Short Questions

Class 11 sem 2
1.

= Laura agreed because her mother told her to

take food to the Scott family. At first, she hesitated
but later went as she felt it was the right thing to
do.
= José's song in The Garden Party adds to the cheerful and carefree
mood of the Sheridan family's preparations for the party. It contrasts
with the sorrowful news of Mr. Scott’s death, highlighting the family's
indifference to the tragedy. The song she sings is "This Life is Weary."
= Laura was frustrated by the news of Mr. Scott’s death, as she felt it
was inappropriate to continue the garden party while a tragedy had
occurred nearby.

Her mother, Mrs. Sheridan, consoled her by dismissing her concerns

and distracting her with a beautiful hat.
= The garden represents social inequality, showing the rich enjoying
luxury while the poor, like the Scotts, struggle nearby. It highlights the
divide between classes in society.
Laura is the young, kind-hearted daughter of the Sheridan family in
The Garden Party.

She wanted to stop the garden party after hearing about Mr.
Scott’s death, as she felt it was inappropriate to celebrate while a
poor neighbor had just died.
= Laura and José are sisters in The Garden Party. Laura is sensitive
and empathetic, while José is practical and carefree. Their contrasting
views highlight the theme of class differences—Laura feels sympathy
for the poor, while José remains indifferent.
The speaker is Mrs. Sheridan, Laura's mother.

She ordered the lilies for the garden party to enhance its beauty and
make the event more elegant.
In The Garden Party, the cook is actively involved in preparing food for
the party. She helps with making sandwiches, supervises kitchen tasks,
and ensures everything is perfect.
The garden in The Garden Party represents wealth, beauty, and the
privileged life of the upper class. It symbolizes the Sheridans'
luxurious and carefree world, which contrasts with the poverty and
struggles of the lower-class people, like the Scotts.
Laura felt deep sympathy and respect for the dead man, Mr. Scott.
Initially, she was troubled by his death and wanted to stop the party.
Later, when she visited his house, she was moved by the peaceful
expression on his face, realizing the beauty and calmness of death.
At the end of The Garden Party, Laura realizes the contrast between
life and death. Seeing Mr. Scott’s peaceful face, she understands that
death is natural and beautiful, not something to fear. This experience
changes her perspective, making her more mature and aware of life’s
deeper realities.
In The Garden Party, flowers symbolize wealth, beauty, and social
status. The Sheridan family uses them to decorate their luxurious
party, showing their privilege. Laura’s mother also gives her a hat with
flowers to distract her from Mr. Scott’s death. Later, Laura takes lilies
to the Scott family, symbolizing sympathy and her connection with
the poorer class.
Laura admired the workers for their natural charm, confidence, and
friendliness. She enjoyed talking to them and felt they were more
genuine than the upper-class people. Unlike her family, she saw them
as equals and respected their hard work.
The Sheridan family hosted the garden party in their beautiful
garden at their home.

The Sheridan family had four siblings—Laura, Jose, Laurie, and

Meg.
According to Mrs. Sheridan, Laura was the most artistic one.
The Sheridan family had six members: Mr. Sheridan, Mrs.
Sheridan, Laura, Jose, Laurie, and Meg.

The workers came in the morning to set up the marquee and

make arrangements for the garden party at the Sheridan
house.

Laura supervised them and gave instructions, feeling excited

and important while interacting with them.
In the morning, the gardener mowed the lawns and prepared
the garden to make it look beautiful for the garden party at the
Sheridan house.

Laura suggested placing it on the tennis court, but the workers

convinced her that the lawn in front of the karaka trees was a
better spot. Laura agreed, realizing their experience in such
matters.
Jose Sheridan is called "the butterfly" in The Garden Party .

Because she wears a silk petticoat that flutters as she moves,

making her look graceful and light, like a butterfly.

Mr. Scott lived in a small cottage down the hill, near the
Sheridan estate.

