GSEB Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse Solutions

Reading With Insight

Question 1. You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in your opinion makes it interesting?
Answer: The story 'The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse' is a tale told from the perspective of a nine-year-old boy. At that young age, imagination is very rich, and one can make even small actions seem more exciting or romantic. For such a person, the world appears full of beauty and wonder, and life is a lovely and mysterious dream.

Exam Tip: When analyzing a story's appeal, consider the narrator's age and perspective, as this often influences the tone and what is highlighted as interesting.

Question 2. Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
Answer: The story provides no hint that the boys were scared of anyone or anything. Therefore, the horse's return was not prompted by fear. Secondly, they were not at all troubled by their conscience. They did not feel any regret or sorrow for taking the horse simply to ride it. The narrator makes it quite clear when he states that taking a horse for a ride was not the same as taking other things, like money. For him, it was not stealing at all since he and Mourad loved horses so much. In his opinion, it would only become stealing if they tried to sell the horse, which he knew they would never do. This last statement gives insight into their way of thinking. Mourad had kept the horse for more than a month when farmer John Byro came to the narrator's home. They kept it for two more weeks. Mourad strongly rejected the narrator's idea of keeping the horse any longer. It was his family's honor that prevented him from stealing. He decided that the horse needed to go back to its rightful owner. The meeting with John Byro solidified this decision. John Byro praised their family's honesty. He trusted the boys because he knew their parents. Hence, to maintain the family tradition and reputation, the boys returned the horse to its true owner.

Exam Tip: When evaluating character motivations, look for explicit statements or implicit actions that reveal their true reasons, rather than assuming simple explanations like fear or guilt.

Question 3. "One day back there in the good old days when I was nine and the world was full of every imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream ...". The- story begins 'in a mood of nostalgia. Can you narrate some incidents from your childhood that might make an interesting story?
Answer: I had just finished my elementary schooling when I went to visit my uncle. He worked as a forest ranger in Dehradun. Back then, there was a dense forest near the city where all sorts of wild animals roamed freely. Uncle had told us not to go into the deep forest, but forbidden things always seem more appealing. My cousin Varun, along with a couple of his friends and I, decided to explore the southern part of the forest. We had our scout kits and were well-prepared for the hilly terrain. In our youthful excitement, we ventured deep into the jungle and arrived at a gorge. We were astonished to see a lioness with her cubs. One of us, perhaps Mohit, used his camera. The flash frightened the lioness, and she roared and jumped. Luckily, there was a large ditch, and she fell into it. Meanwhile, we lit our torches, gathered dry leaves and twigs, and set them on fire. This briefly gave us relief from our attackers. Then we threw some green leaves onto the fire to create a smoke signal. A patrol team saw it and came to our rescue. I still tremble whenever I recall this adventure, where we came so close to danger.

Exam Tip: When asked to narrate a personal incident, ensure it has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and includes vivid details to engage the reader.

Question 4. The story revolves around characters who belong to a tribe in Armenia. Mourad and Aram are members of the Garoghlanian family. Now locate Armenia and Assyria on the atlas and prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian tribes. You may write about people, their names, traits, geographical and economic features as suggested in the story.
Answer:
The Garoghlanian Tribes
The Garoghlanian family was an Armenian tribe. Eleven centuries ago, it was the richest family in that region of the world. However, currently, every part of the Garoghlanian tribe was experiencing the most extraordinary and amusing poverty. These poor people had no money. Nobody could understand how they managed to get enough money to keep themselves fed. The Garoghlanian tribes were well-known for their honesty. It had been a defining characteristic of the tribe for many centuries. They were proud of their family. Honesty was paramount, and after that, they believed in what was right and wrong. None of them would ever take advantage of anyone in the world. No member of the Garoghlanian family could be a thief. The elders felt sadness remembering that they had lost their native land. These people moved their homes from one place to another. The narrator says, "That year we lived at the edge of the town, on Walnut Avenue.” They enjoyed the countryside with its vineyards, orchards, olive trees, and walnuts. The names of the people are partly Arabic: Mourad, Aram, Khosrove, etc. This event indicates that despite having a wild side, Mourad was kind-hearted and gentle towards all living creatures.

Exam Tip: When describing a tribe or community, ensure you cover key aspects such as their historical context, defining characteristics, and social norms as presented in the story.

Question 1. What traits of the Garoghlanian family are highlighted in this story?
Answer: The Garoghlanian family, though now quite poor, was renowned for their honesty even during their wealthier times. They were primarily proud of their family, then their honesty, and after that, they believed strongly in right and wrong. No member of the Garoghlanian family would ever take advantage of anyone. They would not steal. Therefore, no member of this family could be considered a thief.

