CBSE Class 12 English Poets And Pancakes Worksheet Set B

Type I. Reference to Context

Read the extracts given below and attempt the questions that follow:

1. The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with lights at all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. They were all incandescent lights, so you can imagine the fiery misery of those subjected to make-up. 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 long before A.I.R. and Doordarshan began broadcasting programmes on national integration. This gang of nationally integrated make-up men could turn any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster with the help of truck-loads of pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions.

Questions

Question. How did the make-up room get the look of a hair-cutting salon?
(a) A lot of hair-cutting was going on in the make-up room.
(b) Most of the make-up men were barbers and slowly they gave it a look of a salon.
(c) It had lights at all angles and half a dozen large mirrors.
(d) People came to the make-up room to get their hair cut and trimmed.
Answer: It had lights at all angles and half a dozen large mirrors.

Question. How did those subjected to make-up suffer a fiery misery?
Answer: The lights were all incandescent lights and the heat they produced was terrible.

Question. Why was there national integration long before A.I.R and Doordarshan in the make-up department?
(a) Make-up of different states were practised here.
(b) They did make up for actors and actresses from different states
(c) The staff consisted of a Bengali, a Maharashtrian and an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and Tamils.
(d) The staff studied the various types of makeup from different states and applied them on the actors.
Answer: The staff consisted of a Bengali, a Maharashtrian and an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and Tamils.

Question. Why did the make up men make the actors look like hideous crimson hued monsters?
(a) They had a lot of make-up potions and lotions and wanted to use them.
(b) It was indoor shooting and heavy make-up was needed to look good in the movies.
(c) They loved putting on make-up and plastered it on their faces.
(d) They thought they were looking very beautiful and presentable with it, so they applied more and more.
Answer: It was indoor shooting and heavy make-up was needed to look good in the movies.

Question. Where was the make-up room located?
(a) In Chennai
(b) In the Gemini Studio
(c) In Mumbai
(d) In Andhra Pradesh
Answer: In the Gemini Studio

Question. The Bengali make-up man left because
(a) the weather troubled him
(b) he became too proud of his fame
(c) he became too fat
(d) he became too tall
Answer: he became too proud of his fame 

2. This man of the make-up department was convinced that all his woes, ignominy and neglect were due to Kothamangalam Subbu. Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He couldn’t have had a more encouraging opening in films than our grown-up make-up boy had. On the contrary he must have had to face more uncertain and difficult times, for when he began his career, there were no firmly established film producing companies or studios. Even in the matter of education, specially formal education, Subbu couldn’t have had an appreciable lead over our boy. But by virtue of being born a Brahmin — a virtue, indeed!— he must have had exposure to more affluent situations and people. He had the ability to look cheerful at all times even after having had a hand in a flop film. He always had work for somebody — he could never do things on his own— but his sense of loyalty made him identify himself with his principal completely and turn his entire creativity to his principal’s advantage.

Questions

Question. What was the office boy from the make-up department convinced of Subbu?
Answer: He was convinced that all his woes, ignominy and neglect was due to Subbu.

Question. What is the appreciable lead that Subbu had over the make-up department office boy?
(a) He had a more encouraging opening in films.
(b) He did not have to face uncertainties and difficult times like the office boy.
(c) He was better educated than the office boy.
(d) He had the virtue of being born a Brahmin.
Answer: He had the virtue of being born a Brahmin.

Question. What was unique about Subbu?
(a) He always had a frown on his forehead.
(b) He looked cheerful all times even if he had a hand in flop film.
(c) He was always cutting papers and sticking them in a file.
(d) He did not have a single good word to say to anyone.
Answer: He looked cheerful all times even if he hada hand in flop film.

Question. How did Subbu work at Gemini Studios?
(a) All his creativity was towards his principal’s advantage.
(b) He was seen lazing around doing nothing for hours.
(c) He set himself up to supervise the office boy of the make-up department.
(d) He was a story writer and was always writing new scripts.
Answer: All his creativity was towards his principal’s advantage.

Question. What does the expression ‘Subbu was the No.2 at the Gemini studios’, mean?
Answer: It means that Subbu was the 2nd important person in the studio.

Question. Subbu was ‘tailor-made’ for film because of his
(a) creativity and resourcefulness
(b) cheerful personality
(c) loyalty to his principal
(d) involvement with all parts of film-making
Answer: creativity and resourcefulness

3. They weren’t very good on the trapeze and their acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner table, but they presented two plays in a most professional manner. Their ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’ ran several shows in Madras and along with the other citizens of the city, the Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays over and over again. The message of the plays were usually plain and simple homilies, but the sets and costumes were first-rate. Madras and the Tamil drama community were terribly impressed and 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. It was some years later that I learnt that the MRA was a kind of countermovement to international Communism and the big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan simply played into their hands.

