AHSEC Class 12 English Solved Question Paper 2025 [AHSEC Class 12 Solved Question Papers]

English Solved Question Paper 2025
AHSEC Class 12 Question Papers

Full Marks: 100

Pass Marks: 30

Time: 3 hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions.

[Section-A: Reading Skill] - 10 Marks

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning him into an immortal personality. He, along with his kingdom, became a synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented their magnificence, despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky, thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar.

2. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact, only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily. Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence, even today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high-quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a long-standing tradition sustained by several generations.

3. The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long span of time; otherwise, such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature. They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The ambience of Mewar remains lovely, thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people.

4. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed, literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer. Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort, Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijaya Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.

5. The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History took a turn. The fortune of Mewar - the land of the brave started waning. Rana tried to save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious traditions for some time.

Questions:

(a) Who is the earliest king of Mewar mentioned in the passage? – 1

Ans: The earliest king of Mewar Bappa Rawal.

(b) What was Rana Kumbha's contribution to the glory of Mewar? – 2

Ans: Rana Kumbha's contribution to the glory of Mewar was:

- He gave a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work.

- During his reign, literature and art progressed extraordinarily.

- He himself was inclined towards writing, and his works are still read with reverence.

(c) Describe the life of people of Mewar. – 2

Ans: The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long span of time, allowing for extraordinary accomplishments in art and literature. They are characterized by their loving nature and a cheerful and liberal character.

(d) How did the people of Mewar compensate their lack of excellent physique? – 2

Ans: The people of Mewar were able to compensate for their lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. Furthermore, their cheerful and liberal character contributed to the lovely ambience of Mewar.

(e) What does the erection of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signify? – 2

Ans: The fact that both the capitals are standing side by side in the same fort signifies:

- That Mewar was not only the land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture.

- The proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.

- The liberal nature of the then administration which allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction work.

(f) Find words from the passage which mean the same as:

(i) efficient and capable (para 2) – ½

Ans: competent

(ii) evidence (para 4) – ½

Ans: testimony

Section-B: Advanced Writing Skills – 25 Marks

2. Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library on the value of books and good reading habits. You may use slogans. 5

Ans:

OR

Water supply will be suspended for eight hours (10 am to 6 pm) on 5th April' 25 for cleaning of the water tank. Write a notice in about 50 words advising the residents to store water for a day. You are Janak /Janaki, Secretary, Prasanti Housing Society. 5

3. Keeping in view the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, floods and torrential rains in different parts of the country, your school arranged a talk on disaster management. The speaker explained the precautionary measures to be taken by the public and the government in case of emergency. As a student reporter, prepare a report on the talk in 100-125 words, to be published in your school magazine. 10

OR

A major bus mishap which left several people seriously injured took place in Numaligarh. Luckily no life was lost. Collect the information from the eyewitnesses and send a report in 100-125 words to 'The Sentinel'. 10

4. A newly established Museum of Indian History and Culture in your city requires a general manager for the Museum. Write an application, along with your detailed resume, to the Director in response to the advertisement applying for the post.  10

Sunil / Sunita

H. No. 12, Main Road

Guwahati, Assam

December 15, 2025

To

The Director

Museum of Indian History and Culture, Paltan Bajar

Guwahati, Assam

Subject: Application for the post of General Manager.

Sir/Madam,

This letter is in response to your advertisement for the post of General Manager for the newly established Museum of Indian History and Culture. I am keenly interested in this challenging role and wish to submit my application for your consideration.

I hold a Master's degree in History/Management and possess over ten years of experience in administration, project management, and cultural heritage promotion, specifically within the museum and archival sector. My professional background aligns perfectly with the requirement to manage the operations, staff, exhibitions, and visitor engagement for a significant cultural institution.

I believe my leadership skills, financial acumen, and deep respect for Indian history and culture make me an ideal candidate to lead your museum successfully from its foundational phase.

I have enclosed my detailed Bio-Data which outlines my qualifications, work experience, and accomplishments for your review. I am available for a personal interview at your earliest convenience.

