RBSE Solutions Class 12 English Panorama Chapter 2 The Portrait of a Lady

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 12 English Panorama Chapter 2 The Portrait of a Lady

RBSE Class 12 English Panorama Chapter 2 Textual Questions

Comprehension Questions
A. Choose the correct alternative:

Question 1. The grandmother fed the dogs with...
(a) rice
(b) stale chapattis
(c) sugar
(d) bread
Answer: (b) stale chapattis
In simple words: The grandmother gave old, flatbread (chapattis) to the dogs. This was a common practice in the village to show kindness to animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to specific details of daily life mentioned in the story, as these often form the basis for direct questions.

Question 3. Where did the author go for higher studies?
(a) Lucknow
(b) Delhi
(c) Abroad
(d) Calcutta
Answer: (c) Abroad
In simple words: He went overseas to study more. This journey was a major change in his life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note key life events of the characters, like education or travel, as they usually mark important turning points in the narrative.

Question 4. The author found the thought of his grandmother once having been young and pretty almost
(a) absurd
(b) evolving
(c) undignified
(d) fantastic
Answer: (a) absurd
In simple words: He found it strange to think his grandmother was once young and pretty. This shows how his image of her was fixed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the author's personal feelings and perceptions about the grandmother, as these reveal character insight.

B. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each:

Question 1. "That was the turning point in our friendship”. What was the turning point?
Answer: The big change in their friendship happened when they moved to the city to live with the author's parents. From then on, his grandmother could no longer walk with him to school or assist him with his homework, which made their bond different. This shift in their daily routine changed how they spent time together.
In simple words: Moving to the city was the turning point because his grandmother could no longer go to school with him or help him study.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key moments or changes in setting that mark shifts in character relationships or plot development.

Question 2. What were the grandmother's views about learning music?
Answer: The grandmother believed that music was connected to inappropriate things. She thought it was only for specific types of people like prostitutes and beggars, not for respectable families. This reflected her traditional values and strict beliefs.
In simple words: She thought music was only for immoral people and beggars, so she disliked it for respectable people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always describe traditional values and beliefs of characters to explain their reactions to modern developments.

Question 3. Describe the grandmother's association with the sparrows.
Answer: Every afternoon, the grandmother would feed the sparrows, and they would gather around her, sitting on her legs, shoulders, and even her head. She was kind to them and never chased them away. When she died, the sparrows also showed their sadness by sitting silently and not eating the bread crumbs given to them, highlighting their deep bond. This special connection showed her love for all living things.
In simple words: The grandmother fed sparrows every day, and they were very close to her. When she died, they also grieved, refusing food.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use vivid descriptions to illustrate the bond between characters and animals, emphasizing their mutual affection.

C. Answer the following questions in 125 words each:

Question 1. Write a character sketch of the author's grandmother.
Answer: The author's grandmother was an elderly Indian village woman who found it hard to adjust to city life and felt lonely there. She was a quiet observer of all the changes happening around her. She was very old, short, a bit stout, and slightly stooped, with a face full of wrinkles that hadn't changed for twenty years. She was deeply religious, spending her time praying, using prayer beads, and reading holy books. She loved animals, feeding dogs in the village and sparrows in the city, never chasing them away. This shows her caring nature. She was a strong-willed person with firm beliefs that she always followed. She even sensed her own death, telling everyone it was near despite having only a mild fever. Her strong character and kind heart make her a very touching figure.
In simple words: The grandmother was an old, religious woman who loved animals and followed her beliefs strictly. She lived simply, prayed often, and was deeply affected by changes around her, making her a very memorable character.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a character sketch, include physical appearance, personality traits, key actions, beliefs, and how they interact with others to paint a complete picture.

Question 2. 'Everybody including the sparrows mourned over the grandmother's death'. Discuss.
Answer: Indeed, everyone, even the sparrows, grieved the grandmother's death. When she died, thousands of sparrows flew into the verandah and her room, settling silently around her body, which was wrapped in a red cloth. They did not chirp or fly around, showing a quiet sorrow. Even when the author's mother offered them bread crumbs, they refused to eat. This unusual behavior clearly showed that the sparrows, who were fed daily by the grandmother, shared in the family's sadness. Their silent mourning highlighted the profound connection the grandmother had with all creatures.
In simple words: Sparrows, who the grandmother fed, gathered silently around her dead body and refused to eat, showing they too mourned her death.

