Flamingo Prose Chapter 2 Lost Spring English Core - Flamingo Prose Chapter 2 Lost Spring

Unaware of what his name represents, he roams the streets with his friends, an army of barefoot boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon. Over the months, I have come to recognise each of them.
"Why aren't you wearing chappals?" I ask one.
"My mother did not bring them down from the shelf," he answers simply. "Even if she did, he will throw them off," adds another who is wearing shoes that do not match. When I comment on it, he shuffles his feet and says nothing. "I want shoes," says a third boy who has never owned a pair all his life. Travelling across the country I have seen children walking barefoot, in cities, on village roads. It is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot, is one explanation.

i). What is the writer's purpose in allowing the boys to speak for themselves via dialogue, as opposed to only a writer's commentary?(1)

ii). The line, "It is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot" can be best classified as: (1)
A. A fact
B. An opinion
C. A theme
D. A plot point

iii). Explain any one possible inference that can be drawn from the line, "an army of barefoot boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon". (1)

iv). Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that the writer's association with the boys is not a recent one.

v). Based on the context provided in the extract, select the most likely comment that the writer would have made, based on the (1)
A. "Why are your shoes mismatched? That's not a good look."
B. "Don't worry about your shoes, you can wear a matching pair later."
C. "I like your shoes. What matters is that they protect your feet.""
D. "Have you chosen to mismatch your shoes?

vi). Complete the sentence with ONE word.
The phrase "he answers simply", suggests that the boy's response to the writer's question about why he wasn't wearing chappals was______.(1)

Savita, a young girl in a drab pink dress, sits alongside an elderly woman, soldering pieces of glass. As her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the sanctity of the bangles she helps make. It symbolises an Indian woman's suhaag, auspiciousness in marriage. It will dawn on her suddenly one day when her head is draped with a red veil, her hands dyed red with henna, and red bangles rolled onto her wrists. She will then become a bride. Like the old woman beside her who became one many years ago. She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes. -Ek waqt ser bhar khana bhi nahin khaya,|| she says, in a voice drained of joy. She has not enjoyed even one full meal in her entire lifetime that's what she has reaped! Her husband, an old man with a flowing beard, says, I know nothing except bangles. All I have done is make a house for the family to live in.|| Hearing him, one wonders if he has achieved what many have failed in their lifetime. He has a roof over his head!

1. "I know nothing except bangles". Which one of the following best speaks about the character of the old man.
a) (i) Cunning; (ii) wise; (iii) soft; (iv) obedient
b) (i) Intelligent; (ii) irresponsible; (iii)caring; (iv) simple
c) (i) Innocent; (ii)foresight (iii) responsible; iv)caring
d) (i) Impeccable; (ii) honest; (iii) rude; (iv) simple

2. Which option best indicates that the old woman too has sacrificed something in her life for the sake of her family.

(i) The old woman has bangles on her wrist, but she can't see them.
(ii) She has not even enjoyed one full meal in her life time.
(iii)She never supported her husband in bangle making in her life.
(iv)She knows nothing expect making bangles which symbolise an Indian woman's suhaag.

a) (i)&(iv)
b) (ii)&((iii)
c) (iii)&(iv)
d) (i)&(ii)

3. "Ek waqt ser bhar khana bhi nahin khaya", the grand mother says. Her voice indicates that she is
a) Undergoing an emotion of great happiness.
b) Going through an emotion which lacks happiness.
c) Undergoing an emotion of anger and frustration.
d) Experiencing an emotion which reflects her fear and anxiety.

4. Which of these statements is TRUE about the husband of the elderly woman?
a) He says he knows nothing about making bangles in Firozabad.
b) He did not enjoy even one full meal in his entire life for the sake of his family.
c) He says he knows only bangle making and nothing else in his life.
d) All he has done in his life for the sake of his wife is making bangles for her.

5. "I wonder if she knows the sanctity of the bangles she helps make". In this statement, I wonder reflects the author's?

6. Savita, a young girl in a drab pink dress, sits alongside........