Short answer type questions (two out of three from Prose from the book Vistas)

For Question 11
THE THIRD LEVEL
1. Imagination might be the only great escape. Explain with reference to the lesson ' The third level'.

Ans: The third level is a medium of escape through which the man yearns to be away from life’s harsh realities.
Modern life is devoid of peace and tranquility so man in his quest to seek solace escapes to a place where his
aim is to seek the realization of his dreams and unfulfilled wishes of his subconscious mind.

2. How did 'The World' help Charley to confirm his doubts regarding the existence of a third level?

Ans: Charley noticed that 'The World' a popular newspaper that had stopped its publication before 1894 was
still available. He saw that day’s edition of 'The World'. It was dated, June 11, 1894. The lead story said
something about President Cleveland. This confirmed that he was back in 1894.

3. Why do you think Charley withdrew nearly all the money he had from the bank to buy old-style
currency?

Ans: In ‘The Third Level’, Charley withdraws nearly all of his money from the bank to buy old-style currency
because he becomes convinced that the third level of the Grand Central Terminal is a portal to the past, and
he wants to be able to survive financially in the year 1894. He believes that the currency from that time period
will have a higher value in the past and that he will be able to use it to support himself and his wife, Louisa if
they are unable to return to the present day.

4. Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?

Ans. Yes, there are a lot of instances that tell us about the intersection of time and space in the story. First
intersection being the one between the first two levels of the Grand Central Station and its third level which
is based somewhere in the 1890s whereas the former exists in the present times. Also, when Charley went to
buy tickets for Galesburg which existed in 1894 while he and his wife exists in the present times. Not to ignore
the old-fashioned architecture of the third level in contradiction to the modern interiors of the first two levels.
Lastly, the letter dated 18th July, 1984 that Charley found also throws light upon the intersection of time and
space as both the sender (Sam) and the receiver (Charley) exist in the present times.

5. “The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.” What are the ways in which we
attempt to overcome them?
Ans. One cannot count on fingers the negative aspects the modern lifestyle has to offer. There is stress,
pressure, fear, insecurity and worry. In order to relieve yourself of all these miseries, one can indulge in
creative activities from time to time. Making time for yourself and what you love without worrying about a
productive outcome is a crucial thing many people tend to ignore in the hustle and bustle of daily lives.
Secondly, one can read a good book or even meditate. Long walks in the lap of nature are not to be
underestimated because nature has its own healing power. Apart from these, a short weekend getaway, movie
night with friends or even alone at home can be done in order to dissociate oneself from the routine.
 THE TIGER KING
1. Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.’ In the light of this quote, examine how
knowing the future paved way for the king’s end.

Ans: If the future is bad, one will live in fear and will waste his life. While, if the future is supposed to be
good for him, he might become complacent and lazy. The king having been told of his destiny tried whatever
was possible to avoid it. The king put in great effort and even married a girl from a state with a large population
of tigers. He also refused to let a British officer from hunting in his forests which put his kingdom at great
risk.

2. How did the Dewan save himself when the Maharaja's anxiety reached a fever pitch?

Ans: The Dewan brought a tiger from the People's Park in Madras and kept it hidden in his house. When the
Maharaja threatened him with dire consequences he understood that the only way to save himself was to 'plant'
a tiger for the kill. So, he and his wife dragged the tiger to the forest where the king was hunting.

3. How does the author satirise the upbringing and education of crown princes of Indian states?

Ans. The author makes us laugh by pointing out the excessive love of the Indian kings and queens for English
education and English way of life. They seemed so enamoured of everything English that the crown princes
drank the milk of English cows, were brought up by English nannies and tutored in English by Englishmen.
They saw only English films. Thus, they aped Englishmen in culture and manners.

4. Point out the irony in the statement: “From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers
inhabiting Pratibandapuram.”

Ans. The state banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. An official statement was issued. If
anyone dared to harm a tiger even by flinging a stone at him, all his wealth and property would be confiscated.
The tigers could rejoice that they would not be killed by anyone, but the king. The irony is that they were set
to die at the hands of the Maharaja.

5. “The bullet had missed it.” “This time he killed it without missing his mark.” Whose bullet had missed
the tiger? How was the beast killed ultimately? Bring out the irony of the situation.

Ans. The Maharaja’s bullet missed the tiger though he had taken careful aim at the beast. The shock of the
sound of the bullet made it faint. One hunter took aim from a distance of one foot and shot the tiger dead. It is
ridiculous that the Tiger King who had killed ninety-nine tigers should miss his aim. It is funny that the hunter
takes aim from a hand-shaking distance. The whole situation is ironic

6. What plan did the Maharaja think of to fulfil his vow to kill hundred tigers after the tiger population
became extinct in his state?
Ans. When the tiger population became extinct in his state the Maharaja planned to marry a girl of royal
family of a native state with a large tiger population so that he would kill the remaining thirty tigers in the
state of his father –in-law when he visits that.

