20 Most Important Short Answer Class 12 English Vistas CBSE
In the Class 12 English Vistas curriculum prescribed by CBSE, a series of short answer questions forms an integral part of the evaluation process. These questions demand concise yet insightful responses, requiring students to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the themes, characters, and literary techniques employed in the selected texts.
Courtesy: Question Bank CBSE
Class 12 English Core
20 Most Important Long Answer Class 12 English Famingo CBSE
These questions have been designed to foster in students the skill to think critically and creatively with a focus on inferential abilities.
Q11 Answer in 30-40 words. Most Important Short Answer Class 12 English Vistas CBSE
i. Q: What would you describe as your “waking-dream wish fulfilment”? Explain.
A: My waking-dream wish fulfilment would involve experiencing extraordinary adventures and discovering hidden realms, akin to Charley’s journey to the third level in the story ‘The Third Level.’ It’s the desire to escape mundane reality and explore fantastical dimensions, just as Charley found an alternate reality in Galesburg, Illinois.
ii. Q: Why do you think Charley withdrew nearly all the money he had from the bank to buy old-style currency?
A: Charley withdrew money to purchase old-style currency to immerse himself fully in the illusion of being in the year 1894. It was a practical step to ensure that he could seamlessly integrate into the historical period he believed he had reached through the mysterious third level.
iii. Q: How would you evaluate Sam’s character? Elucidate any two qualities, and substantiate with evidence from the text.
A: Sam is characterized by skepticism and a rational mindset. Initially doubtful of Charley’s claims about the third level, Sam’s analytical nature is evident. Later, Sam’s openness to the possibility of time travel showcases his adaptable and open-minded side.
iv. Q: At the beginning of the story, Sam is sceptical of Charley’s discovery of the third level. By the end of the story, the reader is told that he found the third level and travelled back in time. How would Sam diagnose himself?
A: Sam would diagnose himself as a skeptic turned believer. His initial skepticism gave way to acceptance and belief in the existence of the third level, showcasing his transformative journey and willingness to embrace the extraordinary.
i. Q: Do you think an author who includes several instances of satire in a story faces the risk of being too cynical? Explain.
A: Yes, an author using satire risks being perceived as overly cynical if not balanced. While satire serves to critique societal issues humorously, an excess might overshadow positive aspects. Striking a balance ensures effective social commentary without descending into pure cynicism.
ii. Q: Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.’ In light of this quote, examine how knowing the future paved way for the king’s end.
A: Knowing his future through the astrologer fueled the king’s paranoia. Desperate to escape the prophesied death, he took extreme measures, inadvertently fulfilling the prediction. The knowledge became a self-fulfilling prophecy, showcasing the tragic consequences of foreknowledge.
iii. Q: The Maharaja justified his actions based on the maxim: ‘You may kill even a cow in self-defence,’ so there would be no objection to killing tigers in self-defence.’ Do you think it is right to justify our actions in this way? Elaborate.
A: The Maharaja’s justification reflects flawed reasoning. While self-defense is justifiable, equating it with killing tigers for sport is morally questionable. Using self-defense as a blanket excuse for harming wildlife lacks ethical grounds, highlighting the need for responsible and conscientious actions.
iv. Q: Antarctica is a doorway to the past. Explain.
A: Antarctica’s pristine environment, untouched by human interference, preserves ancient ice cores. Studying these cores provides a direct window into Earth’s climatic past. By analyzing the layers, scientists gain insights into historical climate variations, making Antarctica a literal doorway to our planet’s environmental history.
v. Q: Students on Ice is a programme that prepares global citizens. Discuss.
A: Students on Ice fosters global citizenship by exposing participants to polar environments, instilling environmental stewardship. Engaging with diverse cultures and ecosystems equips students with a holistic understanding of global challenges, preparing them to be environmentally conscious and socially responsible global citizens
i. Q: ‘It is not merely age but experience that counts.’ With reference to any one example from the text, comment on how Derry found Mr. Lamb different from other adults he had encountered.
A: Derry found Mr. Lamb different due to his unique perspective on life. Mr. Lamb’s experience of seeing the world through the eyes of a bee imparted wisdom beyond conventional adult understanding. Unlike other adults, Mr. Lamb’s experiential knowledge offered Derry unconventional insights, enriching his understanding of the world.
ii. Q: Imagine that Mr. Lamb had not fallen off the ladder at the end. Recalling his conversation with the bees, do you think Derry’s return might have changed him as much as he had changed Derry? Elaborate
A: If Mr. Lamb hadn’t fallen, Derry’s return might not have impacted Mr. Lamb as profoundly. The fall prompted Derry’s realization of mortality, prompting him to appreciate life. Had Mr. Lamb not fallen, Derry’s transformative experience might not have mirrored Mr. Lamb’s profound connection with nature and mortality.
iii. Q: Do you think Derry’s mother is protective of him? Justify your opinion with textual evidence.
