे। लेकिन शीघ्र ही Milton महसूस करता है कि वे मनुष्य भी परमात्मा की सेवा करते हैं जो उसके पास खड़े रहें और उसके आदेशों की प्रतीक्षा करें। अत: Milton परमात्मा की इच्छा के आगे अपना सिर झुका देता है।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

On His Blindness Summary in Hindi:

“On His Blindness’ John Milton द्वारा लिखी चौदह पंक्तियों की एक प्रसिद्ध कविता है। कवि को दुःख है कि वह आधा जीवन व्यतीत करने से पहले ही अन्धा हो गया है और अन्धा होने के पश्चात् यह संसार उसके लिए अन्धेरा तथा विशाल बन गया है। मिल्टन का कहना है कि परमात्मा ने उसको कविता लिखने की कला दी है। वह इस कला का प्रयोग करने का बहुत इच्छुक है। उसकी प्रबल इच्छा है कि वह परमात्मा की पूजा करने के लिए एक महान् धार्मिक कविता लिखे। इस कला को छिपाना उसके लिए मृत्यु के समान है। परन्तु वह अपने अन्धेपन के कारण विवश हो जाता है।

मिल्टन अपनी इस विवशता के कारण चिन्तित है। उसको भय है कि परमात्मा उसको इस कला के प्रयोग न करने के कारण डांटेगा। उसको बाइबिल की एक कहानी याद आती है जिसमें एक स्वामी ने उस नौकर को बहुत डांटा था जिसने उस गुण का प्रयोग नहीं किया था जो दिया गया था। कुछ क्षण के लिये कवि बहुत परेशानी महसूस करता है। परमात्मा के प्रति उसके विश्वास में थोड़ी हलचल हो जाती है और वह पूछता है कि जब उसे आंखों की रोशनी से वंचित कर दिया गया है तो वह अपनी प्रवीणता (कविता लिखने की योग्यता) को कैसे प्रयोग कर सकता है।

परन्तु शीघ्र ही उसकी अन्तरात्मा उसकी बेचैनी को दूर कर देती है। ईश्वर के प्रति उसका विश्वास दृढ हो जाता है। उसे समझ आ जाती है कि परमात्मा को मनुष्य की किसी सेवा की आवश्यकता नहीं। परमात्मा को उन उपहारों के प्रतिदान की आवश्यकता भी नहीं जो उसने मनुष्य को दिये होते हैं। परमात्मा केवल यह चाहता है कि मनुष्य अपने को उसकी इच्छा के सामने समर्पित कर दे।

परमात्मा की आज्ञा पूरी करने के लिये उसके पास हज़ारों फरिश्ते हैं। ये फरिश्ते परमात्मा के आदेशों का पालन करने के लिए जल-थल पर शीघ्रता से पहुंच जाते हैं। परन्तु केवल वही फरिश्ते परमात्मा के सेवक नहीं जो उसका आदेश पूरा करने के लिए घूमते हैं। वे फरिश्ते जो खड़े होकर उसके आदेश की प्रतीक्षा करते हैं वे उसके सच्चे सेवक हैं। मिल्टन अपने आपको इन फरिश्तों के समान समझता है जो खड़े रहकर ईश्वर के आदेश की प्रतीक्षा करते हैं।

On His Blindness Central Idea

This poem is based on the idea that the ways of God to man are just. Man must cheerfully adjust himself to the circumstances in which God has placed him. The real service of God lies in feeling happy and contented with our lot. God does not want any return for the gifts that He has given to human beings. God does not want man to work to please Him. Those who accept God’s will cheerfully are His best servants.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 8 On His Blindness

On His Blindness Central Idea In Hindi

यह कविता इस विचार पर आधारित है कि आदमी के प्रति परमात्मा के तरीके न्यायसंगत होते हैं। जिन परिस्थितियों में परमात्मा ने आदमी को रखा है उनके अनुसार आदमी को अपने आपको सहर्ष ढाल लेना चाहिये। परमात्मा की वास्तविक सेवा यह होती है कि हम अपने भाग्य या तकदीर से प्रसन्न और सन्तुष्ट रहें। जो उपहार परमात्मा ने आदमी को दिए हैं उनके लिए परमात्मा को कोई मुआवज़ा नहीं चाहिए। परमात्मा यह नहीं चाहता कि आदमी उसको प्रसन्न करने के लिए काम करे। जो व्यक्ति परमात्मा की मर्जी को प्रसन्नता से स्वीकार कर लेते हैं वे ही उसके बेहतरीन सेवक होते हैं।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

1. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Word-Notes :
Diverged – branched away. Wood – jungle. Undergrowth – bushes.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

Explanation:
The poet came to a junction of two roads in the forest. The roads were branching away from each other. The poet was a single traveller. He was sorry to realize that he could not go along both the roads at one and the same time. He stood at the junction of two roads for a long time. He looked along one of the roads as far as he could to the spot where the road became hidden in the growth of trees and bushes.

