CBSE Class 12

NCERT Class 12 Chemistry Solutions for Chapter 11 provides an insight into the various concepts related to alcohols, phenols and ethers. This is an important chapter and hence requires an indepth knowledge of the topics. The subject experts have provided accurate explanations and step wise solutions for the questions provided in the textbook. This will help the students prepare well during the exams.

NCERT Solutions not only help the students appearing for UP board, MP board, CBSE, Maharashtra board, Gujarat board, etc. but also prepares them for competitive exams such as JEE and NEET. The students should refer to the NCERT Solutions to score well in the examinations.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 11 Alcohols, Phenols and Ehers

Alcohols, phenols, and ethers is an important chapter from the examination perspective. The chapter explains the structure, properties, and applications of alcohols, phenols, and ethers. It also explains the correlation and differences between the three.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 11 gives a better idea of the related concepts. The students can refer to these for better practice.

NCERT INTEXT QUESTIONS

Question 1.
Classify the following into primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols

Answer:
(i) Primary alcohol
(ii) Primary alcohol
(iii) Primary alcohol
(iv) Secondary alcohol
(v) Secondary alcohol
(vi) Tertiary alcohol

Question 2.
Identify allylic alcohol in the above examples.
Answer:
allylic alcohols:

Question 3.
Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds : (C.B.S.E 2008)

Answer:

Question 4.
Show how the following alcohols can be prepared by the action of suitable Grignard reagent on methanal ?

Answer:
(i) The structure of alcohol suggests that the Grignard reagent that reacts with methanal is isopropyl magnesium halide.

(ii) The structure of alcohol suggests that the Grignard reagent that reacts with methanal is cyclohexyl magnesium halide.

Question 5.
Write the structures of the products of the following reactions :

Answer:
(i) The acidic hydration of propene gives propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol)

(ii) NaBH₄ is a weak reducing agent. It brings about the reduction of the ketonic group present in cyclohexane ring to secondary alcoholic group. However, it does not affect ester group.

(iii) NaBH₄ reduces aldehydic group to a primary alcoholic group.

Question 6.
Give structures of the products you would expect when each of the following alcohols reacts with (a) HCl/ZnCl₂ (b) HBr (c) SOCl₂ :
(i) Butan-l-ol
(ii) 2-Methylbutan-2-ol
Answer:
(i) Reactions of Butan-1-ol

The reaction of butan-l-ol (primary alcohol) can take place only upon heating. At room temperature, the reaction does not occur.

(ii) Reactions of 2-Methylbutan-2-ol

The alcohol being tertiary in nature reacts immediately with Lucas Reagent at room temperature.

Question 7.
Predict the major product of add catalysed dehydration of :
(i) 1-Methylcyclohexanol
(ii) Butan-1-ol
Answer:
(i) Acid catalysed dehydration of 1-methylcyclohexanol can give two products. However, 1-methylcyclohexene will be  preferably formed according to Satyzeff s rule since it is more substituted.

(ii) Butan-1-o1 upon acid dehydration will give but-2-ene as the major product along with but-l-ene as the minor product. Actually, primary carbocation formed can either lose a H⁺ to form but-1-ene or may undergo rearrangement and shift to secondary carbocation, which is more stable. The latter then forms but-2-ene by losing a H⁺.

Question 8.
Ortho and para nitrophenols are more acidic than phenol. Draw the resonating structures of the corresponding phenoxide ions.
Answer:
We know that the nitrophenols are more acidic than phenol. Their acidic strength can be compared in terms of the relative stabilities of the corresponding phenoxide ions based on resonance. For example,
(i) Phenoxide ion :


(ii) p-Nitrophenoxide ion :


(iii) p-Nitrophenoxide ion :

In case of nitrosubstituted phenoxides, the contributing structures that are enclosed in boxes have negative charge on the carbon atom to which die electron withdrawing nitro group is attached. They therefore, contribute more towards the acidic character than the rest of the contributing structures. Consequently, both ortho and para nitrophenol are stronger acids than phenol.

Question 9.
Write the equations involved in the following reactions :
(i) Reimer Tiemann Reaction
(ii) Kolbe’s Reaction.
Answer:
(i) In this reaction phenol is heated with chloroform alongwith aqueous NaOH (or KOH) to about 340 K. This is followed by acidification with dilute HCl when 2 – hydroxyhenzaldehyde (salicylaldehyde) is formed as the major product.

A small amount of para isomer is also formed in the reaction. In case, chLoroform is replaced by carbon tetrachioride, then 2—hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) is formed as the main product.

(ii) In this reaction, CO₂ gas is passed through sodium phenate at 400 K under a pressure of 4 to 7 atmospheres. This is followed by acidification with dilute HCI when salicylic acid is formed. This method is commonly used for the commercial preparation of saucy lic acid.

Question 10.
Write the reactions of Williamson’s synthesis of 2-ethoxy-3-methoxypentane starting from ethanol and 3-methylpentan- 2-ol.
Answer:
In the Williamson’s synthesis, the reactants are alkyl halide and sodium salt of an alcohol. In order to avoid the formation of alkene during the reaction, the alkyl halide should be primary while sodium salt must be of branched chain alcohol. In the present case, alkyl halide must be derived from ethanol upon heating with halogen acid (e.g HBr).

Question 11.
Which of the following is an appropriate set of reactants for the preparation of l-methoxy-4-nitrobenzene and why ?

Answer:
The second set of reactants is more appropriate to give the products i.e., l-methoxy-4-nitrobenzene. In the first set, cleavage of C – Br bond is involved. It is rather difficult since the carbon atom is sp² hybridised and the bond has partial double bond character as well. The product is formed as a result of Williamson’s synthesis.

Question 12.
Predict the products of the following reactions :

Answer:
(i) The reaction involves the cleavage of C – 0 bond. The Br atom of HBr is to combine with the smaller alkyl group to give the following products.

For more details and explanation, consult section 12.24.
(ii) This reaction also proceeds in the same manner. The Br atom of HBr is expected to combine with ethyl group (smaller in size) and not with phenyl group (bigger in size).

(iii) Nitrating mixture brings about the nitration of benzene ring. The ethoxy group (OC₂H₅) is an activating group and increases the electron density at the ortho and para positions due to +M effect. As a result, a mixture of o-nitro and p-nitro derivatives is formed. Out of these, the p-isomer is in excess since there is less steric hindrance due to OC₂H₅ group at the para position than at the ortho position in the ring.

(iv) In this reaction, the ether is initially protonated by H⁺ ion of the acid HI. to accomodate I^– ion (nucleophile). The reaction follows S_n1 mechanism.

NCERT EXERCISE

Question 1.
Write IUPAC names of the following compounds :

Answer:
(i) 2, 2, 4 – Trimethylpentan-3-ol
(ii) 5 – Ethylheptan-2, 4-diol
(iii) Butane – 2, 3, diol
(iv) Propane – 1, 2, 3-triol
(v) 2 – Methylphenol
(vi) 4 – Methylphenol
(vii) 2, 5 – Dimethylphenol
(viii) 2, 6 – Dimethyiphenol
(ix) 1 -Methoxy – 2 – methy lpropane
(x) Ethoxybenzene
(xi) 1 – Phenoxyheptane
(xii) 2 – Ethoxybutane.

Question 2.
Write the structure of the compounds, whose IUPAC names are as follows
(i) 2-Methylbutan – 2 – ol
(ii) I-Phenylpropan – 2 – ol
(iii) 3-Phenylhexane – l, 3, 5 – triol
(iv) 2, 3 – Diethylphenol
(v) 1 – Ethoxypropane
(vi) 2- Ethoxy – 3- methylpentane
(vii) Cyclohexylmethanol
(viii) 3-Cyclohexylpentan – 3 – ol
(ix) Cyclopent – 3 – en –  – ol
(x) 3 – Chloromethvlpentan – l – ol
Answer:

Question 3.
(i) Draw the structures of all isomeric alcohols of molecular formula C₅HI₂0 and give their IUPAC names.
(ii) Classify the isomers of alcohols in question 11.3 (i)as primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols.
Answer:
Eight isomers are possible. These are:

Question 4.
Explain why is propanol higher boiling than butane?
Answer:
Propanol (Propan-l-ol) and butane are of comparable molecular masses 60m and 58u respectively but the boiling point of propanol is higher (391 K) because of the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the molecules. However, it is not present in butane due to the absence of polar OH group. The only attractive forces are weak van der Waals forces. Therefore, the boiling point of propanol is more than that of butane (309 K).

