class 11 English chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady
Class 11
Subject English
Chapter 1.
The Portrait of a Lady”
Understanding the text
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1. The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother:
🟢 20 words:
Childhood closeness, shared daily routine.
City life distanced them.
University life brought silence and detachment as they grew apart emotionally.
🟢 40 words:
In the village, the author and his grandmother were close companions.
In the city, she disapproved of his English education.
At university, they grew further apart.
She accepted her isolation and turned to spinning and praying silently.
🟢 60 words:
During childhood in the village, the author and his grandmother were inseparable.
In the city, she was disturbed by his English education and lack of religious studies.
When he joined university, they no longer shared the same room.
She became withdrawn and silent, accepting her solitude with prayer and spinning.
Their bond transformed over time.
🟢 80 words:
The author’s relationship with his grandmother evolved through three distinct phases.
In his childhood, they were deeply connected—she took care of him and accompanied him to school.
Moving to the city created distance; she disliked his English education and music classes.
Finally, when he went to university, they drifted apart completely.
She accepted her loneliness with grace, devoting her time to prayer and spinning.
Though their interactions diminished, their emotional bond remained unspoken but strong.
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2. Three reasons why the grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school:
🟢 20 words:
No religious teaching, English education, and music lessons deeply disturbed her, as she valued spirituality and traditional values over modern subjects.
🟢 40 words:
The grandmother was upset as the school had no teachings about God or scriptures.
She couldn’t assist in his studies, especially in English and science.
She strongly disapproved of music lessons, considering them inappropriate for respectable families.
🟢 60 words:
The grandmother disliked the author’s city school education for several reasons.
Firstly, there was no teaching of God or religious scriptures, which she valued greatly.
Secondly, she couldn’t help him with English or science, making her feel distant.
Lastly, the inclusion of music lessons disturbed her, as she considered music suitable only for beggars and low-status people.
🟢 80 words:
When the author started attending the city school, his grandmother was deeply disturbed.
She was upset because the curriculum excluded any religious teaching, which had been central to her beliefs.
She also could not understand or assist with subjects like science or English, leading to a growing emotional gap.
Most upsetting was the inclusion of music lessons, which she associated with beggars and not with respectable people.
Her silence reflected her quiet disapproval and disappointment with this change in his education.
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3. Three ways in which the grandmother spent her days after he grew up:
🟢 20 words:
She spent her time spinning the wheel, silently praying, and feeding the sparrows in the courtyard every afternoon.
🟢 40 words:
After the author grew up, the grandmother lived a quiet, spiritual life.
She continuously spun the wheel, recited prayers, and spent joyful afternoons feeding the sparrows, her only source of delight in the changed city life.
🟢 60 words:
With the author’s growing independence, his grandmother withdrew into solitude.
She engaged in spinning her charkha from morning till evening, her lips always moving in silent prayer.
Only in the afternoon did she find joy, feeding hundreds of sparrows in the courtyard.
This peaceful daily routine reflected her graceful acceptance of the emotional distance that had developed.
🟢 80 words:
As the author matured and their interaction lessened, the grandmother spent most of her time in silent devotion.
She sat spinning the charkha from morning to evening, continuously reciting prayers.
Her happiest moments were in the afternoons when she fed sparrows.
Hundreds of birds would gather around her, even perching on her head and shoulders.
She never shooed them away and found silent companionship in their presence.
This quiet life showed her spiritual strength and graceful acceptance of solitude.
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4. The odd way in which the grandmother behaved just before she died:
🟢 20 words:
She stopped praying, sang and played a drum, celebrating joyfully—a complete contrast to her normally calm, spiritual behavior.
🟢 40 words:
Instead of praying, the grandmother gathered neighborhood women and sang loudly while beating a drum.
She seemed energetic and overjoyed, which was unusual.
It was the first time she did not pray, signaling an emotional and spiritual shift before her death.
🟢 60 words:
On the evening of the author’s return, the grandmother suddenly stopped praying and celebrated instead.
She sang songs of warriors’ homecoming and beat an old, worn-out drum.
Her unusual liveliness surprised everyone.
That night, she fell ill and refused to speak, saying she had wasted her last evening without prayer.
This odd behavior foreshadowed her peaceful death.
🟢 80 words:
The grandmother, usually serene and prayerful, behaved unusually before her death.
After the author returned from abroad, she celebrated by gathering women and singing songs of homecoming, thumping an old drum.
This was the first time in years she didn’t pray.
That night, she fell ill and told the family her end was near, as she had omitted her prayers.
She spent her final hours in complete silence, praying with her rosary, until she passed away peacefully.
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5. The way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when she died:
🟢 20 words:
Thousands of silent sparrows gathered, didn’t chirp or eat, and flew away quietly, expressing their silent mourning for her death.
🟢 40 words:
When the grandmother died, countless sparrows silently filled her room and verandah.
They didn’t chirp or touch the bread offered to them.
After some time, they flew away quietly.
Their silent presence was a powerful, wordless tribute to her.
🟢 60 words:
After her death, thousands of sparrows gathered in her room and the verandah.
Unusually silent, they did not chirp or show interest in the crumbs of bread offered by the family.
They sat quietly mourning her death.
When her body was taken for cremation, they flew away without a sound.
Their silent tribute moved everyone deeply.
