Assignment No: 1 Subject: ENGLISH CORE Class: XI

Post Date: 02/05/2024 Submit Date: 21/06/2024

The Portrait of a Lady

Characters:
Khushwant Singh: Khushwant Singh, the narrator of the story ‘The Portrait of a Lady’ was a sensitive and observant
person. Having been entirely brought up under his grandmother’s care, he displays a genteel sensitivity towards
her. He cherished the memories of his association with his grandmother. He has beautifully described the details about
many episodes from his past life that were related to his grandmother. His description of his grandmother’s old age,
her movements, her religious beliefs, and her association with sparrows reflect his ability to describe the common
things with sensitive delicacy. He was a great author, grandson, and human being.
Grandmother: The grandmother was an old woman with a wrinkled face who was once young and pretty. She was
short, fat, and slightly bent. The narrator portrays her as a “winter landscape in the mountains” since she constantly
wore a white dress with her silver hair hiding her face. She is deeply religious and spends much of her time reciting
prayers and counting the beads of her rosary. She is kind-hearted and has a routine of feeding the village dogs. In the
city, she fed the sparrows with bits of bread. She was very attached to her grandson and would spend hours talking to
him about his studies. However, she is traditional and does not approve of the new syllabus that her grandson is
studying, which she feels does not teach him about God and the religious scriptures. Her relationship with her
grandson changes as he grows up and moves away from her. Despite this, she continues to care for him and welcomes
him when he returns home. She is a simple, loving, and devout woman who lives her life according to her faith and
traditions.

Grandfather: The author’s grandfather’s portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing room. In the picture, he
wore a big turban and loose fitting clothes and also, had a long white beard which covered his best part of the chest.
He had passed away a long time back. Khushwant Singh had never seen his grandfather. The author’s grandfather
seemed to have the look of a man who neither had a wife nor children, only lots and lots of grandchildren because he
looked that old.
Questions:

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She
rarely left her spinning wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting
her prayers. Only in the afternoon, she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah,
breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of
chirrupings.
1. “The common link of their friendship was snapped”— Comment. 1

2. The grandmother used to spend most of her time with ____________________________ 1

(a) birds (b) spinning the wheel and reciting prayers (c) household chores (d) taking care of the
author.
3. The character of the grandmother was – 1
A. Independent and loving B. Arrogant C. Intolerant D. Rude and careless

4. Mention how the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died. 3
 Answer : The author’s grandmother built a close relationship with the sparrows after she moved to
the city. She used to feed the sparrows every day. After her death, she was laid on the floor and
covered with a red shroud. When the author and family members came to carry her body, they
witnessed thousands of sparrows on the veranda and in her room. They sat quietly on the floor. The
author’s mother went inside to bring some bread for the birds. But they didn’t eat the bread crumbs
and started to fly away after her body was carried out of the room.
5. Elucidate the phrase ‘not pretty but beautiful’. 3
7. Comment on the turning point of the friendship between grandmother and author. 3
8. Discuss the relevance of the title ‘The Portrait of a Lady’. 6

A Photograph

The poem is a tribute to the poet’s mother. She is looking at an old photograph of her mother which has a frame of
cardboard. The picture has three girls in which the middle one is the oldest and tallest. It was her mother when she
was twelve years old or so. Beside her, on both sides are her two cousins, Betty and Dolly, who are holding her hands
and are younger than her. They went for paddling on a beach holiday. Her uncle took the photograph then. The poet
could not help but notice her mother’s sweet face. The sea touched her terribly transient feet which depicted that she
changed over the years and the sea remained the same.
After twenty-thirty years, her mother would laugh at the photograph. She would make the poet look at the
photograph and tell her how their parents would dress them up for the beach holiday. The beach holiday was her
mother’s favourite past memories while her laugh was the poet’s favourite memory. Both of them lost something
which they cherished a lot and yet cannot live that moment again. Those sweet moments were memories now.
Now, the poet’s mother had been dead for the past twelve years, which is the same number as of her age
when the photograph was taken back then. She cannot express the grief that she has from her mother’s absence.

Main Points:
1. The poet looks at a childhood photograph of her mother.
2. She had gone for a sea holiday with her two cousins Betty and Dolly
3. While they were paddling on the beach, their uncle photographed their sweet smile in a camera.
4. Both the cousins were holding the hands of her mother who was the oldest among the girls.
5. This was before the poet was born.
6. Time fled past since then and all those who were in the photograph underwent changes while the sea remained
the same.
7. Her mother would look at the photograph after about twenty or thirty years and laugh at this photo nostalgically.
8. Now for the poet her mother’s laughter and her sea holiday is a thing of the past.
9. Her mother died about 12 years ago.
10. The silence of the photograph silences the poet.
11. She experiences great loss.
Questions:

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

All three stood still to smile through their hair

At the uncle with the camera. A sweet face,
My mother’s, that was before I was born.
And the sea, which appears to have changed less,
Washed their terribly transient feet.
1. The ‘three’ are ___________________ 1
2. What is the effect of using the word ‘still’ in line 1 of the stanza? Select the option that is not true. 1

i. To show that the photograph captures a moment in time.

ii. To contrast the movement of the sea with the stillness of people.
iii. To imply that the people are no longer alive or swimming.
iv. To create a sense of suspense and mystery.

