CBSE Sure-Shot Questions Poets and Pancakes Class 12 English
Poets and Pancakes: Summary and Textual Questions of Class 12 English
Poets and Pancakes Summary in English
Introduction of the summary of “Poets and Pancakes”
This Poets and Pancakes summary will boost your understanding of how to learn about Poets and Pancakes easily. The summary will help you understand “Poets and Pancakes English Flamingo in 12th grade.” The chapter is taken from the book “My Years with the Boss” by Asokamitran. The writer explains his experience at Gemini Studios. Gemini Studio has always been a well-known studio in its era. Its founder was S.S. Vasan. The writer worked in a cubical, and his job was to cut the newspaper and keep it in a safe place. The summary will also tell you some major facts about the film industry in India. “The Pancakes” is the brand name of make-up materials that Gemini Studios ordered in truckloads. In Gemini Studio, we also see unity in diversity. The make-up department was the main attraction at Poets and Pancakes. Most of the story revolves around the office boy in the make-up department.
Main points of Poets and Pancakes summary in English
Poets and Pancakes begin with Asokamitran telling us about Gemini studios. Asokamitran explains at the beginning of the chapter, Poets, and Pancakes, about the make-up room where “Pancake” was the brand name used for the make-up material that came to Gemini Studio in trucks. He further tells us that the make-up studio was located upstairs in the building that belonged to Robert Clive’s stables.
Further, we come to know that the author, Asokamitran, was a poet and he wanted to become an actor; therefore, he joined the Gemini Studio. Next, he discussed the use of make-up materials to make the actors and other artists look ugly. After that, he tells us about the office boy, who was not a boy but a man of forty who entered the studio to become a star, “becoming a star actor or a top screenwriter, director, or lyric writer. He was a bit of a poet. ”
Next, the author reveals his work as paper cutting, which was never considered work by many in the studio. The office boy always used to come to the author’s cubicle and complain to the author about his miseries. He always considered Kothamangalam Subbu. Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios, responsible for all his “woes, ignominy, and neglect”. The education of the office boy was greater than that of Subbu, and the office boy thought that Subbo was Brahmin and had an edge over the office boy. “Brahmin—a virtue, indeed!”
Subbu has always been talented and easy to use to bring solutions to problems easily. Film-making must have been and was so easy with a man like Subbu, and he also gave direction and definition to Gemini Studio during its golden years. Subbu was also a poet, and his work was well-received by the general public. He composed several truly original “story poems.” He was an amazing actor who was capable of doing any role with ease. Moreover, he was a “charitable and improvident” man, but he still had enemies, maybe because of his proximity to the boss. Thus, Subbu was with the story department, which had writers, lawyers, and poets. Thus, Subbu was number 2 in Gemini Studio, a man with logical and impartial nature.
The Gemini Studio got an opportunity to host the Moral Rearmament Army, a group of international performers. Though the plots and messages were simple, their sets and costumes were so good that for many years, Tamil plays depicted sunset and sunrise in a style inherited from “Jotham Valley.” They were simple and perfect in their actions. After some time, the Gemini Studio got an opportunity to host the famous poet, Stephen Spender, who visited the studios. People had never heard of him, and therefore, they couldn’t even connect with him due to linguistic barriers. They couldn’t identify him, and it was not until a few years later that Asokamitran saw his name in a book and realized who he was.
The Conclusion of Poets and Pancakes
So, the Poets and Pancakes summary tells us about the inside of Gemini Studios, where our film industry has been in its early stages in the past.
Poets and Pancakes NCERT Textbook Questions Solved Flamingo Class 12 English
The Name of the Author of Poets and Pancakes: Asokamitran
Page 57
Notice these words and expressions in the text.
Infer their meaning from the context.
Blew over: To criticize by giving a long critical speech
Was struck dumb: Speechless, without any words, no answer.
Catapulted into: To shoot into, bucked, ejected
A coat of mail: overlapping metal plates
Played into their hands: To act on someone’s else advice.