🟢 80 words:
Following the grandmother’s death, an extraordinary scene unfolded.
Thousands of sparrows came and sat quietly around her body, filling the entire verandah and room.
They didn’t make any noise, nor did they touch the bread crumbs scattered for them.
Their quiet mourning reflected deep sorrow.
When the body was carried out for cremation, they flew away as silently as they had come.
This profound, non-verbal farewell by the sparrows touched the family and symbolized her deep connection with nature.
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Talking about the text
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1. The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this?
🟢 20 words:
She always prayed silently, read scriptures, told beads, disliked English education, and was disturbed by the absence of religious teaching.
🟢 40 words:
Her devotion showed through constant prayers, spinning her wheel, and reading scriptures.
She helped the author learn prayers, disapproved of English education, especially music, and found comfort in feeding birds.
Her life revolved around spiritual practices and devotion.
🟢 60 words:
The grandmother was deeply religious.
She always recited prayers and carried her rosary.
She read scriptures and accompanied the author to the temple school.
She disapproved of Western education and music, which lacked religious content.
Even when she became secluded, she remained spiritually engaged through prayer and feeding birds.
Her faith guided her thoughts and actions throughout life.
🟢 80 words:
The grandmother’s religious nature was evident in her lifestyle and routines.
She constantly recited prayers, told her rosary beads, and read scriptures in the village temple.
She tried to instill spirituality in the author and was disturbed by the lack of religious education in the city.
She considered music immoral and associated it with beggars.
Even in her old age, she remained devout, spending most of her time in prayer and feeding sparrows.
Her life was entirely centered around faith and devotion.
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2. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?
🟢 20 words:
Their companionship weakened over time, but their love remained unchanged despite distance caused by modern education and growing independence.
🟢 40 words:
In childhood, they were close companions.
As he moved to city school and university, emotional distance grew.
Though interaction reduced, their bond remained strong.
Their love and respect for each other didn’t change, even when words were few.
🟢 60 words:
Initially, the author and his grandmother shared a close bond.
They spent every moment together.
However, city life and modern education created distance.
She disapproved of his school subjects and music lessons.
Later, when he moved to university, their interactions ceased almost completely.
Still, their mutual love and respect endured.
Though their connection weakened in form, the feelings remained unchanged.
🟢 80 words:
The relationship between the author and his grandmother evolved gradually.
During his childhood, they were inseparable companions.
As he moved to the city, her role diminished, and she disapproved of his modern education and music lessons.
Further distance developed when he went to university and later abroad.
Despite these changes, their love for each other remained unshaken.
Even though they spoke less, the emotional bond never faded.
Their quiet companionship and deep affection endured the test of time and changing circumstances.
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3. Would you agree that the author’s grandmother was a person strong in character? If yes, give instances that show this.
🟢 20 words:
Yes, she was spiritually strong, disciplined, emotionally composed, disapproved silently, and accepted life changes with dignity and resilience.
🟢 40 words:
She showed strength through devotion and calm acceptance of change.
She never complained, even when left out.
She disapproved silently and faced death fearlessly.
She was independent, spiritually devoted, and emotionally resilient, showing great inner strength throughout her life.
🟢 60 words:
Yes, the grandmother was a strong woman.
She lived with dignity, was deeply religious, and faced change silently.
She never imposed her views and accepted loneliness gracefully.
Even when upset about her grandson’s education, she remained calm.
She faced death with complete peace, praying until her last breath.
Her composure, spiritual discipline, and independence reflected a resilient character.
🟢 80 words:
Absolutely, the grandmother had a strong and graceful character.
She managed her life with spiritual discipline and inner strength.
She accepted change silently, never imposed her views, and lived simply.
Even when her bond with the author weakened, she never complained.
She disapproved of modern education but expressed it through quiet disapproval.
Her reaction to death was equally composed—she prayed till her last breath.
Her dignified conduct, quiet acceptance, and calm response to life’s events showed her admirable strength.
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4. Have you known someone like the author’s grandmother? Do you feel the same sense of loss with regard to someone whom you have loved and lost?
🟢 20 words:
Yes, I knew my grandmother.
Her prayers, stories, and care are unforgettable.
Her loss still brings deep emotional pain.
🟢 40 words:
I knew someone like the author’s grandmother—my own.
She was calm, spiritual, and kind.
Her absence has left a deep void.
I often recall her prayers, warmth, and wisdom.
Her passing was an emotional moment I still remember vividly.
🟢 60 words:
Yes, I have experienced a loss similar to the author’s.
My grandmother was a guiding figure in my life.
She was deeply religious, loving, and wise.
Her presence was comforting, and her rituals shaped my childhood.
Losing her created a deep emotional gap.
Her memory lives in everyday thoughts and little habits she passed on to us.
🟢 80 words:
Yes, I have known someone like the author’s grandmother—my own.
She was gentle, religious, and deeply caring.
She told me stories, taught me prayers, and cared for me with warmth and discipline.
After her passing, a deep void remained.
I still feel her presence in quiet moments, especially when I remember her routine or values.
Her loss brought emotional pain, but her memories bring strength.
Like the author, I carry a deep respect and love for her memory.
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Thinking about the text
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1. Which language do you think the author and his grandmother used while talking to each other?
🟢 20 words:
They most likely spoke Punjabi or Hindustani, as they lived in a traditional Indian setting with a close village culture.
