📘 VISTAS – Model Answers (Class 12 English)

Answer the questions in about 2 sentences each:

Q1. Do you think that the ‘Third Level’ was a medium of escape for Charley, why?

Yes, the ‘Third Level’ was Charley’s medium of escape from the harsh realities of the modern world. He wanted to find peace and comfort in an imaginary world of the past.

Q2. What does the third level refer to?

The ‘Third Level’ refers to Charley’s imaginary idea of a third level at the Grand Central Station which symbolises his desire to escape from reality.

Q3. How is the Grand Central station a symbol of escape?

The Grand Central Station symbolises escape because Charley imagines it as a gateway to a peaceful and simpler world away from stress and worries.

Q4. Who is the Tiger King? Why does he get that name?

The Tiger King is the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. He gets the name because he killed many tigers to prove a prophecy wrong that said he would die because of a tiger.

Q5. What was the great miracle that took place in the lesson ‘The Tiger King’?

The great miracle was that the Tiger King died not by a real tiger but by the infection caused by a wooden toy tiger, fulfilling the prophecy in an ironic way.

Q6. What does the chief astrologer tell to be the cause of the Maharaja’s death?

The chief astrologer predicted that the Maharaja would die because of a tiger, no matter what he did to avoid it.

Q7. How did the author feel on reaching Antarctica?

The author felt amazed and overwhelmed on reaching Antarctica. The vast white landscape made him realise the beauty and fragility of nature.

Q8. What are indications for the future of mankind?

The indications for the future of mankind are alarming as the environment is deteriorating and global warming threatens the existence of life on Earth.

Q9. Who was Dr. Sadao? Where was his house?

Dr. Sadao was a Japanese surgeon and scientist. His house was built on a spot by the sea on the Japanese coast.

Q10. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao’s house?

The servants left Dr. Sadao’s house because he gave shelter and treatment to an enemy American soldier, which they considered unpatriotic.

Q11. How did Roger Skunk find three more pennies?

Roger Skunk found three more pennies by going home and taking them from the money box in his house.

Q12. What is mother Skunk’s role in the story?

Mother Skunk represents parental authority. She disapproves of Roger’s changed smell and teaches him to accept his natural self.

Q13. Who is Mr. Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?

Mr. Lamb is an old man with a tin leg who loves nature and people. Derry enters his garden by climbing over the wall.

Q14. What drew Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself?

Derry was drawn towards Mr. Lamb because of his kindness and positive attitude toward life despite his disability.

Q15. What kind of person was Evan?

Evan was clever, witty, and cunning. He used his intelligence to plan and execute an escape during his exam.

Q16. What information did the Governor give to the secretary of Examination Board about exams?

The Governor informed that Evan was allowed to take the exam in his cell under strict supervision with all security arrangements.

Q17. What did Bama notice about Indian girls in the school?

Bama noticed that the Indian girls were treated unequally and made to feel inferior due to their caste and background.

Q18. What was Zitkala’s idea regarding short, singled hair?

Zitkala associated short hair with humiliation and slavery, as only defeated warriors or mourners had their hair cut short in her culture.

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Answer in about 100–120 words:

Q1. Give the character sketch of Charley.

Charley, the protagonist of ‘The Third Level’, is a 31-year-old man who works in a modern world full of stress and anxiety. He feels trapped in the pressures of city life and yearns for peace. His imagination of a third level at the Grand Central Station reflects his escapist tendency. Charley’s longing for a simpler, calmer life in the 1890s shows his desire for psychological comfort. Through his fantasy, the author presents how modern people often seek refuge in illusion to avoid reality.

Q2. Justify the title of the story ‘The Tiger King’.

The title ‘The Tiger King’ is appropriate because it focuses on the life and death of the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who was obsessed with killing tigers. He earned the title by killing a hundred tigers to defy the prophecy that he would die due to a tiger. Ironically, the prophecy is fulfilled when he dies because of a wooden toy tiger. Thus, the title symbolises pride, irony, and the futility of man’s attempt to challenge fate.

Q3. Draw the character sketch of the Tiger King.

The Tiger King was brave, proud, and authoritarian. He was born under a prophecy that a tiger would cause his death. To prove it wrong, he killed a hundred tigers ruthlessly. He was arrogant and self-centered, caring little about others. However, his end came through a wooden tiger, proving the astrologer’s prophecy true. His character highlights human pride and the futility of trying to defy destiny.

Q4. How is the Grand Central Station a symbol of escape?

The Grand Central Station in ‘The Third Level’ symbolises an escape from the chaos of modern life. Charley imagines it as having a third level that connects him to the peaceful past of the 1890s. The station represents the subconscious desire of people to escape from reality into a world free from tension and fear. It becomes a metaphor for the human need to find emotional refuge and mental peace.

Q5. Describe the salient features of the Antarctic Region in the lesson.

In the lesson ‘Journey to the End of the Earth’, the Antarctic region is described as a vast, white, silent, and untouched landscape. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth. The author observes its pure environment and realises its importance in maintaining ecological balance. It holds the records of Earth’s climatic history, showing how human actions can disturb nature’s balance. It is both a beautiful and a fragile ecosystem.

Q6. Who was Hana and where did Sadao meet her? How were they married?

Hana was a Japanese woman and the wife of Dr. Sadao. Sadao met her in America while he was studying medicine. They liked each other but decided to marry only after returning to Japan with the consent of their families. Hana was kind, loyal, and supportive, helping Sadao to save the life of the enemy soldier despite fear and danger.

Q7. Justify the title of the story ‘The Enemy’.

The title ‘The Enemy’ is apt because it refers to the American soldier whom Dr. Sadao, a Japanese doctor, saves during the war. Though he is technically an enemy, Sadao treats him as a human being. The story highlights the conflict between patriotism and humanity. The title underlines the irony that real enemies are not individuals from other nations but hatred and prejudice in human hearts.

Q8. What is the moral issue that the story ‘Should Wizard Hit Mommy’ raises?

The story raises the moral issue of whether parents should impose their own beliefs on children or allow them to make their own choices. Through the conflict between Jo and her father, the author shows that children value imagination and emotions, while adults value realism and control. The story teaches that individuality and empathy are important in moral development.

Q9. How did Derry’s entry into Mr. Lamb’s garden become a turning point in his life?

Derry, a boy with a burnt face, enters Mr. Lamb’s garden accidentally. Mr. Lamb, despite his own disability, treats Derry with kindness and teaches him to look at life positively. Their meeting transforms Derry’s attitude towards himself and others. He learns to overcome self-pity and fear of rejection. This encounter becomes a turning point, filling Derry’s life with courage and hope.

Q10. Give the character sketch of Evan.

Evan is a clever, intelligent, and witty young prisoner. He is good at making plans and using his mind smartly. During the O-level exam, he escapes from prison by disguising himself and manipulating the authorities. Despite his criminal act, he is admired for his intelligence and calm attitude. The story ‘Evans Tries an O-Level’ shows his resourcefulness and mastery of deception.

Q11. Untouchability is not a crime, it is inhuman too. Why and how did Bama decide to fight against it?

Bama, the narrator of ‘Memories of Childhood’, realises the cruelty of untouchability when she sees her brother carrying food carefully to avoid touching upper-caste people. She feels deeply hurt and angry at the injustice. Her brother advises her to study hard to gain respect and equality. Inspired, Bama decides to fight discrimination through education and awareness. She proves that learning and self-respect are the best weapons against social injustice.