A Portrait of a Lady 3 MARKS

A Portrait of a Lady 

Understanding the Text

Q1. Mention the three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country.
Ans.

• Childhood: He lived with his grandmother. She woke him up, got him ready, and went with him to school. They were very close.

• Boyhood: They moved to the city. He went to English school in a bus. The grandmother could not help him in studies. Their bond became weaker.

• Youth: He went to university and lived in a separate room. Now their relationship became very distant.

Q2. Mention the three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school.
Ans.
The grandmother was disturbed because:

1. She could not help him in English and Science subjects.

2. There was no teaching about God and scriptures.

3. He started learning music, which she felt was not suitable for gentle people.

Q3. Mention three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up.
Ans.
After the author grew up, the grandmother spent her days by:

1. Sitting by her spinning wheel.

2. Reciting prayers silently.

3. Feeding sparrows in the courtyard.

Q4. Mention the odd way in which the author’s grandmother behaved just before she died.
Ans.
Before her death, the grandmother stopped talking to anyone. She said her end was near. She lay down on her bed, closed her eyes, and kept praying. By evening, she peacefully died.

Q5. Mention the way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.
Ans.
Thousands of sparrows sat quietly in and around the house. They did not chirp. They looked very sad and mournful. Next morning, they flew away quietly.

Talking about the Text

Q1. The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this?
Ans.
The grandmother always prayed, told the author about God, went to temple with him, and spent most of her time at the spinning wheel reciting prayers. She disliked music but loved scriptures. This shows her religious nature.

Q2. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?
Ans.
In childhood, the author and his grandmother were very close. Later, in the city, their closeness decreased. In youth, they became even more distant. However, their love and respect for each other never changed.

Q3. Would you agree that the author’s grandmother was a person strong in character? If yes, give examples.
Ans.
Yes, the grandmother was strong in character. She accepted every change in life without complaint. She was disciplined, religious, and kind-hearted. She faced her death peacefully, showing courage and faith.

A Portrait of a Lady – Point Wise Answers

1. Mention the three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother.

• Childhood: Lived with grandmother, she cared for him, took him to school.

• Boyhood: Shifted to city, he went to English school, less time with grandmother.

• Youth: He went to university, lived separately.
   Their closeness reduced, but love and respect remained.

2. Why was the grandmother disturbed in the city school days?

• She could not understand English and Science.

• She was upset as there was no teaching about God or scriptures.

• She strongly disliked music, considered it unsuitable for gentle families.
   She felt disconnected from the author’s studies and daily life.

3. How did the grandmother spend her time after the author grew up?

• She sat by her spinning wheel.

• She recited prayers silently all day.

• In the afternoon, she fed sparrows in the courtyard.

• She accepted her loneliness without complaint.
   She lived a simple, peaceful, and religious life.

4. How did the grandmother behave just before her death?

• She stopped talking to family members.

• She said her end was near.

• She lay down quietly on her bed.

• Closed her eyes and prayed silently.

• Refused all treatment.
  By evening, she died peacefully.

5. How did the sparrows mourn the grandmother’s death?

• Thousands of sparrows sat quietly in and around the house.

• They did not chirp or make any noise.

• They appeared very sad and mournful.

• Their silence was a mark of respect.

• Next morning, they flew away quietly.
   Their behaviour showed grief at her death.