🟢 40 words:
Considering the story’s setting and cultural background, the author and his grandmother likely communicated in Punjabi or Hindustani.
These languages were common in rural India and among older generations, especially for religious discussions and family conversations.
🟢 60 words:
The author and his grandmother probably spoke in Punjabi or Hindustani.
These languages were prevalent in the region where the author lived during his childhood.
As the grandmother was deeply religious and traditional, she likely used a vernacular rich in spirituality.
Her prayers and storytelling, and even casual interactions with the author, would have naturally taken place in her native tongue.
🟢 80 words:
Given the cultural context of the story, it's likely that the author and his grandmother spoke in Punjabi or Hindustani.
The grandmother, being an elderly, traditional, and religious woman, would have used a local language that reflected her values and upbringing.
This would include spiritual vocabulary used in prayers and stories.
The author, especially during his early years in the village, would have been fluent in this language, allowing them to share a close, meaningful relationship through their conversations.
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2. Which language do you use to talk to elderly relatives in your family?
🟢 20 words:
I usually speak Hindi (or regional language) with elders, as it helps connect respectfully and maintains cultural understanding.
🟢 40 words:
With elderly relatives, I often use Hindi or my mother tongue, depending on who I’m speaking to.
It shows respect, ensures clear communication, and helps me stay connected to family traditions and emotions.
🟢 60 words:
I generally speak in Hindi or our native regional language while talking to older family members.
This creates a comfortable and respectful atmosphere.
It also helps preserve our cultural roots and traditions.
Many elderly people are not fluent in English, so using our mother tongue allows deeper emotional bonding and makes them feel more valued and understood.
🟢 80 words:
When speaking with elderly members of my family, I always use Hindi or our regional language.
This helps in maintaining warmth and respect in the conversation.
Our elders are more comfortable expressing emotions in their mother tongue, and using it strengthens our bond.
It also allows me to connect with cultural wisdom, family values, and traditions they share.
Speaking in the local language not only ensures better understanding but also conveys my love, care, and respect toward them.
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3. How would you say ‘a dilapidated drum’ in your language?
🟢 20 words:
In Hindi, “a dilapidated drum” would be: "एक जर्जर ढोलक" or "एक टूटी-फूटी ढोलक".
🟢 40 words:
In Hindi, ‘a dilapidated drum’ can be said as “एक जर्जर ढोल” or “एक टूटी-फूटी ढोलक.”
This describes an old, worn-out drum that has become weak or damaged due to overuse or age.
🟢 60 words:
The phrase "a dilapidated drum" in Hindi could be translated as "एक जर्जर ढोलक" or "एक पुराना और टूटा-फूटा ढोल."
This phrase describes a musical instrument that is old, cracked, and perhaps sagging or broken.
It gives a clear visual of an unusable or timeworn drum, just like the one the grandmother used.
🟢 80 words:
In Hindi, "a dilapidated drum" translates to "एक जर्जर ढोलक" or "एक टूटी-फूटी और पुरानी ढोलक."
It refers to a drum that is worn out, probably with sagging skin and a damaged body.
This kind of drum may still produce sound, but it is visibly old and not in good condition.
The author uses this image symbolically to show his grandmother’s unusual joy and liveliness just before her passing.
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4. Can you think of a song or a poem in your language that talks of homecoming?
🟢 20 words:
Yes, the Hindi song “घर आजा परदेसी” expresses deep emotions about waiting and longing for someone’s return home.
🟢 40 words:
The Hindi song “घर आजा परदेसी” from the movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge expresses longing and emotional connection with homecoming.
It beautifully portrays the pain of separation and the happiness associated with a loved one returning home.
🟢 60 words:
A beautiful Hindi song about homecoming is “घर आजा परदेसी”, which translates to “Come home, stranger.”
It expresses longing for a loved one’s return and the emotional depth of reunion.
Homecoming is a powerful theme in Indian songs and literature, often linked to familial bonds, traditions, and deep emotional roots.
🟢 80 words:
A famous Hindi song that speaks about homecoming is “घर आजा परदेसी” from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
It captures the emotional essence of someone waiting for a dear one to return home.
Homecoming in Indian culture is filled with warmth, nostalgia, and love.
Such songs and poems often highlight family bonds, motherly emotions, and the deep comfort of returning to one's roots after a long journey away.
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Working with words
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I. Word: ‘Tell’ – Match the usage with meaning
Meanings:
1. Make something known to someone in spoken or written words
2. Count while reciting
3. Be sure
4. Give information to somebody
Examples from the text & matches:
🟢 20 words:
1–2 (tell beads), 2–1 (tell words), 3–3 (never tell), 4–4 (told us)
🟢 40 words:
In the text, ‘tell’ has multiple meanings:
“Telling beads” means counting (2).
“Tell her English words” means speaking (1).
“Could never tell” means being unsure (3).
“She told us” means informing (4).
🟢 60 words:
The word "tell" is used in different senses in the lesson:
Her fingers were “telling the beads”: means counting (2).
He would “tell her English words”: means speaking/making known (1).
“One could never tell”: means being uncertain (3).
“She told us her end was near”: means informing (4).
🟢 80 words:
The word "tell" appears in four forms in the lesson.
When she was “telling her beads,” it meant she was counting them (2).
When the author said he would “tell her English words,” he meant to say or make known (1).
