Junior Inter English Single Answers

SINGLE ANSWERS
1. KEEP GOING
Edgar Albert Guest
I. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.
a. ‘Keep Going’ is a classic inspirational poem, claim many critics. Substantiate
b. Life is queer with its twists and turns.... List a few twists as mentioned in the poem.
c. “It may be near when it seems afar” what seems afar and why? .
d. ‘An easy-to-read poem, “Keep Going” is rich both in its content and form. Explain the
statement with examples.
Edgar Albert Guest is a very popular as a people’s poet. His poem, Keep Going, is undoubtedly
an inspirational poem of immeasurable value.
This twenty-four lines poem keeps advising the reader never to quit. With the help of convincing
images and comparisons, the poem encourages the reader to keep on the struggle till the goal is
reached.
This poem openly admits that life may be a mixture of more pains and less pleasures. Yet, one
must continue with one’s effort, though with intervals of rest, till success greets one with smiles.
The poem announces that the faint see goals afar and the weak give up in the middle. It asserts
that winners never quit. Life is like a roller coaster with its twists and turns. One can never say
what will happen next. Many people quit when they face a failure. Sometimes goals are around
the corner. But we think the goal to be so far. One more blow turns failure into success.
Critical Comment: Thus, the simple sounding poem speaks volumes about the need to keep
going, despite difficulties in scores. This is the plain but invaluable message of the poem.
“Winners never quit; quitters never win.”
2. HAPPINESS
Carl Sandburg
a) Explain the narrator’s experience in finding out what happiness is.
b) Seeing helps one better in understanding than listening to. Justify the statement with
reference to the poem ‘Happiness’
The poem, ‘Happiness’ is written by Carl Sandburg(1878-1967). He is a famous American poet
and biographer. He won three Pulitzer Prizes. He became very popular for his Biography of
Abraham Lincoln.
The poem is extracted from his collection of poems, “Chicago Songs”. It depicts the narrator’s
experience. He wants to know what happiness is .It gives the message that happiness is not about
being rich or successful but about having passion in life.
The poet has been in search to seek the real meaning of happiness. He consults professors and
top executives to help him in this regard. The professors symbolize the intelligence and the
executives stand for wealth and prosperity. However, they could not answer the question. The
narrator feels deeply disappointed that they have not answered his question. He continues his
search for the answer. Feeling dejected he wanders out along the Desplaines River on a Sunday
afternoon. He sees group of Hungarians with their women and children. They are sipping a keg
of beer and playing music. They are the symbol of real happiness. He then realizes what Happiness
is. Happiness is living in the present. Happiness is not wealth or success or fame.

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Thus, seeing helps the narrator better in understanding than listening. The poem establishes that
experience matters more than education. Wisdom lives in lives but not in libraries!
Critical Comment: Carl Sandburg uses lots of symbols to describe his findings about real
meaning of happiness. Composed in free verse, the poem reads like an anecdote.
“ Wisdom lives in lives but not in libraries! ”

3. THE BEGGAR
Dr Ammangi Venugopal
I. Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.
a) “Dr Ammangi Venugopal’s creativity is rooted deeply in the complexities and
contradictions of modern life,” say observers. Explain the statement, taking The Beggar
as a reference point.
b) How does the poem, ‘The Beggar’ describe the farmer’s pathetic physical condition?
c) List the abilities a farmer is endowed with, according to the poem.
d) The poet addresses the reader as you and talks about the farmer as my farmer. Explain
the significance in a paragraph.
The poem “The Beggar” penned by Dr.Ammangi Venugopal, a popular Telugu poet. He was
born on 20th January, 1948 in a tiny village, Alampalli, near Hyderabad. He is the first recipient
of the award instituted by the Government of Telangana in honour of Kaloji Narayana Rao in
2015.
The present poem was penned by Dr.Ammangi in Telugu as “Bichchagadu” and rendered into
English by Elanaaga (Dr. N.Surendra) as “The Beggar”. It portrays the pathetic plight of farmers.
The pitiable physical position of farmers forms an important part of the poem. Farmer’s dusky
eyes are dark with shadows of their struggles and sufferings. Their backs are bent with burden.
Their hands are soiled and severed and their feet bleed. Yet their ability to produce food
and satisfy others hunger remains fully active. They meet the hunger of even skies. They work
hard. They help others. They are capable of feeding millions. And those millions don’t include
in them, those farmers. Yet the irony is they don’t find food for themselves even a morsel! The
expression “my farmer” compels everyone to examine the issue and to work towards a solution.
This is the touching finale of the moving poem!
Critical Comment: Imagery and repetitions are used effectively to highlight the struggles and
sufferings of the farmer. The complexity of the contemporary culture, contaminated by
commercialization, is illustrated in the poem in a captivating way.
“Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and the most noble employment of man.”
- G.washington.