Question 5:
Explain why are alcohols more soluble in water than the corresponding hydrocarbons?
Answer:
The solubility of alcohols in water may be attributed to two factors :
(i) Both of them are of polar nature.
(ii) Molecules of both of them are involved in the intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
However, hydrocarbons are non-polar and are also not involved in any hydrogen bonding with alcohols. Alcohols readily dissolve in a water while the hydrocarbons are almost insoluble.

Question 6.
What is meant by hydroboration oxidation reaction ? Illustrate with an example.
Answer:
By hydroboration- oxidation of alkenes. Indirect hydration of alkenes can also bedone by hvdroboration-oxidation which is completed in two steps. In the first step. alkene reacts ith diborane (B’1{6) as boron hydride (BH3) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) to form an alkyl horane. In fact. the boron atom along i th the hydrogen gets attached to the double
bonded carbon atom with more number of hydrogen atoms less sterically hindered side). One hydrogen is then transferred to the other carbon atom. In this manner, all the three hydrogen atoms of boron are transferred to alkene molecule to form
trialkyl borane as the product. In the next step. the alkyl borane is oxidised by alkaline 11202 to form an alcohol. The indirect hydration proceeds according to Antimarkownikov s rule. For example.

Question 7.
Give the structures and IUPAC names of the phenols of molecular formula C₇H₈O.
Answer:

Question 8.
In separating a mixture of ortho and para nitrophenols by steam distillation, name the isomer which is steam volatile? Give reason.
Answer:
o-nitrophenol is steam volatile while p-nitrophenol is not. This is on account of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the molecules of o-nitrophenol. As a result, its boiling point is less than that of p-nitrophenol in which the molecules are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
It is interesting to note that in the substituted phenols, the nature and position of the substituent influences the boiling point of phenol.
For example .o-nitrophenol is steam volatile while p-nitrophenol is not. This is supported by the fact that the boiling point temperature of o-nitrophenol (100°C) is less than that of p-nitrophenol, (279°C). In o-nitrophenol, there is intramolecular hydrogen bonding in OH and NO₂ groups placed in a adjacent positions. However, these are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the p-isomers. It is quite obvious that extra energy is needed to cleave the hydrogen bonds in the p-isomer. Consequently, its boiling point is more.

o-nitrophenol with lower boiling point is steam volatile while p-nitrophenol is not. This helps in the separation of the two isomers present in the liquid mixture. On passing steam, o-nitrophenol volatilises, and its vapours rise alongwith steam and after condensation, collect in the receiver p-nitrophenol is left behind in the distillation flask. e-nkrophenol p-nnrophenol.

Question 9.
Give the equations of reactions for the preparation of phenol from cumene.
Answer:

Question 10.
Write chemical equations involved in the preparation of phenol from chlorobenzene.
Answer:
From chlorobenzene, phenol is prepared by Dow’s process.In this method, chlorobenzene is heated with 6 to 8% solution of NaOH to about 623 K under a pressure of 300 atmospheres to form sodium phenate which upon acidification with dilute HCI gives phenol as follows:

Question 11.
Write the mechanism of hydration of ethene to yield ethanol.
Answer:
Ethene does not react with water as such. Water being little polar, is not in a position to provide H⁺ ion for initial electrophilic attack on ethene. The reaction is carried in the presence of H₂S0₄. The acid provides proton (H⁺) for the initial electrophilic attack.

In the second step, H₂0 attacks the carbocation in preference to HS0₄ ion as a nucleophile

Question 12.
You are given benzene, cone. H₂S0₄ and NaOH. Write equations for the preparation of phenol using these reagents.
Answer:

Question 13.
Show how well you synthesise:
(i) 1-phenyl ethanol from a suitable alkene
(ii) Cyclohexylmethanol using an alkyl halide by S_N² reaction
(iii) Pentan-1-ol using a suitable alkyl halide.
Answer:

Question 14.
Give two reactions to show the acidic nature of phenol. Compare the acidity of phenol with that of ethanol.
Answer:
Acidic nature of phenols. Phenols are weakly acidic in nature. The liquid form of phenol containing about 5 percent water is known as carbolic acid. The dissociation constant (K_a) for phenol is 10^-10 at 298 K (room temperature). The corresponding pK_a* value is 10.0. The acidic character is exhibited by the following properties:
(i) Reaction with active metals. Phenols evolve hydrogen with active metals such as sodium and potassium.

(ii) Reaction with alkalies. Phenols neutralise caustic alkalies such as NaOH or KOH to form salt and water.

In addition to these, phenols turn blue litmus red which is the characteristic property or acids. However, phenols do not
react with either alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates since these are quite weak acids.

Question 15.
Explain why is ortho-nitrophenol more acidic than ortho-methoxy phenol?
Answer:
Due to strong -R and – I-effect of the -NO₂ group, electron density of the O – H bond decreases and hence the loss of a proton becomes easy.

Question 16.
Explain how does -OH group attached to a carbon atom of benzene ring activates it towards electrophilic substitution ?
Answer:
The OH group exerts a +M (or + R) effect on the ring under the influence of attacking electrophile.

As a result, there is an increase in the electron density in the ring particularly at the ortho and para positions. The electrophilic substitution readily takes place at these positions when electrophile attacks.

Question 17.
Give equations for the following chemical reactions :
(i) Oxidation of propan-1-ol with alkaline KMnO₄
(ii) Reaction of bromine in CS₂ with phenol
(iii) Action of dilute HNO₃ on phenol
(iv) Treating phenol with chloroform in the presence of aqueous NaOH at 343 K.
Answer:

Question 18.
Write short notes on (i) Kolbe reaction (ii) Reimer-Tiemann reaction.
Answer:
(i) In this reaction phenol is heated with chloroform alongwith aqueous NaOH (or KOH) to about 340 K. This is followed by acidification with dilute HCl when 2 – hydroxyhenzaldehyde (salicylaldehyde) is formed as the major product.

A small amount of para isomer is also formed in the reaction. In case, chLoroform is replaced by carbon tetrachloride, then 2—hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) is formed as the main product.

(ii) In this reaction, CO₂ gas is passed through sodium phenate at 400 K under a pressure of 4 to 7 atmospheres. This is followed by acidification with dilute HCl when salicylic acid is formed. This method is commonly used for the commercial preparation of salicylic acid.

Question 19.
Write a mechanism for the acid dehydration of ethanol to ethene.
Answer:
Mechanism of dehydration. The mechanism is illustrated with ethanol which is a primary alcohol.

The relative ease of dehydration of different alcohols i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary can be further justified on the basis of the relative stabilities of the carbocations formed in the slow step. Since tertiary carbocation is maximum stable while primary is the least, the tertiary alcohols are maximum reactive while the primary are the least reactive in nature.
In other words, greater the stability of carbocation formed, more is the reactivity of the alcohol.

Question 20.
How are the following conversions carried out?
(i) Propene → Propan -2-ol
(ii) Benzyl chloride → Benzyl alcohol
(iii) Ethyl magnesium chloride → Propan-1-ol
(iv) Methyl magnesium bromide → 2-Methylpropan-2-ol
Answer:

Question 21.
Name the reagents used in the following reactions :
(i) Oxidation of primary alcohol to carboxylic acid
(ii) Oxidation of primary alcohol to an aldehyde
(iii) Bromination of phenol to 2, 4, 6-tribromophenol
(iv) Benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid
(v) Dehydration of propan-2-ol to propene
(vi) Butan-2-one to butan-2-ol.
Answer:
(i) Acidified K₂Cr₂O₇
(ii) Pyridine chlorochromate (PCC)
(iii) Bromine water (Br₂/H₂O)
(iv) Alkaline KMnO₄
(v) 60% H₂S0₄ at 373 K
(vi) LiAlH₄ or NaBH₄.

