11 HORNBILL 3 MARKS

1. What was the turning point in the friendship between the grandmother and the author?
The turning point in the friendship came when the author started going to an English school in the city. The grandmother could no longer accompany him as she did in the village. She was unhappy because she did not understand English or Science and disliked music being taught at school. Their long companionship ended, and their bond weakened. Though they lived together, she spent most of her time in prayers, spinning the wheel, and feeding sparrows. This distance marked the change in their relationship. However, despite the loss of closeness, their affection and love for each other remained strong. The grandmother still cared deeply for him and continued her prayers for his well-being.

2. Describe the author's grandmother.
The grandmother was a deeply religious and kind-hearted woman. She was old, wrinkled, and always dressed in white, symbolizing simplicity. She spent much of her time praying and telling beads of her rosary. In the village, she looked after the author, prepared him for school, and fed stray dogs with chapatis. After moving to the city, she became quieter, spinning her wheel and feeding sparrows. She disliked modern subjects and music but never argued with the author. She showed great strength when he went abroad and prayed for his safety. Even in death, she maintained dignity. Her personality reflected selflessness, discipline, and faith. She was the true moral strength of the family.

3. Explain three reasons why the author's grandmother was disturbed when he started going to a city school.
The grandmother was disturbed for three main reasons. First, she could not accompany the author to school, which broke her daily routine and companionship with him. Second, she disapproved of the subjects being taught—English and Science—because she could not understand their importance and felt they ignored God and spirituality. Third, she was upset when the author was given music lessons. To her, music was only for beggars and harlots, not for respectable people. These changes made her feel cut off from her grandson’s life. She grew more silent, spending time in prayers and spinning the wheel, showing her sadness and disappointment. This marked a decline in their close relationship.

5. Does the title of the lesson The Portrait of a Lady justify the personality and character sketch of grandmother?
Yes, the title The Portrait of a Lady is justified because the entire lesson is a tribute to the grandmother’s personality. She was the central figure in the author’s life and represented grace, devotion, and selfless love. Through her portrait-like description—an old, wrinkled lady always dressed in white—the author creates a lasting image. Her inner qualities such as patience, piety, simplicity, and moral strength make her worthy of admiration. Even though times changed and she was distanced from the author, she never lost her dignity. Her death was marked by silence and respect from sparrows, proving her greatness. Thus, she was indeed like a “portrait”—timeless, inspiring, and full of moral beauty.

6. Describe the way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author's grandmother died.
When the grandmother died, thousands of sparrows sat quietly in and around the house. They filled the courtyard, verandas, and even roofs, but none of them made a sound. They did not chirp or move about, as if mourning her death. The sparrows seemed deeply grief-stricken, sharing the family’s sorrow. The next morning, they sat still until the cremation was over. After her body was taken away, they quietly flew off. The unusual silence of the sparrows was touching and mysterious. Their sorrow reflected the respect and bond they had with the grandmother, who often fed them. This scene created an atmosphere of great mourning and showed her connection with all living beings.

7. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?
In the village, the grandmother and the author shared a close bond. She woke him up, got him ready, and accompanied him to school. But after moving to the city, their companionship weakened. The author went to an English school, and she disapproved of his subjects. Later, when he went to university, they hardly saw each other. The greatest distance came when he went abroad for five years. Yet, despite these changes, their love never faded. The grandmother continued to pray for him and shower her blessings. Even during his return, she welcomed him with joy. Thus, while their daily closeness declined, their emotional bond and deep affection remained unchanged.

8. Would you agree that the author's grandmother was a person strong in character? If yes, give instances that show her strong character.
Yes, the grandmother was strong in character. She lived with dignity and never complained despite difficulties. When the author shifted to the city, she quietly accepted the changes and spent time in prayers. She showed mental strength when the author went abroad, spending hours praying for his safety instead of showing sadness. She held firm views about education and morality, disapproving of music lessons as she believed they were unsuitable. Even in her last moments, she displayed willpower. Knowing her end was near, she stopped speaking and spent her final hours in prayers. The respect shown by sparrows at her death reflected her noble character and strong moral influence.

9. Discuss the first two sections of the events on the sea voyage.
In the first two sections of We’re Not Afraid to Die, the narrator, his wife Mary, and their two children started a sea voyage to duplicate Captain Cook’s journey. They prepared their boat, Wavewalker, carefully with years of hard work. At first, the voyage went smoothly across the Atlantic and down to Cape Town. Later, two crewmen joined them. But as they entered the southern Indian Ocean, strong gales and rough waves struck them. Their boat was badly damaged. Water entered, the masts broke, and the situation became dangerous. Despite exhaustion, they all worked together, showing courage and determination. This phase set the stage for their struggle against nature.