He was a carter by profession, meaning he transported goods

using a horse and cart.
Mr. Scott died in an accident while working as a carter. He was
thrown from his horse-drawn cart and suffered a fatal head
injury, leading to his sudden death.
Jimmy Valentine
Jimmy Valentine
Jimmy Valentine
Jimmy Valentine
Jimmy Valentine
6. Who was Jimmy Valentine ? For how many years was he
imprisoned ?

= Jimmy Valentine was a skilled safecracker and a professional

burglar known for breaking into banks.

He was arrested by Detective Ben Price and sentenced to four

years in prison for his crimes, but he was released after ten
months due to a pardon from the governor.
7. Who knew Jimmy’s habits ? How did he know that ?

= Detective Ben Price knew Jimmy Valentine’s habits because he had

arrested him before and closely studied his safecracking techniques.

Price could recognize Jimmy’s signature style of breaking into safes,

such as using high-quality tools and leaving no trace of force, which
helped him track Jimmy after a series of bank robberies.
8. Why did Jimmy go to Elmore and with what name ?

= Jimmy Valentine went to Elmore to start a new life after deciding

to leave his criminal past behind.
In Elmore, he took the name Ralph D. Spencer, pretending to be a
respectable businessman planning to open a shoe store. His decision
was influenced by his love for Annabel Adams, the daughter of a local
banker.
9. Who was locked inside the Vault and How was she locked
and rescued ?

= Annabel's young niece, Agatha, was accidentally locked inside the vault by her sister,
May .
while they were playing at their grandfather’s bank. May, unaware of the danger, shut
the heavy safe door, trapping Agatha inside.

Jimmy Valentine being an expert of unlocking any type of safe , Unlocked the Vault and
rescued Agatha .
Of Studies
Of Studies
1. What are the chief benefits of study proposed in the
essay 'Of Studies' by Francis Bacon ?
The chief benefits of study proposed by Francis Bacon in "Of Studies" are delight,
ornament, and ability. Delight refers to the pleasure and intellectual satisfaction that
study provides in leisure time. Ornament means that knowledge improves conversation
skills and makes a person more articulate. Ability suggests that studying enhances
judgment and decision-making, helping individuals handle real-life situations wisely.
Of Studies
2. What according to Francis Bacon , is the benefit of
Conversation ?
According to Francis Bacon, the benefit of conversation is that it helps in expressing
knowledge clearly and refining one's understanding. Engaging in discussions allows a
person to test their ideas, sharpen their wit, and improve communication skills, making
learning more practical and useful in daily life.
Of Studies
3. What are the three different fields that studies serve ?

The three different fields that studies serve, according to

Francis Bacon, are private delight, discourse (conversation),
and judgment (business affairs).
Of Studies
4. What changes does reading and writing bring to a man ?

Reading enhances wisdom by enriching the mind with knowledge,

while writing sharpens memory and understanding by organizing
thoughts clearly. Francis Bacon suggests that reading makes a full
man, conference (discussion) a ready man, and writing an exact man,
meaning that reading broadens knowledge, discussion improves
quick thinking, and writing develops precision in thought and
expression.
Of Studies
5. What are the three different fields that studies serve ?

The three different fields that studies serve, according to

Francis Bacon, are private delight, discourse (conversation),
and judgment (business affairs).
Of Studies
6. What do study serve for ?
Studies serve for delight, ornament, and ability. Delight
provides personal enjoyment, ornament improves
conversation skills, and ability enhances judgment and
decision-making in practical life.
Of Studies
7. What is the downside of spending too much time in
study ?

Spending too much time in study makes a person lazy,

using it too much for ornament leads to pretentiousness,
and relying only on study without experience makes one
impractical in real life.
Of Studies
8. How do the Crafty men study ?
Crafty men condemn studies, as they see no value in them.
They do not use knowledge for wisdom but rather for
deception and manipulation.
Of Studies
9. According to Bacon , what are the types of books ?