Question 22.
Give a reason for the higher boiling point of ethanol in comparison to methoxymethane.
Answer:
Ethers are isomeric with alcohols but their boiling points are comparatively low due to the lack of hydrogen bonding. For example, boiling points of isomeric n – butyl alcohol (nC₄H₉OH) and diethyl ether (C₂H₅ – O – C₂H₅) are, 390 K and 308 K respectively.

Question 23:
Give the IUPAC names of the following ethers :


Answer:
(i) 1-Methoxy-2-methylpropane
(ii) 1-Chloro-2-methoxy ethane
(iii) 4-Nitroanisole
(iv) 1-Methoxypropane
(v) 4-Ethoxy-1, 1-dimethyl cyclohexane
(vi) Ethoxybenzene

Question 24.
Write the names of reagents and equations for the preparation of the following ethers by Williamson’s synthesis:
(i) 1-Propoxypropane
(ii) Ethoxybenzene
(iii) 2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane
(iv) 1-Methoxyethane
Answer:

Question 25.
Illustrate with examples the limitations of Williamson’s synthesis for the preparation of certain types of ethers.
Answer:
Preparation from Alkyl Halides
From alkyl halides, ethers can be prepared by the following methods
By Williamson’s synthesis. It is the best method for the laboratory preparation of both simple and mixed ethers and involves the action of sodium alkoxide (formed by reaction between alcohol and sodium metal) on a suitable alkyl halide.

Limitations of the reaction. In the preparation of unsymmetrical ethers, a proper choice of the reactants is necessary.
Elimination leading to alkene can take place since alkoxide ion can also abstract one of the 3—hydrogen atom alongwith acting as a nucleophile. Thus, in order ro prepare ethyl tertiary butyl ether, we must use ethyl halide (primary) and sodium tertiary
butoxide.

In case, the alkyl halide is tertiary and sodium ethoxide is employed, then C2H5O ion will cause the elimination of alkyl halide to form an alkene as the main product.

Since secondary and tertiary alkyl halides prefer to undergo elimination rather substitution, symmetrical ethers containing secondary and tertiary alkyl groups are obtained only in poor yields by Willamson’s synthesis. For example,

This method is also not successful for preparing aryl alkyl ethers by reacting sod. alkoxide with aryl halides because the cleavage of C – X bond is not so easy due to partial double bond character. In such cases, we must react sodium phenoxide with
alkyl halide as follows:

However, diaryl ethers (both the groups are aryl or phenyl groups) cannot be prepared since aryl halides fail to participate in the nucleophilic substitution reactions.

Question 26.
How is 1-propoxypropane synthesised from propan-1-ol? Write the mechanism of this reaction.
Answer:
(a) Williamson’s synthesis

Question 27.
Preparation of ethers by acid dehydration of secondary or tertiary alcohols is not a suitable method. Give reason.
Answer:

Question 28.
Write the equation for the reaction of HI with :
(i) 1-Propoxypropane
(ii) Methoxybenzene
(iii) Benzyl ethyl ether.
Answer:

Question 29.
Explain the fact that in aryl alkyl ethers (i) the alkoxy group activates the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution and (ii) it directs the incoming substituents to ortho and para positions in benzene ring.
Answer:
In aryl alkyl ethers, the +R-effect of the alkoxy (OR) group increases the electron density in the benzene ring, thereby activating the benzene ring towards electrophilic substitution reaction.

Since the electron density increases more at the two ortho and one para position as compared to meta position therefore, electrophilic substitution reactions mainly occur at o-and -positions.

Question 30.
Write the mechanism of the reaction of Hl with methoxymethane.
Answer:

Question 31.
Write equations for the following reactions :
(i) Friedel Crafts reaction-alkylation in anisole.
(ii) Nitration of anisole
(iii) Bromination of anisole in ethanolic medium
(iv) Friedel Crafts acetylation of anisole.
Answer:
(i) The halogenation of the benzene ring occurs at the ortho and para positions. However, the para isomer is
formed in excess. For example, the bromination of anisole in ethanoic acid gives nearly 90 percent p-bromoanisole.

(ii)  The nitration of anisole carried with a nitrating mixture of conc. UNO3 and conc. H2SO4 upon heating gives a
a mixture of ortho and para nitro derivatives.

(iii) Sulphonation: Anisole upon sulphonation gives a mixture of isomeric sulphonic acid derivatives.

(iv) Friedel Craft’s reaction: Both alkylation and acylation are carried in the presence of anhydrous Aid3 catalyst which
behaves as a Lewis acid.

Question 32.
Show how would you synthesise the following alcohols from appropriate alkanes?

Answer:

Question 33.
When 3-methylbutan-2-ol is treated with HBr, the following reaction takes place :

Give the mechanism of the reaction.
Answer:
The mechanism is explained as follows :

We hope the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 11 Alcohols, Phenols and Ehers help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 11 Alcohols, Phenols and Ehers, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 12 Colonial Cities Urbanisation, Planning and Architecture are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 12 Colonial Cities Urbanisation, Planning and Architecture.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 History Chapter 12 Colonial Cities Urbanisation, Planning and Architecture

Question 1.
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context ?
Solution :
The census data are useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context in the following ways :

1. The censuses reveal that after 1800 the urbanisation in India was slow. The proportion of the urban population to the total population in India was almost stagnant. Between 1900 and 1940 the urban population increased from about 10 per cent of the total population to about 13 per cent.
2. Smaller towns did not grow economically but Bombay, Madras and Calcutta grew rapidly.
3. The introduction of railways changed the centre of economic activity from traditional towns to towns connected with the railways.

The above facts provide us the patterns of urbanisation but the historians have found the census data misleading because the census operation was a means by which social data were converted into convenient statistics about the population. There were many shortcomings in it. For example, classification of different sections of population was arbitrary. There were overlapping identities of people. People w7ere too suspicious of census operations and did not cooperate with the officials. Thus, census data is invaluable but should be studied carefully in restructuring patterns of urbanisation in colonial India.

Question 2.
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
Solution :
The British had white skin as they were often described ‘white’ and they considered themselves as superior to others. On the other hand, the blacks had brown or black skin. So they were known as the ‘black’. The White signified their superiority over the black due to the colour of their skin. The British symbolised the Black areas full of chaos and anarchy, filth and disease and on the other hand, the white areas stood for cleanliness and hygiene. In Black areas, epidemics like cholera and plague often broke out. So the British took stringent measures to ensure sanitation and public health to prevent diseases of the Black areas. They ensured underground piped water supply and introduced sewerage and drainage system in White areas. Thus, we can say, the White Towns were those parts of the colonial towns where the White people lived. These towns had wide roads, barracks, churches, paradeground, big bungalows and gardens, symbolised settled city life, whereas the Indian lived in Black Towns, were said to be unorganised and a source of filth and disease.

Question 3.
How did prominent Indian merchants establish themselves in the colonial city?
Solution :
The prominent Indian merchants established themselves in the colonial city in the following ways :

1. With the expansion of railways, the countryside from where raw materials and labour were obtained was linked to the cities like Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. This gave an opportunity to the Indian merchants to set up modern factories. Thus, after the 1850s, cotton mills were set up by Indian merchants and entrepreneurs in Bombay.
2. Kanpur specialised in leather, woollen, cotton textiles and Jamshedpur where steel factory was established by J. Tata, specialised in steel.
3. The American Civil War started in 1861 gave another opportunity to the Indian merchants for earning huge profits. Bombay was the most important city of India. By the late nineteenth century, Indian merchants in Bombay established cotton mills.