If given the opportunity, I assure you of my utmost commitment to ensuring the museum’s smooth operation and its success as a major cultural landmark in the city.

Yours sincerely,

(Signature)

Sunil / Sunita

ENCLOSURES:

1. Detailed Bio-Data

2. Copies of Certificates and Testimonials

BIO-DATA (Curriculum Vitae)

Personal Details
NAME	Sunil / Sunita
FATHER'S NAME	Mr. R. C. Sharma
ADDRESS	H. No. 12, Main Road, Guwahati, Assam
CONTACT NO.	9911XXXXXX
EMAIL ID	sunita.x@email.com
DATE OF BIRTH	20 April 1985
NATIONALITY	Indian
MARITAL STATUS	Married
GENDER	Male / Female
AGE	40 years

 

Academic Qualifications
YEAR	EXAMINATION	BOARD/UNIVERSITY	INSTITUTE	GRADE/PERCENTAGE
2008	M.A. in History (Specialization: Museology)	Delhi University	Hindu College, Delhi	72%
2006	B.A. (Hons.) in History	Delhi University	Hindu College, Delhi	68%
2003	H.S. 2nd Year	CBSE	[Your School Name]	85%
2001	H.S.L.C.	CBSE	[Your School Name]	90%

 

Work Experience (10+ Years)
S. NO.	ORGANISATION	POSITION HELD	FROM
1	State Museum and Archives, Assam	Deputy Manager, Administration	May 2015
2	Heritage Preservation Society, Kolkata	Project Coordinator	July 2010

 

Key Skills and Accomplishments
Management & Leadership	Successfully managed a team of 30+ staff members and coordinated large-scale exhibition logistics.
Financial Acumen	Managed annual budgets exceeding Rs. 50 lakhs and secured grants for multiple heritage projects.
Technical Proficiency	Proficient in Museum Management Systems (MMS), archival standards, and IT administration.
Communication	Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience liaising with government bodies and international partners.

 

Languages Known	Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali.

Declaration: I hereby declare that the information provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: December 15, 2025

Place: Guwahati

(Signature)

Sunil / Sunita

 

 

OR

Write a letter to the Editor of 'The Assam Tribune' highlighting the importance of proper garbage disposal with an aim to create awareness among the city residents in your city. You are Kamal/ Karabi. 10

Ans:

To,                                                                                                                                          Date: 02/02/2026

The Editor

 The Assam Tribune

Guwahati – 781003

Sub: Drawing attention to the importance of proper garbage disposal.

Dear Sir,

Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the Municipal Corporation and the concerned department of the State Government to the urgent need for proper garbage disposal in our city.

The residents of this area have been facing great trouble because of unscheduled dumping of garbage in public places and improper disposal methods. This failure to handle waste correctly has led to accumulated garbage becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies, and rodents. This creates unhygienic conditions and spreads diseases like dengue and malaria, particularly during this season. The worst sufferers are the children and the elderly.

The residents are often unaware of the correct methods of waste segregation (separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste). We have also noticed that the residents have not been motivated enough to use the designated bins provided by the municipal corporation. So far nothing has been done to launch an intensive awareness drive, and unscheduled dumping continues as before, in spite of the health risks. The residents have also brought the matter to the notice of the concerned department of the Government.

Hope this will attract the attention of the concerned authority and make them take requisite steps to educate the public and regularize proper garbage disposal systems in the areas.

Yours Truly,

Kamal / Karabi

Dibrugarh

Section-C: Grammar – 20 Marks

5. Change the narration of any two: 1x2 = 2

(a) He said to the boys, “Let us start at once, otherwise we may miss the train.”

Ans: He suggested to the boys that they should start at once, otherwise they might miss the train.

(b) Bimal told Gopal that he was the first boy in the class and he would remain so till he left the school.

Ans: Bimal said to Gopal, “You are the first boy in the class and you will remain so till you leave the school.”

(c) Macbeth asked his wife whether she heard a noise. She said to him, "Go back and wash your hands".

Ans: Macbeth said to his wife, “Did you hear a noise?” She told him to go back and wash his hands.

