A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
– Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Revision Points
- Pelayo finds a weak old man with wings in his courtyard.
- Neighbour woman declares he is an angel.
- The couple exploit him by charging money to see him.
- The crowd mocks, tortures, and treats him like a circus animal.
- His only “supernatural virtue” is patience.
- Pelayo and Elisenda grow rich, forget him.
- He recovers slowly and finally flies away.
- Theme: Cruelty vs. compassion, human greed, magical realism.
Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions
- Why was Pelayo frightened by the old man?
Because the old man was lying face down in the mud with enormous wings, looking strange and supernatural. - Why did Pelayo lock him in the chicken coop?
Pelayo was afraid the old man might harm his child, so he locked him up like a captive. - What was the only supernatural quality of the old man?
His extraordinary patience despite suffering and humiliation.
Paragraph Questions
4. How did the villagers treat the old man?
They treated him cruelly, like a circus animal. They threw food at him, pulled his feathers, and mocked him. Instead of compassion, they showed greed and curiosity.
- Why does the author call his patience a “supernatural virtue”?
The old man tolerated everything calmly—the pecking of hens, the insults of villagers, and even stones. His unshaken endurance seemed beyond normal human capacity.
Essay Question
6. “The story is a reflection on human nature and the need for compassion.” Discuss.
The story shows how humans exploit the weak instead of helping them. Pelayo and Elisenda used the angel to make money, while villagers ridiculed him. The old man, though helpless, never complained. Marquez highlights the importance of empathy, reminding us that kindness and compassion are greater than greed.
In the Attic
– Wladyslaw Szpilman
Revision Points
- Autobiographical account of a Jewish pianist hiding in Warsaw during WWII.
- A German officer discovers him, asks him to play piano.
- Moved by his music, the officer secretly brings him food and blankets.
- Szpilman survives extreme hunger, loneliness, and danger until liberation.
- Shows humanity surviving even in war.
Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions
- Why was Szpilman hesitant to play the piano?
He hadn’t practised for 2½ years, his fingers were stiff and dirty, and he feared the officer might betray him. - How did the officer help Szpilman?
He brought him food, blankets, and advised him to hide in the loft until the war ended. - What risk did the officer take?
Helping a Jew was considered treason. If discovered, he could have been executed by fellow soldiers.
Paragraph Questions
4. “Just hang on a few more weeks—the war will be over.” What is its significance?
The officer gave Szpilman hope, urging him to survive until the war ended. This encouragement kept Szpilman alive through despair.
- Why did Szpilman say his hiding place was well chosen?
Because nobody ever suspected or searched the loft above the attic, making it safe throughout the war.
Essay Question
6. Contrast the characters of Szpilman and the German officer.
Szpilman represents survival, resilience, and hope despite suffering. The officer represents unexpected kindness and humanity in war. Together, they show that compassion can exist even between supposed enemies.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen…
– William Shakespeare
Revision Points
- Extract from Antony’s funeral oration after Caesar’s murder.
- Antony uses irony: “Brutus is an honourable man.”
- Shows Caesar was not ambitious (refused the crown, wept for poor).
- Antony stirs people’s emotions, turning them against conspirators.
- Masterpiece of rhetoric and persuasion.
Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions
- What is the purpose of Antony’s speech?
To turn public opinion against the conspirators and avenge Caesar’s death. - Why does Antony repeat “Brutus is an honourable man”?
It is verbal irony—Antony pretends to respect Brutus while actually mocking him and planting doubt in the crowd’s mind. - What literary device is in “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him”?
Irony – Antony praises Caesar indirectly while claiming not to.
Paragraph Questions
4. How does Antony win over the crowd?
By reminding them of Caesar’s generosity, showing his refusal of the crown, and cleverly using irony to question Brutus’ motives. He appeals to their emotions and gradually incites anger.
- What qualities of Antony as a leader are revealed in the speech?
Intelligence, cunning, rhetorical skill, emotional appeal, and the ability to manipulate public opinion.
Essay Question
6. Analyse Antony’s oration as a masterpiece of rhetoric.
Antony begins humbly, pretending to honour Brutus. He uses repetition, irony, rhetorical questions, and emotional pauses. He contrasts Caesar’s deeds with Brutus’ accusations. By the end, the crowd is enraged. This shows how powerful words can inspire action and change history.