Question 4.
Examine how concerns of defence and health gave shape to Calcutta.
Solution :
Sirajudaula, the Nawab of Bengal in 1756, sacked the small fort from Britisher. In this fort the British traders had built to house their goods. Consequently, when Sirajudaula was defeated in the Battle of Plassey, the British built a new fort, Fort William which could not be easily attacked. Around this a vast open space was left. This open space ‘ was called the Maidan or garermath. This was done for security reasons, because there would be no obstructions to a straight time of fire from the Fort against an advancing enemy army. Soon the British began to move out of the Fort. They built residences along the periphery of the Maidan. This indicates that how the English Settlement in Calcutta began to take shape. The vast open space around the Fort William became the significant town planning measure in Calcutta (Now Kolkata).

Lord Wellesley was more concerned about the conditions that existed in the cities. Cities were overcrowded, and had no sanitation facilities. He issued an administrative order in 1803 on the need for town planning and set up various committees for this purpose open places in the city would make the city healthier. As a result of this, many bazaars, ghats, burial ground and tanneries were cleared or removed. After Wellesley’s departure, the Lottery Committee carried on with the work of town planning in Calcutta.

Question 5.
What are the different colonial architectural styles which can be seen in Bombay city ?
Solution :
The different colonial architectural styles which can be seen in Bombay city are as mentioned below :

1. European style : In mid nineteenth century, the buildings were constructed in the European style to create a familiar landscape in an alien country and to symbolise their superiority.
2. Indian style : As the Indians used European architecture, the British adopted Indian style that can be seen in the construction of bungalows in Bombay and all over India.
3. Neo-classical or new classical style : Its characteristics are construction of geometrical structures fronted with lofty pillars. Town Hall is an example of this style.
4. Neo-Gothic style : Its characteristics are high-pitched roofs, pointed arches and detailed decoration: Secretariat, University of Bombay and High Court were made in this style. The most spectacular example of the neo-Gothic style is the Victoria Terminus.
5. Indo-saracenic style : It was a hybrid architectural style that combined the Indian with the European. It was inspired by the medieval buildings in India with their domes, chhatris, jalis and arches. The Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Hotel that was built by Jamsetji Tata belong to this style.

Question 6.
How were urban centres transformed during the eighteenth century?
Solution :
(i) The disintegration of the mughal empire after the death of Aurangzab paved the way of emergence of paverful regional powers. The capital cities of these regional kingdom likes Lucknow, Poona, Nagpur and Barda now become important. Taking the advantage of this opportunity many nobles and officials created new urban settlements such as the qasbah and ganj.

(ii) The European companies too had set up their bases in different parts of India during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. For example the Portugues (in Panaji in 1570) and the British in Madras in 1639. With the expansion in commercial activity, towns began to emerge as trading centres.

(iii) From the mid-eighteenth century trading. Centres like Surat and Dhakha which had grown in the seventeenth century now began to decline as trade shifted to other places. When the British acquired Bengal and the east Indian’s Company’s trade hereafter expanded the colonial port cities likes Madras and Calcutta. These new part cities began to emerge as the new economic capitals.

(iv) In these newly developed cities many new buildings were built and new occupations developed. People flocked to these cities in large numbers. By the nineteenth century, these newly developed cities become the biggest cities in India.

Question 7.
What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city ? What functions did they serve ?
Solution :
New kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city were as given below :

1. Fort St. George (Madras), Fort William (Calcutta), the Fort George (Bombay). These were the fortified areas of British settlement.
2. The Writers’ Building in Calcutta : It was the building where the servants of the East India Company in India stayed on arrival in the country. Later this building became a government office.
3. Clubs, racecourses and theatres were built for the ruling elites exclusively on racial grounds.
4. Cantonment places were developed. Here Indian troops under European command were stationed. These were considered safe enclaves for Europeans.
5. Simla, founded during the course of Gurkha war, and Darjeeling were hill stations that became strategic places for billeting troops, guarding frontiers and launching campaigns against enemy rulers.
6. Public places such as public parks, theatres, and cinema halls came into existence for providing new forms of entertainment and social interaction.
7. Government House Calcutta : It was built by Lord Wellesley for himself in Calcutta.

Question 8.
What were the concerns that influenced town planning in the nineteenth century?
Solution :

1. Two concerns which influenced the town planning in the nineteenth century were defence and health.
2. In many towns British built forts to protect their factories. Around the fort, a vast open space was left open. This vast space was known as the Maidan.
3. It was done so that there would be no obstructions to a straight line of fire from the Fort against an advancing enemy.
4. Attempts were also made to improve the sanitation and cleanliness by creating open spaces in the city.
5. For this purpose, in Calcutta many bazaars, ghats and burial grounds were cleared.

Question 9.
To what extent were social relations transformed in the new cities ?
Solution :
The social relations were transformed in the new cities in the following ways :

1. New transport facilities as horse-drawn carriages, trams and buses meant that people could live at a distance from the city centre. This led to separation of the place of work from the place of residence. People travelled from home to office or factory.
2. The sense of coherence and familiarity of the old towns disappeared. The public places such as parks, theatres and cinema halls provided new forms of entertainment and social interaction.
3. New social groups came into existence. The “middle classes” increased due to the coming of all types of people i.e., clerks, doctors, teachers, lawyers and others. With the spread of education, people could put forward their views in newspapers and journals. People started questioning old customs and practices.
4. Women entered new professions as factory workers, teachers, theatres and film actresses. However, their entry into public spaces remained the objects of social censure.
5. There was a dramatic contrast between extreme wealth and poverty. The new cities were bewildering places where life seemed always in a flux. Paupers from the villages came to cities in search of employment. The male migrants left their families in the villages because jobs were uncertain and food was expensive. But yet the villagers participated in religious festivals, tamashas and swangs which mocked the pretensions of their masters, Indian and European.

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Here we are providing NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7 Evans Tries an O-level. Students can get Class 12 English Evans Tries an O-level NCERT Solutions, Questions and Answers designed by subject expert teachers.

Evans Tries an O-level NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 7

Evans Tries an O-level NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Evans Tries an O-level Reading with insight

Question 1.
Reflecting on the story, what did you feel about Evans having the last laugh?
Answer:
In this story, James Roderick Evans, a young criminal, manipulated a situation to outsmart a team of officers, headed by the Governor of HM Prison, Oxford. His ingenuity impresses the readers. One views him as a law breaker; he was a kleptomaniac, not a ferocious criminal.There was no record against him for any violence. On the contrary, he was praised by the Governor as a pleasant and amusing person. He was one of the stars at the Christmas concert and was good at imitation.

He was called “Evans the Break” by the prison officers as he had escaped three times from prison. His ability to outsmart the officers is viewed as more of a battle of wits, than a serious offence. One marvels at his cleverness—his plea to keep the hat on, impersonating the invigilator and having his friend pose as a tutor, and above all hoodwinking the police into escorting him out. One cannot but help admire him for his never-say- die attitude.

Question 2.
When Stephens comes back to the cell he jumps to a conclusion and the whole machinery blindly goes by his assumption, without even checking the identity of the injured ‘McLeery’. Does this show how hasty conjectures prevent one from seeing the obvious? How is the criminal able to predict such negligence?
Answer:
When Stephens walked beside ‘McLeery’, he noticed that his Scots accent was more pronounced and he looked slimmer. He was happily ruminating on the fact that the Governor had asked him, and not Jackson, to see McLeery off the premises. But much to his horror, when he decided to take just one last look at Evans, he saw the injured ‘McLeery’ instead and raised an alarm. McLeery, who was actually Evans in disguise, managed to have himself escorted to the hospital from where he escaped.

Though the police had seen Evans day in and day out, yet he had managed to give them the slip. Negligence to corroborate evidence and to fall for the general frenzy, outwitted the officers and the governor. The criminal, on the other hand, observed the people around him and plotted to take advantage of their complacence and weakness. Jackson and Stephens were so anxious to outdo one another that they were taken on a ride by the criminal.

