CBSE Class 12 English Poets And Pancakes Assignment Set B

Question. Who was Greta Garbo?
(a) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner
(b) A German actress
(c) A French actress
(d) A Bengali actress

Answer: A

Question. For whom was Gemini studio making films?
(a) For English people
(b) For illiterate
(c) For elderly peole
(d) For simple Tamilians who have no interest in English poetry

Answer: D

Question. Why was MRA invited to Gemini studio?
(a) To show their play
(b) Because of political affiliations
(c) Because of political influence
(d) None of the options

Answer: B

Question. In this lesson, what is the purpose of humor and satire used by the author?
(a) To highlight human abilities
(b) To show capabilities
(c) To show varied capacities
(d) To show and highlight human infancies and flaws

Answer: D

Question. What does the expression ‘made to look ugly’ refer to ?
(a) Make-up done to look presentable before camera
(b) Faces made by actors
(c) Faces nade by office boy
(d) Arrangements in the make-up room

Answer: D

Question​​​​​​​. Who was the founder of Gemini studio?
(a) Mr. S.S Vasan
(b) English man
(c) A Tamil boy
(d) A director

Answer: A

Question​​​​​​​. What was MRA?
(a) British Army
(b) The Moral Rearmament Army- a counter movement to International Communism
(c) A wing of Indian Army
(d) A drama company

Answer: B

Question​​​​​​​. Why was Subbu a trouble shooter?
(a) Because of his gossip style
(b) Because of his flattery
(c) Ability to mix up with everyone
(d) Because of his problem resolving quality

Answer: D

Question​​​​​​​. How does the author come to know that English author was Stephen Spender?
(a) From a painting
(b) From the newspaper
(c) From a television show
(d) From a book- The God that failed

Answer: D

Question​​​​​​​. Pick the quote which best describes Subbu’s role in Gemini Studios based on the story.
1. Life’s too short to hang out with people who aren’t resourceful.
2. The more a person limits himself, the more resourceful he becomes.
3. Success is not about your resources. It’s about how resourceful you are with what you have.
4. Resourcefulness: Seeing where you want to go and taking the first step.
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4

Answer: C

Question​​​​​​​. What was Asokamitran’s job in the studio?
(a) To arrange pancakes
(b) To arrange make-up kits
(c) To serve water
(d) To cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and store them in files.

Answer: A

Question​​​​​​​. How was Kothamanglam Subbu treated in the Gemini studio?
(a) With hatred
(b) Rudely
(c) Disrespectfully
(d) With high respect

Answer: D

Question​​​​​​​. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred as unexplained mystery?
(a) Because of his appearance
(b) Because of his dress
(c) Because of his hairstyle
(d) Because of his unfamiliarity and baffled looks

Answer: D

Question​​​​​​​. Why did the office boy in the make-up room come to the author?
(a) Because he was unemployed
(b) Because of his interest in literary arts and film making
(c) To earn money
(d) To do make-up

Answer: B

Question​​​​​​​. The boy in the make up room was jealous of whom?
(a) Actors
(b) Author
(c) The visitor
(d) Subbu’s success and his closeness to the boss

Answer: D

Short Answer Type Questions

Question​​​​​​​. What purpose does the description of the location of the make-up department and interior of the make-up room of Gemini Studios serve?
Answer: The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was on the upper floor of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables. The make-up room had the look of a hair cutting salon with lights at all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. This reflects the poor working conditions as compared to the facilities available in modern air conditioned make-up rooms.

Question. How did Gandhiji react to the Commissioner’s advice? Where did he go?
Answer: Gandhiji was asked to leave the Tirhut division at once by the commissioner. He did not leave, instead, he proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran.

Question​​​​​​​. What general observation does the author make about the behaviour of the frustrated people and why?
Answer: The author says that a frustrated person always directs his anger towards a single person openly or covertly. He does so to explain the conduct of the ‘boy’ in make-up department towards Subbu as the former held the latter responsible for all his woes, ignominy and neglect.

Question. Why did Gandhiji go to Lucknow in December 1916? Who met him there and why?
Answer: Gandhiji went to Lucknow to attend the annual convention of the Indian National Congress. A poor peasant named Rajkumar Shukla met him there. He was from Champaran. He wanted Gandhiji to come to Champaran to help the poor sharecroppers.