The favorite haunt: Favourite places to visit
heard a bell ringing: indistinct memory
Page 59
Think As You Read
Question 1.
What does the writer mean by “the fiery misery” of those subjected to make-up?
Answer
The writer elucidates the bad effects of lights and mirrors in the make-up room. As a result, the people are exposed to heat and reflections and their conditions became miserable in the make-up room due to the excess heat of lights and the reflection of mirrors. The make-up room was like a hair salon with lights at all angles. Thus, the author clearly explains “the fiery misery” due to the lights and mirrors in the make-up room of Gemini Studios.
Question 2.
What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Answer
The makeup of the Gemini Studios was considered a symbol of national integration. The author, Asokamitron, explicated the Gemini Studios as a place full of national integration feelings. The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who became too big for a studio and left. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and the usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was a great deal of national integration. People of different states and religions were working in Gemini Studios, and thus, the make-up room was a symbol of unity in diversity.
Question 3.
What work did the “office boy” do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer
The office boy was not an ordinary boy but a man in his forties. The office boy used to do the make-up for a large crowd in Gemini Studios. “Even the make-up department of the Gemini Studio had an ‘office boy!” The office boy of the studios was not a boy in the true sense of the word. He used to mix paint in a large vessel to throw it at the large crowd. The office boy was an educated and talented person who joined the Gemini Studio in the hope of becoming a famous actor or writer, but unfortunately, he couldn’t. Therefore, he always used to criticize Subbu, who was No. 2 in Gemini Studios due to his higher caste. Yes, he was disappointed and he used to avenge his anger in front of the writer, Asokamitron.
Question 4.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer
The writer’s (Asokamitron’s) job was to cut the clippings from newspapers, which couldn’t be considered serious work in the eyes of the people who were working in Gemini Studios. So, everyone came to him in his cubical to share their grievances in Gemini Studios, as they considered him a man without work, and even the boss “thought” so. Therefore, people “Seeing me sitting at my desk tearing up newspapers a day in and day out, most people thought I was doing next to nothing.”
Poets and Pancakes: Summary and Textual Questions of Class 12 English: Think As You Read
Page 61
Think As You Read
Question 1.
Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer
The office boy had joined Gemini Studios with a lot of dreams he wanted to fulfill as an actor or a writer, but unfortunately, his luck was not in his favor. Therefore, he became frustrated and avenged his anger on Subbu, whom he considered a man of flattery. Therefore, he shared his frustration with the author, Asokamitron, by visiting his cubical. Although he was more educated and might have been more talented, ultimately, he was an office boy in a make-up room. Therefore, it was natural for the office boy to become disappointed with the circumstances and show his anger to the author many times. Generally, the office boy showed his anger at Subbu, the no. 2 in the Gemini Studios.
Question 2.
Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer
Subbu was in the No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, and he was officially enrolled in the Story Department, but he was always seen with his principal, Gemini Studios’ boss. S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios, was the principal of Subbu.
Question 3.
Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer
Subbu was in the No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, and he was officially enrolled in the Story Department, but he was always seen with his principal, Gemini Studios’ boss. He was not a man of his thoughts but he was considered an experienced and cheerful fellow who produced films with ease. His career was not successful at the beginning of his career but his loyalty towards his principal made him no.2 in the studios. He was tailor-made for films.
Question 4. Why was the legal advisor referred to as the opposite by others?
Ans. The legal advisor was considered different than others as he used to wear a trouser and shirt while others weared dhoti and kurta.
Question 5.
What made the lawyer stand out from others at Gemini Studios?
Answer
Gemini Studios was considered the symbol of national integration where people were fond of Khadi, but the lawyer was always in black and white shirts and trousers, which was natural for a lawyer or legal advisor. Therefore, his look and work made him different than others in the studios.
Page 64
Think As You Read
Question 1.
Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Answer
The people in Gemini Studios were followers of Gandhiji as they used to wear Khadi. They were the “gang of the nationally integrated” and they were not affiliated with any political party, but it seemed that they were against communism as they welcomed the counter-attack movement of M.R.A., which organized two plays, “Jotham Valley” and “The Forgotten Factor” in Madras. Thus, the author, Asokamitron, considered them as “gangs of the nationally integrated.”
Question 2.
Why was the moral rearmament Army welcomed at the studios?
Answer
The moral rearmament Army(M.R.A) visited Gemini Studios in 1952 and had a group of 200 people. The Gemini Studios welcomed The moral rearmament Army(M.R.A) and Frank Buchman was the boss of M.R.A. They were welcomed by the boss “Mr. Vasan simply played into their hands”. They presented two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ most professionally and ran several shows in Madras.
Question 3.
Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA.
Answer
M.R.A. presented two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ most professionally and ran several shows in Madras. These plays influenced the Tamil and Madras drama communities. The influence of “Jotham Valley” was visible in Tamil dramas for many years.
Question 4.
Who was the boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer
S.S. Vasan, the founder member, was the boss of Gemini Studios. Subbu was his right hand in the studios.
Question 5.
What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer
Gemini Studios welcomed another visitor, a poet, from England. Most of the staff in Gemini Studios were Tamil speakers, and therefore, the language became the barrier to identifying the poet, Stephen Spender. The poet was addressing a group of 600 people who were unable to understand his English accent. Therefore, for many years, they couldn’t decide who was the poet. It was after the publication of ” The God That Failed” that helped to identify the poet, Stephen Spender.
Question 6.
Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as an unexplained mystery?
Answer
Gemini Studios welcomed another visitor, a poet, from England. Englishman’s visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery because of many reasons. Most of the staff in Gemini Studios were Tamil speakers, and therefore, the language became the barrier to identifying the poet, Stephen Spender. The poet was addressing a group of 600 people who were unable to understand his English accent. Therefore, for many years, they couldn’t decide who was the poet. It was after the publication of ” The God That Failed” that helped to identify the poet, Stephen Spender.
Page 65
Think As You Read
Question 1.
Who was the English visitor at the studios?
OR
Name the poet who visited the Studios.
Answer
Stephen Spender was the English visitor at the studios.
Question 2.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
Answer
The author discovered the English visitor’s name when the author was reading the editor’s name of The Encounter. He found that it was the poet who had visited the studios and his name was Stephen Spender.
Question 3.
What does “The God that Failed” refer to? It was written by Stephen Spender with his friends.
Answer
“The God that Failed” refers to six eminent men”s letters in which they described their journeys into communism and their disillusioned return. It was written by Stephen Spender and his friends, Andre Gide, Richard Wright, Ignazio Silone, Arthur Koestler, Louis Fischer, and Stephen Spender.
Poets and Pancakes: Summary and Textual Questions of Class 12 English: Understanding the Text
Page 66
Understanding the Text
Question1. The author has used gentle humor to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.
Answer
The author, Asokamitron, has used light humor in his chapter, Poets, and Pancakes, to make his point more interesting without making any direct attack on anyone in Gemini Studios. The make-up room was an example where the author used the word “pancakes” as the brand name of make-up materials used by different actors and actresses. Subbu’s character was also used lightly. Subbu was the only answer to all the queries of the boss, who had full confidence in him. Subbu provided a very simple solution to the big question. The legal advisor recorded the anger of an actress and played the audio in front of her, which brought her to the end of her career. The complex relationship between the office boy and Gandhiji, hatred of communism, and finally the mystery of Stephen Spender are some of the incidents where the author has used light humor in Poets and Pancakes.
Question 2. Why was Kothamangalam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer
Kothamangalam Subbu is considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios for many reasons. The office boy considered his caste to help him reach No. 2 in Gemini Studios. The boss was his principal and always got the solution when he was in trouble. Subbu immediately provided a cheerful solution to the problem. Finally, Subbu’s loyalty made him No. 2 in the studio.