Question 3.
What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to the prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion? Does that final act of foolishness really prove that “he was just another good-for-a-giggle, gullible governor, that was all”?
Answer:
The Governor was not necessarily foolish. It was he who tracked down Evans at the Golden Lion. He was perceptive and was shown to unravel the mystery, almost single-handedly.Yet, when the prison officer handcuffed the recaptured Evans, the Governor put him in the van and easily let him escape. He committed the same mistake of assuming that Evans could no longer pull another trick. His self¬assured attitude caused him to lose to Evans who seemed alert as ever, and quick-witted.

Though the Governor was outsmarted by Evans once, he failed to anticipate that Evans could pull off a similar trick with the police officer. However, Evans comes across as a mastermind who outwitted one and all, it seemed impossible to keep up with his antics.

Question 4.
While we condemn the crime we are sympathetic to the criminal. Is this the reason why the prison guards develop a soft corner for those in custody?
Answer:
The reason why the prison guards develop a soft comer for those in custody is that constant interaction brings people closer. There is increased understanding between them. With the passage of time they grow to empathise with the criminal. As ordinary individuals, we too identify with the characters in a book or a film, we can identify with their pain and suffering. The prison guards tend to form their personal favourites and alleviate their suffering by the little compassion they can, within legal boundaries. In this story, Evans knew of Jackson’s compassionate nature which he took advantage of, to stage his escape. Jackson let Evans keep on his tattered hat and spared him the discovery of his new haircut, facilitating his escape.

Question 5.
Do you agree that between crime and punishment it is mainly a battle of wits?
Answer:
Between crime and punishment, it is mainly a battle of wits. Courts have become battlegrounds of sophistry, hyperbole, and obfuscation. This is the reason why seasoned criminals, taking advantage of the situation, go unpunished. There is a relationship between intelligence and crime. As in the story, Evans was a kleptomaniac but managed to outsmart the entire team of police officers. So much so that he was escorted out of the prison by the men in uniform, arrested and he managed to escape again in the wake of a confession.

His plan was brilliant and his tactics ingenious, such as getting his friends to masquerade as a German teacher and as the invigilator, concealing blood in a rubber ring, getting directions through the means of a question paper, and the correction of the paper. He manages to outwit the entire police force.

Evans Tries an O-level Extra Questions and Answers

Evans Tries an O-level Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Who was Evans? Why were precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?
Answer:
Evans was a young prisoner in the Oxford Prison who wished to appear for his O-level German exam. He was notorious for breaking out of prison, having tried it thrice. The prison officers called him “Evans the Break”. Hence, precautions were taken to guard against any of his ploys to escape.

Question 2.
Why had Evans been imprisoned?
Answer:
James Roderick Evans had no record of violence. In fact, he was reputed to be a pleasant fellow, and was well known for his performances at the Christmas concert. However he was a habitual kleptomaniac—he stole things.

Question 3.
What reason did Evans give for wearing a hat? Why did he do so?
Answer:
When the senior prison guard, Mr Jackson, asked Evan to take his filthy hat off, Evans begged to keep it on as it was his lucky charm. In reality, the hat was a device to hide his closely cropped hair that he would consequently use to pull off a disguise.

Question 4.
Who was Stuart McLeery? What did he look like?
Answer:
Reverend Stuart McLeery was a priest who was called in to invigilate the exam Evans was to take. He wore a long black overcoat and a shallow-crowned clerical hat to protect himself from the steady drizzle. He wore spectacles that had thick lenses, in his right hand he carried a small brown suitcase, which contained all that he would need for his morning duties, including a sealed question paper envelope, a yellow invigilation form, a special “authentication” card from the Examinations Board, a paper knife, a Bible and a current copy of The Church Times. However, the author only provides the readers with a description of the impostor dressed as McLeery.

Question 5.
What were the Governor’s fears?
Answer:
The Governor had made secure arrangements to guard against any possible plans for Evans to escape. He was suddenly apprehensive because Evans, he thought, could take advantage of McLeeiy. He could get him to smuggle in a chisel or a rope ladder. He was worried if McLeery had, unwittingly, brought in something— like a jack-knife, Evans could hold him hostage with such a weapon.

Question 6.
What was the one thing about McLeery that puzzled Jackson? How did McLeery explain this?
Answer:
Jackson lightly frisked McLeery’s clothes, and came upon his reading glasses, in the spectacle case. One of the objects puzzled him sorely. It was a smallish semi-inflated rubber ring. McLeery explained that he suffered from haemorrhoids, and it served him to sit comfortably.

Question 7.
What was the phone call for during the examination?
Answer:
The phone call, was supposedly, from the Examinations Board that instructed candidates offering German, 021-1 to note a correction. McLeery was instructed to call out the correction carried in the examination paper.

Question 8.
What did Evans ask for during the course of the examination? How did Stephens react to this?
Answer:
Evans wanted to put a blanket around his shoulders as he claimed to be feeling cold. Stephens was sceptical of allowing Evans the benefit of the blanket to keep him from trying to suffocate McLeery. But he changed his mind, considering the prison cell was indeed cold, away from the sun’s warmth.

Question 9.
How was the invigilator escorted out of the prison? What was Stephens’ reaction?
Answer:
Stephens escorted McLeery to the main gates. He noticed that the invigilator’s Scottish accent seemed more pronounced than ever, and his long black overcoat created the illusion that he had suddenly grown slimmer. Nevertheless, Stephens felt pleased that the Governor had asked him, and not Jackson, to see McLeery off the premises.

Question 10.
What shock awaited Stephens when he looked into Evan’s cell?
Answer:
Stephen decided to take one last look at Evans after escorting the invigilator out. Much to his horror, he discovered the injured parson in place of Evans. He found the parson with a blanket on his shoulders, and his irregularly cropped hair covered with blood, dripping onto his priestly white collar. He shouted frantically for Jackson.

Question 11.
Who was the bleeding man in the cell? What was he doing?
Answer:
The bleeding man in the cell was none other than Evans himself who the officials presumed to be the invigilator. McLeery, as he was presumed to be, seemed to hear the officers at hand, as his hand felt feebly for a handkerchief from his pocket, and he held it to his bleeding head. He tried to speak but could give only a long low moan.

Question 12.
Where did Carter take McLeery?
Answer:
Carter was alarmed to see McLeery hurt. He immediately called for an ambulance, but McLeery insisted on leading them to Elsfield Way, where he claimed Evans was. The Governor told Carter to take McLeery for guidance as he was the only one who seemed to know what was happening. Carter helped McLeery into the car and McLeery told them to drive from Elsfield Way to the Headington roundabout. They headed for the Examinations Board, suspecting to find there an accomplice to Evans.

Question 13.
How did the Governor realize that they had mistaken Evans to be McLeery?
Answer:
On being told by Carter, that the parson had been taken to the hospital from the Examination Board, he called to confirm at the Radcliffe. To his shock, the hospital staff said that McLeery had not been admitted there. The hospital claimed to have sent an ambulance which had failed to trace McLeery. It was only then that the realization dawned on the Governor how Evans had managed to pose as the injured McLeery.

Question 14.
Where was Evans after his escape from the prison?
Answer:
Evans was at a hotel, Golden Lion, dressed smartly in a smart new hat to conceal his hair that he had cropped so closely. When the narrative returns to him, he was seen directing the receptionist to send him the morning papers.

Question 15.
How was Evans apprehended the last time? How did he outsmart the police again?
Answer:
When Evans entered his hotel room to find the Governor, he made no effort to avoid being caught, and unravelled his plan, good-naturedly to the Governor. Following which, a prison officer handcuffed Evans and took him to the prison van. As the prison van turned right from Chipping Norton on to the Oxford Road, the ‘prison officer’ who had been silent till then unlocked the handcuffs and revealed himself to be yet another accomplice of Evans. Evans managed to stage his last escape by having an impostor stage the act of a police officer.