Question​​​​​​​. What did the lawyer do when an extremely talented but temperamental actress once blew over the sets? What was its result?
Answer: The lawyer quietly switched on the recording equipment. When the actress paused for breath, he played back the recording. She was struck dumb on hearing her own voice. She never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. It marked the end of a brief and brilliant acting career.

Question. What did the British planters try to do when they came to know that synthetic indigo had been developed by Germany?
Answer: The British planters realised that it was no longer profitable to produce natural indigo. The synthetic indigo was much cheaper. Thus, they compelled the peasants to give them compensation for not having to plant indigo on their land.

Question​​​​​​​. They were all averse to the term ‘Communism’. What notion prevailed in South India about Communists at that time?
Answer: A communist was regarded as a Godless man. He had no love for children or his wife. He had no pricking of conscience about killing his own parents or his children. He was always out to cause and spread unrest and violence among innocent and ignorant people.

Question. What happened when the British planters asked the peasants for compensation for releasing them from the 15 per cent agreement?
Answer: The sharecropping agreement seemed irksome to the peasants. Therefore, many of them signed it willingly. However, others engaged lawyers to fight their cases. So the landlords hired thugs.

Question​​​​​​​. What was the suspense about “another visitor” Gemini Studios was to welcome?
Answer: It was said that the visitor was a poet from England. The staff was eager to know about the poet. It was then said that he was not a poet but an editor. Vasan, the Boss, being the editor of the popular Tamil weekly ‘Ananda Vikatan’ was giving him a big reception. Thus there was a suspense about the visitor.

Question. How was Gandhi treated at Rajendra Prasad’s house?
Answer: Since Gandhiji was quite simple in his dress and manners, Rajendra Prasad’s servants mistook him to be a peasant. They did not allow him to draw water from the well lest it be polluted. They let him stay on the grounds.

Question​​​​​​​. ‘Prose-writing is not and cannot be the true pursuit of a genius.’ Who does the author think it fit for and why?
Answer: The author thinks that prose-writing is for the patient, persistent, persevering hard worker. His heart is so shrunken that nothing can break it. Rejection slips do not mean anything to him. He at once sets about making a fresh copy of the long prose piece. Then, he sends it to another editor. He encloses postage for the return of the manuscript. He regards it a boring, tiring and hard work.

Question​​​​​​​. What does Asokamitran consider a prerequisite for poetry? What evidence do you find of its existence at the Gemini Studios?
Answer: According to Asokamitran, leisure is a prerequisite for poetry. The Gemini Studio had a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. It was the favourite haunt of many distinguished poets, who met over a cup of coffee.

Question. “The battle of Champaran is won!” What led Gandhiji to make this remark?
Answer: Gandhiji said these words when he was able to win the lawyers’ trust. Earlier, these lawyers had certain misconceptions about Gandhiji but as they saw his determination towards the peasants’ liberation, they came in his full support.

Question​​​​​​​. What did even “the most well-informed” among the staff come to know about the visiting poet?
Answer: The surmise was that the poet was the editor of a daily. It was fuelled by the fact that top men of ‘The Hindu’ were taking the initiative. Even the most well informed among the staff came to know that he was not from ‘The Manchester Guardian’ or the ‘London Times.’

Question. Why was Gandhiji opposed to C.F. Andrews helping him in Champaran?
Answer: ​​​​​​​Gandhiji was opposed to C.F. Andrews helping him in Champaran because he was a foreigner. C.F. Andrews was a social worker in Champaran. He was a close follower of Gandhiji. He felt that a foreigner’s help should not be sought to free India of foreigners. According to him self-reliance was of utmost importance.

Question​​​​​​​. “A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department.” Explain.
Answer: The chief make-up man attended to the chief actors and actresses, his senior assistant the ‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main comedian, and so forth. The players who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy.

Question. What were the terms of the indigo contract between the British landlords and the Indian peasants?
Answer: The fertile land was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The peasants had to grow indigo on 15 per cent of the land. This product was submitted as rent to the British landlords.

Question​​​​​​​. Why does Asokamitran call Subbu “a charitable and improvident man” ?
Answer: Subbu had a genuine love for anyone he came across. His house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far relations and acquaintances. Subbu was not even conscious that he was feeding and supporting so many of them. Hence the writer calls Subbu ‘a charitable and an improvident man.’