The phrase “one could never tell” implies uncertainty (3).
Lastly, “She told us her end was near” means she informed them (4).
Each usage highlights the word’s versatility in everyday English.
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II. Word: ‘Take’ – Find and explain the two phrases
Phrases:
Take to something = develop a habit
Take ill = become sick suddenly
🟢 20 words:
“She took to feeding sparrows” means she developed the habit.
“She took ill” means she suddenly became unwell.
🟢 40 words:
The phrase “took to feeding sparrows” shows that the grandmother developed a habit of feeding birds.
Later, “she took ill” is used to indicate that she suddenly fell sick before her death.
🟢 60 words:
In the lesson, “she took to feeding sparrows” refers to her adopting this activity as a regular habit after moving to the city.
Later, when the author describes that “she took ill,” it means she suddenly fell sick, indicating a serious change in her health condition before passing away.
🟢 80 words:
The story uses two idiomatic expressions with the word "take":
“She took to feeding sparrows” means that she gradually developed a habit of feeding birds, which became her most cherished activity.
“She took ill” refers to her falling suddenly sick.
Both expressions show different but common uses of the verb “take” in English and highlight the changes in the grandmother’s life and health.
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III. Manner of walking – Pick words from the box that refer to walking
Given words:
haggle, shuffle, stride, ride, waddle, wriggle, paddle, swagger, trudge, slog
🟢 20 words:
Words related to walking: shuffle, stride, waddle, swagger, trudge, slog.
These describe different walking styles or speeds.
🟢 40 words:
The words that describe walking styles are:
Shuffle (dragging feet)
Stride (long confident steps)
Waddle (clumsy side-to-side walk)
Swagger (boastful walk)
Trudge (slow, tired steps)
Slog (laborious walk)
🟢 60 words:
Among the given options, six words describe walking:
Shuffle (sliding feet with effort)
Stride (taking long, purposeful steps)
Waddle (duck-like, clumsy movement)
Swagger (walking with pride)
Trudge (slowly walking due to tiredness)
Slog (to walk or move with effort).
Each of these suggests a specific style or emotion related to movement.
🟢 80 words:
The box contains several verbs, but only six relate to walking styles:
Shuffle refers to dragging one’s feet while walking.
Stride implies walking with long, confident steps.
Waddle suggests a duck-like, side-to-side movement.
Swagger conveys arrogance or pride in one’s step.
Trudge shows tired, heavy movement.
Slog indicates moving slowly with difficulty or fatigue.
Each of these adds detail to how a person walks, reflecting mood, energy, or personality.
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Noticing from
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Understanding: Use of Past Perfect Tense
The Past Perfect Tense is used to describe actions completed before another action in the past. It is often used in autobiographical or reflective writing to recount distant past events.
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🟢 1. 20 Words:
The past perfect shows actions completed earlier than other past actions, helping to reflect deeply on long-past events or memories.
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🟢 2. 40 Words:
In this story, the past perfect tense highlights actions that occurred before other past actions.
It helps the author describe events like knowing his grandmother, or things she had done, which had already been completed long ago.
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🟢 3. 60 Words:
Khushwant Singh uses the past perfect tense to describe long-past events that happened before another action in the past.
For instance, “She had been old and wrinkled for twenty years” shows the continuity of her aging even before the author's memories.
Such usage adds depth and clarity to events and emphasizes the contrast between present reflection and earlier happenings.
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🟢 4. 80 Words:
The past perfect tense is used to indicate an action that had been completed before another action in the past.
In “The Portrait of a Lady,” it helps the author reflect on events that occurred long before his current narration.
For example, “She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her” shows both the longevity of her appearance and his recollection.
This tense enriches the narrative, adds depth, and clearly places events in the correct historical sequence.
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Think to do
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✏️ Task: Write a short description of someone elderly you liked a lot.
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🟢 20 words:
My grandmother was kind, spiritual, and caring.
She prayed daily, told stories, and always made me feel safe and loved.
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🟢 40 words:
I remember my grandmother as a soft-spoken, religious woman.
She told me stories from scriptures, fed birds, and always smiled gently.
Her presence was calming.
She guided me with love and taught me to be kind and respectful to all.
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🟢 60 words:
My grandmother was a peaceful and loving person.
She spent her days in prayer, spinning wool, and caring for everyone in the family.
Her lap was my favorite place, and her stories were filled with wisdom.
She never got angry, always smiled kindly, and lived a life of simplicity and devotion.
Her memory continues to inspire me.
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🟢 80 words:
My grandmother was the most serene and spiritual person I’ve ever known.
She woke up early to pray and spent her day cooking, spinning wool, and feeding the birds.
She taught me kindness, discipline, and the importance of gratitude.
Her soft voice and affectionate hands comforted me in every situation.
She never judged anyone and treated all with equal love.
Even in silence, she radiated strength.
I still feel her blessings guiding me in difficult moments.
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Extra questions
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✅ 1. What impression do you get of the grandmother’s physical appearance?
20 words:
She was old, wrinkled, slightly bent, and always dressed in white, with silver hair and a peaceful, prayerful expression.
40 words:
The author describes his grandmother as short, fat, and slightly stooped, with a wrinkled face and silver hair.
She always wore spotless white clothes and looked serene.
Her constant prayer and quiet presence made her appear like a symbol of peace.