6. Change the voice of any three: 1x3 = 3

(a) Summon the fire brigade.
Ans: Let the fire brigade be summoned.

(b) Sita always plays the sitar.
Ans: The sitar is always played by Sita.

(c) He has kept me waiting here.
Ans: I have been kept waiting here by him.

(d) The team is developing the software.
Ans: The software is being developed by the team.

(e) The house was blown down.
Ans: Someone/They blew down the house.

(f) Why wasn't the matter brought to my notice?
Ans: Why did no one bring the matter to my notice?

7. Use the correct form of verbs (any five): 1x5 = 5

(a) Most of the people in India __________ (believe) in God.

Ans: (a) Most of the people in India believe in God.

(b) We two __________ (be) friends for ages.

Ans: (b) We two have been friends for ages.

(c) When he started for office, it still __________ (rain).

Ans: (c) When he started for office, it still was raining.

(d) Hurry up, the taxi __________ (wait).

Ans: (d) Hurry up, the taxi is waiting.

(e) If you __________ (request) him, he would have helped you.

Ans: (e) If you had requested him, he would have helped you.

(f) I wish I __________ (can) help you.

Ans: (f) I wish I could help you.

(g) The other day I __________ (meet) a magician in the bazaar.

Ans: (g) The other day I met a magician in the bazaar.

(h) Please ring me up as soon as he __________ (come).

Ans: (h) Please ring me up as soon as he comes.

8. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions (any four): 1x4 = 4

(a) Your story is devoid __________ truth.

Ans: (a) Your story is devoid of truth.
(b) Hydrogen combines __________ oxygen to form water.

Ans: (b) Hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water.

(c) Prof. Singh delivered a lecture __________ nuclear fusion.

Ans: (c) Prof. Singh delivered a lecture on nuclear fusion.
(d) He has been ill __________ last three years.

Ans: (d) He has been ill for the last three years.

(e) Last night a thief broke __________ my house.

Ans: (e) Last night a thief broke into my house.
(f) He is __________ trial now.

Ans: (f) He is on trial now.

9. Rewrite the sentences as directed (any four):  1x4 = 4

(a) Can anyone take failure with an easy mind? (Make assertive)

Ans: No one can take failure with an easy mind.

(b) You may go anywhere. (Make complex)

Ans: You may go wherever you like.

(c) You can be allowed here only if you are a student. (Make simple)

(c) You can be allowed here only if you are a student. (Make simple)
Ans: To be allowed here, you must be a student.

(d) Platinum is more valuable than gold. (Use positive degree)

Ans: Gold is not as valuable as platinum.

(e) Everybody loves flowers. (Make interrogative)

Ans: Does everybody love flowers?

(f) It is a matter of joy that we won the Champions Trophy. (Make exclamatory)

Ans: What a matter of joy it is that we won the Champions Trophy!

(g) I offended him by doing this. (Make compound)

Ans: I did this and offended him.

(h) We often go out for dinner on weekends __________. (Add a question tag)

Ans: We often go out for dinner on weekends, don’t we?

Section-D: Textbooks – 45 Marks

10. Read either of the following extracts and answer:

(A) but after the airport's

security check, standing a few yards away,

I looked again at her, wan, pale

as a late winter's moon and felt that old

familiar ache, my childhood's fear,

but all I said was see you soon,

Amma, all I did was smile and smile and smile..............

(a) What did the poet do after the security check?           1

Ans: After the security check, the speaker stood a few yards away and looked at her mother again.

(b) Why did the poet compare her mother's face to a late winter's moon?           2

Ans: The poet compares her mother's face to a late winter's moon. Just as a 'late winter's moon' looks colourless and dull because of mist and fog, the poet's mother 's face looks pale and lacks shine due to old age. Moreover, winter is the last season, and old age is the last phase of life.

(c) What is her childhood's fear?              1

Ans: The poet’s childhood fear is that she might lose her mother and never see her again.

OR

(B) "For once on the face of the Earth

let's not speak in any language,

let's stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much."

(a) Name the poet.         1

Ans. The poet of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ is Pablo Neruda.