Question 3. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer
Most of the people in Gemini Studios were Tamilians who were unable to understand the fluent English of the English poet, and they were just sitting without understanding what the poet was explaining. Thus, the author describes the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios without being able to communicate.
Question 4. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer
The author was inclined towards short stories when he wanted to send his writing to a short story contest organized by a British periodical name The Encounter.
Poets and Pancakes: Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Write a brief note on the make-up department of Gemini Studios. (HBSE 2020 SET A)
Answer:
Poets and Pancakes begin with Asokamitran telling us about Gemini studios. Asokamitran explains at the beginning of the chapter, Poets, and Pancakes, about the make-up room where “Pancake” was the brand name used for the make-up material that came to Gemini Studio in trucks. He further tells us that the make-up studio was located upstairs in the building that belonged to Robert Clive’s stables.
“The Pancakes” is the brand name of make-up materials that Gemini Studios ordered in truckloads. In Gemini Studio, we also see unity in diversity. The make-up department was the main attraction at Poets and Pancakes. Most of the story revolves around the office boy in the make-up department.
The writer elucidates the bad effects of lights and mirrors in the make-up room. As a result, the people are exposed to heat and reflections and their conditions became miserable in the make-up room due to the excess heat of lights and the reflection of mirrors. The make-up room was like a hair salon with lights at all angles. Thus, the author clearly explains “the fiery misery” due to the lights and mirrors in the make-up room of Gemini Studios.
Question 2. Write a brief character sketch of Subbu. ( HBSE 2017 SET B)
Answer:
Subbu was in the No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, and he was officially enrolled in the Story Department, but he was always seen with his principal, Gemini Studios’ boss. He was not a man of his thoughts but he was considered an experienced and cheerful fellow who produced films with ease. His career was not successful at the beginning of his career but his loyalty towards his principal made him no.2 in the studios. He was tailor-made for films.
The office boy always considered Kothamangalam Subbu responsible for all his miseries. Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios, responsible for all his “woes, ignominy, and neglect”. The education of the office boy was greater than that of Subbu, and the office boy thought that Subbo was Brahmin and had an edge over the office boy. “Brahmin—a virtue, indeed!”
Subbu has always been talented and easy to use to bring solutions to problems easily. Film-making must have been and was so easy with a man like Subbu, and he also gave direction and definition to Gemini Studio during its golden years. Subbu was also a poet, and his work was well-received by the general public. He composed several truly original “story poems.” He was an amazing actor who was capable of doing any role with ease. Moreover, he was a “charitable and improvident” man, but he still had enemies, maybe because of his proximity to the boss. Thus, Subbu was with the story department, which had writers, lawyers, and poets. Thus, Subbu was number 2 in Gemini Studio, a man with logical and impartial nature.
Question 3. Write a brief character sketch of the office boy.
Answer:
The office boy had joined Gemini Studios with a lot of dreams he wanted to fulfill as an actor or a writer, but unfortunately, his luck was not in his favor. Therefore, he became frustrated and avenged his anger on Subbu, whom he considered a man of flattery. Therefore, he shared his frustration with the author, Asokamitron, by visiting his cubical. Although he was more educated and might have been more talented, ultimately, he was an office boy in a make-up room. Therefore, it was natural for the office boy to become disappointed with the circumstances and show his anger to the author many times. Generally, the office boy showed his anger at Subbu, the no. 2 in the Gemini Studios.
The office boy was not an ordinary boy but a man in his forties. The office boy used to do the make-up for a large crowd in Gemini Studios. “Even the make-up department of the Gemini Studio had an ‘office boy!” The office boy of the studios was not a boy in the true sense of the word. He used to mix paint in a large vessel to throw it at the large crowd. The office boy was an educated and talented person who joined the Gemini Studio in the hope of becoming a famous actor or writer, but unfortunately, he couldn’t. Therefore, he always used to criticize Subbu, who was No. 2 in Gemini Studios due to his higher caste. Yes, he was disappointed and he used to avenge his anger in front of the writer, Asokamitron.