कवि जंगल में दो सड़कों के जंकशन पर आया। सड़कें एक दूसरे से अलग हो रही थीं। कवि अकेला यात्री था। उसे यह सोच कर खेद हुआ कि वह एक ही समय पर दोनों सड़कों पर नहीं चल सकता था। वह दोनों सड़कों के जंकशन पर काफी समय के लिए खड़ा रहा। जहाँ तक वह देख सकता था, वह एक सड़क को उस बिन्दु तक देखता रहा जहां यह वृक्षों और झाड़ियों के नीचे जा कर छिपती थी।

2. Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as far that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

Word-Notes : Fair-beautiful. Grassy-covered with grass. Wanted wear-it was not much travelled or used.

Explanation:
The poet came to a junction of two roads in a forest. The roads were branching away from each other. The poet was a single traveller. He stood at the junction of the roads for a long time. He looked along one of the roads as far as he could. The poet then turned to the other road.

This one was just as good and comfortable a road for journeying along as the other one. In a way it was entitled to a preferential treatment. It was grass-covered and therefore provided the traveller with an additional attraction. So far as the use of the either road by travellers up to that point was concerned, both had been frequently used by them and were worn out and broken to the same extent.

फिर कवि ने दूसरी सड़क का रुख किया। यह सड़क भी पहली सड़क की तरह यात्रा करने के लिए अच्छी और आरामदायक थी। यह घास से ढकी हुई थी और इसलिए यह यात्री के लिए अधिक आकर्षण का कारण थी। जहाँ तक उस बिन्दु तक यात्रियों द्वारा दोनों सड़कों के प्रयोग का प्रश्न था तो यात्रियों ने दोनों का प्रयोग किया हुआ था और दोनों उसी सीमा तक घिसी-पिटी हुई थीं।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

3. And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day :
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

Word-Notes. Trodden black-had black sign because of travelling.

Explanation. In these lines the poet says that the two roads lay in front of him equally covered with leaves. No human being had yet used either of the roads. The poet decided to reserve the first road for use on a future occasion. He knew it, however, very clearly that from one road or path branches off another. He doubted if he would ever come back to that junction of the roads and fulfil his promise of following the first road.

इन पंक्तियों में कवि कहता है कि दोनों सड़कें पत्तों से बराबर-बराबर ढकी हुई उसके सामने थीं। दोनों सड़कों को अभी तक किसी ने भी प्रयोग नहीं किया था। कवि ने निर्णय कर लिया कि वह पहली सड़क को भविष्य में प्रयोग करने के लिए सुरक्षित रखे। लेकिन वह यह बड़ी अच्छी तरह जानता था कि एक सड़क या रास्ते में से दूसरा रास्ता निकल आता है। उसे संदेह था कि वह फिर कभी सड़कों के उस जंकशन पर वापस आयेगा और पहली सड़क पर चलने के अपने वायदे को पूरा कर पायेगा।

4. I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence :
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Word-Notes : With a sigh-with a sense of regret. Hence-afterwards.

Explanation. In these lines, the traveller says that many years later when he has time to think back, he will tell somebody about how he had made his choice. He will tell him that he had stood for a long time in a jungle at the cross-roads, thinking which road to take. He will cell him how he had chosen the road which was less travelled. This choice had made all the difference for him. It affected not only the future course of his life on this earth but also his spiritual course after death.

इन पंक्तियों में यात्री कहता है कि कई वर्ष बाद जब वह इस बात पर विचार करेगा, तो वह किसी को बतायेगा कि उसने अपना चुनाव किस तरह किया। वह कहेगा कि वह जंगल में चौराहे पर काफी देर खड़ा रहा यह सोचते हुए कि उसको किस सड़क का चुनाव करना चाहिये। वह उसे बतायेगा कि उसने किस प्रकार उस सड़क का चुनाव किया था जिस पर कम लोग ही चले थे। इस चुनाव ने उसके लिए सारा अन्तर बना दिया। इस ने न केवल धरती पर उसके जीवन के भविष्य वाले मार्ग पर प्रभाव डाला बल्कि उसकी मौत के बाद उसके आध्यात्मिक रास्ते पर भी प्रभाव डाला।

Comprehension Of Stanza

1. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow :

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth (Imp.)