According to Bacon, books are of three types: some are to

be tasted, some swallowed, and some chewed and
digested. Tasted books are read in parts, swallowed books
are read without deep analysis, and chewed and digested
books are studied thoroughly for deep understanding.
Of Studies
10. According to Bacon , what does it mean "Abeunt
studia in mores" ?

= According to Bacon, "Abeunt studia in mores" means

"Studies influence and shape a person's character." He
suggests that continuous learning refines behavior,
develops intellect, and improves moral values, making a
person more disciplined and wise.
Still I rise
1. What is the rhyme scheme of ‘Still I rise’ ?
= The primary rhyme scheme of Still I Rise is ABCB, where
the second and fourth lines rhyme in most stanzas.

2. Who is the author of the poem ‘Still I Rise’? What is

the primary theme of the poem?
= The author of the poem Still I Rise is Maya Angelou. The primary
theme of the poem is resilience and hope in the face of oppression. It
celebrates strength, confidence, and the ability to overcome
discrimination and hardships.
3. What do the first two lines of the poem ‘Still I Rise’
signify?
= The first two lines of Still I Rise—"You may write me down in history / With your bitter,
twisted lies"—signify the oppression and misrepresentation faced by the speaker and their
community. These lines highlight how history has been distorted by those in power, yet the
speaker remains resilient and defiant against such injustices.

4. What does the phrase 'Black ocean' symbolise in the

poem 'Still I rise' .
= The phrase "black ocean" in Still I Rise symbolizes strength, resilience, and unstoppable
power. It represents the collective force of Black people rising against oppression, much like an
ocean that is vast, deep, and uncontainable.
5. who is 'You' in the poem ‘still I rise’ ?
= In Still I Rise, "You" primarily refers to white Americans who oppressed Black people through
racism, discrimination, and historical misrepresentation. Maya Angelou addresses them
directly, asserting her resilience and strength despite their attempts to keep her down.

6. Who are the narrator’s ancestors and what do you think

are the gift of the speaker’s ancestors ?
= The narrator’s ancestors in Still I Rise are enslaved Black people who endured immense
suffering and oppression.
The gift of the speaker’s ancestors is their strength, resilience, and unbreakable spirit, which
the speaker inherits. This legacy empowers the speaker to rise above discrimination and
injustice.
7. “But still , like dust , I’ll rise.” - why did the poet
compare herself to dust ?
= The poet compares herself to dust because dust always rises no matter how much it is
trampled or suppressed. This symbolizes her resilience, indomitable spirit, and ability to
overcome oppression. Just like dust cannot be kept down, she, too, will continue to rise
despite hardships.

8. How will the speaker rise ?

= The speaker in Still I Rise will rise with confidence, strength, and determination, overcoming
oppression and injustice. She will rise "like dust," "like air," and "like hopes," showing that no
amount of hatred or discrimination can keep her down. Her resilience is unshakable and
unstoppable.
My Last Duchess
My Last Duchess

1. Where did the Duchess in “My last Duchess”

ride the white mule ?

= In My Last Duchess by Robert Browning, the Duchess rode the white

mule "round the terrace". This detail highlights her joy in simple
pleasures, which the Duke perceived as inappropriate because she
treated all kindness and admiration equally.
My Last Duchess

2. What is the tone of Robert Browning’s poem

‘My Last Duchess’ ?

= The tone of My Last Duchess by Robert Browning is sinister, arrogant,

and dramatic. The Duke speaks in a cold and controlling manner,
revealing his jealousy and possessiveness toward his late wife. The
poem also has an ironic and chilling undertone, as the Duke casually
hints at having her killed while discussing a new marriage.
My Last Duchess

2. What is the tone of Robert Browning’s poem

‘My Last Duchess’ ?

= The tone of My Last Duchess by Robert Browning is sinister, arrogant,

and dramatic. The Duke speaks in a cold and controlling manner,
revealing his jealousy and possessiveness toward his late wife. The
poem also has an ironic and chilling undertone, as the Duke casually
hints at having her killed while discussing a new marriage.
My Last Duchess

3. “Then all smiles stopped together.” - about

whom was the remark made and why ?