7. What caused the death of the Maharaja?

Ans. The prophecy of the chief astrologer came true. A toy-wooden tiger-the hundredth tiger killed the
Maharaja. The sliver quill on the wooden tiger pierced his hand when he was playing with it on the crown
prince’s third birthday. It caused a suppurating sore that spread all over the arm. He was operated but died.

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH

1. Students on Ice is a programme that prepares global citizens. Discuss.

Ans: The Students on Ice programme prepares global citizens in multiple ways. Firstly, it provides students
with a unique and immersive educational experience that exposes them to the magnificent and fragile
ecosystem of the Polar Regions as well as various cultural perspectives.

2. Antarctica is unlike any other place on Earth. Justify the statement.

Ans: Antarctica is unlike any other place on Earth because it is untouched by human beings. It has a simple
ecosystem, existing in its purest and original form. Antarctica holds in its ice-cores half million-year-old
carbon records trapped in its layers of ice.

3. Why does the author say that to visit Antarctica is to be a part of history?
Ans. It is only when you visit Antarctica that you realise all that can happen in a million years, where we have
come from and where we could possibly be heading. We understand the significance of Cordilleran folds, pre-
Cambrian granite shields, ozone and carbon, evolution and extinction.

4. What was the objective of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme?

Ans. The ‘Students on Ice’ programme aims to take high school students to the ends of the world. It provides
them with inspiring educational opportunities which fosters in them a new understanding and respect for our
planet. It offers the future generation of policy makers a life-changing experience at an age when they are
ready to absorb, learn and act.

THE ENEMY
1. What did Dr Sadao do to send off the POW?

Ans. As soon as it was dark Dr Sadao dragged the stout boat down to the shore. He put food, bottled water
and two quilts. He medically examined the man. Then gave him his own little flashlight to signal for food,
gave him Japanese clothes, covered his blond head and let him go.

2. What message does ‘The Enemy’ give?

Ans. ‘The Enemy’ gives the message that humanism transcends all manmade prejudices and barriers. Here
Dr Sadao upholds the ethics of medical profession in treating an enemy. The story is a great lesson of peace,
love, sympathy, fellow feeling and humanism.

3. Sadao and Hana cared about the soldier but were worried about the consequences of being
considerate. What were they worried about?
Ans:

- Decision would be questioned

- Aware of unrest in domestic staff - defiance from them

- Sadao's reputation could be at stake as he was an eminent surgeon.

4. At the end of the conversation with the General, why did Sadao feel relieved and guilt-free?

Ans:

- He was indispensable for the General's well-being and survival.

- General did not trust any other doctor

- If he would be arrested and tried for saving an enemy sailor, General would safeguard his own interest, see
to it that no harm came to Dr.Sadao.

5. Sadao and Hana look upon their time in America with disdain due to the prejudice that they were
subjected to. How does racial prejudice taint a person’s soul forever?

Ans:

- Racial prejudice stains a person's soul forever.

- Instills deep-seated feelings of inferiority, anger, and resentment.

- Undermines one's self-worth, fosters bitterness, and hampers the ability to trust and connect with others.

- leaves a lasting emotional and psychological impact.

On the Face of It
1. If you were to give a different ending to the story, ‘On the Face of It’ how would you end it?

Ans. The ending of the story, ‘On the face of It’ is very sad as Mr Lamb is probably dead. In my opinion,
such a beautiful story should not have such a tragic ending. In the end, Derry should have saved Mr Lamb
from falling by holding the ladder at the last moment. This would have given a message of hope.

2. What qualities of Mr Lamb attracted Derry to him?

Ans. Mr Lamb was a person full of life. Sadness or negativity found no place in his world. His physical
impairment and people’s humiliating remarks had failed to dampen his spirit. His undying optimism and ever
friendly attitude drew Derry towards him. For Derry, Mr Lamb was his source of inspiration.

Memories of Childhood
1. What efforts did Zitkala-Sa make to save her hair from being cut?

Ans. As soon as Zitkala came to know about the decision of cutting her long hair, she decided to struggle.
Quietly, she crept up the stairs into a large empty room which was dim due to the dark green curtains. She
moved to the farthest corner from the door and then crawled under a bed. She did not come out even when she
heard Judewin calling her name. They found her and dragged her out. Although she resented by kicking and
scratching wildly and shaking her head, they cut her long hair.

2. How did Bama feel when her brother told her about Untouchability?

Ans. Bama felt sad and infuriated. She felt angry and wanted to touch those wretched ‘Vadais’ straightaway.
It was disgusting to do the chores for those people who did not even consider them as humans. She wondered
why the upper caste people thought so much of themselves only because they had collected money. Bama
hated this discrimination and felt that the lower caste people should never run errands for the upper castes.
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