🎯 Exam Tip: To show mourning, focus on specific actions (like silence or refusing food) that convey the depth of grief, especially from unexpected sources like animals.

Question 3. Trace the various phases of the author's relationship with his grandmother.
(a) In the village
(b) In the city
(c) When the author went to university
Answer: The author's relationship with his grandmother changed in three main stages:
(a) **In the village:** They were very close. The grandmother would bathe him, dress him for school, and walk him there every day since the school was next to a temple. This routine built a strong bond.
(b) **In the city:** When they moved to the city, the author started attending an English school by bus, so his grandmother could no longer accompany him or assist with his lessons. This distance led her to fill her days with prayers and feeding sparrows. She also disapproved of music being taught at school and spoke less with him.
(c) **At university:** The bond weakened further when the author got his own room at the university. This physical separation almost completely broke their close friendship. She then spent all her time quietly spinning, praying, and continuing to feed the sparrows. These phases show how their relationship changed as the author grew up and his life diverged from hers.
In simple words: Their friendship went through three phases: close in the village, distant in the city when he went to an English school, and even more separated when he went to university and got his own room.

🎯 Exam Tip: Break down the relationship into clear phases, highlighting specific events or changes that affected the bond during each stage.

Question 4. What was the common link of friendship between the author and his grandmother? How did the grandmother behave when their friendship was snapped?
Answer: The common bond between the author and his grandmother was their shared life and mutual care. In the village, she was his constant companion, helping him get ready for school and assisting with his studies. However, their friendship weakened significantly when they moved to the city. She could no longer walk him to his English school or help him with his lessons, and she disliked the idea of him learning music. This made her quietly withdraw. When the author went to university and received his own room, their direct connection broke entirely. The grandmother accepted this loneliness calmly, spending her days spinning, praying, and feeding sparrows in the afternoons. Her quiet acceptance and dedication to simple routines showed her inner strength.
In simple words: Their shared daily life and care was their common link. When their friendship broke due to city life and separate rooms, she became silent, spending her time spinning, praying, and feeding sparrows.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the initial bond and how it changed, detailing the grandmother's coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of emotional distance.

Question 5. "She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment." How far do you agree with the author's description of his grandmother as stated above?
Answer: I completely agree with the author's description of his grandmother as a "winter landscape in the mountains." This image perfectly captures her pureness, peace, and deep contentment. She always wore plain white clothes and constantly prayed, her fingers busy with her rosary beads. In the village, she regularly visited the temple, read holy texts, and fed the local dogs. Later, in the city, she dedicated herself to spinning yarn and praying from dawn till dusk. She found immense joy in feeding sparrows, a time when birds would perch on her body, showing her gentle nature. Her calm, religious, and loving demeanor, especially towards animals, truly made her a symbol of serenity and quiet strength, much like a peaceful mountain scene covered in snow.
In simple words: I agree because her simple white clothes, constant prayers, peaceful nature, and love for animals perfectly matched the image of pure, calm winter scenery.

🎯 Exam Tip: Support your agreement (or disagreement) with specific examples from the text that illustrate the qualities described in the metaphor.

D. Creative Writing:

Question. Recreate your relationship with your grandparents.
Answer: I have a grandmother who is very religious and spends most of her day praying with her beads. She visits the temple daily. When I come home from school, she often tries to talk to me and asks about my day. Initially, I sometimes felt she was interfering too much in my personal business. However, I now understand that she is like many older Indian village women, a quiet observer of our changing society. From now on, I will show her more respect and patiently answer her questions. It is important for everyone to respect their elders because they deserve our love and attention.
In simple words: My religious grandmother likes to talk to me, and while I used to find it bothersome, I now understand and will respect her more, as everyone should respect elders.

🎯 Exam Tip: Personal reflection questions should include both observations and a description of your feelings or understanding, showing growth or insight.