The office boy always considered Kothamangalam Subbu responsible for all his miseries. Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios, responsible for all his “woes, ignominy, and neglect”. The education of the office boy was greater than that of Subbu, and the office boy thought that Subbo was Brahmin and had an edge over the office boy. “Brahmin—a virtue, indeed!”
Question 4. Poets and Pancakes is the example of national integration that the author refers to. Explain. (Long Answer Question).
Answer:
The makeup of the Gemini Studios was considered a symbol of national integration. The author, Asokamitron, explicated the Gemini Studios as a place full of national integration feelings. The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who became too big for a studio and left. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and the usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was a great deal of national integration. People of different states and religions were working in Gemini Studios, and thus, the make-up room was a symbol of unity in diversity.
The people in Gemini Studios were followers of Gandhiji as they used to wear Khadi. They were the “gang of the nationally integrated” and they were not affiliated with any political party, but it seemed that they were against communism as they welcomed the counter-attack movement of M.R.A., which organized two plays, “Jotham Valley” and “The Forgotten Factor” in Madras. Thus, the author, Asokamitron, considered them as “gangs of the nationally integrated.” Hence, Poets and Pancakes represent national integration.
Poets and Pancakes Important Textual Short Questions Answers CBSE Class 12 English
Answer each of the following questions in about 30-40 words:
Q.1. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to us as an unexplained mystery? (CBSE DELHI 2022)
Answer
Most of the people in Gemini Studios were Tamilians who were unable to understand the fluent English of the English poet, and they were just sitting without understanding what the poet was explaining. Thus, the author describes the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios without being able to communicate.
Q.2. Who was the visitor in the studios and what was his purpose of visit? (CBSE 2004, COMPARTMENT 2011)
Ans.
Gemini Studios welcomed another visitor, a poet, from England. Englishman’s visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery because of many reasons. Most of the staff in Gemini Studios were Tamil speakers, and therefore, the language became the barrier to identifying the poet, Stephen Spender. The poet was addressing a group of 600 people who were unable to understand his English accent. Therefore, for many years, they couldn’t decide who was the poet. It was after the publication of ” The God That Failed” that helped to identify the poet, Stephen Spender.
Q.3. What was MRA and why it was welcomed in Gemini Studios? ( CBSE Delhi 2005)
Answer
The moral rearmament Army(M.R.A) visited Gemini Studios in 1952 and had a group of 200 people. The Gemini Studios welcomed The moral rearmament Army(M.R.A) and Frank Buchman was the boss of M.R.A. They were welcomed by the boss “Mr. Vasan simply played into their hands”. They presented two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ most professionally and ran several shows in Madras.
Gemini Studios welcomed another visitor, a poet, from England. Most of the staff in Gemini Studios were Tamil speakers, and therefore, the language became the barrier to identifying the poet, Stephen Spender. The poet was addressing a group of 600 people who were unable to understand his English accent. Therefore, for many years, they couldn’t decide who was the poet. It was after the publication of ” The God That Failed” that helped to identify the poet, Stephen Spender.
Q.4. Why did everybody in the studio think of giving the author some work to do? (2008 Delhi)
Answer
The writer’s (Asokamitron’s) job was to cut the clippings from newspapers, which couldn’t be considered serious work in the eyes of the people who were working in Gemini Studios. So, everyone came to him in his cubical to share their grievances in Gemini Studios, as they considered him a man without work, and even the boss “thought” so. Therefore, people “Seeing me sitting at my desk tearing up newspapers a day in and day out, most people thought I was doing next to nothing.”