Evans Tries an O-level Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
What did the police in Oxford Prison think about James Evans?
Answer:
The Governor of Oxford Prison felt that Evans was not a violent criminal. He found him to be a pleasant and an amusing character. Evans was not a violent sort of person and there was no record of his violence. In fact, he was considered quite a pleasant sort of chap. He was also an entertaining person and was one of the stars at the Christmas concert where he did imitations like that of the comedian Mike Yarwood. He was an incorrigible kleptomaniac and had an obsessive impulse to steal regardless of economic need.

Evans was called “Evans the Break” by the prison officers. He had thrice escaped from prison, and would not have been in Oxford Prison but for the recent wave of unrest in the maximum-security establishments in the north. Tight security kept Evans behind the bars. The Governor, personally, made sure that he did no such thing that would shame them. But, Evans was viewed as real trouble. His presence was persistently irritating to the jail authorities. The Governor doubted Evans’ interest in O-level German and thought it was a ruse to break out of prison again.

Question 2.
Write in detail about the preparations that were made for Evans James to write his examination.
Answer:
When Evans applied for permission to appear for the O-Level Examination in German, the Governor decided to look at the security measures personally. Evans was to write the examination in his own cell. To invigilate the exam, they had decided to call one of the parsons from St Mary Mags. The authorities assumed that they would not have much trouble preventing his communication with others. The examination was to be taken in D Wing, which had a heavy outer door and a heavy inner door that led to the cell.

The two-hour examination was scheduled to start at 9.15 a.m. So the next morning, at 8.30 a.m., two prison officers, Mr Jackson and Mr Stephens, went to Evans’ cell. Mr Jackson asked Mr Stephens to take away his razor after he had finished shaving. Even his nail-scissors were taken away. Evans was allowed to retain his hat as he begged to keep with him his lucky charm. Two small square tables were brought into his cell and placed opposite each other.

They had a listening device installed in his cell, above the door, so that the Governor could listen in. Stephens had to dutifully peer through the peephole at regular intervals to keep a close watch on Evans.

Question 3.
How did Evans plan his escape amidst tight security?
Answer:
Evans was known as “Evans the Break” by the prison officers as he had escaped three times from prison, previously. At Oxford Prison, he managed to outsmart everybody once again. He arranged for a man who came disguised as Reverend Stuart McLeery, an accomplice of Evans, while the actual parson had been locked in his apartment.

He came carrying a ring to sit on, filled with pig’s blood which helped Evans mislead the police. While he pretended to give instructions to Evans to fill in the examination sheet, McLeery actually told him of the escape plan. His corrections were clues of the escape plan. The blanket given to Evans at 10.50 a.m. helped Evans with the disguise. The cap, that was his lucky mascot, was an aid to hide the closely cropped hair which helped him look like the parson. Stuart McLeery, wore two black fronts and two collars to provide one set to Evans. After McLeery was escorted out, Mr Stephens was aghast to see McLeery sprawled in Evans’ chair with blood oozing out. He refused to go to the hospital but offered his help to find Evans. He also showed the Governor a photocopied sheet that had been carefully and cleverly superimposed over the blank page of the question paper.

McLeery led the police to Elsfield Way and from there to Headington and finally to Newbury in order to put the police off Evans’ track. When Superintendent Carter informed the Governor that McLeery was in the Radcliffe Hospital, and the Governor went to check on him, he found McLeery missing and discovered the truth about Evans’ plan. All along, it was not McLeery, but Evans who had been in the cell, pretending to be injured. He had executed the plan through his so-called invigilator, who was in reality his friend.

Question 4.
How did the Governor track down Evans? How did Evans outsmart him again?
Answer:
Once the Governor found out that McLeery was not in the hospital, he realized the truth. They found the real McLeery bound and gagged in his study in the Broad Street. They also realized it had not been Evans impersonating McLeery who had walked out; it had been Evans impersonating McLeery who had stayed in. On the other hand, Evans, after a delightful meal, returned to the hotel Golden Lion wearing a hat to conceal his closely cropped hair. He noticed the pretty receptionist.

As he went up to his room, to his surprise, he saw the Governor sitting in his bedroom and realized that the blonde girl at the reception was an informer. The Governor, who knew a little German, had deduced “zum goldenen Lowen” meant the Golden Lion and using Evans’ Index number 313 and Centre number 271 as coordinates on an Ordnance Survey Map, he figured out the location of the Hotel. When Evans was handed to the police once again, the Governor heaved a sigh of relief. But much to everyone’s surprise, the prison van driver and the officer were impersonators who helped Evans flee right under their nose.

Here we are providing NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes. Students can get Class 12 English Poets and Pancakes NCERT Solutions, Questions and Answers designed by subject expert teachers.

Poets and Pancakes NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6

Poets and Pancakes NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

Poets and Pancakes Think as you read 

Question 1.
What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up?
Answer:
The writer means the misery caused by the incandescent lights that poured out intense heat. The make-up room of the Gemini Studios had bright bulbs in the room full of large mirrors that reflected the glowing lights. Under such blazing heat make-up was done.

Question 2.
What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
Answer:
The make-up team and also those who came and went were from different states. It was headed by a Bengali and next in hierarchy was a Maharashtrian, assisted by an Andhraite, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and other local Tamils. It was truly a gang of nationally integrated make-up men.

Question 3.
What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios? Why was he disappointed?
Answer:
The office boy applied make-up to the crowds, mixing his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd players. He had joined the studios in the hope of becoming a star actor or a top screen writer, director or lyrics writer. He was a bit of a poet. He was disappointed as he was placed low even in the hierarchy of make-up men.

Question 4.
Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?
Answer:
The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and store them in files. Many of these had to be written out in hand. Seeing him sitting at his desk and tearing up newspapers most people thought he had nothing to do at the studios.

Question 5.
Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
Answer:
The office boy was frustrated because his hopes of making big in the movie world failed. He vent his anger and frustration on Kothamangalam Subbu, the No. 2 in the studios, whom he held responsible for his dishonour and neglect.

Question 6.
Who was Subbu’s principal?
Answer:
S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios, was the boss and Subbu’s Principal in the studios. Subbu had a great loyalty to him. This made him identify himself with his principal completely. He turned his entire creativity to his principal’s advantage.

Question 7.
Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. List four of his special abilities.
Answer:
Subbu was a many-sided genius. He was born a Brahmin. It is a virtue in itself as it exposed him to more affluent situations and people. Second, he had the ability to look cheerful at all times. Third, he always had work for somebody. Fourth, he had great loyalty to his principal, S.S. Vasan, the Boss.

Question 8.
Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
Answer:
The lawyer was the only one at the studios who wore pants, tie and sometimes a coat, unlike others who wore khadi dhoti and shirt. His job was to give support and advise on problems, but in fact he created problems. He brought the career of a brilliant actress to an end by terrorizing her. He was rightly called an illegal adviser.

Question 9.
What made the lawyer stand out from the others at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The lawyer wore pants, a tie and sometimes a coat, while all wore khadi dhoti and white khadi shirt. He looked alone and helpless. He was a man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers. He was a neutral man among Gandhiites and Khadiites.

Question 10.
Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
Answer:
The people at Gemini Studios wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhi, but beyond that they had no particular political interests or understanding. They only had opinions on communism, which they loathed and looked down on communists. They considered communists as heartless atheists who are devoid of emotions. They went about letting loose anarchy in the society.

Question 11.
Why was the Moral Re-Armament Army welcomed at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Moral Re-Armament Army was invited to stage two plays, which were more like plain homilies ‘ (sermons/lectures) for the Gemini family. It was discovered only later that the group was part of the movement countering international communism and Vasan had invited them under the influence of his political interests.

Question 12.
Name one example to show that Gemini Studios was influenced by the plays staged by MRA?
Answer:
MRA staged two plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten Factor’. Their high quality costumes and
well made sets earned a lot of admiration. Their sunrise and sunset scene impressed them so much that all Tamil plays started reproducing the scene with a bare stage, a white background curtain and a tune playing on the flute.

Question 13.
Who was the Boss of Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Mr. S.S. Vasan, the founder of Gemini Studios was the Boss. Apart from producing films, he was an editor of a popular Tamil weekly ‘Ananda Vikatan’. He was a great admirer of scholarly people. Subbu seemed to enjoy an intimate relationship with him. Mr. Vasan is projected as a bit of showman here.