60 words:
The author’s grandmother had been old and wrinkled for as long as he remembered.
She was short, fat, and slightly bent.
Her pale, puckered face was covered with silver hair.
She wore white clothes, told her rosary beads, and constantly muttered prayers.
Her appearance reflected simplicity, wisdom, and spiritual calmness that never changed over the years.
80 words:
Physically, the grandmother was described as short, slightly stooped, and covered in wrinkles.
Her silver hair fell untidily on her pale face, and she wore simple white clothes.
She always moved slowly, telling the beads of her rosary, and her lips constantly murmured silent prayers.
Though not conventionally pretty, she radiated a kind of spiritual beauty and peacefulness.
She reminded the author of a winter landscape—calm, white, and serene—symbolizing a life of purity and devotion.
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✅ 2. Why did the author find it hard to believe that his grandmother was once young and pretty?
20 words:
She had always appeared old, wrinkled, and traditional.
Her serene, aged appearance made her youth seem almost unimaginable.
40 words:
The author had only known his grandmother as old and wrinkled.
Her white clothes, prayerful life, and peaceful demeanor made it hard for him to imagine her young or pretty.
Her stories about childhood seemed like fables.
60 words:
The author’s grandmother had always been old in his memory, with white hair and a wrinkled face.
Her spiritual life, traditional appearance, and serene demeanor made it difficult for him to imagine her ever being young or beautiful.
He found her stories about childhood amusing and unbelievable, almost like fairy tales rather than real memories.
80 words:
The author had known his grandmother as an old, wrinkled woman who always wore white and lived a quiet, spiritual life.
Her crisscrossed wrinkles, stooped posture, and prayerful habits made it hard to picture her as once young or attractive.
Even though she shared tales of her childhood, he found them absurd and almost undignified.
The image of her youthful days seemed so far removed from the present that it became nearly impossible to accept.
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✅ 3. How did the grandmother spend time in the village while the author was in school?
20 words:
She read scriptures in the temple, recited prayers, and waited for the author while he attended classes in the verandah.
40 words:
While the author studied, the grandmother sat inside the temple reading scriptures.
She accompanied him to school daily and enjoyed her time in prayer.
Her faith and daily routine gave her peace and kept her engaged.
60 words:
In the village, the grandmother would accompany the author to school, which was attached to a temple.
While the children learned the alphabet and prayers, she would sit inside and read scriptures.
This daily routine provided her with spiritual fulfillment and allowed her to remain close to her grandson’s life and learning.
80 words:
While the author attended school in the village, the grandmother played a supportive and spiritual role.
She walked with him each day and sat inside the temple reading scriptures while he studied.
She remained close to the religious teachings and found peace in this regular routine.
After school, she would feed the stray dogs with stale chapattis, which showed her kindness and compassion.
This period was marked by companionship, devotion, and simplicity in their relationship.
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✅ 4. What change did the city life bring in the relationship between the author and his grandmother?
20 words:
City life distanced them.
She no longer accompanied him, couldn’t help with studies, and silently disapproved of his English education.
40 words:
In the city, the author and his grandmother began to drift apart.
She no longer accompanied him to school and felt alienated from his English studies.
Their daily interaction reduced, and emotional distance quietly grew between them.
60 words:
When they moved to the city, their companionship weakened.
The author went to an English school by bus, and she could no longer assist in his education.
She disapproved of the modern, secular subjects taught and especially disliked music lessons.
Her disapproval was expressed through silence, and gradually, they began to grow apart emotionally.
80 words:
The transition to city life brought emotional and physical distance between the author and his grandmother.
She no longer accompanied him to school and couldn’t relate to subjects like science and English.
She disapproved of the absence of religious teaching and the introduction of music lessons.
Although they shared the same space, their daily interaction decreased.
Her growing silence signaled her discomfort with the changes.
This marked a turning point in their close companionship, though her love for him remained.
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✅ 5. Why did the grandmother dislike music being taught in school?
20 words:
She associated music with harlots and beggars, not with respectable families.
She believed it lacked dignity and moral value.
40 words:
Grandmother viewed music as inappropriate and degrading.
She believed it belonged to beggars or women of loose character.
It didn’t fit with her spiritual and conservative outlook, so she was disturbed when the author learned music.
60 words:
To the grandmother, music was not a subject fit for respectable families.
She associated it with indecent performers and considered it immoral.
When the author told her about his music lessons, she expressed no words, but her silence showed strong disapproval.
Her traditional mindset couldn’t accept music as a respectable part of education.
80 words:
The grandmother was deeply religious and rooted in traditional beliefs.
She associated music with vulgarity, believing it was the domain of beggars or immoral women.
To her, music had no place in a dignified household or formal education.
When the author mentioned his music lessons, she was visibly disturbed but expressed her disapproval through silence.
This created emotional distance between them and emphasized the cultural and generational gap created by modern education.
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✅ 6. What was the happiest time of the day for the grandmother in the city?
20 words:
Feeding sparrows in the afternoon brought her joy.
She smiled quietly while hundreds of birds surrounded her peacefully without fear.
40 words:
The grandmother’s happiest moments were spent feeding sparrows in the courtyard every afternoon.
Hundreds of sparrows gathered around her, sat on her body, and chirped.
She smiled in silence and never shooed them away, enjoying their company deeply.