RBSE Class 12 English Panorama Chapter 2 Additional Questions

A. Answer the following questions in about 30 to 40 words each:

Question 1. How did the author's grandfather look?
Answer: The author’s grandfather was shown in a portrait wearing a big turban and loose clothes. He had a very long, white beard that reached his chest, making him look at least a hundred years old. He looked so ancient that he seemed more like a person who would have many grandchildren rather than a wife and children. This image suggested wisdom and a long life.
In simple words: The author's grandfather wore a big turban and loose clothes, with a long white beard, looking over a hundred years old, like a man with many grandchildren.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a character from a portrait, focus on key visual details like clothing, age, and any prominent features like a beard.

Question 2. How did the grandmother look?
Answer: The grandmother was an elderly woman, short, a bit overweight, and slightly stooped. Her face was covered with a web of wrinkles. Despite her age, the author still saw beauty in her, showing his affection and the comfort she brought him.
In simple words: She was an old, short, slightly bent woman with a wrinkled face, but the author still thought she was beautiful.

🎯 Exam Tip: Combine physical descriptions with emotional observations to give a fuller picture of a character's appearance.

Question 3. What did the author think about the games of the grandmother?
Answer: The author considered the childhood games his grandmother mentioned quite silly and not suitable for an old woman. He saw these stories about her youthful games as unbelievable, similar to the moral stories of prophets she would tell him, not as real memories. This highlights his childish perspective at the time.
In simple words: The author found his grandmother's childhood games silly and unsuitable for her age, like made-up stories.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character insights often come from how one character perceives another, especially regarding age and past experiences.

Question 4. How did the grandmother use to walk?
Answer: The grandmother walked with a limp, or hobbled, because she was bent over. To keep her balance, she would place one hand on her waist. With her other hand, she constantly moved the beads of her rosary, a habit that showed her deep religious devotion.
In simple words: The grandmother walked with a hobble, using one hand on her waist for balance and the other to pray with her rosary.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on small, descriptive actions that reveal a character's physical state and daily habits, like her way of walking or praying.

Question 6. What were the things that the author carried with him to school?
Answer: To school, the author carried a wooden writing slate that his grandmother had cleaned and coated with yellow chalk. He also took a small clay ink-pot and a red pen. All these items were tied together in a neat bundle for him to carry. This simple set of tools was typical for students in those days.
In simple words: He carried a wooden slate with yellow chalk, a small ink-pot, and a red pen, all tied in a bundle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific details of daily routines or objects mentioned, as they help set the scene and context of the story.

Question 7. What do you know about the school of the author?
Answer: The author's village school was part of the local temple, and the priest served as the teacher. He taught the children the alphabet and daily morning prayers. The students would sit in neat rows on both sides of the verandah, learning in a peaceful, traditional setting. This close connection between religion and education was common then.
In simple words: The author's school was next to a temple, where a priest taught the alphabet and prayers to children sitting on the verandah.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the location, teacher, and subjects taught to fully explain the nature of the school.

Question 8. Why did the grandmother take to feeding sparrows in the city?
Answer: The grandmother started feeding sparrows in the city because she could no longer accompany the author to his English school, and there were no street dogs, unlike in the village, to feed. This new routine became her favorite way to pass the time and express her loving nature. It gave her a sense of purpose and companionship.
In simple words: She fed sparrows in the city because she couldn't go to school with the author or feed street dogs, and it became her favorite hobby.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect a character's actions to their circumstances and emotional needs, especially when habits change due to new environments.

Question 9. What was taught to the author in English school?
Answer: In the English school, the author learned English words and basic concepts of Western science. This included things like the law of gravity, Archimedes' principle, and the fact that the Earth is round. He also received music lessons. These subjects were very different from what was taught in the village school.
In simple words: The author learned English, Western science concepts like gravity and Archimedes' principle, and also music at his English school.

🎯 Exam Tip: List specific subjects or topics to clearly answer questions about educational content or curriculum.

Question 10. How did the grandmother enjoy feeding the sparrows?
Answer: The grandmother found great joy in feeding the sparrows. When she threw small pieces of bread, hundreds of birds would gather, chirping loudly. They would perch freely on her legs, shoulders, and even her head. She would smile at this sight and never tried to scare them away, showing her deep affection for them. This daily activity was her happiest time.
In simple words: She loved feeding sparrows; hundreds would gather, chirping, and sit on her, making her smile without chasing them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the scene and the grandmother's reactions to illustrate her enjoyment and gentle nature.