Breaking Barriers, I Will Fly – Srikanth Bolla
Revision Points
- Autobiography of Srikanth Bolla, born blind.
- Society saw him as a burden, but parents supported him.
- Struggled in normal school (ignored, lonely).
- Excelled in a special school → top student, represented India in chess and cricket.
- Fought legal battle to study science despite being blind, scored 98%.
- Denied IIT due to blindness, went abroad (MIT).
- Returned to India, started Bollant Industries → employs disabled people.
- Message: Compassion, social responsibility, confidence.
- Theme: Breaking barriers of disability, true success = helping others.
Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions
- Why does Srikanth call his parents “the richest couple in the world”?
Because they gave him unconditional love and support, even when society saw him as a burden. - Why did he say he was not “visually impaired” but “visually challenged”?
He refused to see blindness as a weakness; he saw it as a challenge to overcome. - Why was he denied admission to IIT?
Because of discriminatory policies that didn’t allow blind students to write the exam.
Paragraph Questions
4. How did Srikanth excel in the special school in Hyderabad?
Teachers encouraged him, he studied hard, earned top ranks, and represented India in chess and cricket.
- Why did Srikanth return to India instead of working in the USA?
He wanted to solve problems faced by disabled people in India and create opportunities for them.
Essay Question
6. “Srikanth’s story is a lesson in courage and compassion.” Discuss.
Srikanth overcame poverty, disability, and discrimination with determination. He fought legal battles for education, studied abroad, but returned to India to help others. His company employs disabled individuals and proves true wealth lies in helping society.
A Phoenix Rises – Twinkle Khanna
Revision Points
- Story of Bablu Kewat, a school dropout after his father’s death.
- Worked as a helper, later became a welder.
- Took over workshop mortgage, ran business successfully.
- Married Gowri, struggled but supported family.
- Disaster struck: a fire accident damaged his workshop, leaving him disabled.
- Instead of giving up, he rose again like a phoenix.
- Started new ventures, found success.
- Theme: Resilience, perseverance, hope.
Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions
- Why did Bablu leave school?
Because after his father’s death, his mother struggled financially, so he worked to support the family. - How did Bablu become a welder?
He began as a helper in a workshop, gradually learned welding, and later managed the workshop himself. - Why is the title “A Phoenix Rises” suitable?
Like the mythical phoenix that rises from ashes, Bablu rebuilt his life after setbacks.
Paragraph Questions
4. Describe Bablu’s early struggles in life.
He lost his father, left school, worked in a workshop, and supported his family. Through hard work, he became a skilled welder and took charge of the workshop.
- What lesson does Bablu’s life teach us?
That setbacks are temporary; with determination, one can rise again and succeed.
Essay Question
6. “Failure is not the end but a chance to rise again.” Explain with reference to Bablu Kewat’s life.
Despite poverty, loss, and even disability, Bablu kept working hard. His perseverance and hope helped him rebuild life after disaster. His story inspires us to never give up.
3.
The Seedling – Paul Laurence Dunbar
Revision Points
- Poem about a tender seedling.
- Strong winds and storms try to destroy it.
- Seedling bends but does not break.
- Later grows into a strong tree.
- Theme: Struggle strengthens us; challenges build character.
- Poetic devices: Personification (seedling as human), imagery, symbolism (seedling = human life).
Questions & Answers
Short Answer Questions
- What is the central idea of the poem?
Struggles and hardships make us strong, just like storms strengthen the seedling. - What poetic device is used in describing the seedling?
Personification—the seedling is given human qualities of suffering and survival. - How does the seedling become strong?
By enduring storms and hardships instead of breaking.
Paragraph Questions
4. Explain how the seedling symbolizes human life.
Just as the seedling bends but survives storms, humans face struggles but grow stronger through challenges.
- How does the poet highlight resilience in the poem?
Through vivid imagery of winds, storms, and the bending seedling, Dunbar shows that hardship strengthens us.
Essay Question
6. Write an appreciation of the poem “The Seedling.”
The poem uses simple imagery of a seedling to convey a universal truth: life’s struggles help us grow. Through personification, symbolism, and rhythm, the poet emphasizes resilience. The message is inspiring—true strength comes from surviving difficulties.