60 words:
In the city, the grandmother spent most of her day praying and spinning the wheel.
But her happiest time was in the afternoon when she fed the sparrows.
The birds would perch on her legs, shoulders, and even her head.
She found comfort in their presence and never drove them away.
It was a peaceful, joyful ritual.
80 words:
The grandmother, though mostly reserved and devoted to prayer in the city, truly found happiness in feeding sparrows.
Every afternoon, she would sit in the verandah and break bread into little bits.
Hundreds of sparrows would flock to her, creating a lively, chirping environment.
They perched on her shoulders and even her head, yet she remained undisturbed.
This half-hour of bonding with birds was her favorite part of the day and reflected her silent love for nature.
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✅ 7. How did the grandmother react when the author left for abroad?
20 words:
She showed no emotion, only prayed silently.
She kissed his forehead gently, which he felt was their last physical touch.
40 words:
The grandmother remained calm and composed when the author left for abroad.
She didn’t cry or speak much.
Instead, she silently kissed his forehead while praying, and he thought that would be their last moment together.
60 words:
When the author went abroad for five years, the grandmother didn’t show any signs of sadness or fear.
She accompanied him to the railway station, prayed silently, and kissed his forehead gently.
Her calmness reflected her spiritual strength and acceptance of life.
The author felt this quiet farewell might be their final contact.
80 words:
Before the author left for higher studies abroad, the grandmother displayed remarkable composure.
Despite her old age, she showed no sadness or emotional weakness.
She accompanied him to the station, prayed silently throughout, and kissed his forehead without saying a word.
Her calm demeanor came from spiritual strength and quiet acceptance.
The author, touched by this, felt her kiss might be their last physical connection, given her age and the long separation ahead.
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✅ 8. What change came over the grandmother in the evening after the author returned?
20 words:
She stopped praying and started singing and beating a drum joyfully, celebrating his return—an unusual change in her behavior.
40 words:
In the evening, the grandmother gathered neighborhood women, sang songs of warriors' homecoming, and played an old drum.
It was strange because she had never stopped praying before.
Her excitement was intense and uncharacteristic.
60 words:
After the author returned from abroad, the grandmother became unexpectedly cheerful.
She stopped praying and instead collected the women of the neighborhood.
She sang loudly about the return of warriors and beat an old, worn drum.
This lively and emotional celebration was unusual for her, as it was the first time she had ever skipped her prayers.
80 words:
Upon the author's return from abroad, the grandmother showed surprising joy.
She skipped her prayers and gathered the neighborhood women to sing songs celebrating the return of warriors.
She beat an old drum for hours, despite her age and fragile health.
This outburst of celebration shocked everyone, as it was unlike her calm and prayerful personality.
Her uncharacteristic excitement hinted at an emotional peak, possibly sensing that her life’s purpose was fulfilled with the author’s safe return.
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✅ 9. Why did the grandmother stop talking to the family before her death?
20 words:
She believed her end was near and wanted to devote her last hours entirely to prayer, without worldly distractions.
40 words:
Feeling that her end was close, the grandmother refused to talk to the family.
She believed skipping her prayer the night before was a spiritual mistake and chose to spend her remaining time in silent devotion.
60 words:
After celebrating the author's return, the grandmother felt she had made a mistake by skipping her evening prayer.
Believing her death was near, she stopped talking to the family, saying she didn’t want to waste any more time.
She lay on her bed, quietly praying and telling her beads until she peacefully passed away.
80 words:
The morning after her unusual celebration, the grandmother fell ill.
She declared her time had come and refused to speak further.
She felt guilty for having omitted her prayers the previous evening and didn’t want to waste her final hours in conversation.
Instead, she lay on her bed, her lips moving silently in prayer, fingers telling the rosary beads, and ignored all protests.
This complete withdrawal into spiritual silence marked the final phase of her devoted and dignified life.
---
✅ 10. What was the family's reaction to the sparrows’ silent mourning?
20 words:
They were moved and surprised.
They offered crumbs, but the sparrows stayed silent, showing deep respect and mourning for her.
40 words:
The family was touched by the sparrows’ reaction.
Thousands sat silently near the body, showing no interest in the food.
Their silence and stillness reflected sorrow, and the family felt emotional witnessing such a quiet tribute.
60 words:
The family noticed the sparrows filling the verandah, sitting silently beside the grandmother’s body.
They neither chirped nor touched the bread crumbs offered to them.
Their calm, respectful behavior surprised and deeply moved the family.
It was as if the birds shared a spiritual connection with the grandmother and silently mourned her loss.
80 words:
When the family entered the grandmother’s room with the stretcher, they found thousands of sparrows sitting quietly all around her body.
No chirping, no fluttering—only stillness and silence.
The family tried offering bread crumbs, but the birds showed no interest and flew away quietly after the body was taken.
This profound and respectful behavior from the sparrows astonished and touched the family, making them feel as if the birds had come to offer their final tribute.
---
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✅ 11. How did the grandmother show her affection for the author during childhood?
20 words:
She bathed, dressed him, packed his school things, walked with him, and recited prayers hoping he’d memorize them.
40 words:
She helped him get ready for school, bathed him, packed his slate and inkpot, and walked him to school.
She recited her prayers aloud, hoping he’d learn them by heart.
This daily routine reflected her deep affection and care.
60 words:
In the village, the grandmother and the author shared a deep bond.