3. Describe about the theme of nostalgia from the given extract. 1

 4. 3
The poet uses the word ‘transient’ to describe the feet of her mother and her cousins. Why she had
done so?
Ans: Her mother was 12 years old when the photograph was taken, and her cousins were much younger
than her. The poet uses the word ‘transient’ to refer to the constant change that they would be
subjected to throughout their life as they kept growing year by year.

5. Describe the moments that the camera has captured. 3

6. “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss” – Explain 3

7. Comment on the tone of the poem. 3

8 Happy moments are short lived but provided a lifetime memory. Comment in the light of the poem ‘A 6
Photograph’.

The Summer of The Beautiful White Horse

The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan revolves around two Armenian boys. The boys belong to
the Garoghlanian tribe. We learn that even though they were poor, they never sacrifice their honesty. In fact, even in the
worst of situations, they were always honest. Similarly, the boys never steal or lie, whatever the situation may be. This
story describes the particular incident about the white horse they once got. Aram is 9 years old and his cousin, Mourad is
13 years old. Aram is very fascinated by the world as things are easy in childhood. Moreover, Mourad is the crazy one, as
everyone calls him. The story begins with Mourad visiting Aram’s house in the morning at 4. To Aram’s surprise, Mourad
has brought a beautiful white horse which he is riding. Mourad assures him that it is indeed a horse and he is not dreaming.
Aram did not believe it because he knew that they were poor and wouldn’t be able to afford a horse. Therefore, the two
boys kept the horse with them for weeks. They use to ride it and sing to it. However, the boys did not let the world know
they have a horse. They were keeping him at a barn of a deserted vineyard. After a while, Aram finds out that Mourad
stole the horse from John Byro. Thus, they made a plan of not returning it to him, although they had second doubts about
keeping it due to their ethics. Finally, on one day, John sees the boys with the white beautiful horse. However, as his family
was known for their honesty, John did not accuse them of stealing. On the other hand, his belief was so strong he just said
that their horse resembles his horse a lot. Consequently, this was a very poignant experience for the boys. They decide to
return the horse and John found it at the vineyard the next day. John gets very happy and shares the news with Aram’s
mother. We also see that his horse is now healthier, well-behaved and more decent than before.
Characters: Aram, the story’s nine-year-old narrator, is an Armenian American boy living in the San Joaquin Valley
in California. He longs to learn to ride a horse.
Mourad is Aram’s cousin, who steals the white horse. He has a way with animals and is believed to have inherited the
family “crazy streak.”
Uncle Khosrove is considered “crazy” and is thus believed to be Mourad’s spiritual father.
John Byro, an Assyrian farmer, is the owner of the white horse.
Questions:

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

I got down and my cousin Mourad kicked his heels into the horse and shouted, Vazire, run. The horse stood on its
hind legs, snorted, and burst into a fury of speed that was the loveliest thing I had ever seen. My cousin Mourad
raced the horse across a field of dry grass to an irrigation ditch, crossed the ditch on the horse, and five minutes
later returned, dripping wet.

1. The phrase ‘hind legs’ means: 1

(i) Front legs (ii) Back legs (iii) Both (i) and (ii) (iv) Neither (i) or (ii)

2. Comment on ‘the loveliest thing’ that the narrator had ever seen. 1
3. Why was Mourad ‘dripping wet’? 1
 4. “I have a way with…….” this famous dialogue belongs to _____________________ 1
5. “A suspicious man would believe his eyes instead of his heart.” – explain. 3
Answer: John Byro, the farmer, said it to the boys when he saw the horse with them. He became very
surprised to see the white horse which was similar to the missing one. But in his heart he could not
doubt the integrity and honesty for the boys due to the faith in their tribe, which was famous for their
honesty.
6. Describe Aram’s first horse ride on the white horse. 3

9. According to Aram, Mourad didn’t actually steal the horse. What was the reason behind this? 3

10. In today’s materialistic world where greed and money are the most important things, the example of 6
the Garoghlanian tribe can teach us many things. What values can we learn from them?

POSTER MAKING
The break-up of 3 marks for Poster writing as per Sample paper issued by CBSE is as follows:-
Format 1; Content 1; Expression 1; Total 3 marks

It can be of the following types: - 1. An appeal for awareness or support, help or action, a warning, or a caution; 2. In
the form of an invitation like posters for carnivals, fests, concerts, exhibitions, etc.; 3. Workshops, seminars.