Question. Why did the servants think Gandhiji to be another peasant?
Answer: Gandhiji was a simple man and he used to dress in a dhoti, which was the dress the farmers in India used to wear. Hence, the servants thought Gandhiji to be another farmer.

Question​​​​​​​. How did the people of Madras and those at the Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged by the Moral Rearmament Army?
Answer: The people of Madras and those at the Gemini Studios were ‘terribly’ impressed. Their two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ ran for several shows. The Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays over and over again along with the other citizens. For some years almost all Tamil plays presented the scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley

Question. Why did the landlords compel the peasants to do as per the terms of a long-term contract?
Answer: The landlords forced peasants to plant indigo on 15 per cent of their land. All the indigo produce had to be surrendered as rent. The peasants felt sour about it.

Question​​​​​​​. ‘In all instances of frustration, you will always find the anger directed towards a single person openly or covertly...’ Do you think it is right to direct our anger towards someone who is not responsible for the cause of anger? Justify.
Answer: The answer can be answered in both ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ with justification No, I don’t feel it is correct to express one‘s anger at someone who has not harmed you in anyway because that person is often unaware of the reason for your anger. For example Subbu had not directly pushed ahead of the office boy but had been promoted by the owner by virtue of Subbu being a Brahmin. Moreover Subbu was also very hard working, creative and resourceful apart from being a good writer. All reasons why he deserved to move ahead at the studio. Yes, because it is very upsetting to see someone else go ahead of you especially if you think you are more deserving. The office boy had been an old hand at the studio but he had not been promoted yet Subbu went ahead just because he was a Brahmin.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question​​​​​​​. The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life. Elucidate.
Answer: Before the Champaran episode, Gandhiji was not aware of the reality of the peasants of his motherland. On the insistence of Rajkumar Shukla, a share cropper, Gandhiji went to Champaran and saw the miserable condition of the poor illiterate farmers. It was an eye-opener for him. The Britishers exploited the farmers to grow indigo. When it was not needed, they had to render compensation in order to be freed from old agreement. Gandhiji was shocked to see them going to the court. He gathered them. This was the first step to free them from their fear of the British. The officials felt powerless without Gandhiji’s co-operation. He made them realise that the power of the British could be challenged by Indians.
The peasants were made to realise they too had rights. The British landlords left the estate to the peasants and returned to their land after some time, thus ending indigo share cropping. Through the Champaran episode, he made it clear to the British that they could not order Indians in their own country and through his personal example taught masses to be self-reliant and motivated them into civil disobedience.

Question​​​​​​​. The ‘Office-boy’ in the make-up department of Gemini Studios has the shades of a typical universal character lured by glitter and glamour and doomed to frustation. Discuss.
                                                                      Or
Attempt a pen-portrait of the ‘office-boy’ highlighting his aspirations, odd jobs and disillusionment as well as his universal dimensions.
Answer: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The ‘office-boy’ wasn’t exactly a ‘boy’; he was in his early forties. He had entered the studios years ago. He had hoped to become a star actor, a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. At present he had to slap paint on the faces of the players who played the crowd. He closed every pore on the surface of the face by applying make-up. He felt dissatisfied and disillusioned. He considered the make-up department fits only for barbers and perverts. He felt frustrated that his great literary talent was being allowed to go waste. He was a bit of poet too. He had got good formal education and had an encouraging opening in films. However, in spite of his start, he did not advance an inch from his position as ‘officeboy’. He has shades of universal characters. He is typical specimen representing the youth lured by glitter and glamour of films, struggling hard to make a name and then doomed to frustration.

Question​​​​​​​. Which factors helped the fear-stricken peasants of Champaran to achieve freedom?
Answer: There were several factors in which Gandhiji’s contribution was remarkable.
The peasants were sharecroppers with the British planters. According to an old agreement, the peasants had to produce indigo on 15 per cent of the land and give it as rent to the landlords. Around 1917, it was told that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. So the British planters now no longer desired the indigo crop. To release the peasants from the old agreement, they demanded compensation from them. Most of the illiterate peasants agreed to it. However, others refused. Lawyers were engaged to go to the court. At that time, Gandhiji appeared in Champaran. He fought a long battle for the poor peasants for one year and managed to get justice for them. The peasants now became courageous and became aware about their rights. Along with the political and economic struggle, Gandhiji worked on the social level also. He made arrangements for the education, health and hygiene of the families of poor peasants by teaching the lesson of self-reliance. It was one of the ways to forward the struggle for Indian independence.
The peasants now had courage. They believed that they had rights which they could defend. Gradually, the British planters left their estates. These estates now came back to the peasants. Indigo sharecropping disappeared for all times to come.