Question 11. How did the grandmother react when the author was going abroad?
Answer: When the author left for abroad, his grandmother went to the railway station to say goodbye. She showed no outward emotion or sadness, didn't speak much, and kept her lips moving in silent prayer while counting her rosary beads. Her only gesture of affection was a quiet kiss on his forehead. Her calmness showed her strong inner peace and control.
In simple words: She saw the author off at the station without showing emotion, praying with her rosary, and silently kissed his forehead.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight how characters express emotions, especially when their outward reactions differ from what might be expected, revealing deeper traits.

Question 12. Why did the author think that his grandmother would die before he returned from abroad?
Answer: The author thought his grandmother might die before he returned because he was going abroad for five years. She was already very old, and he knew that such an extended period meant there was a high chance she might not live to see him again. This was a sad but realistic concern given her age.
In simple words: The author thought his very old grandmother might die because he was leaving for five years, and she might not survive that long.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the logical reasons behind a character's fears or premonitions, based on factual circumstances like age and duration of absence.

Question 13. How did the grandmother receive the author at the station?
Answer: The grandmother met the author at the station upon his return. She was so overcome with emotion that she didn't speak a single word. Instead, she hugged him tightly and continued her silent prayers, showing her joy and relief through actions rather than words. This deeply religious expression was typical of her.
In simple words: The grandmother received the author at the station by hugging him tightly and praying silently, without speaking.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on physical gestures and non-verbal cues that convey a character's feelings when words are not used.

Question 14. How did the grandmother enjoy the return of the author?
Answer: The grandmother celebrated the author's return in her own unique way. She spent an unusually long time feeding the sparrows, gently scolding them playfully. In the evening, she gathered the women from her neighborhood, brought out an old drum, and sang songs about the return of warriors from battle. This energetic celebration was a rare display of her joy.
In simple words: She enjoyed the author's return by feeding sparrows for a long time and singing warrior homecoming songs with neighborhood women, beating an old drum.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe specific celebratory actions that reveal a character's personality and cultural background.

Question 15. Why was the grandmother persuaded to stop playing the drum?
Answer: The grandmother played the old drum very enthusiastically and sang songs about warriors returning home for many hours. This vigorous activity was too much for her elderly body. She was clearly becoming very tired, so her family members had to lovingly ask her to stop because they were worried about her health. They knew such exertion could be harmful for her.
In simple words: The grandmother was playing the drum and singing for so long that she became very tired, so her family asked her to stop for her health.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always explain the reason behind an action, especially when it involves someone's well-being and the concern of others.

Question 16. How can it be said that the grandmother knew that her end had come?
Answer: We can say the grandmother knew her end was near because even though the doctor thought her mild fever was not serious, she herself stated that she wouldn't waste her remaining time talking. She believed her life's first chapter was closing and wished to spend her final moments in prayer. Her subsequent death proved her premonition was correct. This showed her strong spiritual connection and acceptance.
In simple words: She knew her end was coming because, despite a mild fever, she said she wouldn't waste time talking and wanted to pray instead, and then she truly died.

🎯 Exam Tip: Point to a character's direct statements or actions that indicate a premonition or acceptance of their fate, especially when these contradict medical opinion.

Question 17. How did the grandmother take her last breath?
Answer: The grandmother passed away peacefully while lying in bed, still praying and counting her rosary beads. Suddenly, her lips stopped moving, and the rosary slipped from her fingers, which had become still. A calm paleness spread across her face, indicating her serene departure. This quiet end matched her life of devotion.
In simple words: She took her last breath peacefully in bed, praying with her rosary. Her lips stopped moving, the rosary fell, and a calm paleness covered her face.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the final moments with precise details, highlighting the peacefulness and dignity of the character's passing.

Question 18. Why did the sparrows take no notice of the bits of bread?
Answer: The sparrows ignored the bread crumbs because they were deeply saddened by the grandmother's death. They had a strong emotional bond with her, as she fed them daily. When she passed away, they too mourned, showing their grief by not touching the food that was usually a source of joy for them. This unusual behavior highlighted their loyalty and sorrow.
In simple words: Sparrows ignored the bread because they were emotionally attached to the grandmother and were mourning her death.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain unusual animal behavior by linking it to their emotional connection with a character, especially in moments of grief.