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

Questions :
(a) Name the poet and the poem.
(b) What did the poet see in front of him ?
(c) What is the poet sorry about ?
(d) What is the symbolic meaning of two different paths in the woods ?
Answers
(a) The name of the poet is Robert Frost and the name of the poem is “The Road Not Taken’.
(b) He saw that two roads diverged in front of him.
(c) He is sorry that he could not travel on both the roads.
(d) The one path is for the ordinary people. The other less travelled path is for the extraordinary people.

2. Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as far that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

Questions :
(a) Name the poet and the poem.
(b) Where was the poet when he took the other road ?
(c) Why did the poet take the other road ?
(d) Why was the other road entitled to a better treatment ?
Answers :
(a) Robert Frost is the poet. The name of the poem is “The Road Not Taken”.
(b) He had come to a junction of two roads in a forest.
(c) He took the other road because it was just as good and comfortable a road for travelling as the other one.
(d) It was entitled to a preferential treatment because it was grass covered and provided some attraction to the traveller.

3. And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day.
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

Questions :
(a) Who are ‘both’ referred to in the first line of the passage/ stanza ?
(b) What did the poet decide about the first road ?
(c) What did the poet know about the roads ?
(d) What was the doubt in the poet’s mind ?
Answers :
(a) They are the two roads.
(b) The poet decided to reserve the first road for use on a future occasion.
(c) The poet knew that from one road or path branches off another.
(d) The poet doubted if he would ever come back to the junction of the two roads.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

4. I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less travelled by
And that has made all the difference.

Questions :
(a) Which path did the poet choose to travel ?
(b) What does the poet mean by the word difference in the last line ?
(c) Is the poet doubtful about his decision ?
(d) Justify the title of the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’.
Answers :
(a) He chose the less travelled path.
(b) The poet hints at the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
(c) The poet is not at all doubtful.
(d) Actually “The Road Taken’ should have been the title because the poet took the less travelled road.
Or
The title “The Road Not Taken’ is also correct because the poet gives his reason why he took one road and rejected the other.

The Road Not Taken Summary in English

The Road Not Taken Introduction:

This poem is based on a very common experience. A traveller was going through a forest. He reached a point where the road diverged in two directions. Both the roads looked equally attractive to the traveller. But he decided to take the one that did not show much sign of having been used. It is true that if he had chosen the beaten path (much used road) he could be sure of reaching somewhere.

He would not have faced many difficulties in life. But he took the one less travelled by’ and that has made all the difference. The poet suggests that the choices which one makes in life are for good. One cannot turn back and make a second choice regarding one’s goal in life. Therefore, one should be very careful in making the choice. He also suggests that by choosing the ordinary course in life, one cannot hope to become extraordinary.

The Road Not Taken Summary in English:

In this poem the poet brings out the importance of choice-making in one’s life. He says that choices cannot be changed. They have a very far-reaching influence. They influence the whole course of man’s life. Another idea brought out in this poem is that one can’t achieve extraordinary things by taking an ordinary course. Only very ordinary men follow the beaten paths. Great souls always prefer to tread new paths. The poet illustrates this idea with the help of a very common experience.

Once the poet was travelling through a forest. He came to a place from where the road branched off in two directions. It was not possible for the poet to travel by both the roads at the same time. He had to choose one of the two. The poet stood there and thought for a long time.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

One of the roads was visible to some distance. It meant that the road had frequently been used. The other road was overgrown with grass. It meant that this road had not been used much. The poet decided to go by the second road. He kept the first one for another day.

The poet imagines a time many ages hence. He will then be in some other world. He will then recall how he had decided to travel by the less-frequented road. This choice had made all the difference for him. It affected not only the future course of his life on this earth but also his spiritual course after death. Thus with the help of symbols the poet brings out the idea that man has to choose between the roads of materialism and spiritualism in his life. The choice once made is for good. It cannot be changed later.