Question​​​​​​​. Narrate the incident in which the legal adviser was instrumental in causing the end of a brief and brilliant acting career.
Answer: ​​​​​​​Gemini Studios had an extremely talented actress. She was also extremely temperamental. Once she blew over on the sets and gave vent to her feelings against the producer. Every-body was stunned. The lawyer quietly switched on the recording equipment. When the actress paused for breath, the lawyer played back the recording. There was nothing incriminating or unmentionably foul in the actress’s tirade against the producer.
But she was struck dumb on hearing her voice again though the sound equipment. She was a girl from the countryside and raw and immature at worldly affairs. She lacked wordly experience and sophistication that persons in position of importance generally acquire. The result was that she never quite recovered from the terror she felt that day. This is how a brief and brilliant acting career had unwittingly been brought to a sad end by the legal adviser.

Question​​​​​​​. Exploitation is a universal phenomenon. The poor indigo farmers were exploited by the British landlords to which Gandhiji objected. Even after our independence we find exploitation in unorganised labour sector.
What values do we learn from Gandhiji’s campaign to counter the present day problems of exploitation?
Answer: The weak are exploited and the strong prey on them is a universal fact. In the case of the poor illiterate indigo farmers, they were exploited by the British landlords. Gandhiji objected to it and freed the farmers from the agreement and brought an end to indigo share cropping. In his manner of tackling the issue, he went stepwise: (1) he gathered information (2) fearlessly he stated his points (3) in the final negotiations he did not bother about the money; it was the submission of the opponent’s pride and prestige.
Similarly, we can proceed with such issues as Gandhiji’s method of solving the problem has universality about it. Today we can follow it this way: one must be fully aware of one’s weaknesses and must try to overcome them, find ways of getting justice, never give in to any kind of exploitation, if trapped try to come out of it wisely, get united when in trouble and seek help. Do not compromise your self-respect, values or dignity at any cost. Try to come out of the darkness of ignorance as soon as possible. Mistakes once made, must not be repeated.

Question​​​​​​​. How does humour and satire enliven the account of the events and personalities at Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran in ‘Poets and Pancakes’
Answer: ​​​​​​​Ashokamitran uses gentle humour and mild satire to make his account interesting and readable. He uses a rambling and chatty style, making transitions from one thought to another and thus preparing us for a gentle tickle as he moves on to the next item. For example, he makes fun of the make-up applied to artists which can change any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster. The explanation is equally laughter provoking— the sets and studio lights needed the girls and boys to be made to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie. The portraits of the “office-boy” of make-up department, Subbu the No. 2 and the legal adviser have many deft touches of humour. The purpose of the visits of the Moral Re-Armament army and that of the English poet (or editor) is beyond the comprehension of even the most enlightened ones like the author. The baffled reaction of the Gemini Studios staff arouses humour. The mild satire is also directed at people who are averse to communism and go to any length to oppose it.

Question​​​​​​​. Gandhiji won the struggle for Champaran specifically because of his good leadership qualitites. Write a paragraph on ‘Qualities of a good leader’.
Answer: A leader is someone who leads the minds of others and convinces them to follow his set of ideas and beliefs. As such, there are some qualities inherent in the persona of the leader that sets him apart from the rest. One of these qualities includes dedication to one’s work. His enthusiasm is evident in his work and life, and this inspires others to follow him. A good leader is courageous in the face of adversity and never quits. He motivates and encourages others, bringing out the best in them. He appreciates the efforts of others and is not biased or impartial.

Question​​​​​​​. After reading this story, you are impressed by the author’s use of gentle humour to point out human foibles. Evaluate whether using such humour contributes towards bringing about change in people’s attitude and accepting their foibles.
Answer: ​​​​​​​Humour always succeeds where critical remarks fail. Humour helps make light of weakness of character or something wrong with society. The text highlights the weakneses prevalent in the film making process in the past. The loud make-up that made the actors look ugly to the manner in which films were made without proper planning and with spontaneous ideas generated on the sets all point to the flaws in the system. By pointing out these flaws, the writer points to the area requiring attention.