10. Under the adverse conditions, children had exhibited exemplary courage. Please elaborate the statement.
In We’re Not Afraid to Die, the narrator’s children, Jonathan and Suzanne, showed remarkable courage. Though the sea storm was life-threatening, they never complained or cried. Suzanne, though badly injured, did not tell her parents about her wounds immediately, as she did not want to trouble them. Jonathan showed maturity by saying, “We are not afraid to die if we can all be together.” This encouraged the parents to stay strong and keep fighting. Their calmness and bravery gave hope to the family in the darkest moments. Their innocence mixed with courage proved that even children can inspire strength in others during hardships.

11. “Perseverance is the key to success.” Please explain in the context of the lesson We are not Afraid to Die.
The lesson perfectly shows that perseverance leads to success. When the Wavewalker was struck by a violent storm, the narrator, his family, and crew were in grave danger. The boat was damaged, and water flooded in. Despite exhaustion and injuries, they never gave up. They worked continuously to pump water, repair the boat, and keep it afloat. Even the children remained brave, encouraging the adults. The narrator kept calm and guided everyone with courage. Their patience and determination helped them reach safety and finally land on Ile Amsterdam. This story proves that strong willpower and perseverance can help overcome even the toughest challenges in life.

12. What do you learn about Tut's dynasty from the lesson Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues?
Tut belonged to the powerful 18th dynasty of Egypt. His grandfather, Amenhotep III, ruled Egypt for 40 years, bringing wealth and grandeur. His father, Amenhotep IV, later changed his name to Akhenaten and introduced the worship of Aten, the Sun God. This created unrest in the kingdom. Tut, the boy king, ruled briefly but tried to restore old traditions. His sudden death at a young age created mystery, and he was buried with great treasures. The dynasty was marked by power struggles, religious changes, and political instability. Tut’s mummy and treasures remain important sources to study Egypt’s history and culture.

13. Carter had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise the king’s remains. Give reasons.
When Howard Carter discovered King Tut’s tomb, he found the body covered with a thick layer of hardened resins. These resins had been poured during burial rituals but solidified over time, acting like glue. The body stuck tightly to the coffin. The intense heat of the desert had further hardened them, making it impossible to remove the mummy without damage. Carter tried different methods, but in the end, he had to chisel away the solidified resins to raise Tut’s remains. Unfortunately, this caused harm to the body. Later scientists criticized Carter for damaging the mummy during his attempt to recover it.

14. Write a short note in about King Tut.
King Tutankhamun, popularly called King Tut, was a young pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th dynasty. He became king at a very young age and ruled for only about nine years. His father Akhenaten had disturbed Egypt by changing the religion, but Tut restored old traditions. He died mysteriously at around 18 or 19 years of age, making his death a subject of curiosity. His tomb, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, was filled with treasures, showing the wealth and beliefs of Egyptians. His mummy has been studied many times with X-rays and CT scans to find the cause of death. Tut remains one of the most famous Egyptian rulers.

15. Why did Professor Gaitonde convey his regrets to the organisers of the seminar? 
Professor Gaitonde felt very embarrassed after the seminar. During his lecture, he spoke about his strange experience of a different history. The audience did not understand him and started laughing. They thought his ideas were imaginary and not suitable for a serious seminar. Professor Gaitonde realized that his talk had created confusion and disturbance. He felt sorry for wasting their time and not giving a proper academic lecture. Therefore, he politely conveyed his regrets to the organisers for the misunderstanding and inconvenience caused during the seminar.

16. Describe the title of the story “The Adventure”. 
The title “The Adventure” is very suitable for the story. It describes Professor Gaitonde’s unusual and mysterious experience. He suddenly finds himself in another world where history is completely different. The Marathas had won the Battle of Panipat, and many events had changed. He felt confused, surprised and curious in this strange situation. His journey between two different realities was full of wonder and discovery. This unexpected and thrilling experience makes the title “The Adventure” appropriate, as it reflects his strange journey and learning about reality and history.

17. How did Rajendra Deshpande try to rationalize Professor Gaitonde’s fantastic experience? 
Rajendra Deshpande tried to explain Professor Gaitonde’s strange experience in a logical way. He used Catastrophe Theory and Quantum Theory to give a scientific explanation. He said that sometimes a sudden change in events can create a different course of history. According to Quantum Theory, many possibilities can exist at the same time. Professor Gaitonde might have entered another version of reality for a short time. His mind connected two different worlds. Thus, Rajendra explained that the experience was not imaginary but could be understood through scientific ideas and reasoning.

 POEM 

1. What are the three phases described in the poem ‘A Photograph’?
The poem describes three phases of life. 

The first phase is of the poet’s mother when she was a little girl of about twelve, enjoying a beach holiday with her cousins. 