The Road Not Taken Summary in Hindi

The Road Not Taken Introduction:

यह कविता एक साधारण अनुभव पर आधारित है। एक यात्री जंगल में से जा रहा था। वह एक ऐसे स्थान पर पहुंचा जहां से सड़क दो भिन्न-भिन्न दिशाओं में जाती थी। यात्री को दोनों सड़कें एक जैसी आकर्षक प्रतीत होती थीं। लेकिन उसने उस सड़क पर चलने का निर्णय लिया जिस पर बहुत अधिक लोग नहीं चले थे। यह बात सच है कि यदि वह उस सड़क पर जाने का निर्णय करता जिस पर अधिक लोग चले थे तो वह अवश्य ही किसी स्थान पर पहुंच जाता। उसने बहुत कठिनाईयों या समस्याओं का सामना न किया होता।

लेकिन उसने उस सड़क को चुना जिस पर बहुत कम लोग चले थे और इसी चीज़ ने इतना अन्तर डाल दिया। कवि के कहने का मतलब है कि आदमी अपने जीवन में जिस चीज़ का चुनाव करता है वह सदा के लिए होता है। आदमी वापस मुड़ कर अपने लक्ष्य के बारे में दूसरा चुनाव नहीं कर सकता। इसलिए मनुष्य को किसी लक्ष्य का चुनाव पूरे ध्यान से करना चाहिए। कवि यह भी कहता है कि जीवन में साधारण मार्ग चुनकर आदमी असाधारण नहीं बन सकता।

The Road Not Taken Summary in Hindi:

‘The Road Not Taken’ कवि Robert Frost की सबसे महान् कविताओं में से एक है । यह कविता बताती है कि जीवन के पतझड़ी जंगलों में आदमी ने दो मार्गों में से किस एक को चुनना होता है। कवि इस स्थिति के द्वारा जीवन में चुनाव के महत्त्व पर टिप्पणी करता है। मनुष्य के अन्दर कोई ऐसी भावना होती है जो उसे अपना लक्ष्य चुनने में सहायता करती है। व्यक्ति दोनों में से किसी एक मार्ग को इसलिए चुन लेता है कि यह अधिक उचित दिखाई पड़ता है।

कवि कहता है कि पीले पड़े जंगलों में वह एक ऐसे स्थान पर जा पहुंचा जहां पर दो मार्ग अलग-अलग दिशाओं में जाते थे। पर वह दोनों मार्गों पर नहीं जा सकता था। उसे दोनों मार्गों में से एक का चुनाव करना था। पहले उसने एक मार्ग पर इतनी दूर देखा जितनी दूर वह देख सकता था। यह मार्ग उसे झाड़ियों के नीचे मुड़ता हुआ दिखाई दिया।

फिर कवि ने दूसरा मार्ग ले लिया। उसने सोचा कि यह अधिक उचित था। यह एक घास उगा मार्ग था। कवि को ऐसा दिखाई दिया कि उससे पहले उस मार्ग पर बहुत कम लोग चले थे। जहां तक दूसरे का सम्बन्ध था उस पर बहुत से लोग चल चुके थे। दूसरे शब्दों में यह घिसा-पिटा मार्ग था।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

उस प्रातः जब कवि पतझड़ी पीले जंगल में खड़ा था तो उसने देखा कि दोनों मार्ग पत्तों से ढके थे। दोनों मार्गों पर कोई भी चला दिखाई नहीं देता था। कवि ने सोचा कि वह पहले मार्ग पर बाद में किसी ओर समय पर आएगा। अतः उसने दूसरे मार्ग पर चलना आरम्भ कर दिया परन्तु उसे यह ज्ञात हो गया कि यदि एक बार कोई चुनाव कर लेता है तो वापस लौट कर दूसरे मार्ग पर जाना नहीं हो सकता।

कवि दूर भविष्य के बारे में सोचता है जब वह अपने चुने हुए मार्ग पर चल चुका होगा। फिर शायद वह ठण्डी सांस लेकर पीछे की ओर देखेगा और सोचेगा कि शायद दूसरा मार्ग अधिक लाभदायक होता। परन्तु उस समय इतनी देर हो चुकी होगी कि वापिस आना कठिन होगा।

फिर वह महसूस करेगा कि कम लोगों द्वारा अपनाए गए मार्ग को चुनने के कारण ही उसके जीवन में सारा अन्तर पड़ा। कवि यह सुझाव देता है कि मनुष्य को जीवन में अपने चुनावों के परिणामों को भुगतना पड़ता है। वह स्थिति को ठीक नहीं कर सकता यदि उसने जीवन में गलत चुनाव किया है। वह केवल पछता ही सकता है।