Question​​​​​​​. Why did Rajkumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the problem of the indigo farmers?
                                         OR
Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice for the poor peasants of Champaran?
Answer: Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant from Champaran. Under an old agreement, the peasants were compelled by the British to grow indigo on 15% of their land and part with it as rent. For this, Rajkumar Shukla had been advised to speak to Gandhiji who he was told, would be able to do something about their problem.
The landlords had learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. They forced the sharecroppers to sign agreements to pay them compensation to be freed from the 15 per cent arrangement. The sharecroppers, who refused, engaged lawyers. The information about synthetic indigo reached the peasants who had signed the agreements. They wanted their money back. Gandhiji organised a gathering of the peasants at Motihari around the court. This was the beginning of their liberation from fear of the British. Though Gandhiji co-operated with the British and regulated the crowd, but it was a clear proof that their might could be challenged. He inspired the lawyers to fight for justice for the sharecroppers. After the inquiry committee’s report, the peasants expected the entire sum of money as refund, but Gandhiji asked for 50% only. He was offered a refund of 25%. Gandhiji accepted it.
According to Gandhiji, at that stage, money was less important. The landlords had to surrender their prestige and the peasants realised that they too had rights. This was their first lesson in courage. This is how their problem was solved.

Question​​​​​​​. How would you describe Subbu a trouble shooter or a sycophant?
                                        Or
Give an estimate of Subbu’s qualities of head and heart and the reasons for his success.
Answer: ​​​​​​​Kothamangalam Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. Though officially on the rolls of Story Department, he was always with the Boss. He had the ability to look cheerful at all times. His sense of loyalty made him identify himself with his principal completely. He turned his entire creativity to his advantage. He was tailor-made for films.
Film making was quite easy with Subbu around. He could suggest many alternatives to baffled producers. He could be inspired when commanded. He had a literary bent of mind too. He was a poet and had composed several original ‘story poems’. He had also written a novel. His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed his literary achievements. He was an amazing actor also, but confined himself to playing supporting roles. He loved whosoever he met. He was charitable and improvident and played permanent host to dozens of persons. His success was envied by frustrated people like the ‘office-boy’.

Question​​​​​​​. How was the Champaran episode a big success. Elucidate.
Answer: The fight and the success of Champaran was the success of Civil Disobedience movement started by Gandhiji. It was the attempt of the poor peasants who were helpless to the fraud met out to them. One of them contacted Gandhiji. Gandhiji’s presence in Bihar raised a huge row in Champaran. Thousands of peasants held a demonstration to protest against the government. The government was baffled. The orders for Gandhiji to quit Champaran were disobeyed by him. Afterwards, an enquiry commission was set up which ordered the sharecroppers to get 25 per cent of their money.
The cruel landlords were made to surrender the partial amount of the extorted money. The efforts of Gandhiji and the peasants made the government realise its mistake.

Question​​​​​​​. “In a moment I felt a dark chamber of my mind lit up by a hazy illumination.” Which incident is being referred to by the author, Asokamitran? What conclusion does he arrive at?
Answer: ​​​​​​​An English poet (or editor) had been invited to Gemini Studios. He addressed a dazed and silent audience for an hour about the thrills and travails of an English poet. His accent defeated any attempt to understand what he was saying. The audience felt baffled— what was an English poet doing in a studio making Tamil films? His visit remained an unexplained mystery.
Years later, the author read the editor’s name on the magazine ‘The Encounter’. He also came across copies of ‘The God that Failed’—a collection of six essays against communism. One of the six contributors was Stephen Spender. He was the poet that came to Gemini Studios. Suddenly the book assumed tremendous significance. The dark chambers of his mind were illuminated. The reaction to Stephen Spender at Gemini Studios was no longer a mystery. The Boss may not be concerned with Spender’s poetry, but he was aware of the god that failed.