Exam Tip: When asked about character traits, provide specific examples or descriptions from the story that clearly demonstrate each trait you mention.

Question 2. Give an example to Illustrate how uncle Khosrove's impatience sometimes worked to his own disadvantage.
Answer: Once, Uncle Khosrove was getting his mustache trimmed in a barber's shop. Suddenly, his house caught fire. His son Arak ran eight blocks to the barber's shop to tell him. Khosrove became impatient and yelled at his son. When the barber gently reminded him that his house was on fire, Khosrove yelled at him again, stopping him from speaking further.

Exam Tip: When illustrating a character's trait, choose a clear, concise anecdote that directly demonstrates the point being made, ensuring it highlights the disadvantage.

Question 3. Give a brief account of Mourad's joy
Answer: Mourad eagerly kicked his heels into the horse and loudly shouted, "Wazire run!" The horse stood up on its back legs, snorted, and then galloped forward at full speed. Mourad rode the horse across a dry grass field towards an irrigation ditch. He successfully crossed the ditch while still on the horse. When he returned five minutes later, he was completely wet from the ride.

Exam Tip: To describe a character's emotion like joy, use action verbs and sensory details that show, rather than just state, their happiness or excitement.

Question 4. How did Aram, the narrator, fare in his solo ride?
Answer: Aram jumped onto the horse's back, but it remained still. He then kicked the horse's sides, spurring its muscles. It reared up and snorted, then started to run. Aram did not know how to handle the horse. It galloped down the road into a vineyard, leaped over seven grapevines, threw Aram off its back, and ran away.

Exam Tip: When describing a sequence of events, use clear chronological order and active voice to make the narrative easy to follow.

Question 5. Why did farmer John Byro stalk out of the house, slamming the screen door?
Answer: Farmer John Byro visited the narrator's house. He felt homesick, sad, and isolated. His horse had been stolen more than a month ago. Instead of receiving any sympathy or concern for his loss, Uncle Khosrove repeated his favorite phrase: "It's no harm. Pay no attention to it." When John Byro discussed the horse's cost, Uncle Khosrove remarked, "I spit on money." This was simply too much for John Byro to endure, so he left the house in great anger.

Exam Tip: To explain a character's strong reaction, detail the specific actions or words that led to their emotional outburst and the reason for their frustration.

Question 6. How did Mourad help the wounded Robin to fly? What does this incident indicate?
Answer: The narrator observed Mourad trying to heal the injured wing of a young Robin that could not fly. He was talking gently to the bird. After some time, he tossed the bird into the air. The bird struggled hard and nearly fell twice. However, it eventually managed to fly away, soaring high and straight. This incident shows Mourad's gentle nature, his connection with animals, and his compassionate spirit, indicating he truly loves and understands creatures.

Exam Tip: When asked to explain what an incident indicates, always link the specific actions of the character to broader personality traits or themes in the story.

Question 7. What request did the narrator make to his cousin Mourad about the horse? How did he react to it? What does this reveal?
Answer: The narrator asked his cousin Mourad not to give back the horse to farmer John Byro until he had learned to ride. Mourad noted that it might take him a full year to learn. The narrator then suggested they keep the horse for that year. Mourad yelled, saying that the narrator was encouraging him to steal. He declared that the horse absolutely had to go back to its rightful owner. This shows Mourad's strong honesty and deep sense of family pride.

Exam Tip: When analyzing character interactions, identify the core request, the direct reaction, and what deeper character traits or values are revealed through that exchange.

Question 8. What impression do you form of cousin Mourad?
Answer: Mourad is a young boy, only thirteen years old. He belongs to the Garoghlanian family of Armenia. Their entire tribe faced severe poverty. Despite this extreme poverty, their family was well-known for its honesty. Mourad was quite adventurous and possessed a clear, distinct personality. He enjoyed being alive more than anyone else. Mourad loved riding horses. He had a natural ability with horses. He had trained the horse with his kind behavior, and as a result, the horse was no longer wild. It obeyed Mourad completely. His affection for the horse is evident in the final scene. While leaving, he put his arms around the horse, gently pressed his nose into its nose, and patted it. He also had a way with dogs; John Byro's dogs followed them without making any noise. He was kind. He cared for a young robin that had hurt its wing. He was experienced and knew how to speak with farmers. Although he loved horse riding, he was against keeping a stolen horse for too long. He was proud of his family, which was renowned for its honesty and trustworthiness. In short, he is a very likable character.

Exam Tip: When forming an impression of a character, gather details from their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others to create a comprehensive description of their personality and values.