The Road Not Taken Central Idea

This poem is based on the idea of choice-making in life. Choice of one’s aim is very difficult. It has a great influence. It influences the whole course of a man’s life. Another idea in the poem is that one cannot achieve extraordinary things by taking an ordinary course. Only ordinary people follow the beaten path. Great souls always prefer to take new paths. By doing so they break fresh ground.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 7 The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken Central Idea In Hindi

यह कविता जीवन में.लक्ष्य का चुनाव करने पर आधारित है। अपने लक्ष्य का चुनाव करना बड़ा कठिन होता है। चुनाव करने का बहुत महत्त्व होता है। यह आदमी के पूरे जीवन को प्रभावित करता है। कविता में एक विचार यह भी है कि साधारण मार्ग पर चलकर कोई व्यक्ति आसाधारण उपलब्धियाँ प्राप्त नहीं कर सकता। केवल साधारण व्यक्ति घिसे-पिटे रास्ते पर चलते हैं। महान् आत्माएं सदा नये रास्तों पर चलना पसन्द करती हैं। ऐसा करने से वे नई राहें खोज लेते हैं।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class English Book Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 English Poem 6 Father Returning Home

1. My father travels on the late evening train
Standing among silent commuters in the yellow light
Suburbs slide past his unseeing eyes
His shirt and pants are soggy and his black raincoat
Stained with mud and his bag stuffed with books Is falling apart.
Is falling apart.

Word-Notes :
Commuter-a daily passenger travelling up and down; Suburbs – areas outside the centre of a town where people live; Slide – slip away; Soggywet; Stained-made dirty; Stuffed-full of; Is falling apart-is getting torn.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

Explanation:
In these lines the poet talks about his father. He travels back home. He stands in the compartment of the local train. He stands silently among other commuters. His compartment has yellow light. The train goes on moving smoothly passing by suburbs. His eyes do not see the sliding suburbs. His shirt and trousers are wet and soft. His black raincoat is dirty with mud. His bag is stuffed with books and it seems to be getting torn.

इन पंक्तियों में कवि अपने पिता के बारे बात करता है। वह Local गाड़ी से अपने काम से घर लौट रहा है। वह लोकल गाड़ी के डिब्बे में खड़े होकर यात्रा करता है। वह दूसरे यात्रियों के बीच में चुपचाप खड़ा रहता है। उसके डिब्बे में पीला सा प्रकाश है। गाड़ी उपनगरियों को पीछे छोड़कर आगे निविघ्न चलती जा रही है। उसकी कमीज़ और पतलून गीली और नर्म हो गई है। उसका काला रेन-कोट कीचड़ से गंदा है। उसके थैले में किताबें भरी पड़ी हैं और थैला फटता नज़र आ रहा है।

2. His eyes dimmed by age
Face homeward through the humid monsoon night.
Now I can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
He hurries across the length of the grey platform,
Crosses the railway line, enters the lane,
His chapplas arc sticky with mud, but he hurries forward.

Explanation:
The poet says that his father’s eyes have become weak due to old age. In dim light they look at the home through the wet monsoon night. Now the poet can see him getting off the train. While getting off the train, his father looks like a word dropped from a long sentence. He hurries across the length of the grey platform. He crosses the railway line. He enters the lane where his home is situated. His chappals are slippery because of the mud sticking to them. But he hurries and proceeds to his home.

कवि के पिता की आँखें वृद्ध अवस्था के कारण कमजोर हो गई हैं। वे मद्धम प्रकाश में भीगी हुई मानसून की रात में से अपने घर की ओर देखती हैं। अब कवि अपने पिता को गाड़ी से उतरते हुए देखता है। गाड़ी से उतरते समय वह ऐसे लगता है जैसे किसी लम्बे वाक्य से एक शब्द अलग हो गया हो। वह शीघ्रता से प्लेटफार्म की लम्बाई को लांघता जाता है। वह रेलवे लाईन को पार कर जाता है। वह उस तंग गली में आ जाता है जहां उसका घर स्थित है। उसकी चप्पलें कीचड़ के कारण फिसलने वाली हैं। लेकिन वह जल्दी-जल्दी घर लौट रहा

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

3. Home again, I see him drinking weak tea,
Eating a stale chapati, reading a book.
He goes into the toilet to contemplate
Man’s estrangement from a man-made world.
Coming out, he trembles at the sink
The cold water running over his brown hands,
A few droplets cling to the greying hairs on his wrists.