A: Yes, Derry’s mother is protective. When he goes to Mr. Lamb’s garden, she worries about his safety, cautioning him about the dangerous bees. Her concern reflects maternal protectiveness, emphasizing her desire to shield Derry from potential harm.
iv. Q: Why did Derry go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden even after opposition?
A: Derry returned to Mr. Lamb’s garden because the experience transformed him. Despite opposition, he was drawn by the profound connection he felt with nature and Mr. Lamb. The garden became a sanctuary of wisdom and enlightenment that Derry couldn’t resist revisiting.
i. Q: Would you say that kindness is a weakness in a law enforcement officer? Support your opinion based on your reading of the story ‘Evans Tries an O-Level’.
A: Kindness in a law enforcement officer is portrayed as a potential weakness in “Evans Tries an O-Level.” The governor’s compassionate decision to allow Evans to take the exam led to unforeseen consequences, revealing how leniency can be exploited, challenging the conventional view that kindness may compromise the effectiveness of law enforcement.
ii. Q: The story is a statement against rehabilitation of criminals. Do you agree? Justify your stance.
A: The story doesn’t outright condemn rehabilitation but raises questions about its efficacy. Evans, despite rehabilitation attempts, returns to criminal behavior. The narrative suggests a skepticism towards the effectiveness of rehabilitation alone, emphasizing the complexity of addressing criminality.
iii. Q: Would you call Evans the hero of the story? Justify your stance.
A: Evans isn’t a traditional hero, but he emerges as a protagonist challenging the system. His intelligence and audacity make him a central figure. However, whether he is a hero or anti-hero depends on one’s perspective, as his actions expose the flaws in the established order.
iv. Q: Comment on the general absence of women characters in the story.
A: The absence of significant female characters in “Evans Tries an O-Level” underscores its focus on the prison and exam settings, traditionally male-dominated spaces. This absence reflects the story’s thematic emphasis on institutional structures rather than a deliberate exclusion of women.
i. Q: Zitkala-Sa mentions the indignities she had to suffer as a child. How do such indignities break the morale of a child?
A: Indignities inflicted on a child, as experienced by Zitkala-Sa, shatter self-esteem and morale. Discrimination and cultural suppression erode a child’s sense of identity, causing emotional distress and hindering healthy development.
ii. Q: Bama’s innocence was lost when she came face to face with the ugly truth of racial discrimination. Do you think children who have a difficult childhood become even more resolute than children who have a comfortable one?
A: Yes, children facing adversity often develop resilience and determination. Bama’s confrontation with racial discrimination fueled her resolve. Challenges in childhood can instill a tenacity to overcome obstacles, fostering strength and determination.
iii. Q: “Where there is oppression, there will be resistance.” Comment on this statement with reference to the story.
A: The statement aligns with the narrative. Zitkala-Sa and Bama resist oppression in different contexts, symbolizing the universal theme of resilience against injustice prevalent in both stories.
iv. Q: Children relish the small pleasures of life just like Bama did when she dawdled along on her way back from school, enjoying all the novelties. Elaborate.
A: Bama’s appreciation for small pleasures highlights resilience amidst adversity. Despite hardships, savoring simple joys demonstrates a child’s ability to find happiness amidst challenges, emphasizing the strength of the human spirit.
i. Q: ‘He was telling her something true, something she must know.’ Why does the narrator make this statement?
A: The narrator makes this statement to underscore the significance of the information being conveyed. It indicates that what is being shared is crucial knowledge, emphasizing its relevance to the listener’s understanding or well-being.
ii. Q: Why do you think both Jo and Jack want a different ending each, for Roger Skunk’s story?
A: Jo and Jack desire different endings for Roger Skunk’s story as a reflection of their individual perspectives and values. It symbolizes the subjective nature of storytelling, where personal experiences and worldviews influence one’s interpretation of narrative outcomes.
iii. Q: What is the significance of the “half old tan and half new ivory cage of moldings, rails and baseboards” appearing at the end of the story?
A: The contrasting “half old tan and half new ivory cage” symbolizes the merging of tradition and modernity, suggesting a harmonious coexistence of past and present. It signifies a balance between nostalgia and progress, adding depth to the story’s thematic richness.
iv. Q: Wanting Roger Skunk to continue to smell the way a “little skunk should smell” has great significance. Explain.
A: Desiring Roger Skunk to retain his natural scent emphasizes the acceptance and celebration of individuality. It symbolizes embracing one’s innate characteristics, promoting self-acceptance and resisting societal pressures to conform.
v. Q: Discuss Jack’s perception about gender and its roles. Cite instances from the text to support your answer.
A: Jack’s perception challenges traditional gender roles. His willingness to let Jo, a girl, choose the ending suggests a rejection of stereotypical gender norms, reflecting a more progressive mindset.