(b) "Let's not speak in any language”, says the poet. Why?          2

Ans. The poet wants us not to speak in any language because we waste our lots of time in unnecessary talks and fail to introspect our activities. There will be no language barrier and no harsh word will be spoken if we don't speak in any language.

(c) What do you understand by face of the Earth?            1

The phrase "on the face of the earth" refers simply to the entire world or everywhere on the globe. In the context of the poem Keeping Quiet, it signifies all of humanity, suggesting that people everywhere should stop their activity and remain silent for a moment of introspection.

11. Answer any three of the following questions in 30-40 words: 2×3=6

(i) Why are the Young Trees described as 'sprinting'?

Ans. The poet was driving a car with her mother. When she looked at the trees, they appeared to be 'sprinting because the car was speeding past in the opposite direction. The 'young trees' represented life in contrast to her mother's approaching death. It signifies a zeal and enthusiasm for life.

(ii) What alternatives does the poet suggest instead of indulging in wars in the poem 'Keeping Quiet'?

Ans. The poet wants a total cessation of all kind of wars. Green wars against the environment, wars with poisonous gases and fire must stop immediately. Instead of indulging in wars, the people must come out in their best dresses with their brothers. They should go out for a walk, enjoying themselves doing nothing.

(iii) What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

Ans: The poet uses the image of an endless fountain of immortal drink to describe the bountiful bounty of nature. Keats considers nature and the beauty of nature as an endless fountain of immortal drink. The sun, the moon, the daffodils, the clear streams, the forests, etc., are a few beautiful images that make a profound impact on us.

(iv) Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead'?

Ans.  Grandeur is associated with the mighty dead as stories of their lives of achievement serve as an inspiration to those who read or hear about them. These were people who devoted their lives for a worthy cause and were martyred for it. The grandeur of the mighty dead lies in their noble deeds. They continue to live through their acts of valour which continue to motivate all those who hear or read about it.

(v) How did the travellers on the highways react to the roadside stand?

Ans: Many things irritated those passersby who stopped at the roadside stand. The badly painted buildings spoilt the landscape, the writings on the signboard were defective, the letters ‘N’ and ‘S’ weren’t properly written and most importantly, the place didn’t provide much stuff for shopping.

(vi) What does the expression 'polished traffic' refer to? What does it reveal about city people?

Ans:

12. Answer any five of the following questions: 1×5=5

(a) What makes the city of Firozabad famous?

Ans: The city of Firozabad is famous for being the biggest manufacturer of glass bangles in the world.

(b) What did Hauser bring?

Ans: Hauser, one of the elderly villagers, brought his old primer, which was "thumbed at the edges," to the last French lesson.

(c) Who were ready to follow Gandhi into jail? ·

Ans: The prominent lawyers of Bihar, who had initially hesitated to help, declared their readiness to follow Gandhi into jail.

(d) What was Mukesh's dream?

Ans: Mukesh dreams of becoming a motor mechanic and learning to drive a car, which is an aspiration that defies his family's traditional occupation of bangle-making.

(e) What are mahseers?

Ans: Mahseers are a type of large edible freshwater fish belonging to the carp family, which the author Rowntree discovered in the river.

(f) What was the name of Geoff's younger brother?

Ans: Derek

(g) What's the meaning of the word 'gawky'? - Introvert, Ugly or Trustworthy

Ans: Ugly

(h) At what time of the year was the North Bank 'delightful’?

Ans: The North Bank was considered 'delightful' during the winter or cold weather time of the year.

(i) For last two years, where did all bad news come from?

Ans: For the last two years, all the bad news, such as lost battles and conscription orders, came from the bulletin board at the Town Hall.

13. Answer any five in 30-40 words: 2×5=10

(a) Franz thinks, "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" What could this mean?

(b) Give a description of Bunglow at Gauhati where John Rowntree stayed.

(c) Why did Gandhiji feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?

(d) How did Rajkumar Shukla establish that he was resolute?

(e) Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from having dreams?

(f) 'Garbage to them is gold'. How do ragpickers of Seemapuri survive?

(g) Describe the irony in Saheb's name.