Questions

Question. Why were Moral Re-Armament army not good on the trapeze?
(a) While doing their act on the trapeze they kept falling down.
(b) The trapeze was not tied properly and thus they could not perform well.
(c) They were not a circus group, they were a theatre group.
(d) Their idea was to make people laugh while performing so they kept falling down.
Answer: They were not a circus group, they were a theatre group.

Question. What was admirable about the theatre plays of Moral Re-armament army?
Answer: Their set and costumes were first-rate and the audience was terribly impressed by them.

Question. What did the Tamil plays copy from the MRA?
Answer: The Tamil plays copied from the MRA a scene of sunrise and sunset with a bare stage.

Question. Why did the big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan simply play into the hands of the M.R.A.?
(a) They were international and represented many nations.
(b) They put up plays which the big bosses of Madras highly appreciated.
(c) They were a kind of counter-movement to international communism.
(d) They were the best comedy theatre roaming round the whole world.
Answer: They were a kind of counter-movement to international communism. 

Question. ‘Simple homilies‘ means ........
(a) stories about homes
(b) a tedious moralizing lecture
(c) an exciting story
(d) a horror story
Answer: a tedious moralizing lecture

Question. The tone of the writer in these lines is....
(a) ironical
(b) humorous
(c) sad
(d) cheerful
Answer: humorous

4. And years later, when I was out of Gemini Studios and I had much time but not much money, anything at a reduced price attracted my attention. On the footpath in front of the Madras Mount Road Post Office, there was a pile of brand new books for fifty paise each. Actually they were copies of the same book, an elegant paperback of American origin. ‘Special low-priced student edition, in connection with the 50th Anniversary of the Russian Revolution’, I paid fifty paise and picked up a copy of the book, The God That Failed. Six eminent men of letters in six separate essays described ‘their journeys into Communism and their disillusioned return’.

Questions

Question. What was the book “The God that Failed” all about?
Answer: It was the book of essays by six authors about their journey to communism and their disillusioned return.

Question. Why did the book assume tremendous importance for the author?
(a) One of the writers was Ignazio Silione
(b) One of the writers was Stephen Spender.
(c) One of the writers was Richard Wright.
(d) One of the writers was Louis Fischer.
Answer: One of the writers was Stephen Spender.

Question. What enlightenment did the author get?
(a) He felt sorry for Stephen Spender.
(b) He now understood why Stephen spender came to Gemini Studios.
(c) He understood why the office boy was always unhappy about Subbu.
(d) He understood why he himself had to keep tearing papers and gluing them in a file.
Answer: he now understood why Stephen spender came to Gemini Studios.

Question. Who was the “God That Failed”?
(a) The big bosses of Madras Gemini studios.
(b) Stephen Spender
(c) Subbu
(d) Communism
Answer: Communism

Question. ‘Six eminent men of letters means ....
(a) six famous people
(b) six men
(c) six well-known writers
(d) six famous letters writers
Answer: six well-known writers

Question. Why was the book low-priced?
Answer: The book was low priced because it was printed in memory of the Russians Revolution.

5. His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed his literary achievements-or so his critics felt. He composed several truly original ‘story poems’ in folk refrain and diction and also wrote a sprawling novel Thillana Mohanambal with dozens of very deftly etched characters. He quite successfully recreated the mood and manner of the Devadasis of the early 20th century. He was an amazing actor-he never aspired to the lead roles-but whatever subsidiary role he played in any of the films, he performed better than the supposed main players. He had a genuine love for anyone he came across and his house was a permanent residence for dozens of near and far relations and acquaintances.

Questions

Question. Which of these statements is NOT TRUE about Subbu?
(a) His literary accomplishments stole the limelight from his films.
(b) He was a gifted poet and writer and his literary works were noteworthy.
(c) He was selfless in nature and was empathetic towards others.
(d) He never hankered after lead roles and performed minor roles in films.
Answer: His literary accomplishments stole the limelight from his films.

Question. The word ‘sprawling’ has been used with the word ‘novel’. Pick the option with which the word ‘sprawling’ CANNOT be used.
(a) Metropolis
(b) Handwriting
(c) Campus
(d) Portrait
Answer: Portrait

Question. The phrase ‘deftly etched’ shows that Subbu
(a) created the roles delicately.
(b) was skilful in creating the characters.
(c) pondered beyond necessity about the characters.
(d) gave very little thought to the characters.
Answer: was skilful in creating the characters.

Question. Pick the option that best describes Subbu according to the extract.
1. Benevolent
2. Powerful
3. accomplished
4. Witty
5. Generous
6. Temperamental
(a) 4, 5 & 6
(b) 2, 3 & 4
(c) 1,3 & 5
(d) 3 ,4 & 6
Answer: 1,3 & 5

Question. What does the expression ‘dwarfed his literary achievements’ means ?
Answer: It means that his writing ability was made less important.