Word-Notes :
Home again – the writer’s father has returned home after work ; Weak tea – tea with light brew ; Stale – not fresh ; Sink-a basin for washing pots ; Estrangement – no longer friendly or loyal; Contemplate – to think over, to view some thing ; Droplets – small drops.

Explanation:
In these lines the poet says that his father has come back home from work. He then sees him drinking weak tea. He sees him eating a stale chapati, reading a book. Then he sees him going to the toilet to think over man’s situation. Probably, his father would be thinking over man’s being alienated from the man-made world. He comes out of the toilet. Then he goes to the sink and trembles at the touch of cold water. The cold water runs over his brown hands. A few drops of water cling to the grey hairs on his wrists.

इन पंक्तियों में कवि कहता है कि उसका पिता काम से घर वापस लौट आया है। फिर वह उसको हल्की चाय पीते देखता है। फिर वह उसको एक बासी चपाती खाते हुए देखता है। फिर वह शौचालय में जाता है जहां वह आदमी की स्थिति पर विचार करता है। सम्भवतः वह सोचता होगा कि आदमी आज की दुनिया से विमुख क्यों हो गया है। वह शौचालय से बाहर आता है। फिर वह sink के पास जाता है। वह वहां कांपता है। ठंडा पानी उसके भूरे हाथों पर बहता है। पानी के कुछ बिन्दू (कतरे) उसकी कलाईयों पर सफेद बालों से चिपक

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

4. His sullen children have often refused to share
Jokes and secrets with him. He will now go to sleep
Listening to the static on the radio, dreaming
of his ancestors and grandchildren, thinking
of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.

Word-Notes :
Sullen -ill-tempered ; Static-noise produced on the radio; Nomads wandering tribes moving from place to place.

Explanation:
The poet here says that the ill-tempered children do not talk with their father. They do not share their jokes and secrets with him. Now it is time for the old man to retire to his bed. He listens to some noise and music on the radio. He dreams of his ancestors and grandchildren. He thinks of wandering tribes moving along with their cattle from place to place. Probably the nomads are entering a subcontinent through a narrow passage in the mountains.

कवि यहाँ कहता है कि चिड़चिड़े बच्चे अपने पिता के साथ बात नहीं करते। वे उसके साथ अपने मज़ाक सांझा नहीं करते और न ही उसको अपने भेद बताते हैं। अब वृद्ध व्यक्ति के सोने का समय है। वह रेडियो पर कुछ संगीत सुनने की चेष्टा करता है। उसको रेडियो से शोर सुनाई देता है। फिर वह अपने पूर्वजों और पोतेपोतियों के बारे सपने देखता है। वह इधर से उधर घूमने वाली जन-जातियों के बारे सपने देखता है। सम्भवतः वे खानाबदोश लोग पर्वतों के संकीर्ण मार्ग में से होते हुए एक उपमहाद्वीप में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं।

Comprehension Of Stanzas

1. My father travels on the late evening train
Standing among silent commuters in the yellow light
Suburbs slide past his unseeing eyes
His shirt and pants are soggy and his black raincoats
Stained with mud and his bag stuffed with books
Is falling apart. His eyes dimmed by age
face homeward through the humid monsoon night.

Questions :
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) What is the condition of the eyes of the poet’s father ?
(c) What is wrong with the clothes of the commuter described by the poet ?
(d) What does the passage tell you about the weather in the late evening ?
Answers :
(a) The name of the poem is ‘Father Returning Home’. It is written by Dilip Chitre.
(b) His eyes are dimmed becauses of his old age.
(c) His clothes are a bit wet and soft.
(d) It is warm and damp.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

2. Now I can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
He hurries across the length of the grey platform,
Crosses the railway line, enters the lane.
His chappals are sticky with mud, but he hurries onward.

Questions :
(a) Name the poet and the poem.
(b) Give the figure of speech used in these lines :
Now I can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
(c) What does the poet’s father do after crossing the railway line ?
(d) Do the sticky chappals of the poet’s father stand in the way of his hurrying forward ?
Answers :
(a) The name of the poet is Dilip Chitre and the name of the poem is ‘Father Returning Home’.
(b) Like a word dropped from a long sentence …………….. simile.
(c) He enters the lane.
(d) No, they don’t.

3. (Based on textual exercise)
(a) Which line in the poem describes father’s irrelevance to the train ?
(b) Write two reasons for father’s eyes being dimmed.
(c) Where does father go after getting off the train ?
Answers :
(a) Now I can see him getting off the train
Like a word dropped from a long sentence.
(b) His eyes are dimmed because of old age and humid monsoon night.
(c) After crossing the railway line he enters the lane where his home is situated.