(h) Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff's silence?

14. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words: 1×5=5

(a) Give a character sketch of M. Hamel.

Ans. M. Hamel was a Frenchman and loyal to his country and its language. He had been teaching French in the school for the last forty years. He was a strict teacher. We find that Franz, who narrates the story, was scared of him when he failed to prepare on participles. He became melancholic when the order came from Berlin that in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine, only German language would be taught because he felt that his students would be deprived of the right to learn their mother tongue. On the last day of this school, he wore his best dress, which he wore only on inspection and prize days. Though he was strict and disciplinarian, still on the day of his last class, he did not scold Franz for coming late and for failure to recite the rules of participles. The people in the village appreciated his efforts and turned up in a large number to attend his last lesson to show their respect for him. Apart from teaching French, he was fond of gardening and fishing. He was so enthusiastic about fishing that at times he gave the students a holiday so that he could go fishing. He was emotional too. He got emotional on his last day in the school. He urged his students and the villagers to cherish their native language and never forget it.

(b) Describe the author's experiences of the floods on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra during the monsoon.

Ans. Once Rowntree and his family were on a tour in the North Bank. The rains broke out suddenly and though the roads were motorable, driving became difficult and dangerous. Most of the main roads were built on top of embankments so that they could stand above normal flood level. The roads were narrow and single track. The road that they were travelling on, became slippery.  The car started skidding and finally slithered into a paddy field six feet below the road. Paddy fields were divided into small enclosures by low banks to retain the water and they had a bumpy ride before getting back on the road. At the start of their trip, the roads had been dry and under a cloud of dust. At one place, road work was in progress and a six-inch-high ramp lay on the road concealed by the dust. The car hit it and the impact was considerable. There were several of them in the car and being packed like a tin of sardines probably saved their bones. The author recalls this as one of the bumpiest rides he ever had.

(c) Give an account of Gandhiji's efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran?

Ans. Most of the cultivable land in Champaran was owned by Englishmen and worked on by Indian tenants. The main crop for commercial purposes was indigo. All tenants were forced by the landlords to cultivate indigo on 15% of the land they worked on and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. On knowing that Germany had developed synthetic indigo, the landlords took an undertaking from the tenants to pay them compensation to be released from the 15% arrangement. Most of the tenants signed willingly, and the landlords used force in other cases that did not agree. The peasants got to know about synthetic indigo, and they wanted their money back.

Gandhi came to Champaran at the insistence of Rajkumar Shukla. Gandhi's persistent efforts compelled the Lieutenant Governor of the province to set up an inquiry commission to look into the problems of the sharecroppers. The committee found the British landlords to be guilty of fleecing the poor peasants. The landlords were asked to give the money back to the peasants. Gandhi asked that 50% of the money be restored to the sharecroppers whereupon the planters suggested for 25% to be refunded. Gandhi agreed to this amount, and thus a solution was found. This restored the dignity of the sharecroppers, who finally realized that they, too, had rights and defenders. It also battered the prestige of the British landlords who thought that they could get away with anything.

15. Answer any one of the following questions in 125-150 words: 1×7=7

(a) Why did Dr. Sadao Hoki go to America? Narrate his experiences there.

Ans: Dr. Sadao Hoki was sent to America at the age of twenty-two to pursue higher studies in medicine and surgery, fulfilling his serious father's wish to ensure his son received a good education. He returned eight years later at the age of thirty as a successful surgeon and scientist.

His experiences in America were mixed. Sadao recalled the difficulty he faced in finding suitable accommodation because he was Japanese, a clear instance of racial prejudice. Conversely, he was shown kindness by an American professor and his wife, at whose house he met Hana, a new student who would become his wife. Despite falling in love, Sadao demonstrated his adherence to his father's traditional views by waiting to ensure Hana was Japanese before they married upon returning to Japan.

(b) Describe how Mr. Lamb and Derry's conversation bring about a change in Derry's views towards life.