4. THE NOBLE NATURE

Ben Jonson
a) Discuss the aptness of the title ‘The Noble Nature’ to the poem.
b) Bulk does not make Man better be. How does the oak support this stand?
c) Explain with the example of the lily that size matters not but beauty counts a lot.

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The poem “The Noble Nature” was Written by Ben Jonson (1572 – 1637). He was a famous
seventeenth century playwright and is regarded as the second most popular of English dramatists,
after Shakespeare. He is very well known for his comedy of humors like “Everyman in His
Humour”.
The present poem discusses a noble thought in simple style.
The poem seeks to explain what makes Man noble. The poet employs analogies from nature.
The oak stands tall and lives long (for 300 years) but it ends up as a dry, bald log.Whereas, the
lily flowers in May, bloom for a day and shine for a short while. Yet, they please many. Beauty
even in little measures – fills hearts with thrills. It is not the Quantity but the quality lends
nobility to life.
Critical Comment: The profound message is expressed clearly with the help of examples and
images from nature. It highlights the point that quality counts more than quantity. Rhyme and
rhythm add to its lyrical beauty.
Smartness, even in small measures, impresses and impacts everyone. As the famous poet John
‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’.
John Keats

5. FATHER, DEAR FATHER

- Raj Kinger
a) What does the boy think of his grandparents in his letter?
b) Write a paragraph on the present day education system as described in Rahul’s letter.
c) What is the attitude of teachers towards learners as illustrated in Father, Dear Father?
d) What is the significance of the postscript to the text in Father, Dear Father?
The lesson “Father, Dear Father” is written by Raj Kinger. The present lesson is an article
published in English daily, The Hindu. It is in the form of a letter to a father.
Rahul was a school boy. He was the class topper. His first rank slipped to the second and he
informed about it to his father. His father had advised him to think before studying and before
answering the questions. The operating word “Think” made him reflect on several issues
including many pitfalls in our education system. Rahul questions his father what is the point in
learning things like “Pythagoras Theorem” or “Newton’s Law of Gravity” when he doesn’t use it
in his departmental store. Whatever he learns in school has no practical application. His biology
teacher was unable to help him with a practical science-related problem. She didn’t think that
Rahul’s question had any relevance in her class. She was angry and asked Rahul to approach the
gardener. He lost his first rank because of quarter mark in English grammar.
Rahul’s grandfather had a care free and beautiful childhood. His grandmother was semi literate
yet very happy. He asked his father innocently whether his grandfather was lying or the world
had turned topsy – turvy. In the post script, Rahul said that his letter was never meant to be
posted to his father but to lighten his over-burdened heart. It is not all arteries and muscles, it
feels too”.

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Critical Comment : This lesson is a thought provoking commentary on the education system
prevailing now. It highlights the defects in the mind sets of parents, learners, teachers and the
government bodies. It sets all to a new wave of thinking.
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” - W.B. Yeats.

6. THE GREEN CHAMPION --- THIMMAKKA

a) “ All great things have humble, small beginnings.” Justify the statement based on the
life and work of Thimmakka.
b) Why did Thimmakka and her husband decide to plant trees? Describe how hard they
tried to succeed in their mission.
c) Who is taking the noble mission of Thimmakka forward and how?
d) Why was Thimmakka called Saalumarada?
The inspiring write up “The Green Champion – Thimmakka” is taken from the internet.
The lesson traces the extra ordinary achievements of an ordinary woman with an undying passion
to conserve nature.
Thimmakka was born into a poor family in Gubbi village of Tumkur district in karnataka. She is
more than 100 years in age. She worked as a labourer in her youth. She was married to Bikkala
Chikkayya, a labourer too. At the age of 40, Thimmakka wanted to end her life as she could not
conceive. But she realized soon the true purpose of her life. She started planting trees along
with her husband. They started with ten banyan saplings. To date, there have been more than
8000 other trees grown by them. The couple used to carry four pails of water for a distanc of 4
km to water the saplings.
This mission of preserving the environment is taken forward by Thimmakka’s foster son Sri
B.N. Umesh. He is successfully running the “Prithvi Bachao” Movement. Thimmakka’s next
mission is to bring a hospital close to her village, kudur. Her outstanding work earned her the
name “Saalumarada”( A Kannada word, meaning row of trees).
Critical Comment: The lesson is very inspirational and throws light on the global issue –“Save
our Earth; Save our Environment.”
Trees are the poems that the Earth writes upon the sky .-khalil Gibran