Question. Another word for ‘subsidiary role’ is.....
(a) supporting
(b) leading
(c) comic
(d) villanous
Answer: supporting

6. Barring the office boys and a couple of clerks, everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure, a pre-requisite for poetry. Most of them wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they had not the faintest appreciation for political thought of any kind. Naturally, they were all averse to the term ‘Communism’. A communist was a godless man-he had no filial or conjugal love; he had no compunction about killing his own parents or his children; he was always out to cause and spread unrest and violence among innocent and ignorant people. Such notions, which prevailed everywhere else in South India at that time also, naturally, floated about vaguely among the khadi-clad poets of Gemini Studios. Evidence of it was soon forthcoming.

Questions

Question. Pick the option that uses the same figure of speech as ‘A communist is a godless man.’
(a) She is as determined as Gandhi when it is a fight against injustice.
(b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice against ‘hinsa’ or violence.
(c) She, like Gandhi, feels that the Earth is crying for deliverance.
(d) She lives a life of opulence and calls herself a follower of Gandhi.
Answer: She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice against ‘hinsa’ or violence.

Question. Based on the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: At Gemini Studios, the poets had a profound knowledge about Communists.
Statement 2: Communists were responsible for anarchy and discontent in the country.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
Answer: Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

Question. Why do you think leisure is a pre-requisite for poetry?
(a) Poetry means freedom of expression.
(b) One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time.
(c) In order to write poetry, one needs free time.
(d) Poetry means freedom from work.
Answer: One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time.

Question. Asokamitran says that leisure is a pre-requisite for poetry. He says this because poets
(a) need to relax for a period of time before composing lines.
(b) maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they do.
(c) are creative and need to have free time to weave their thoughts.
(d) begin poetic compositions in rushed way and end in a relaxed manner.
Answer: maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they do.

Question. What does the phrase ‘radiated leisure’ mean?
Answer: It means ‘enjoying free time’.

Question. ‘he had no compunction’ means ....
(a) He did not have sorrowful feelings.
(b) He did not think twice before doing something.
(c) He was thoughtful and careful before taking any action.
(d) He was indifferent to the activities taking place around them.
Answer: He was thoughtful and careful before taking any action

Question. Why was Gemini studies a place of national integration in India ?
Answer.  There were people from various communities. First, the make up department was headed by a Bengali, then a Maharashtrian . He was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian an Anglo Burmese and the local Tamils.

Question. Why does Asokamitran call Subbu ” a Charitable and improvident man”?
Answer.  Subbu had genuine love for anyone he came across. His house was permanent residene for dozens of relations and acquaintances. hence the writer calls him charitable and improvident.

Question. How did the people of Madras and members of Gemini studios respond to the plays staged by moral Rearmament Army?
Answer.  People were terribly impressed. The two plays ‘Jotham valley’ and ‘The forgotten Factor’ ran several shows. For some time to come almost all Tamil plays presented the scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner as shown in the plays.

Question. What does the lesson convey about the literary taste of the staff of Gemini studios as for as English poetry was concerned?
Answer.  The staff at Gemini studios was quite simple. the only English poets known to them were words-worth and Tennyson. The more literate ones knew of Keats, Shelley and Byron. Very few knew about Eliot.

Question. Why was Gemini studios a favourite haunt of the poets?
Answer.  Gemini studios had an excellent mess which supplied coffee whole day long and most of the night. It provided satisfying entertainment required for poetry where everyone enjoyed and praised Gandhi over a cup of coffee.

Question. Subbu was a many sided genius, who gave definition and direction to the studio in its golden years. Elaborate.
Answer.  Subbu a man of genius had a separate identity at Gemini studio. He was always cheerful and willing to work for others. He was loyal to the principal and used all his creativity to his advantages. He gave direction and definition to Gemini studio. he composed story poems and novels and carved beautiful characters. He was a highly capable literature writer. He was an amazing character and actor but never aspired for leading roles. Subbu was a charitable and important person. He supported dozens of near and dear ones. He was quite close to the Boss and was taken as No. 2 of the Gemini studio.

Question. The staff at Gemini studio enjoyed hosting the MRA while the visit of the English poet remained an unexplained mistery. Discuss.
Answer. 
- Saff of Gemini studio had nice time hosting MRA
- MRA presented the plays ‘Jotham valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’
- Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays over and over again.
- The first-rate sets and costumers used in the plays were highly appreciated.
- They were terribly impressed by the manner the plays depicted the scenes of sunrise to sunset. A change from the usual collection of crowd players.
- Visit of English poet just the opposite. Poet very English, very serious, unknown to the staff of Gemini studio. No body understood what the poet said.
- Audience dazed and silent by the unfamiliar accent. The audience and the poet both parted in utter bafflement. His visit remained an unexplained mystery

Question. Asokamitran retired from Gemini studios, but retained his taste for literature.How?
Answer. 
- Asokamitran out of Gemini studio with plenty of free time on his hands but no money.
- Literature attracted him most .
- Hunted for new books on footpath in front of the post office.
- Found a pile of books for fifty paisa each – ‘ The God that faild’.
- He read the essays printed in the book contributed by six eminent men of letters.