4. His sullen children have refused to share
Jokes and secrets with him. He will now go to sleep
Listening to the static on the radio, dreaming
Of his ancestors and grandchildren, thinking
Of nomads entering a subcontinent through a narrow pass.

Questions :
(a) Explain the behaviour of the old man’s children towards him.
(b) What does he do after being written off by his children ?
(c) How can you say that his dream mirrors that the old man is either thinking about his past or future ?
(d) Draw a pen portrait of the poet’s father. (V. Imp.)
Answers :
(a) The children are indifferent to their father and they have refused to share their jokes and secrets with him.
(b) He goes to sleep listening to the radio which is accompanied with noise.
(c) He dreams of his ancestors and grandchildren.
(d) The poet’s father is a sad old man. He travels to work by a local train every day in Mumbai. He does not feel comfortable in his home or environment. He feels lonely even in a crowd. He is isolated from his family and friends. He is alienated from people. He lives in a world of his own dreams.

Father Returning Home Summary in English

Father Returning Home Introduction:

This poem has been taken from Dilip Chitre’s collection of poems. The title of the collection is ‘Travelling in a Cage’. It gives us the picture of a sad old man who travels to work by a local train every day in Mumbai. He does not feel comfortable in his environment. He feels lonely even in a crowd. His isolation is seen in his inability to have dialogue with his family or friends. He feels uneasy in his present. So the old man enters into the distant world of the past or into the world of his own dreams. The modern man seems to be alienated in a complex urban world.

Father Returning Home Summary in English:

This poem gives us the picture of the poet’s father who is an old man. He goes to work by a local train. He stands in the compartment among silent daily travellers (commuters) in the yellow light. Suburbs of the city pass by and he does not see them. He has dim eyes. His shirt and trousers have become wet and soft. His black raincoat is dirty because of mud fallen on it. His bag is stuffed with books.

The bag seems to be falling apart. His eyes are dim because of old age. Through the wet monsoon night, he is coming to his home. The poet sees his father getting off the train. He is coming alone. He looks like a word dropped from a long sentence. He walks quickly across the length of the grey platform. He then enters the lane where his house is situated. His chappals are sticky with mud. But he gogs on moving quickly.

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

He reaches his home. The poet sees his father drinking weak tea. He eats a stale chapati. He reads a book. Then he goes into the toilet to think over man’s disconnection from a man-made world. Old people feel that they are cut off from the rest of the world. He comes to the sink. He washes his hands. Some drops of water stick to the greying hair on his wrists. His bad-tempered children do not talk with him.

They have refused to share jokes and secrets with him. Now it is time for the old man to go to sleep. He listens to music on the radio. He dreams of his ancestors and grandchildren. He thinks of wandering tribes moving along with their animals from place to place. Probably the momads are entering a subcontinent through a narrow passage in the mountains.

Father Returning Home Summary in Hindi

Father Returning Home Introduction:

यह कविता दिलीप चित्रे की कविताओं के संग्रह से ली गई है । संग्रह का नाम है ‘Travelling in a Cage’ । यह कविता हमें एक उदास बूढ़े आदमी का चित्र प्रस्तुत करती है जो एक लोकल गाड़ी द्वारा हर रोज़ Mumbai में काम पर जाता है। उसे अपने वातावरण में बेचैनी सी महसूस होती है। वह अपने आप को लोगों की भीड़ में भी अकेला पाता है। उसका अलगाव इस बात में देखा जा सकता है कि वह किसी से बातचीत भी नहीं कर सकता। उसे वर्तमान समय में बेचैनी रहती है। इसलिए यह बूढ़ा व्यक्ति भूतकाल की दुनिया में दाखिल होता है या अपने सपनों की दुनिया में खो जाता है। वर्तमान युग का आदमी जटिल शहरी दुनिया से अलग-थलग रहता है।

Father Returning Home Summary in Hindi:

यह कविता हमें कवि के पिता का चित्र प्रस्तुत करती है जो कि एक बूढ़ा मनुष्य है। वह एक Local गाड़ी द्वारा अपने काम पर जाता है। वह गाड़ी के डिब्बे में दैनिक यात्रियों के मध्य में चुपचाप खड़ा रहता है और वहां पीली सी रोशनी होती है। उसकी गाड़ी उपनगरियों के पास से गुजरती जाती है और वह उ.को देखता तक नहीं। उसकी आँखों की रोशनी मद्धम हो गई है। उसकी कमीज़ और पतलुन गीली और नई पड गई हैं। उसका काले रंग का रेन-कोट गंदा हो गया है क्योंकि इसके ऊपर कीचड़ गिरा हुआ है।