7. THE FIRST FOUR MINUTES

- Roger Bannister
a) How did Roger Bannister feel in the first lap of the race?
b) Why did Dr Bannister feel that the moment of the life time had come?
c) What gave Dr Bannister strength in the final spurt?
d) Describe the feelings of Dr Bannister after the race was over.

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The lesson “The first four minutes” was written by Roger Bannister. He was an English
athlete as well as medical professional. He was the first man to run the race of one mile in 3
minutes 59.4 seconds.
The present lesson is a revelation of the stress and strain Dr. Bannister underwent in achieving
the record.
Bannister was of the opinion that the spectators don’t understand the mental agony that a
sportsperson passes through before he enters the field. He said that there was no persuasion
from anyone. During the first lap of the race, Bannister felt that he had made a false start. He
was angry. In the second bend, when he was three hundred yards away from the finish, Bannister
took the lead. In the final spurt, he was exhausted but went on running. Later, he realized that he
had created history. This was the glorious moment of his life. This moment of joy over shadowed
all other feelings.
Critical Comment: The description of the race is remarkable for its vividness, economy and
accuracy of expression. The narration is very gripping and at once endearing.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will”
– Mahatma Gandhi
8. BOX AND COX
John Maddison Morton
a) ‘Box and Cox’ is regarded as the best farce of the nineteenth century. Support the
statement with illustrations from the play.
b) Sketch, in a paragraph, the character of Mrs. Bouncer.
c) “......so that I’m getting double rent for my room, and neither of my lodgers is any wiser
for it,” says Mrs Bouncer.
d) Box and Cox fulfils all the characteristics of a one-act play. Explain.
Box and Cox, crafted by John Maddison Morton, is a one-act play. It is hilarious. It drives
readers into one continuous roar of laughter. Hence, critics labelled Box and Cox as the best
farce of the nineteenth century. And they are right. A farce is a play with a style of humour
marked by improbabilities.
Mrs. Bouncer, a greedy landlady, rents out her room to two persons at the same time, without
letting one know of the other person. They are Mr. Box, the printer who works all night and lives
here only during the day. The other man, Mr. Cox is employed in a hat shop where he spends all
day. Mrs. Bouncer, thus manages to ensure that they do not meet each other in the room.
However, her plan of keeping the two tenants in the same room has had a boomerang effect.
Things have gone wrong. She is accused of stealing by both her tenants but she turns a deaf ear
to their insulting remarks. She miserably fails in her estimate of her lodgers. In the end, her
treachery is unearthed and she is put to shame and disrespect.
Critical Comment : The lesson serves a social purpose by exposing certain follies we suffer
from. The play ensures a hilarious situation.
“Greed begets grief ”

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9. PLAYING THE GAME - Arthur Mee

a) Write a paragraph on how Alan and his parents felt excited when he was chosen to play
for the school cricket match.
b) Narrate the feelings of Alan as he was not able to reach the ground in time after meeting
the old man on his way.
c) Helping the old is as good as playing the game. Elucidate with reference to the story.
The short story “Playing the Game” was written by Arthur Henry Mee. Alan was a school
boy. He was a cricket buff. His father also encouraged him to play cricket. He practised bowling
with his father. He was on cloud nine as he was selected for school cricket team. His parents
were very excited at his selection.
Alan’s father promised to buy him a bicycle if his team won the match. While Alan was on his
way to the playground, he saw an old man leaning heavily on his stick. He wanted to help the
poor man. Alan was getting worried as he had to reach the ground on time. He was getting
nervous and restless. He was relieved when he saw a jolly looking policeman approaching him.
When Allan finally reached the ground he found Harold Bank playing as the substitute. He returned
home disappointed and heartbroken. Though, he missed playing the game, he was applauded for
his kind deed by all the near and dear. His classmates gave Alan three loud cheers. His parents
were proud of him and his father bought a bicycle for him.
The whole story is very dramatic. Though it is in the form of a short story, it reads like a play.
“God helps those who help the needy” - Arthur Henry Mee.