Question 14.
What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Englishman’s speech was peppered with words like ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ and the Gemini
family had no political interests, so they were dazed and a silent audience. Also, the Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of which all communication had failed. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people whose life centered around a film studio.

Question 15.
Why was the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
Answer:
The Englishman was a poet whose name was not familiar. In his speech he talked about the thrills and travails of an English poet, which made no sense for the simple people at Gemini Studios who had had no exposure other than films and so they were not interested. These simple people had neither taste for English poetry nor political interests. Hence, his visit is referred to as an unexplained mystery.

Question 16.
Who was the English visitor to the studios?
Answer:
The English visitor to the studios was poet Stephen Spender, editor of British periodical ‘The Encounter’.

Question 17.
How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studio was?
Answer:
The author discovered his identity by reading his name on the pages of ‘The Encounter’ in the British Council Library. He also knew about him from the paperback edition of the book The God That Failed.

Question 18.
What does The God That Failed refer to?
Answer:
The God That Failed refers to a book that was a compilation of six essays by six eminent men. It was a low priced student edition released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. It dealt with the author’s disillusionment with communism.

Poets And Pancakes Understanding the text

Question 1.
The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting?
Answer:
‘Poets and Pancakes’ has an underlying tone of humour which is satirical and has been deployed by the author to point out human foibles. It is mainly manifested in his description of the make-up room people.

The make-up room, he says, was in a building that had once been the stables of Robert Clive. He further makes fun of the make-up team that slapped make-up. Ironically, the make-up turned any normal man into a hideous monster, far from being presentable. He also refers to the fiery misery of the actors when their make-up was done under the bright bulbs, large mirrors reflecting blazing heat. His description of Subbu’s No. 2 position in Gemini Studios, the frustration of the office boy and the opposite role played by the legal adviser in the acting career of a countryside girl are humorously dealt with but effectively bring out the flaws in the set-up.

The showmanship of the boss and what influences his guest list point out human weaknesses in a light-hearted manner. The humour is at its peak in the description of the visit of Stephen Spender. S.S. Vasan’s reading a long speech in his honour but he too knew precious little about him. Spender’s accent is highly unintelligible. Then the author’s establishing long lost brother’s relationship with the English visitor is also funny and humorous. All these slight digs at human foibles tickle in us humour.

Question 2.
Why was Kothamangaiam Subbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
Answer:
Kothamangaiam Subbu was on the attendance roll with the story department and was No. 2 at Gemini Studios not by virtue of any merit, but because he was a Brahmin with affluent exposure. He was cheerful and had a sense of loyalty that placed him close to the Boss. He was quick to delegate work to others. As if tailor-made for films, sparks of his creativity showed in his suggestions on how to create shots. He composed poetry, scripted a story and a novel. He gave direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years. He performed in a subsidiary role better than the main players. He had a genuine love for his relatives and near and dear ones. His extravagant hospitality was popular among his relatives and acquaintances, probably that is why he had enemies.

Question 3.
How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the audience at Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The Gemini Studios witnessed a surprising visit by a tall Englishman who was proclaimed to be a poet. The welcome speech by the Boss was delivered in the most general terms, which only showed that even the Boss did not know much about him. The poet talked about the thrill and travails of an English poet which made no sense to the simple people at Gemini Studios. They had no exposure other than films and so, they were not interested. Also, words like democracy and freedom that featured in his speech held no interest for them as they had no political thought or interests. Moreover, the Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of which all communications failed. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people whose life centred round a film studio. Therefore, his visit remained an unexplained mystery for much time.

Question 4.
What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer:
The author, Asokamitran, was entrusted with the job of maintaining the newspaper clippings of movies and other articles. Though to others, who just saw him tearing papers, he appeared to be doing nothing, the job kept the author well informed. Also, there prevailed an intellectual environment to some extent because the poets and script writers used to hang out there in the mess that served coffee any time of the day. The author would pick up fifty paisa copies of journals from the footpath and took part in the poetry writing competition. He actually read essays ‘The God Who Failed’ to know more about the poet Stephen Spender. All these are evidence that he had some literary taste.

Poets And Pancakes Extra Questions and Answers

Poets And Pancakes Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
How does the writer describe the make-up room of the Gemini Studios?
Answer:
The make-up room of the Gemini Studios had incandescent lights. It also had lights at all angles around large mirrors. Those subjected to make-up had to face bright light and a lot of heat there. It was on the upper floor of the building that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s stables.

Question 2.
Bring out the humour in the job of the make-up men.
Answer:
The make-up men came from all corners of the country and could transform any decent-looking person into a repulsive crimson coloured fiend and made people look uglier than they were in real life. They used truck loads of pancakes and locally manufactured potions and lotions to transform the looks of the actors.

Question 3.
How was the make-up room a fine example of national integration?
Answer:
Transcending all the barriers of regions, religions and castes, people from all over India came to Gemini Studios for jobs. The make-up department was headed by a Bengali, succeeded by a Maharashtrian, assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madrasi, Christian and an Anglo Burmese and the usual local Tamils. Hence, the writer finds in the make-up department a perfect example of national integration.

Question 4.
Why did the author appear to do nothing in the studio?
Answer:
The author’s job in the studio was to cut newspaper dippings of all the relevant news items and articles that appeared in different newspapers and maintain a record of the same. This tearing of newspaper gave an impression that he was free and simply whiling away his time. People used to barge in his cubicle and lectured him.

Question 5.
Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on and how?
Answer:
The office boy had joined the studio years back. He aspired to be a top film star, or top screen writer, lyricist or director. He felt frustrated on not being able to realise his dreams and had been given a job much below his calibre and dignity. He blamed Kothamangalam Subbu for all his woes, ignominy and neglect. He often gave vent to his frustrations in the narrator’s cubicle. The narrator yearned for relief from the never-ending babble of the office boy.

Question 6.
Subbu is described as a many-sided genius. Justify.
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu may not have had much formal education but, by virtue of his being born as a Brahmin, he had had exposure to many affluent situations and people. He had the ability to look cheerful at all times, even after a setback. He was always full of creative ideas. Above all, he was a charitable and extravagant man and hospitable to his relations. His loyalty had put him close to his boss. But he seemed to others a sycophant and a flatterer and, probably, that was the reason he had enemies.

Question 7.
How did the lawyer unwittingly bring an end to a brief and brilliant career of a young actress?
Answer:
A talented but very temperamental actress lost her cool on the sets. The lawyer recorded her outburst and played it back, much to her embarrassment. The actress from the countryside was so terror- struck that she retreated and never got back to films. In this way, his mischief making brought an abrupt end to the brilliant actress’ career.

Question 8.
Why did the magazine, ‘The Encounter’, ring a bell in the writer’s mind?
Answer:
The writer wanted to participate in a short story writing contest organized by ‘The Encounter’, a British publication. Before sending his entry, he waited, confirm the authenticity of the periodical, so he visited the British Council Library. When the author read the editor’s name, a bell rang in his mind. It was Stephen Spender, the poet who had visited the Gemini Studios.

Question 9.
What was significant about the book which the author took from roadside?
Answer:
‘The God That failed’ was the name of the book which caught the attention of the author. It contained the essays of six eminent men, who described their journey into communism and their return from it after being disillusioned. It suddenly assumed great significance for the author as he discovered that one of the essays had been written by Stephen Spender, the poet, who had visited the studio. He now understood the reason for his having been invited.

Question 10.
What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?
Answer:
The author was very knowledgeable young man whose job required him to pour over the newspaper all day long. His interest in creative writing and participating in story writing contests indicates his interest in literature. This interest was so keen that he read books on varied subjects and went about buying them even when he was short of money.

Question 11.
What kind of people, according to the author, are meant for prose writing?
Answer:
According to the author, prose writing is not the pursuit of a genius. It is for the patient, persistent and persevering drudge whose heart can take rejections and whose spirit to keep trying does not get killed so easily.