Question 9. Comment on the role of Aram, the narrator, in the story.
Answer: Aram plays a very important part in the story. Besides telling the story, he also acts as a commentator. He does not just narrate the various adventures, events, and actions, but also offers helpful details about the main characters and their behavior. In fact, he is the central point around which the entire story revolves. He vividly describes the Garoghlanian tribe, its members, their characteristics, and their economic situation. Zorab, Nomad's father, is portrayed as a practical person, while Mourad and Uncle Khosrove represent the wild, eccentric streak within the tribe. The family's extreme poverty does not diminish their pride in their honesty. He explicitly states, "No member of the Garoghlanian family could be a thief." He makes a clear distinction between taking a horse for a ride and taking a horse to sell it. He also provides a lovely description of the horse ride and the countryside, including its vineyards, orchards, irrigation ditches, and country roads.

Exam Tip: When analyzing a narrator's role, consider how they shape the reader's understanding of events and characters, and whether they offer insights or personal commentary.

Question 10. Compare and contrast uncle Khosrove and cousin Mourad.
Answer: Uncle Khosrove and cousin Mourad share one very significant trait: their eccentricity. Mourad was considered the natural inheritor of Uncle Khosrove's qualities in this aspect. Their second similarity is their strong nature. Both use particular words and phrases and speak loudly to quieten listeners. While Uncle Khosrove says, "It is no harm; pay no attention to it," Mourad proudly states, "I have a way with horses/dogs/farmers." Khosrove shouts at his son Arak, the barber, and farmer John Byro. The narrator quietly listens to Mourad's pronouncements. The main difference lies in their ages and physical appearance. Uncle Khosrove is a middle-aged man with a large build, a powerful head of black hair, and a very large mustache. Mourad is an athletic young man of thirteen. Khosrove is easily irritated, impatient, and quick to anger. In contrast, Mourad is more calm and sensible in conversation.

Exam Tip: When comparing and contrasting characters, identify specific similarities first, then highlight clear differences in personality, actions, or physical attributes, using examples from the text.

The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse Summary In English

The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse Summary:

‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ is told by nine-year-old Aram Garoghlanian, a member of an Armenian community living among the rich fruit orchards and vineyards of Armenia. One morning, Aram is woken at four in the morning by his thirteen-year-old cousin Mourad, who is thought to be a bit eccentric by everyone except Aram and has a natural connection with animals. Aram is amazed to see that Mourad is sitting on a beautiful white horse. Aram had always wanted to ride a beautiful horse, but his family was too poor to afford one. However, despite their poverty, the Garoghlanian tribe is known for its honesty and trust, so it seems impossible that Mourad could have taken the horse. Aram felt that his cousin could not have stolen the horse. Aram was invited to ride the horse with Mourad. The thought of Mourad stealing the horse faded from Aram's mind because he felt it would not be stealing unless they tried to sell the horse. They enjoyed riding the horse for several hours. Mourad's wild behavior was seen as a natural trait inherited from their uncle Khosrov, even though his father, Zorab, was a practical man. Uncle Khosrov was a very large man who was always angry, impatient, and easily annoyed. He would yell at everyone to stop talking and say it was "no harm, pay no attention to it." In fact, one day, when his son came to tell them that their house was on fire, Khosrov silenced him by yelling, "Enough. It is no harm." After a short riding time, Mourad wanted to ride the horse alone. Aram also longed to ride alone, but when he got on the horse and kicked its sides, it reared and snorted and then raced forward, eventually throwing Aram off its back. After half an hour, they found the horse and hid it in the barn of a deserted vineyard belonging to a farmer named Fetvajian, which had once been his pride. That afternoon, an Assyrian farmer named John Byro – a friend of the Garoghlanians – came to Aram's house. He reported to Aram's mother that his white horse, which had been stolen a month ago, was still missing. Hearing this, Aram concluded that Mourad must have had the horse for a long time. Khosravi, who was at Aram's house when Byro came, yelled "it's no harm" so loudly that Byro was forced to leave without getting a response. Aram ran to Mourad to tell him about Byro's visit. Aram also begged Mourad not to return the horse until he could learn to ride. Mourad disagreed, saying Aram would take at least a year to learn, but promised he would keep it for six months at most. This became a regular routine. Mourad came every day to pick Aram for a ride, and Aram consistently fell off the horse's back after each attempt. Two weeks later, as they were taking the horse back to its hiding place, they encountered Byro on the road. The farmer was extremely surprised. He recognized his horse but refused to believe that the boys had stolen it. This is a summary of the story 'The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse' written by William Saroyan.