10. THE FIVE BOONS OF LIFE - Mark Twain

a) The young man feels that the five boons are not gifts, but merely lending’s. Justify his
opinion with reference to his experiences.
b) Every time the youth chooses a gift, the fairy expresses her dissatisfaction with her
gestures. Comment.
c) “The years have taught you wisdom...surely it must be so” remarks the fairy. Is she right?
Explain
d) What are the thoughts in the mind of the youth when he chooses wealth? What is the
result?
Mark Twain’s “The Five Boons of Life’’ is a fable that runs through a series of interactions
between a fairy and a man through which the fairy teaches him the properties of life. The story
signifies the importance of wise choices.
When a fairy offers the young man one of her five gifts among Fame, Love, Riches, Pleasure
and Death, he chooses Pleasure first. Pleasure makes him disappointed. His next choice is
Love. He has spent his life loving people who leave this world one by one leaving him in grief.
Then he goes for Fame perceiving it to be something magnificent. But, in reality, it brings him
shame. On having chosen Wealth later to deride his detractors, he becomes a pauper. Finally he
realizes that Death is the only gift which soothes him and pleads with the fairy to grant him that
invaluable gift but in vain. The fairy has already given Death to an innocent child. Thus the man
ends up seeing what he thought are great gifts are actually mere lendings.
The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find
out why Mark Twain

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11. THE SHORT-SIGHTED BROTHERS

a) Is the title, The Short-sighted Brothers apt to the story? Explain.
b) How did the three brothers outsmart one another?
c) Were the brothers successful in executing their tricks? Support your answer?
d) Does the story support the wise saying, Honesty is the Best policy? Discuss.
The lesson “The short - Sighted Brothers” is a folk tale. It makes an interesting reading. The
brief story effectively exposes the follies of three brothers, prompting many a reader to
introspect!
The story is about three brothers who were short sighted both physically and mentally. Their
nature, outlook and personality too had this kind of flaw. Each tried to outsmart the other.
They were just greedy. Everyone wanted to take charge of finances. They planned to test their
vision by reading, the inscription on the tablet above the doorway of a monastery. Each secretly
and separately went to the monastery and enquired with the monk what the inscription read.
They pretended as though each one could see better than the other. The eldest pretended to
read the inscription, the second one as though he could see the floral decoration and the third
the name of the donor. But the tablet was not even put up. Their dishonesty made them fools.
In this way, the brief tale effectively exposes the foolishness of the brothers.
The story prompts many a reader to think of the wise saying, “Honesty is the Best Policy”. It
excites the reader thoroughly with its gripping narration. It takes a sudden twist, stunning and
surprising the reader at the end.
“Honesty is the best policy.”

12. THE DINNER PARTY

- Mona Gardner
a) Describe the role of the American naturalist in the short story, The Dinner Party.
b) Describe the scene of the dinner party?
c) A spirited discussion springs up between a young girl and a colonel. Discuss.
The story “The Dinner Party” was written by ‘Mona Gardner’ and was published in ‘The
Saturday Review of Literature’ in 1941. The story captivates the readers with its gripping narration
and surprise endings. The story was taken from the background of British rule in India. In the
story a colonel and a girl argue about how women act in a crisis.
A colonial and his wife are giving a grand dinner party. There are army officers and government
attaches along with their families taking part in the party. A spirited discussion sprang among
the guests. A visiting American naturalist stands out distinctly in the party. He is watching the
argument and observes the hostess, who is acting strangely, gestures for a bowl of milk to be put
outside the door. The American understands that there is a cobra in the room, so to calm down
everyone, he plays a game of control where they cannot move or they would lose money. When
the cobra moves out for the milk, he shuts the door. Then, he finds out that the snake has been
crawling over the foot of the hostess and she has had the most control in the room, proving that
woman can act bravely in a crisis. The colonel praises him for his nerve control. But the scientist
proves that it is Mrs.Wynnes, the hostess, who exhibits true nerve control, for the cobra has
been crawling right across her feet!
There is no force more powerful than a woman determined, to rise.

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