Question 12.
Why was Gemini Studios a favourite haunt of poets?
Answer:
Gemini Studios was a favourite haunt of poets as it had an excellent mess which supplied good coffee at all times of the day and for most part of the night. Meeting there was a satisfying entertainment. Moreover, Mr. Vasan was a great admirer of scholarly people.

Question 13.
‘Prose writing is not and cannot be the true pursuit of a genius’, says the author. Explain the statement.
Answer:
In this statement, the author says that prose writing can’t be the true pursuit of a genius because it is always rejected. A genius is not that is accepted everywhere. The author states all this with criticism that prose writing is actually meant for rejection. Prose writers are patient, persistent and persevering drudges. They can’t be down played by rejection slips. Everytime he gets a rejection slip for his manuscript, he starts making a fresh copy and sends it to another publisher with return postage.

Question 14.
‘Suddenly the book assumed tremendous significance.’ Explain the statement.
Answer:
The author bought one copy of the book ‘The God That Failed’ from the footpath. Six eminent men of letters in six separate essays describe their journey into communism and their disillusioned return. Among them one was Stephen Spender. The author at once recollected that Stephen Spender had visited Gemini Studios. He knew about the mystery of his visit now. So, the book assumed tremendous significance for him.

Question 15.
Explain the appropriateness of the title ‘Poets and Pancakes’?
Answer:
The chapter describes Gemini Studios and its functioning very clearly. Its employees are little unrecognized poets. Though they work in a film studio, the focus is on the author’s station in the Studios as a make-up boy using pancakes on crowd players, and how he failed as a poet. So, the title is appropriate.

Question 16.
How humorously does the author describe Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army?
Answer:
The author humorously calls the Moral Re-Armament Army after someone as ‘an international circus’. Then he states that they were not very good on the trapeze. Their acquaintance with animals should have been much as animals play tricks in a circus. “But the group ate animals”, says the author their acquaintance with animals was only at the dining table.

Question 17.
What was thought of a communist by the studios people?
Answer:
According to these people, a communist was a godless man. He had no filial or conjugal love. He had compunction about killing his own parents and children. He was always out to cause and spread unrest and violence among the innocent and ignorant people.

Poets And Pancakes Long Questions and Answers

Question 1.
How does the author come to know about the periodical ‘The Encounter’?
Answer:
The Hindu published an advertisement about a short story contest organized by ‘The Encounter’. The author wanted to know about it before he spent a lot of money on postage sending his manuscript to England. So, he visited the British Council Library. There he saw many untouched copies of ‘The Encounter’. When he read the editor’s name, he felt like he had found a long lost brother. He sang as he sealed the envelope and felt that the editor would also be singing the same song when he would open the envelope. Actually the editor was the same Englishman, Stephen Spender who visited Gemini Studios long time ago.

Question 2.
‘Poets and Pancakes’ is a beautiful example of humour in its chatty and rambling style’. Comment.
Answer:
‘Poets and Pancakes’ is an account of Asokamitran’s experiences at the Gemini Studios. Asokamitran
deals with a wide variety of ideas where despite one thought leading to another, the thematic coherence is never lost. The author has adopted a chatty and rambling style. The style has a flow and the reader glides smoothly with the flow of the narrative. Asokamitran highlights human foibles and unusual behaviour with the help of subtle humour. All the characters are so life like that the reader seems to come across in real life. The subtle humour is neither superimposed nor superfluous.

Throughout the chapter humour seems to be spontaneous and interwoven. Even the choice of the title shows that Asokamitran has a flair for natural humour. He ridicules without hurting and the entire account becomes very interesting. Throughout the chapter the reader doesn’t find even the slightest trace of malice. But every now and then the author speaks with his tongue-in-cheek way and pays left-handed compliments to different characters to the great amusement of the readers.

Question 3.
What was the opinion of most of the people at the studios regarding communism?
Answer:
The people at the Gemini Studios wore Khadi dhoti and a clumsily tailored white khadi shirt. It was a crowd of dreamers and an assembly of Gandhiites and khadietes. The Congress rule meant prohibition and most employees worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they had no admiration for political thought of any kind. They hated the term ‘communism’ as to them a communist was a godless man, incapable of love and always out to spread unrest and violence among the innocent and ignorant people.

When Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament Army visited the Gemini Studios in 1952, they gave them a warm reception. Later they learnt that MRA was a counter movement to international communism and the big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan simply played into their hands. Later, the mystery of the visit of Stephen Spender was resolved and the writer came to know the reason of his visit and that the Boss of Gemini Studios had not been interested in Spender’s poetry but in communism. But the khadi-clad poets of Gemini Studios fell the same aversion for communism.

Question 4.
The English poet who visited Gemini Studios was as baffled as the audience. Why was that?
Answer:
When Gemini Studios prepared to welcome Stephen Spender, they did not know the identity of the
visitor. All they knew was that he was a poet from England. However, he was not one of the poets from England that they had heard of. Later they heard that he was an editor. But again he wasn’t the editor of any of the known British publications. When the gentleman arrived, the mystery’ of his identity deepened.

The Englishman left the audience dazed and silent as no one knew what he was talking about. The people of Gemini Studios led lives that least offered them the possibilities of cultivating a taste for English poetry. The English man talked of the thrills and problems of an English poet. His British accent defeated any attempt to understand what he was saying. His lecture lasted an hour but it left the people confused. The poet himself was equally baffled. He too must have felt the strangeness of his talk. His visit remained an unexplained mystery for a long time.

Question 5.
Explain the statement ‘Subbu is tailor-made for films.’
Answer:
Kothamangalam Subbu has many qualities of head and heart with a great fund of humaneness. He has the ability’ to look cheerful at all times. His loyalty to his principal is complete. He is always ready to say nice things about everything. He is resourceful. He has an inventive brain as he can create new ways and means to dramatise some difficult propositions in films. Film-making goes very easy with him. He is a poet also and has written a novel titled Thillana Mchanambal He successfully recreated the mood and manner of the Devadasis of the early 20thcentury.

He is an amazing actor and has performed better than the supposed main players. Above all. he has a heart of gold for his relatives and near and dear ones. His house is a permanent residence for them. In fact, he is tailor-made for films. He gave direction and definition to Gemini Studios during its golden years. His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed his literary achievements. He is a poet, an actor and a creative assistant roled into one.

Question 6.
What idea do you get about the narrator from the chapter ‘Poets and Pancakes’?
Answer:
Asokamitran used to work in a cubicle tearing up newspapers all the time. Most of the people thought that he did nothing. So anyone who felt so would enter his cubicle and deliver an extended lecture. He never tried to say anything in his defence. He kept himself busy with his work, without poking his nose into anyone’s affairs but he was wide awake and highly observant. He very well knew what was going on around him. He had a deep psychological insight into the human mind.

He could see through Subbu’s sycophancy, the lawyer’s smartness and the office boy’s frustration. He was very fond of books and bought books all the time even when there was paucity of money. His description of S.S. Vasan’s battling with half a dozen pedestal fans while reading his welcome address and an account of Stephen Spender’s accent are examples of his brilliant sense of humour. He was a man of cool temperament who never jumped to conclusions or pounced upon opportunities rashly. On the whole, he emerges as a responsible and conscientious man.

Question 7.
Describe Stephen Spender’s visit to Gemini Studios.
Answer:
There was a lot of speculation about Spender’s visit. Initially, everyone thought he was a poet but later they heard that he was an editor. The author describes him as a tall, very English and a serious person. It was evident from Boss’ speech that he knew very little about the visitor. When Spender addressed the gathering they were all dazed as they couldn’t understand his accent and didn’t understand what he was talking about.

Even Spender must have sensed the incongruity of being called to talk about the travails of an English poet in a film studio making simple Tamil films. His visit remained an unexpected mystery. It was only much later that Asokamitran learnt that the reason why the boss had invited Spender. Spender was disillusioned with communism and had contributed an essay in a book on communism called ‘The God That Failed’.