CLASS-XII Important English Answers (Prose)

 

LESSONS:

1. INDIGO

2. THE RATTRAP

3. DEEP WATER

4. LOST SPRING

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 Q. What positive action did William take to overcome his fear of water?

Ans: William took several positive steps to overcome his fear of water. He hired an instructor to teach him swimming and began practicing for an hour every day, five days a week. The instructor was patient, using a belt around William and a rope connected to a pulley system to guide him back and forth across the pool for three months. Eventually, William learned to submerge his face underwater, breathe out, and then breathe in through his nose. He practiced kicking with his legs and gradually pieced together his swimming skills.

Despite his progress, William still struggled with lingering fears. To confront them, he challenged himself by swimming two miles across Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, using various strokes like the crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and backstroke. Although fear occasionally resurfaced, William reminded himself that overcoming the fear of death was the key to eliminating terror. Through perseverance, he ultimately conquered his fear of water.

Q. "I now work in a tea stall down the road."

(i) Who worked in the tea stall?

(ii) How much was he paid?

(iii) Did he like the job? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Ans: (i) Saheb-e-Alam worked in the tea stall.

(ii) He was paid 800 rupees.

(iii) Saheb is unhappy with his job at the tea stall. His discontent is clear from his expression, which no longer carries the innocence of childhood. He feels like he's traded away his youth for a mere 800 rupees. While other kids his age are out playing with friends, he's obligated to serve his boss. Unlike Mukesh, who has had the chance to go to school and consider other opportunities, Saheb has never had those options. Working at the tea stall is his only way to combat poverty.

 

Q. Who brought about a change in the life of the peddler? What did the person do?

Ans. Miss Edla Willmansson, the daughter of the ironmaster, brought about a change in the life of the peddler.

The ironmaster mistook the peddler for his old friend Nils Olof and invited him home for Christmas. However, the peddler declined the invitation out of fear of being caught. So, the ironmaster sent his daughter, hoping she could persuade him better. When Edla met the peddler, she looked at him kindly and noticed his fear. She thought he might have stolen something or escaped from jail. She reassured him that she had come to take him home for Christmas and promised he could leave freely afterward. Her friendly demeanor instilled confidence in him.

The next morning, the valet cleaned him up, and he looked presentable. The ironmaster realized his mistake and told the peddler to leave, but Edla intervened and insisted he stay. She felt joyous at the thought of making Christmas special for the poor man. She provided him with food, a place to sleep, and a suit as a Christmas gift.

Thus, Edla Willmansson's compassion, kindness and generos- ity brings about a change in the life of the peddler.

Q. In what way do the two boys, Saheb and Mukesh, represent "stolen childhood'?

 

Ans: Saheb used to pick through garbage in Seemapuri, where he and his family, along with about ten thousand others, lived as squatters. They set up makeshift tents wherever they could find food, which served as their temporary homes. For them, scavenging for scraps was their only means of survival. Each morning, Saheb would scour the neighborhood's trash heaps for anything valuable.

Meanwhile, Mukesh hailed from a family of bangle-makers in Firozabad. The tradition of crafting bangles was passed down through generations in their family.

Both Saheb and Mukesh were obligated to contribute to their families' income, thus they followed in their family's footsteps and worked. Unfortunately, their financial circumstances prevented them from attending school. Unlike their peers, who enjoyed playing and making friends, Saheb and Mukesh missed out on a carefree childhood. The responsibility of supporting themselves and their families robbed them of the innocence and joy typically associated with youth.

In this sense, Saheb and Mukesh exemplify the concept of "stolen childhood."

Q. Mention the quality of Raj Kumar that was instrumental in changing the course of the history of Champaran, and so of India. Elaborate with examples from the text.

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla, despite being poor, uneducated, and physically weak, possessed a remarkable quality that significantly impacted Champaran's history and India's as well – his determination.

He traveled from Champaran to Lucknow to meet Gandhi, seeking his intervention against the unjust landlord system in Bihar. Gandhi, preoccupied with appointments in Cawnpore and other parts of India, initially couldn't commit. However, Shukla persisted, accompanying Gandhi everywhere and even following him to his ashram near Ahmedabad. He remained by Gandhi's side for weeks, urging him to visit Champaran. Despite Gandhi's busy schedule, he was moved by Shukla's unwavering resolve and eventually agreed to visit Champaran.

Q. What did Gandhi do to change the social and cultural backwardness of Champaran?

Ans: In order to enhance the cultural and social wellbeing of the Champaran villagers, Gandhi requested for volunteers among helpers, teachers, and doctors. Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh, two young men recently joining Gandhi as followers, along with their wives, offered to assist. Additional volunteers came from various places like Bombay, Poona, and other distant regions. Gandhi's youngest son, Devadas, and Mrs. Gandhi also joined from the ashram. Six villages saw the opening of primary schools. Kasturbai, Gandhi's wife, educated villagers about personal cleanliness and community sanitation according to ashram rules.

Health conditions were dire, prompting Gandhi to recruit a doctor who volunteered for six months. The available medications were castor oil, quinine, and sulphur ointment. Those with a coated tongue were administered castor oil, malaria patients received quinine along with castor oil, and those with skin issues were given ointment with castor oil. Gandhi, noticing the unhygienic state of the village women's attire, asked Kasturbai to address the matter with them.

Q. Give a brief account of the events that occurred in Motihari on the day of Gandhi's trial.

Ans: Gandhi went to Champaran at the urging of Rajkumar Shukla to assist the impoverished sharecroppers. While in Motihari, news arrived that a farmer had been mistreated in a nearby village.

Upon hearing this, Gandhi decided to investigate. However, before he could proceed far, a messenger from the police superintendent caught up with him and instructed him to return to town. Gandhi was then brought back home where he was handed an official notice demanding his immediate departure from Champaran. Despite signing a receipt for the notice, Gandhi wrote on it that he would defy the order. As a result, he was summoned to court the following day.

On the day of the trial, the area surrounding the courthouse was teeming with peasants, leaving the government perplexed. The prosecutor requested the judge to delay the trial.

Gandhi objected to the postponement and instead admitted guilt in a statement read to the court. He explained that he found himself torn between conflicting duties - one to uphold the law and another to fulfill the humanitarian and national service for which he had come. He defied the order to leave not out of disrespect for lawful authority, but out of obedience to the higher law of conscience. He then inquired about the penalty he was to face.

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