Vistas CG Board questions 2020-2025

 

2020

Q.1. What does the third level refer to?

Answer: The third level refers to a fictional, anachronistic platform at Grand Central Station, which exists only in the narrator Charley's mind. It represents an escape into a nostalgic past, specifically the year 1894, away from the harsh realities and insecurities of the modern world

Q.2. What does the chief astrologer tell to be the cause of Maharaja’s death?

Answer: The chief astrologer predicted that the Maharaja (The Tiger King) would meet his death from a tiger. Specifically, he warned that the hundredth tiger would be the cause of his demise.

Note: Answer the question in about 80 words: (6)

Q.3. Give the character sketch of Charley.

OR

Comment on the appropriateness of the title ‘The Tiger King’.

Answer (Character Sketch of Charley):

Charley is a young, imaginative man who yearns for a simpler, peaceful past, finding the modern world full of insecurity and fear. He is a philatelist, seeking an escape through his hobby. His discovery of the "third level" at Grand Central Station is a manifestation of his desire to escape reality. Initially seen as sane, his belief in the third level, even when his friend Sam disappears, shows his conviction in a world beyond the ordinary. He represents the common man's longing for peace and tranquillity. (80 words)

Answer (Appropriateness of the Title ‘The Tiger King’):

The title 'The Tiger King' is highly appropriate for the story. It directly refers to the central character, Maharaja Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, whose entire identity becomes intertwined with tigers. His life's mission, driven by an astrological prophecy, is to kill one hundred tigers, hence earning him the moniker. The irony and tragicomedy of the story stem from his relentless pursuit of tigers, only to be ironically killed by a toy tiger, making the title a perfect encapsulation of his obsession, fate, and ultimate downfall. (80 words)

2021

Q.1. Why does Charley call the world in 1894 peaceful?

Ans. Charley calls the world in 1894 peaceful because there was no hurry, war, or tension. Life was calm, and people lived happily without modern stress and fears.

Q.2. Who is Tiger King? Why does he get this name?

Ans. The Tiger King is the ruler of Pratibandapuram. He got this name because he killed one hundred tigers to defy the prophecy that he would die due to a tiger.

Note : Answer the question in about 80 words : [6]

Q.3. Draw a character sketch of the Tiger King in your own words.

OR

‘‘The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.’’ What are the ways in which we attempt to overcome them?

Answer:

 The Tiger King was a brave but foolish and egoistic ruler. He tried to challenge fate by killing tigers to avoid death predicted in his horoscope. Though he showed bravery and determination, he became cruel and arrogant in his mission. His pride and superstition led to irrational actions, even banning marriage until he found a tiger-rich kingdom. Ironically, he died because of a wooden tiger. His story shows that no one can escape destiny, however powerful they may be.

OR

Answer:

 In the modern world, insecurity, fear, war, worry, and stress have become common. To overcome these, people turn to various methods such as yoga, meditation, and physical exercise to maintain mental and physical well-being. Many seek peace through spirituality, spending time with family, or pursuing hobbies. Social support and professional counselling also help in managing anxiety and depression. People try to maintain a work-life balance to reduce stress. Some find comfort in music, travel, or nature. Overall, the key is to stay positive, avoid overthinking, and build emotional strength to face life’s challenges with courage and hope.

2022

Q.1. What does the Third Level refer to?

Answer: The Third Level refers to a fictional, anachronistic platform at Grand Central Station, which exists only in the narrator Charley's mind. It symbolizes an escape from the harsh realities, anxieties, and insecurities of the modern world into a nostalgic, peaceful past.

Q.2. Justify the title, ‘The Tiger King’.

Answer: The title 'The Tiger King' is justified as it directly refers to the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, whose entire life becomes dominated by a prophecy that he would die by a tiger. His obsession with killing 100 tigers to defy this fate leads to a satirical and ironic conclusion.

Note: Answer the following question in about 80 words: (6)

Q.3. Give the character sketch of Charley.

OR

What will the Maharaja do to find the required number of tigers to kill?

Answer (Character Sketch of Charley):

Charley is a young, imaginative New Yorker who finds the modern world full of "insecurity, fear, war, and worry." He seeks solace and escape in his hobby of stamp collecting and believes in a fantastical 'Third Level' at Grand Central Station, which represents a gateway to a peaceful past. He is portrayed as somewhat eccentric but genuinely longs for a simpler life, highlighting the human desire to escape from contemporary pressures. His conviction in the Third Level drives the story. (80 words)

Answer (Maharaja's efforts to find tigers):

To find the remaining tigers and fulfil his vow, the Maharaja became increasingly desperate. He imposed a ban on tiger hunting by anyone else in his state. When the tiger population in his own kingdom became extinct, he married a princess from a state with a large tiger population. He continued hunting in his father-in-law's kingdom, sometimes even resorting to placing a tiger brought from the People's Park into his own state for the final kill, showcasing his extreme obsession. (80 words)

2023

Q.1. Who is Charley, Luisa and Sam in the third level?

Answer: Charley is the protagonist, a stressed New Yorker who discovers a fictional "third level" at Grand Central Station as an escape. Luisa is his practical wife, worried about his mental state; Sam is his psychiatrist friend, who sceptically analyses the story but later vanishes, hinting at belief.

Q.2. How did Sadao and Hana come to know that the man was an American, a prisoner of war and an enemy?

Answer: Sadao and Hana identified the man as American from his white skin, blonde hair, and tattered uniform with English markings. His gunshot wounds and escape from a U.S. warship confirmed he was a prisoner of war, making him an enemy during World War II.