Points to note:
 As they’re to be put up in a public place, so one should design it in such a way that it catches the attention of
the passer by.
 Should have bigger/bold/capital letters.
 Should not have any extra/ irrelevant matter.
 It can be made catchy by using phrases, slogans and attractive language.
 A poster should always be put in a rectangular box.
Sample Poster:

Q1. You’re the director of health services in the district of Kolkata, West Bengal. You have to educate the public
about the necessity of Oral Polio Vaccine for small children. Design a simple and catchy poster in not more than 50
words to be put up at prominent locations in the entire state. 3
 SPEECH WRITING
[Format 1; Content 2; Expression 2; Total 5]

A speech is an effective way of communicating a message to a large audience. As a form of writing, a speech is similar
to an article except that it begins with a formal address to the audience, is more conversational in tone and concludes
with a ‘Thank You’. A speech is written for a specific purpose like informing, persuading, convincing or entertaining an
audience.
Points to note:
1. Must have a catchy introduction in the form of anecdote, quotation, statistical data or a thought provoking
question.
2. Must reflect speaker’s clarity of thoughts, accuracy of facts and a balanced view through a comparison and
contrast with other viewpoints.
3. A speech may also give reference to newspaper, reports, posters, advertisements or other stimuli.
4. Should be within 120 – 150 words.
Sample Speech:
You are Ankit/Ankita. You have to deliver a speech on the topic “Education Gives One Power”. You have jotted
down the following notes:
Education trains mind—sharpens skill and abilities—Education: a source of power— improve self—be
independent—earn money—ignorance to knowledge—removes superstition—develops a free spirit—important
for women: gives them freedom from social ills—independent—responsible.
Write your speech in 120 - 150 words.
Good morning respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends!
Today I, Ankit/Ankita of class XI of Beachwood School, am here to share my views on the topic, “Education Gives One
Power”.
Education provides us knowledge. It trains our mind and sharpens our skills and abilities. Education refines our tastes
and temperaments and builds our thought process. Vocational courses help young boys to earn and learn together.
They provide means of earning livelihood and open the route to employment. Professional courses, as is evident from
the name itself, equip us for adopting various professions. Some of these highly skilled professionals seek placements
or jobs in esteemed companies and business concerns. Thus education is important for our survival. Decent living is
impossible without good income or high salary. Education improves the quality of our life and frees us of superstition,
foolish, meaningless mind-blocks and rituals. If women are educated the whole family benefits qs the food is
hygienically prepared, children are healthy, well-mannered and disciplined. Education gives us power over our
environment. We can control the situation and shape our destiny. Education spreads awareness among people and
gives them freedom from social ills. It makes people independent by providing them means to learn their living. They
become responsible citizens and realise their rights and duties. In short, education gives one power.
Thank you.
Q1. Deliver a speech in the Inter School Speech competition about the topic ‘Obesity among school children’.
[120 – 150 words]. 5
 TENSES 10
Directions for question 1 to 10 – Given below are the statements with blanks. You are required to fill in the blanks
with appropriate words given in the option so that the sentence appears to be in the correct form of Tense.
Q.1. How many cups of tea_____ yesterday?

1. Did you drink 2. Do you drink 3. You have drunk 4. You were drinking
Q.2. She shall _____ your ice-cream parlour soon because she ____ ice-cream.

1. Be visiting, like 2. Visit, likes 3. Have been visiting, is liking 4.Visiting, like
Q.3. Shakespeare ____ dramas that are appealing to the people of all ages.

1. Wrote 2. Had written 3. Had been writing 4. Has written

Q.4. The barber ___ his finger while he ____ off my hair.

1. Had cut, was chopping 2. Cut, chop 3. Cut, was chopping 4.Cuts, had been chopping
Q.5. Prasoon ___ for Bangalore early and he must ___ by this time.

1. Leave, have been reaching 2. Left, have reached 3. Had left, be reaching 4. Left, have been reached
Q.6. No, Rama is not at home, He ___ just ____ for shopping.

1. had, gone
2. has, gone
3. was , going
4. will have, be going
Q.7. It is clearly ____ ‘passengers ____ to smoke in the train’, still, they ___ ignorant.

1. Written, are not allowed, are being

2. Written, was not allowed, be
3. Wrote, do not allow, are been
4. Written, are not allowing, are been
Q.8. They ____ a football match in the evening. What ___ you do?

1. Were playing, do
2. Played, did
3. Have played, —
4. Are playing, will
Q.9. Sheren ____ what you meant. Please explain it to her again.

1. Don’t understand
2. Didn’t understand
3. Doesn’t understand
4. Hadn’t understand
Q.10. By the end of this September, she ____in this organisation for thirteen years.

1. Will work
2. Had been working
3. Will have been working
4. Will be working.
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