Q.5. Why was Subbu considered number two at Gemini Studios? (2009 Outside Delhi; 2012 Comput. Delhi)
Answer
Subbu was in the No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, and he was officially enrolled in the Story Department, but he was always seen with his principal, Gemini Studios’ boss. He was not a man of his thoughts but he was considered an experienced and cheerful fellow who produced films with ease. His career was not successful at the beginning of his career but his loyalty towards his principal made him no.2 in the studios. He was tailor-made for films.
Q.6. Why was the Moral Re-armament Army welcomed at the Gemini Studios? (2010 Outside Delhi; 2011 Outside Delhi)
Answer
The moral rearmament Army(M.R.A) visited Gemini Studios in 1952 and had a group of 200 people. The Gemini Studios welcomed The moral rearmament Army(M.R.A) and Frank Buchman was the boss of M.R.A. They were welcomed by the boss “Mr. Vasan simply played into their hands”. They presented two plays, ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ most professionally and ran several shows in Madras.
Q.7. Which example of national integration in Gemini Studios is given in ‘Poets and Pancakes’? (2010 Comptt. Delhi)
Answer
The makeup of the Gemini Studios was considered a symbol of national integration. The author, Asokamitron, explicated the Gemini Studios as a place full of national integration feelings. The make-up department was first headed by a Bengali who became too big for a studio and left. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese, and the usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was a great deal of national integration. People of different states and religions were working in Gemini Studios, and thus, the make-up room was a symbol of unity in diversity.
Reading Comprehension passages of Poets and Pancakes in Class 12 English will enhance the student’s reading comprehension skills. Students will learn how to understand the text of Poets and Pancakes by reading passages and answering questions about those paragraphs. The question on reading comprehension comes under the Reading section of the question paper and will carry five marks. Students can score full marks in this section of the CBSE/BSEH of Class 12 English(core).
What are strategies for the reading textbook to understand reading comprehension?
Reading Comprehension of Poets and Pancakes in Class 12 English will enhance the student’s reading comprehension skills. Reading a textbook has always been a concern for students and teachers. Reading is the biggest part of learning things. Therefore, you need to derive some strategies to read effectively to gain maximum output. Try these strategies to see if they can help you out:
- What is the purpose of reading a textbook? You must be clear.
- Are you reading with the purpose of comprehension? If yes, are you just reading words or do you want to understand?
- Always absorb your reading and try to solve the questions you have in your mind.
- Underline the important phrases and sentences, which are useful to find out the theme or main idea behind the text.
- Do you know how to skim? Skimming means that you are not reading every word; you are just concentrating on the introduction, chapter summary, bold words, and text features. So, find the main points of your text.
- Concentrate on the main ideas in the text.
- Highlight the main words that are helpful to understanding the chapter.
- Write down the difficult words and contextually consult the meaning.
- After reading the text, always write: “Did you understand?”
- Check the textual questions and write the answers to these questions.
ReadLearnExcel SureShot Questions Class 12 English(Core): Coming Soon
I hope these points will help you understand the textbook and the students will be able to attempt the reading comprehension of Poets and Pancakes in Class 12 English.
Reading Comprehension Passages: Poets and Pancakes Class 12 English
The pancake was the brand name of the make-up material that Gemini Studios bought in truckloads. Greta Garbo1 must have used it, Miss Gohar must have used it, and Vyjayantimala2 must also have used it but Rati Agnihotri may not have even heard of it. The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was in upstairs a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. A dozen other buildings
Q.1. What is the brand name of the make-up material?
Ans. Pancake is the brand name of makeup material.
Q.2. How did the pancake come to Gemini Studio?
Ans. It came by truck.
Q.3. Who was Vyjayantimala?
Ans. Vyjayantimala was an Indian actress.
Q.4. Where is the make-up room located in the studios?
Ans. It was located upstairs in the studios.
Q.5. What was there before Gemini Studios?
Ans. It was Robert Clive’s stable.
Q.6. Who was Robert Clive?
Ans. He was Governor-General.