उसका थेला पुस्तकों से भरा पड़ा है और यह फटता नज़र आता है। बूढ़ी अवस्था के कारण उसकी आँखों का प्रकाश मद्धम पड़ गया है। भीगी मानसून की रात में वह अपने घर की ओर आ रहा है। कवि अपने पिता को गाड़ी से उतरते हुए देखता है। वह अकेला आ रहा है। वह ऐसे लगता है जैसे कि एक लम्बे वाक्य में से एक शब्द को हटा दिया गया है। वह सलेटी रंग के प्लेटफार्म को तेज़ी से चलते हुए पार करता है। फिर वह उस तंग गली में दाखिल होता है जहां उसका घर स्थित है। उसकी चप्पलें भी कीचड़ लगने से चिपचिपी हो गई हैं। लेकिन वह तेजी से आगे चला जाता है।

वह अपने घर पहुँच जाता है। कवि अपने पिता को हल्की सी चाय पीते हुए देखता है। वह एक बासी चपाती खाता है। वह एक पुस्तक पढ़ता है। फिर वह शौचालय में चला जाता है और वह सोचने लगता है कि मनुष्य मनुष्य द्वारा बनाई गई दुनिया से अलग-थलग हो चुका है। बूढ़े लोग सोचते हैं कि वे बाकी ससार से कटे हुए हैं। वह sink के पास आता है। वह अपने हाथ धोता है। पानी के कुछ बिन्दू (कतरे ) उसकी कलाईयों के सफेद बालों पर गिरते हैं। उसके चिड़चिड़े बच्चे उसके साथ बात नहीं करते।

PSEB 12th Class English Solutions Poem 6 Father Returning Home

उन्होंने (बच्चों ने) उसके साथ मज़ाक सांझा करना या उसको गुप्त बातें बतानी बंद कर दी हैं। अब इस वृद्ध व्यक्ति के सोने का समय हो गया है। वह रेडियो पर संगीत जिसमें शोर भी होता है का आनन्द लेता है। वह अपने पूर्वजों और अपने पोते-पोतियों के बारे स्वप्न देखता है। वह उन जन-जातियों के बारे भी स्वप्न देखता है जो अपने पशुओं के साथ एक स्थान से दूसरे स्थान तक घूमते हुए जाते हैं। सम्भवतः खानाबदोश लोग पहाड़ों में एक संकीर्ण मार्ग से होते हुए एक उपमहाद्वीप में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं।

Father Returning Home Central Idea

The central idea of this poem is modern man’s alienation from the man-made world. This world is full of hurry and worry. Nobody has the time to take interest in others. The senior citizens are a neglected lot in society. The poem gives us a picture of a sad old man who travels to work by local train every day in the city of Mumbai. He does not feel comfortable or at home in his environment.

He feels lonely even in a crowd. His isolation is seen in his inability to have dialogue with his family or friends. He feels uneasy in his present. So the old man enters into the distant world of the past or into the world of his own dreams. The modern man is alienated in a complex urban world.

Father Returning Home Central Idea In Hindi

यह कविता एक आधुनिक आदमी का आदमी द्वारा बनाई हुई दुनिया से परायापन (बेगानगी) से सम्बन्ध रखती है। यह संसार शीघ्रता और चिन्ता से भरपूर है। दूसरे में रुचि लेने का किसी के पास समय नहीं है। वरिष्ठ नागरिकों की कोई परवाह नहीं करता। यह कविता एक उदास, वृद्ध व्यक्ति का चित्र प्रस्तुत करती है जोकि काम पर हर रोज़ Mumbai में Local गाड़ी द्वारा आता-जाता है।

उसे अपने वातावरण में कोई आराम या चैन उपलब्ध नहीं है। उसे भीड़ में भी अकेलापन महसूस होता है। अपने परिवार या मित्रों से वार्तालाप करने की अयोग्यता से उसका अलगाव प्रगट होता है। वर्तमान स्थिति में उसको बेचैनी रहती है। इसलिए वृद्ध व्यक्ति भूतकाल की दुनिया में प्रवेश करता है या वह अपने सपनों की दुनिया में शरण लेता है। आधुनिक काल का व्यक्ति जटिल शहरी दुनिया में परायापन में रहता है।