The second phase shows the mother grown up, laughing at her childhood picture. 

The third phase is after the mother’s death, where the poet feels deep silence and sorrow. 

These phases show how time changes everything.The poet highlights the power of photographs in capturing moments, but also how they remind us of what is lost forever. This makes the poem a touching reflection on time and memories.

2. Describe the central idea of the poem ‘A Photograph’?
The central idea of the poem is the connection between memories, time, and loss. A photograph captures a happy moment from the poet’s mother’s childhood, which later brings joy and nostalgia. Over time, her mother reflects on the picture, laughing at her younger self. But after her death, the photograph becomes a painful reminder for the poet. The poem shows how photographs preserve memories, but they cannot bring back lost loved ones. It highlights the cruelty of time, which moves on and leaves us only with silent memories. Through simple imagery, the poet conveys how photographs carry both joy and sorrow.

3. What is the central theme of the poem, ‘The Laburnum Top’?
The central theme of the poem is the connection between nature and life. The laburnum tree, which is silent, yellow, and lifeless in September, comes alive when the goldfinch bird arrives. The bird feeds its young ones hidden in the tree, and the whole tree seems to throb with energy. The comparison of the tree to a machine shows how the bird is like an engine that gives life to it. The poem reflects on how small creatures bring vibrancy to the world and how life is interconnected. It teaches us to appreciate the beauty and energy of nature in every form.

4. What do you notice about the beginning and end of the poem ‘The Laburnum Top’?
The poem begins with a dull and lifeless description of the laburnum tree in September. Its leaves are yellow, and it stands still in silence. However, the arrival of the goldfinch completely transforms it. The tree becomes full of sound, movement, and energy as the bird feeds its young ones. At the end, when the bird flies away, the tree once again becomes silent and empty. This cycle shows the contrast between stillness and liveliness. The poet highlights how even a small presence in nature can bring life to something dull, but also how everything returns to calmness when it is gone.

5. Why is the image of the engine evoked by the poet?
The poet uses the image of the engine to describe the goldfinch bird because just like an engine brings energy and movement to a machine, the goldfinch brings life to the laburnum tree. The tree, which appears silent and lifeless, suddenly vibrates with energy when the bird arrives. Its quick movements, sharp chirping, and feeding of its chicks make the tree come alive. The comparison makes the description more powerful, showing how a single creature can give energy to its surroundings. It highlights the idea that life in nature depends on harmony and small sparks of vitality, just like an engine fuels a machine.

6. What happens in the beginning and end of the poem ‘The Laburnum Top’?
In the beginning, the laburnum tree is silent, yellow, and lifeless in September. It seems almost dead with no activity or sound. When the goldfinch bird arrives, the tree suddenly bursts into life, with chirping, movements, and energy. The bird feeds its chicks, and the tree becomes a lively machine. At the end, as the bird flies away, the tree becomes still and silent again. This contrast between silence and energy reflects the cycle of life, showing how presence and absence of living beings can completely change the atmosphere of nature. It reminds us of the interdependence of all creatures.

7. What will happen if there is no rain?
If there is no rain, the earth will become dry and lifeless. Seeds will not grow into plants, rivers and lakes will dry up, and living beings will suffer due to lack of water. Rain is essential for maintaining life, greenery, and beauty on the planet. Without rain, there will be drought, famine, and great suffering. Rain is like a blessing of nature that renews life. The poet in the poem The Voice of the Rain explains how rain gives life to seeds buried in the soil and refreshes the entire earth. Without it, life on earth cannot exist.

8. How does the rain clean the earth?
The rain cleans the earth by washing away dust, dirt, and impurities from the surface. It soaks into the soil, making it fresh and fertile. Rain also purifies the air by settling dust particles and cooling the atmosphere. It nourishes seeds, plants, and trees, bringing greenery and beauty everywhere. The poet in The Voice of the Rain describes rain as something that returns to the earth, refreshes it, and makes it pure again. Rain not only cleans the physical environment but also renews the spirit of nature. It restores balance, removes dryness, and brings life wherever it falls.

9. What is the central idea of the poem, ‘The Voice of the Rain’?
The central idea of the poem is the cyclic and life-giving role of rain. The poet imagines rain speaking in its own voice. It rises from the land and sea as vapor, changes into clouds, and returns to the earth as rain. In doing so, it gives life to seeds, plants, and trees, renewing the whole world. The rain also washes away impurities and refreshes nature. The poet compares rain to poetry, as both return to the world after being created, bringing joy, life, and beauty. The poem highlights the importance of rain as a gift of nature, essential for sustaining life on earth.