Question​​​​​​​. ‘Dialogue and not violence can resolve situations of conflict and injustice.’ Prove the statement with reference to the lesson Indigo.
Answer: Gandhiji met Rajkumar Shukla, a poor peasant from Champaran at Lucknow. Shukla wanted Gandhiji to come to Champaran to help the poor sharecroppers who were compelled by the British to grow indigo on 15 % of their land and part with it as rent. Since the development of synthetic indigo, cultivation of indigo had become a waste. The landlords wanted sharecroppers to sign agreements to pay them compensation to be freed from the 15 percent arrangement. Understanding the problem Gandhiji wanted to meet secretary of British Landlord’s Association but he was refused. Then he tried to meet Commissioner of Tirhut who bullied him and ordered to leave. However he defied the order and organized a gathering of the peasants around the court. Gandhiji proved that British power was no longer unchangeable. The authorities got afraid and postponed the case. Gandhiji was released on bail. He inspired the lawyers to fight for justice for the sharecroppers. The case was dropped and Gandhi agreed for 25% refund as was agreed by landlords. Finally indigo sharecropping was abandoned and land given to peasants. This became the first success of Non co-operation movement for Gandhiji.

Question​​​​​​​. Imagine Asokamitran witnesses a film shooting and visits a film set of present day Bollywood.
As Asokamitran write a diary entry penning down the transformation you notice between film making of yesteryears and today.
Answer: ​​​​​​​Film making has changed drastically in the last few decades. The actors no longer have to sweat it our in hot furnace like make-up rooms of the past. They now have fancy, luxurious, air-conditioned vanity vans where they can prepare for their shoots in privacy. The makeup artists are educated, skilful and trained and their make-up no longer makes them look horrendous but actually enhances their beauty and makes them look much better and glamorous than their real selves.
The art of film making has undergone a lot of change. Real animals have been replaced by computer graphics and a lot of the visuals are created by computers and technology. The directors are educated and trained and every aspect of film making is meticulously planned before execution. The days of a proprietor owned studio has almost been replaced by production houses who seen the show.

Question​​​​​​​. Give an account of Gandhiji’s efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran.
Answer: ​​​​​​​Gandhiji went to Champaran on receiving reports of exploitation of the poor sharecropper peasants at the hands of British planters. He began by trying to get the facts. The British landlords as well as commissioner of Tirhut were non-cooperative. Lawyers from Muzaffarpur briefed him about the court cases of these peasants. Gandhiji and the lawyers collected depositions by about ten thousand peasants. Notes were made on other evidences. Documents were collected. The whole area throbbed with the activities of the investigators and forceful protests of landlords.
The lieutenant governor summoned Gandhiji. After four protracted interviews, an official commission of enquiry was appointed to look into the indigo sharecroppers’ situation. Gandhiji was the sole representative of the peasants. The official enquiry assembled huge quantity of evidence against the big planters. They agreed in principle to make refunds to the peasants. After consolation, a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers was agreed upon. This was a moral victory for the peasants. They recognised their rights and became courageous. Within a few years, the British planters gave up their estates. These now went back to the peasants. They became the master of the land. Thus, indigo sharecropping disappeared.

Question​​​​​​​. Narrate how the Moral Re-Armament army was welcomed at the Gemini Studios. What impact did the MRA have on people of Madras in general and those at Gemini Studios in particular?
Answer: ​​​​​​​The staff of Gemini Studios had a nice time hosting two hundred strong Moral Re- Armament army led by Frank Buchman. In fact, MRA could not have found a warmer host in India than the Gemini Studios. They presented two plays—‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ in a most professional manner. The message of the plays were usually plain and simple homilies, but the sets and costumes were first rate. These plays ran several shows in Madras. The citizens of the city and Gemini family of 600 saw the plays over and over again. For some years, almost all Tamil plays had a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’ with a bare stage, a white background curtain and a tune played on the flute. This was the impact of the plays staged by the MRA on Madras in general and the Tamil drama community in particular.

Question​​​​​​​. Though Rajkumar Shukla was an illiterate peasant; he was resolute and was able to bring a change in the lives of the people of Champaran. Taking hints from the text, write an article on the topic, “Grit and Determination can take you a long way”.
Answer: Grit and determination plays a very important role in one’s life. A person who doesn’t give up too easily and has tendency to step ahead without thinking too much about the difficulties is able to accomplish anything. We can take the example of Rajkumar Shukla. He wanted Gandhiji to go with him to his area called Champaran. Gandhiji was engaged at that time. However, Shukla did not leave Gandhiji. He followed him wherever he went. Finally, Gandhiji had to arrange and fix time to go with him. Shukla’s resolute nature led to a change in the lives of the people of Champaran. His persistence bore fruit. It is important to pursue our goals with grit and determination to be successful. The will to succeed will one day result in triumph. It is possible that it might take a long time to succeed but success will definitely be achieved.