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CBSE | Class 11 | English
Explore 4 extract-based question sets designed to build reading comprehension and exam confidence.
Extract Questions
Passage with linked answers
Extract 1
Reading SetPassage
I approached a stem Swinging on a reed And asked him To give me a quill. Irritated, he said I gave you one only the other day A new one, what have you done with it?
stem
irritation
The reed questions the poet because it believes she is using quills too quickly. It implies that a new quill should last longer and suspects that the poet might be wasting them on mundane tasks like keeping financial accounts for a king.
The quill represents the physical tool and the creative means required to write in one's language. It symbolizes the poet's ongoing commitment to literature and her need for resources to keep the tradition of her mother tongue alive through written work.
The poet establishes a conversational tone by using simple language and direct dialogue between herself and the reed. This personification makes the exchange feel like a real interaction between two characters, making the abstract theme of language preservation more accessible and engaging.
Extract Questions
Passage with linked answers
Extract 2
Reading SetPassage
Are you some sort of an accountant With some Shah Writing account books Where you need a new pen Every other day he asked.
accountant
every other day
The mention of a 'Shah' implies that the reed views writing as a functional, perhaps even burdensome, task associated with power and commerce. It assumes the poet's work is driven by external demands rather than a personal, cultural, or artistic passion.
The reed compares her to an accountant because accountants write constantly and exhaust their tools quickly. It highlights the frequency of the poet's requests and suggests that, from the outside, her dedicated writing looks like repetitive clerical work for a master.
Needing a pen 'every other day' signifies the intensity and constancy of the poet's creative process. It shows that she is prolific and dedicated to her cause, though the reed mistakenly sees this dedication as a sign of wasteful or mechanical behavior.
Extract Questions
Passage with linked answers
Extract 3
Reading SetPassage
No, I don't work for a Shah I said, but for a Shahni, very kind, Very well off And I am not the only one Working for her She has many servants Ever ready to do her bidding That Shahni is my mother tongue Dogri
Shahni
Dogri
The poet describes her relationship as one of humble and devoted service to a 'kind' mistress. By calling her 'well off,' she suggests that the language is rich in heritage and culture, and serving her is an honor rather than a burden.
The 'many servants' suggest that the language is supported by a large community of people. It shows that the poet is part of a collective effort to keep Dogri alive, and that the language has many loyal followers dedicated to its preservation.
The poet calls her 'very kind' to emphasize that her mother tongue is a source of comfort, identity, and grace. Unlike a demanding employer, the language nurtures the poet’s soul and provides her with the inspiration to create beautiful and meaningful literature.
Extract Questions
Passage with linked answers
Extract 4
Reading SetPassage
Give me, a quill, quickly She must be looking for me The reed cut off its hand Gave it to me and said Take it I too am her servant.
looking
cutting off
This phrase highlights the poet's sense of duty and the reciprocal relationship between a writer and their language. It suggests that the language 'needs' the poet to give it expression, and the poet feels a deep responsibility to not keep it waiting.
The act symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of art and culture. It shows that the tools of creation are part of the natural world, which gives itself up to serve the higher purpose of preserving a people's linguistic identity.
The reed's statement 'I too am her servant' concludes the poem by showing a sense of unity. It suggests that everything in the poet's world is dedicated to the mother tongue, creating a powerful image of a community united by their heritage.