Ans. Mr. Lamb is gentle and patient with Derry. He listens to Derry speak about his insecurities and his painful experiences. He does not judge him, but his attitude is full of encouragement. He makes him feel welcome and considers Derry a friend. He does not feel disappointment at the sight of Derry's burned face and accepts him as he is. He reminds Derry that he has all his faculties intact and if he decided to, he could do better than most others in life. He tells him the story of a man who was afraid of everything. To be safe, the man locked himself up in a room. A picture from the wall fell on his head, killing him. Through this story, he tries to tell Derry not to have baseless fears. Throughout the play, Mr. Lamb encourages Derry to look at the brighter side of life and not focus on the negative things alone.

(c) What is Kati Bihu's significance? How is Kati Bihu celebrated in Assam?

Ans: Kati Bihu is a festival of little public significance and is also known as Kongali Bihu. This name is given because the farmers' granaries usually remain empty during this time of the year (autumn), representing a period of scarcity before the final harvest. The festival therefore lacks the fervor, gaiety, and large-scale celebrations associated with other Bihu festivals like Magh Bihu. Its significance is solemn, focusing on prayers for the protection and successful growth of the standing paddy crop rather than feasting.

Kati Bihu is primarily celebrated with quiet, domestic rituals in Assam. In the family yard, a light is placed in front of the Tulasi plant. Women and children gather to sing a particular song to the plant, addressing it as ‘Mother’ and asking about Krishna.

Also, Farmers perform a crucial rite by placing earthen lamps in the paddy fields. This act is a form of prayer for the protection of the crop from pests and to ensure a bountiful harvest, marking the observance as an appeal for abundance in a lean season.

16. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words: 2×4=8

(a) Briefly describe the custom of 'magan' or 'begging' associated with the Kacharies.

Ans: The Kacharis practise the custom of magan or begging during Magh Bihu. On the seventh day of Magh Bihu, they clean the utensils, sacrifice fowls to their god, Bathou and go out for carol singing, collecting eatables.

(b) Who is Derry? How does Derry get into Lamb's garden?

Ans. Derry is a 14 years’ person who enters Mr. Lamb's garden by climbing over the wall. Derry entered Mr. Lamb's garden, thinking the place was empty. He did not enter with the intention of stealing anything but to be in the garden. Though the gate was open, he entered the garden by climbing over the wall.

(c) How did the Tiger King meet his end?

Ans. The wooden toy tiger, bought by the king, was carved by an unskilled carpenter and tiny slivers of wood stood up like quills all over it. The king and his son were playing with the toy tiger when one of these quills pierced the Maharaja's right hand. He pulled it out and continued to play with his son. The next day, there was an infection in his right hand, which developed into a sore that spread over his entire arm. Surgeons were summoned from Madras, and they operated on the king. They were not able to save him and he died. In this way, the hundredth tiger took its revenge upon the king.

(d) Why did Zitkala-Sa feel uncomfortable in the dining room?

Ans. Zitkala-Sa felt uncomfortable in the dining room as she was in a new place and exposed to a new culture. She was not familiar with the dining etiquette there. Thinking that they had to be seated, Zitkala pulled out a chair and sat on it. But to her surprise, everybody kept standing. A 'paleface woman' watched her keenly. She was getting up when the second bell rang, and all were seated. Then a third bell was tapped. Everyone picked up his knife and fork and began eating and she began to cry.

(e) What advice did Annan offer Bama?

Ans. Annan said that they didn't get honour or dignity because of belonging to the community that they were born into. However, if they studied, they could progress and discard the indignity. He advised her to work hard and study and learn all that she could. If she were good in her studies, people would come to her of their own accord.

(f) Why does Derry's mother oppose his going back to the old man's garden?

Ans. Derry's mother is quite sceptical of Mr. Lamb. She considers him to be eccentric. She claims that she has heard many things about Mr. Lamb and some have also warned her against him. She has a prejudiced attitude toward Mr. Lamb. That is why she doesn't want Derry to meet Mr. Lamb.

(g) Who was Hana? What did she notice coming out of the mist?

Ans: Mrs. Hana was Dr Sadao wife, Dr Sadao and Hana saw something black coming out of the mists. It was a man who was flung up, out of the ocean.

******