She lovingly woke him, helped him bathe and dress, and packed his school items.
As they walked to school together, she recited her prayers aloud for him to learn.
Her actions reflected love, discipline, and a desire for his moral development.
80 words:
During the author's childhood, his grandmother showed her love through constant care and presence.
She woke him up, bathed and dressed him, tied his school supplies in a cloth bundle, and walked him to school daily.
While doing this, she sang prayers aloud, hoping he would learn them.
This entire routine was filled with gentle affection, spiritual influence, and dedication.
Her support and companionship during these formative years made her an irreplaceable figure in his life.
---
✅ 12. What was the grandmother’s daily routine in the city?
20 words:
She spent her day praying silently, spinning her wheel, and feeding sparrows in the courtyard every afternoon.
40 words:
In the city, she stayed indoors, spinning her charkha and muttering prayers.
In the afternoon, she fed hundreds of sparrows.
This peaceful routine reflected her spiritual and kind nature, even when emotionally distanced from her grandson.
60 words:
The grandmother maintained a peaceful routine in the city.
She prayed silently while spinning her charkha all day.
She rarely interacted with others but found joy in feeding sparrows every afternoon.
The birds surrounded her, perching on her body, but she remained still, smiling softly.
This routine reflected her acceptance of solitude and deep spiritual strength.
80 words:
Living in the city, the grandmother kept herself engaged in prayer and spinning yarn on her charkha.
She spent most of her day in silence, reciting prayers and touching her rosary beads.
Her only break from this was in the afternoon when she fed sparrows in the courtyard.
Hundreds of birds would gather around her, and she welcomed them peacefully.
This simple but meaningful routine gave her spiritual fulfillment and connected her with nature, even as human companionship declined.
---
✅ 13. What does the rosary symbolize in the story?
20 words:
The rosary symbolizes her unwavering faith, spiritual discipline, and calm acceptance of life and death.
40 words:
The grandmother constantly used her rosary, reflecting her devotion and spiritual mindset.
It symbolized her deep connection to religion and was her source of strength and peace, even during her final moments.
60 words:
Throughout the story, the rosary represents the grandmother’s religious nature and mental strength.
She constantly used it while praying and even in her last hours, it remained in her fingers.
Its fall from her hand marked her peaceful passing.
It symbolized her faith, serenity, and readiness to leave the world with dignity.
80 words:
The rosary in the grandmother’s hand was more than a spiritual object—it symbolized her entire way of life.
She constantly told its beads while praying, showing devotion and inner strength.
It accompanied her through her days and gave her comfort in solitude.
Even during her final moments, her fingers moved over it until she passed away.
When it slipped from her lifeless fingers, it silently marked the end of a life steeped in devotion and spiritual peace.
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✅ 14. Why did the grandmother never shoo the sparrows away?
20 words:
She found joy and peace in their presence.
Their company brought her silent comfort and connection to nature.
40 words:
The grandmother had a special bond with the sparrows.
She quietly smiled as they perched on her.
She never disturbed them because their presence brought her genuine joy and emotional companionship.
60 words:
The sparrows gathered around the grandmother every afternoon as she fed them.
Some perched on her head, others on her shoulders.
Yet, she never waved them away.
She simply smiled at them, finding deep, wordless companionship in their presence.
Their daily visit became a peaceful ritual and her happiest time of day.
80 words:
The grandmother fed sparrows every afternoon, and they flocked to her in large numbers.
Some even perched on her body.
She never shooed them away or showed irritation.
Instead, she sat quietly, smiling and breaking bread for them.
Their chirping filled the courtyard, and the birds brought her silent companionship.
In her growing loneliness, the sparrows offered comfort and warmth.
She cherished their presence as her dearest moment of the day.
---
✅ 15. What literary device is used in the line: "She was like the winter landscape in the mountains"?
20 words:
It is a simile, comparing her serene appearance to a calm, white winter landscape using "like."
40 words:
The author uses a simile to compare his grandmother’s white, peaceful appearance to a winter landscape.
It highlights her calm, serene personality and quiet dignity, much like the stillness and purity of snow-covered mountains.
60 words:
The literary device used is a simile.
By comparing the grandmother to a winter landscape in the mountains, the author emphasizes her peaceful, white-clad, serene appearance.
Like snow-covered nature, she seemed pure and unchanging.
The simile also reflects her emotional calmness, spiritual strength, and the silent wisdom that defined her personality.
80 words:
In the line “She was like the winter landscape in the mountains,” the author uses a simile to portray his grandmother’s serene presence.
The winter landscape symbolizes stillness, purity, and calm—qualities that perfectly match her personality.
She was dressed in white, prayed silently, and moved slowly, creating an image of spiritual peace.
This comparison brings out the quiet dignity and inner strength she radiated.
It adds poetic beauty and emotional depth to her character in the story.
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✅ 16. Why does the author describe his grandmother’s childhood stories as "fables of the Prophets"?
20 words:
He considered her stories exaggerated or mythical, much like ancient religious tales, not real events from her life.
40 words:
The author calls them “fables of the Prophets” because her childhood stories seemed too unrealistic to believe.
To him, her old age made it hard to imagine her playing games, so he treated them like myths or legends.
60 words:
The author refers to his grandmother’s childhood tales as “fables of the Prophets” because he couldn’t relate to her ever being young or playful.
