A Roadside Stand Extract Questions | English Class 12

Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 1

Reading Set

Extract 1

Passage

The little old house was out with a little new shed In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped, A roadside stand that too pathetically pled, It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

The new shed was put up at the edge of the road where the ________ sped by.

traffic

The rural people did not set up the stand to beg for a ________ of bread.

dole

Why was the new shed built by the rural folks?

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 2

Reading Set

Extract 2

Passage

The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead, Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts At having the landscape marred with the artless paint Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong

The poet describes the passing city vehicles as ________ traffic.

polished

The city dwellers felt out of sorts because the stand ________ the beautiful landscape.

marred

What does "with a mind ahead" imply about the city travelers?

The phrase implies that the wealthy city travelers were completely self-absorbed and focused entirely on their own destinations. They had absolutely no time, empathy, or inclination to notice the struggling roadside stand or the impoverished people operating it.

Why were the city dwellers "out of sorts" when they looked aside?

The city dwellers felt deeply irritated and annoyed because they believed the clumsy, poorly painted roadside stand ruined the scenic beauty of the countryside. Their focus was purely on the visual aesthetics, completely ignoring the human struggle behind the structure.

What specific flaw in the signs annoyed the passersby?

The passersby were specifically annoyed by the lack of sophistication in the signs. The rural folk had mistakenly painted the letters 'N' and 'S' backward, which the educated city dwellers viewed as an ugly, artless, and unforgivable flaw.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 3

Reading Set

Extract 3

Passage

It is in the news that all these pitiful kin Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store, Where they won't have to think for themselves anymore,

The poor rural people are referred to as pitiful ________ in the news.

kin

The plan is to relocate them to villages near the ________ and the store.

theatre

What is the plan mentioned in the news for the rural poor?

The news claims that the poor rural families will be generously relocated to newly established villages. These settlements will be conveniently located near theaters and stores, supposedly providing them with a highly comfortable, modern, and entirely worry-free lifestyle.

Why does the poet use the word "mercifully" ironically here?

The poet uses "mercifully" ironically because the planned relocation is not an act of genuine kindness. Instead, it is a highly calculated move by greedy exploiters to strip the poor of their land, independence, and traditional way of life.

What is the negative consequence of them not having to "think for themselves anymore"?

By removing their daily struggles, the agencies also steal their autonomy. The villagers will become entirely dependent, idle, and easily manipulated. They will lose their ability to make independent choices, effectively becoming helpless victims of so-called charitable enforcement.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 4

Reading Set

Extract 4

Passage

The sadness that lurks near the open window there, That waits all day in almost open prayer For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car, Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,

The sadness is personified as lurking near the open ________.

window

The people wait all day in almost open ________ for a car to stop.

prayer

What is the "sadness" that the poet refers to?

The sadness refers to the deep disappointment and sorrow of the poor rural people. They wait eagerly all day for city customers, but their hopes are continuously crushed as cars speed by without stopping to buy their modest goods.

Why are the passing cars described as "selfish"?

The passing cars are described as selfish because the wealthy city dwellers driving inside them are completely absorbed in their own lives. They do not care about the desperate poverty of the farmers and refuse to support them financially.

What does the "squeal of brakes" signify to the waiting farmers?

To the waiting farmers, the squeal of brakes signifies a moment of immense hope. It indicates that a car is finally stopping, which brings the thrilling possibility of a customer inquiring about their prices and making a life-changing purchase.

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Chapter sections

Chapter a-roadside-stand: A Roadside Stand | Extract Questions

Extract 1

The new shed was put up at the edge of the road where the ________ sped by.

The rural people did not set up the stand to beg for a ________ of bread.

Why was the new shed built by the rural folks?

Explain the phrase "too pathetically pled".

What does the poet mean by saying it was not for a "dole of bread"?

Extract 2

The poet describes the passing city vehicles as ________ traffic.

The city dwellers felt out of sorts because the stand ________ the beautiful landscape.

What does "with a mind ahead" imply about the city travelers?

Why were the city dwellers "out of sorts" when they looked aside?

What specific flaw in the signs annoyed the passersby?

Extract 3

The poor rural people are referred to as pitiful ________ in the news.

The plan is to relocate them to villages near the ________ and the store.

What is the plan mentioned in the news for the rural poor?

Why does the poet use the word "mercifully" ironically here?

What is the negative consequence of them not having to "think for themselves anymore"?

Extract 4

The sadness is personified as lurking near the open ________.

The people wait all day in almost open ________ for a car to stop.

What is the "sadness" that the poet refers to?

Why are the passing cars described as "selfish"?

What does the "squeal of brakes" signify to the waiting farmers?