Note: Answer the question in about 80 words: (6)

Q.3. Give the character sketch of 'The Tiger King'.

OR

Give the character sketch of Evans.

Answer (The Tiger King):

The Tiger King, Maharaja Jung Bahadur of Pratibandapuram, was a pompous, astrology-obsessed ruler determined to defy a prophecy of death by tiger. He hunted 100 tigers ruthlessly, neglecting duties and even endangering lives, showcasing arrogance and superstition. His ironic death from a wooden tiger's splinter highlights hubris. Flamboyant yet foolish, he prioritized ego over governance, embodying the folly of challenging fate. (72 words)

Answer (Evans):

Evans, dubbed "Evans the Break," was a sly, intelligent prisoner masterminding escapes with meticulous planning and disguise skills. Charming and manipulative, he fooled Oxford prison staff by feigning innocence during a German exam. Resourceful and quick-witted, his final getaway via a fake injury and hidden tools reveals cunning without remorse, making him a thrilling anti-hero of deception. (68 words)

2024

Q.1. What kind of a person was Evans? Why is he called "Evans the Break"?

Answer: In Evans Tries an O-Level, Evans is a clever, cunning, and congenial prisoner with a knack for escaping. He is called "Evans the Break" because of his multiple successful jailbreaks, showcasing his ability to outsmart authorities.

Q.2. How did the Tiger King celebrate his victory over the killing of the hundredth tiger?

Answer: In The Tiger King, the Maharaja celebrated killing the hundredth tiger by planning a grand feast, believing he had fulfilled his vow. However, the tiger was only wounded and later killed by his men, unbeknownst to him.

Long-Answer Question (6 marks)

Q.3. Give the character sketch of Dr. Sadao as depicted in the story "The Enemy".

OR

Give the character sketch of “Charlie”.

Answer:

Dr. Sadao Hoki in Pearl S. Buck’s The Enemy is a complex character embodying duty, compassion, and inner conflict. As a skilled Japanese surgeon, he is dedicated to his profession, having trained in America and saving lives with precision, even that of an enemy American soldier. His compassion shines when he treats the wounded soldier despite the risk of being labeled a traitor during wartime. However, Sadao is torn between his humanitarian instincts and patriotic duty, as helping the enemy conflicts with his loyalty to Japan. His pragmatic side emerges when he ensures the soldier’s escape to avoid further trouble. Sadao’s internal struggle, courage to act against societal norms, and ultimate humanity make him a nuanced character, reflecting the moral dilemmas of war.

OR

Character sketch of “Charlie”.

Answer:

Charlie, the narrator of The Third Level, is a sensitive and imaginative young man living in New York. He works in an office and often feels troubled by the fast-paced, stressful modern life. Charlie longs for peace and simplicity, which makes him believe in the existence of a mysterious “third level” at Grand Central Station. His deep desire to escape reality reflects his imaginative nature. Though practical in daily life, Charlie often drifts into daydreams and fantasies. He loves his wife Louisa but worries about the tension of their lives. Charlie is hopeful, curious, and emotionally fragile, seeking comfort in a world that is calm, secure, and far removed from the pressures of the present.

2025

Q.1. What does the third level refer to?

Ans.    The third level was the subway of the Grand Central Station, and it took passengers from Galesburg, Illinois. Metaphorically it refers to an escape medium that takes man away from the harsh realities of life.

Q.2. Should criminals in prison be given the opportunity of learning and education? Why?

Ans. Yes, criminals in prison should be given opportunities for learning and education because it can significantly reduce recidivism rates, improve their chances of successful reintegration into society, and equip them with skills and knowledge for productive lives.

Note: Answer the following questions in about 120-150 sentences each: [6]

Q.3. Geoff Green, a Canadian explorer and educator, started to include high school students on the expedition “Students on Ice” Programme. Explain why.

OR

 Describe the efforts made by the Tiger King to achieve His target of killing a hundred tigers.

Answer:

 Geoff Green, the founder of the "Students on Ice" program, began including high school students in these expeditions to inspire and educate the next generation about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability. He believed that exposing young minds to the polar regions—areas deeply affected by climate change—would foster a profound understanding of global environmental challenges. By engaging students at a formative age, he aimed to empower them to become proactive global citizens who could contribute meaningfully to building a sustainable future.

 This initiative also sought to provide students with life-changing experiences, helping them develop a deeper respect for the planet and its ecosystems. It was a way to cultivate awareness and action among future policymakers and leaders.

OR

Answer: The Tiger King, went to extreme lengths to fulfil his goal of killing a hundred tigers. His obsession stemmed from a prophecy by astrologers that his death would be caused by a tiger. Determined to defy fate, he embarked on a relentless tiger-hunting spree.

Here are some of his efforts:

Banning Tiger Hunting for Others: To ensure he had enough tigers to hunt, he prohibited anyone else in his kingdom from killing tigers.

Marrying Strategically: When the tiger population in his kingdom dwindled, he married a princess from a neighbouring state with a higher tiger population, allowing him to continue his hunt.

Bribing British Officials: To avoid losing his throne after denying a British officer permission to hunt tigers, he spent a large sum of money to appease the officer's wife.

Manipulating Circumstances: When he struggled to find the hundredth tiger, his Dewan arranged for an old, weak tiger to be presented to him. The king believed he had killed it, though the tiger survived.

Ironically, despite his efforts, the prophecy came true in an unexpected way. The hundredth tiger, which he thought he had killed, was later found alive. However, the king's death was caused by a wooden toy tiger, symbolizing the futility of trying to escape fate.