= The remark "Then all smiles stopped together." in My Last Duchess

refers to the Duchess.
The Duke says this because he was jealous and angry that she smiled
too freely at everyone, not just at him. This line strongly implies that he
ordered her to be killed, putting an end to her smiles forever.
My Last Duchess

4. Why did the Duke point out the statue of

Neptune to the envoy of the count ?
= The Duke points out the statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse to the
envoy of the Count as a symbol of his own power and control. Neptune,
the Roman god of the sea, represents dominance, and the sea-horse
symbolizes something wild that needs to be tamed—just as the Duke
believed he had to control and suppress his last Duchess. By
mentioning this statue, he subtly hints at his authoritative nature and
what he expects from his next wife.
My Last Duchess

5. Who composed the poem 'My Last Duchess' ?

To what genre does this poem fall ?

= The poem My Last Duchess was composed by Robert Browning.

It falls under the genre of dramatic monologue, where a single speaker

reveals their thoughts and personality while addressing a silent listener.
My Last Duchess

6. Who drew the portrait of the last Duchess ?

How was she looking ?
= The portrait of the last Duchess was drawn by Fra Pandolf, a fictional
painter created by Robert Browning.

The Duchess looked lively and full of warmth, with a joyful expression.
The Duke mentions that her glance seemed full of depth and emotion,
which he found displeasing because he believed she was too easily
pleased by others.
My Last Duchess

7. What question does the speaker’s companion

ask in ‘My Last Duchess’ ?

= In My Last Duchess, the speaker's companion, the envoy of the

Count, likely asks about the Duchess’s expression in the portrait—why
she looks so joyful and full of life. Though the question itself is not
directly stated in the poem, the Duke's response suggests that the
envoy inquired about the reason behind her cheerful look and what
made her smile so often.
My Last Duchess

8. Who is the speaker and to whom is he speaking

in the poem ‘My Last Duchess’ ?

= The speaker is the Duke of Ferrara.

He is speaking to an envoy (messenger) of a Count, who has come to
discuss the Duke’s marriage proposal to the Count’s daughter.
My Last Duchess

9. What do you know about Claus of Innsbruck

from the poem, ‘My Last Duchess’ ?

= In My Last Duchess, Claus of Innsbruck is mentioned as the sculptor

who crafted a bronze statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse. The Duke
casually refers to this statue at the end of the poem to emphasize his
power and control, comparing himself to Neptune, who dominates the
sea-horse, much like he controlled his late Duchess. This reference
highlights the Duke’s arrogance and desire for dominance.
My Last Duchess

10. Who is Ferrara ? What was he proud of ?

= Ferrara refers to the Duke of Ferrara, the speaker in My Last Duchess.

He is proud of his noble heritage, social status, and power. He boasts

about his 900-year-old family name and believes that his Duchess
should have valued it more.
My Last Duchess

11. “And Seemed as they would ask me.” - who

were ‘They’ ? What would they ask the speaker ?

= In My Last Duchess, ‘They’ refers to the painted eyes and expression

of the Duchess in her portrait.

The Duke imagines that her look in the painting seems as if she would
ask him why he disapproved of her smiles and cheerful nature.
12. Who was Fra Pandolf in ‘My Last Duchess’ ?
= In My Last Duchess, Fra Pandolf is the imaginary painter who created
the Duchess’s portrait. The Duke mentions his name to suggest that the
Duchess blushed too easily, even at the painter’s compliments.

13. Why did the Duke dislike the Duchess ?

= The Duke in My Last Duchess disliked the Duchess because she was
too kind, cheerful, and easily pleased. He was jealous that she treated
everyone with the same warmth, whether it was him, the painter Fra
Pandolf, or common people. He felt insulted that she did not value his
noble name above everything else. Her habit of smiling at everyone and
appreciating simple joys made him feel disrespected, which eventually
led to her tragic fate.