Her serene and aged personality made it difficult for him to believe such stories.
He and others saw them as exaggerated and mythical, like ancient religious or legendary tales told in storytelling traditions.
80 words:
Khushwant Singh calls his grandmother’s stories “fables of the Prophets” to express how unbelievable they seemed to him.
Her appearance had always been that of an old, devout woman, so imagining her as a young, playful child seemed absurd.
Her tales of games from her youth didn’t fit with her quiet, dignified personality.
Thus, he saw them as mythical or symbolic rather than factual—more like religious legends or prophetic stories passed down through generations, rather than memories of a real past.
---
✅ 17. What qualities made the grandmother spiritually admirable?
20 words:
She was deeply religious, disciplined, calm, selfless, and devoted her entire life to prayer, kindness, and peaceful living.
40 words:
Her constant prayers, moral discipline, love for scriptures, and dedication to a simple life made her spiritually strong.
She lived without complaints, found joy in feeding sparrows, and accepted change and death peacefully.
60 words:
The grandmother’s spiritual strength came from her dedication to prayer, selfless service, and moral discipline.
She spent her days in silent devotion, helped others without expecting anything in return, and never expressed discontent.
Her quiet acceptance of change, her calm demeanor, and her deep bond with animals like sparrows showed a soul deeply connected to peace and spirituality.
80 words:
Several qualities made the grandmother spiritually admirable.
She was deeply religious, constantly reciting prayers and reading scriptures.
She lived simply, never indulging in material desires.
Even when her role in the household diminished, she remained peaceful and accepting.
She never complained, silently disapproved of what she couldn’t accept, and stayed devoted to her values.
Her compassion extended to animals, as seen in her relationship with sparrows.
Her ability to face life and death with calmness and faith reflected her spiritual greatness.
---
✅ 18. How does the author highlight the emotional strength of his grandmother?
20 words:
She never showed emotions openly, accepted changes calmly, and faced separation, loneliness, and death with silent strength and dignity.
40 words:
The grandmother never wept or complained.
She accepted the author’s growing distance, his going abroad, and even her approaching death with remarkable composure.
Her silence, faith, and resilience highlighted her deep emotional and spiritual strength.
60 words:
The grandmother’s emotional strength was evident in her silent acceptance of every phase of life.
She quietly adapted to changing roles and relationships.
Even when the author left for five years, she didn’t cry or protest.
Facing her death, she stopped talking and peacefully prayed.
Her inner resilience and spiritual focus reflected remarkable emotional maturity and courage.
80 words:
Khushwant Singh’s grandmother displayed tremendous emotional strength throughout the narrative.
She adapted calmly to the author’s growing independence, his changing education, and eventual departure abroad.
She neither protested nor showed distress.
Even during her final days, she maintained composure, spent her time in prayer, and accepted death with grace.
Her silence in difficult moments and her unwavering faith gave her great inner power.
She demonstrated that strength doesn't always lie in speech, but often in quiet endurance and spiritual belief.
---
✅ 19. Why did the sparrows refuse to eat when the grandmother died?
20 words:
The sparrows silently mourned her death.
They shared a silent bond and refused food, showing respect and sorrow.
40 words:
When the grandmother died, the sparrows came in thousands but sat silently around her body.
They didn’t touch the bread crumbs offered and flew away quietly.
Their behavior symbolized mourning and reflected their silent, spiritual bond with her.
60 words:
After the grandmother’s death, the sparrows filled the verandah where she lay but didn’t chirp or eat the bread offered.
Their silence and stillness signaled sorrow and respect.
They sat quietly, paying their tribute to the woman who had lovingly fed them daily.
This showed their unique bond and unspoken grief.
80 words:
The sparrows’ unusual behavior after the grandmother’s death revealed a deep, silent mourning.
Thousands of birds gathered but didn’t chirp or eat the crumbs offered by the family.
They sat motionless, surrounding her body in peaceful tribute.
The birds, who had once joyfully chirped and eaten from her hand, now showed respect in their own quiet way.
Their behavior reflected an emotional, spiritual connection, and their silence spoke volumes, moving the family with its purity and depth of feeling.
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✅ 20. What makes the ending of the story emotionally powerful?
20 words:
The sparrows’ silent mourning and the grandmother’s peaceful death create a quiet, touching conclusion that evokes deep emotion.
40 words:
The story ends with the grandmother dying peacefully while praying.
The sparrows’ silent mourning adds emotional depth.
Their refusal to eat and quiet departure reflect a spiritual bond, making the ending gentle, symbolic, and moving.
60 words:
The grandmother’s peaceful death and the sparrows’ silent, respectful presence make the story’s ending poignant.
She died in prayer, symbolizing a life of devotion.
The sparrows, her only real companions in later years, gathered silently without chirping or eating, reflecting a deep connection.
Their quiet tribute made the ending spiritually touching and emotionally resonant.
80 words:
The ending of the story stands out for its quiet emotional power.
The grandmother dies peacefully, her lips moving in prayer and rosary slipping from her fingers.
While her family prepares for her cremation, thousands of sparrows gather in silence, mourning her loss without sound or movement.
Their refusal to eat, and their quiet departure, reflect an unspoken bond of love.
This deeply moving scene, full of silence and symbolism, conveys themes of dignity, peace, and the purity of love beyond words.
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