Flamingo Question Bank with Answers – Class 12 (CGBSE 2025)

The Last Lesson

Alphonse Daudet

Q1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?

Ans. Franz was expected to be prepared with a lesson on participles that day. But he had not learnt

it and was scared of being scolded by M. Hamel.

Q2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?

Ans. Franz noticed an unusual silence in the school, the students already seated, and M. Hamel

dressed in his best clothes as if for a special occasion.

Q3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?

Ans. The bulletin-board had an order from Berlin stating that German would be taught in the

schools of Alsace and Lorraine instead of French.

Q4. How did M. Hamel feel and behave during the last lesson?

Ans. M. Hamel was emotional yet calm. He spoke about the importance of the French language

and taught the class with great affection and sincerity.

Q5. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you

this? Why does this happen?

Ans. The story shows that people of Alsace and Lorraine realized the value of their language only

when they were forbidden to learn it. They felt guilty for neglecting French and understood it was a

part of their identity and pride. During M. Hamel’s last lesson, the villagers attended the class to

express respect. It happened because losing their language meant losing their freedom and culture.

The emotional farewell became a moment of awakening for all.

Lost Spring

Anees Jung

Q1. Who is Saheb? How can you say his name is ironic?

Ans. Saheb is a ragpicker boy from Seemapuri. His full name 'Saheb-e-Alam' means 'Lord of the

Universe', which is ironic because he lives in poverty and deprivation.

Q2. What did Saheb find sometimes in the garbage? What did he do then?

Ans. Sometimes Saheb found a coin or a ten-rupee note in the garbage. Such finds made him feel

lucky and happy as if he had discovered treasure.

Q3. Why did the children not wear any footwear? What explanation did they give for it?

Ans. The children in Seemapuri did not wear footwear because they were too poor to afford it. They

explained that it was a tradition to remain barefoot.

Q4. What does garbage mean for the elders and the children in Seemapuri?

Ans. For the elders, garbage is a means of survival and livelihood, while for the children it is a

source of wonder and excitement.

Q5. Draw the similarities between Saheb and Mukesh.

Ans. Both Saheb and Mukesh belong to the underprivileged sections of society. They are victims of

poverty and child labour but differ in their outlook. Saheb collects garbage to earn a living and has

no control over his destiny, whereas Mukesh shows determination to change his fate. Both boys

represent lost childhoods, trapped in social inequality and economic hardships. Their dreams reflect

the universal human desire for dignity and a better future.

Deep Water

William Douglas

Q1. What is the 'misadventure' that William Douglas speaks about?

Ans. The misadventure refers to the incident at the YMCA pool when a big boy pushed Douglas

into deep water, leaving him terrified and nearly drowned.

Q2. How did this experience affect him?

Ans. This terrifying experience created a deep fear of water in Douglas’s mind, which haunted him

for years and prevented him from enjoying any water activity.

Q3. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?

Ans. Douglas overcame his fear through determination and systematic training. He hired an

instructor who taught him swimming using ropes and belts. He practiced regularly to control his

panic. Gradually, his confidence returned. Later, he tested himself by swimming alone in different

lakes. When he conquered his fear completely, he felt liberated and triumphant, realizing that

courage and perseverance can defeat even the deepest fears.

Indigo

Louis Fischer

Q1. Why has Rajkumar Shukla been described as being resolute?

Ans. Rajkumar Shukla is called resolute because he persistently followed Gandhiji everywhere until

he agreed to visit Champaran to help the peasants.

Q2. What were the terms of the indigo contract between the British landlords and the Indian

peasants?

Ans. The peasants were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land and surrender the entire crop

as rent to the British landlords.

Q3. How did the Champaran peasants react when they heard that a Mahatma had come to help

them?

Ans. The Champaran peasants were hopeful and full of faith. They gathered in large numbers to

meet Gandhiji and seek justice for their sufferings.

Q4. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

Ans. The Champaran episode was a turning point because it marked Gandhiji’s first successful

experiment with satyagraha in India. It gave him confidence and revealed the strength of

non-violent resistance. The victory united the peasants and inspired national awakening. Gandhiji

realized that true independence required addressing the problems of the poor. This event

transformed him into a national leader and strengthened people’s trust in the power of truth and

moral courage.

The Interview

Christopher Silvester

Q1. What are some of the positive views on Interview?

Ans. Some consider interviews as a useful means to learn about people’s thoughts and personality.

They provide insight into human character and achievements.

Q2. Who is Umberto Eco?

Ans. Umberto Eco was an Italian novelist, critic, and scholar. He is famous for his novel ‘The Name

of the Rose’ and for his essays on semiotics and literature.

Q3. Justify the title ‘The Interview’.

Ans. The title ‘The Interview’ is justified because the chapter presents different perspectives on the

act of interviewing. While some people consider it an intrusion, others view it as a valuable source

of information. Through the conversation with Umberto Eco, the text explores how interviews can

reveal the real personality of individuals. It also highlights the balance between the interviewer’s

curiosity and the interviewee’s privacy. Thus, the title aptly captures the essence of the discussion

and its broader implications.

Going Places

A.R. Barton

Q1. What does Sophie want to do after she passes out school?

Ans. Sophie dreams of opening a boutique or becoming an actress, though she belongs to a

working-class family and her dreams are unrealistic.

Q2. How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?

Ans. Sophie imagines Geoff introducing her to the world outside their neighborhood. She shares

her dreams with him, seeking his admiration and belief.

Q3. Draw the character sketch of Sophie.

Ans. Sophie is a teenage girl full of dreams and fantasies. She aspires to rise above her

middle-class background and imagines meeting the football star Danny Casey. Her dreams, though

unrealistic, reflect her desire for glamour and adventure. She is imaginative, romantic, and

ambitious but lacks practical sense. Her character represents the youthful tendency to dream

beyond one’s reach. Through Sophie, the story highlights the contrast between illusion and reality

faced by many young people.