Question 19. Explain the odd way in which the author's grandmother behaved just before she died.
Answer: Just before her death, the grandmother behaved unusually by not speaking to anyone. She lay peacefully in bed, fully focused on praying and counting her rosary beads. She specifically refused to talk, wanting to use all her remaining moments for spiritual devotion. This quiet, resolute dedication to prayer in her final hours was a very peculiar yet fitting way for her to prepare for her end.
In simple words: Before she died, the grandmother stopped talking and spent all her time quietly praying with her rosary beads.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing peculiar behavior, emphasize its contrast with normal actions and connect it to the character's core beliefs or spiritual state.

Question 20. Explain the way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author's grandmother died.
Answer: The sparrows showed their sadness by gathering around the grandmother's body, which was wrapped in a red cloth. They remained completely silent, without their usual chirping, as if paying their respects. This quiet vigil continued until her body was carried away, at which point they also flew away silently, showing a profound collective grief. Their actions reflected their deep bond with the grandmother.
In simple words: The sparrows showed sorrow by gathering silently around the grandmother's body and flying away quietly when she was taken.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail the non-verbal expressions of grief from animals, noting their collective behavior and how it contrasts with their usual actions.

B. Answer the following questions in 125 words each:

Question 1. How can you say that the prayer was an inseparable part of the life of the grandmother?
Answer: Prayer was clearly an essential part of the grandmother's life, as shown by many examples. She always had her rosary beads in hand, silently praying. When the author left for abroad, she saw him off at the station, but her lips continued to move in prayer, and her mind was focused on devotion. Even upon his return, when she embraced him at the station, she continued to pray, having no time for conversation. Finally, just before her death, she refused to speak, dedicating her last moments entirely to prayer. These consistent actions prove that prayer was not just a habit but a core, unbreakable part of her existence and identity.
In simple words: Prayer was a constant part of the grandmother's life, from always carrying her rosary to silently praying when saying goodbye or welcoming the author, and even during her final moments.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide multiple specific instances throughout the narrative to strongly support claims about a character's enduring habits or beliefs.

Question 2. Give three reasons why the author's grandmother was disturbed when the author started going to a school in the city.
(a) No religious teaching at the English school:
(b) She could not help the author in his studies:
(c) Music was taught at school:
Answer: The author's grandmother was troubled for three main reasons when he started attending an English school in the city:
(a) **Lack of religious education:** The school did not teach anything about God or holy scriptures, which deeply upset her as she believed religious instruction was crucial. She valued spiritual learning above all else.
(b) **Inability to help with studies:** In the village, she could assist him with his lessons, but in the city, she couldn't understand English and felt helpless in helping him with his new subjects. This made her feel less connected to his academic life.
(c) **Music lessons:** She was highly disturbed by the fact that music was being taught at the school. In her traditional view, music was associated only with prostitutes and beggars, not with respectable people or proper education. This clashed with her strong moral beliefs.
In simple words: She was disturbed because the city school lacked religious teaching, she couldn't help him study English, and she disapproved of music lessons, which she considered improper.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly enumerate and explain each reason, connecting them back to the grandmother's established character traits and traditional values.

Question 4. Narrate the values of life you learn from the lesson 'The Portrait of a Lady'. (Board Sample Paper, 2018) एक महिला का शब्दचित्र' नामक पाठ से आप जो जीवन-मूल्य सीखते हैं उनका वर्णन कीजिए।
Answer: This lesson teaches us several important life values. Firstly, we should have strong faith in God, as godliness brings happiness to a family. Secondly, it emphasizes kindness and love towards animals and birds; we should always feed and care for them. The story also highlights the deep love and care that grandparents have for their grandchildren. It shows us how important it is for children to be taught about God and religious texts, which the grandmother believed in deeply. The sparrows mourning her death demonstrates that kindness to animals is often returned with loyalty. This story truly reflects how simple virtues can guide a life and leave a lasting impact.
In simple words: The lesson teaches us to believe in God, be kind to animals, and cherish the love of grandparents. It also shows the importance of religious teaching and how animals can show affection back.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing values, link each value directly to an event or character trait from the story to support your points effectively.