Poets and Pancakes Extract Questions | English Class 12

Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 1

Reading Set

Extract 1

Passage

The make-up department of the Gemini Studios was in the upstairs of a building that was believed to have been Robert Clive's stables. A dozen other buildings in the city are said to have been his residence. For his brief life and an even briefer stay in Madras, Robert Clive seems to have done a lot of moving, besides fighting some impossible battles in remote corners of India and marrying a maiden in St. Mary's Church in Fort St. George in Madras.

The make-up department was located in a building believed to have previously been Robert Clive's __________.

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Extract Questions

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Extract

Extract 2

Reading Set

Extract 2

Passage

In all instances of frustration, you will always find the anger directed towards a single person openly or covertly and this man of the make-up department was convinced that all his woes, ignominy and neglect were due to Kothamangalam Subbu. Subbu was the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He couldn't have had a more encouraging opening in films than our grown-up make-up boy had.

The frustrated man in the make-up department directed all his anger towards __________.

Kothamangalam Subbu

Subbu held the prestigious position of being the __________ at Gemini Studios.

No. 2

Why did the office boy hold a strong grudge against Kothamangalam Subbu?

The office boy believed that his own lack of success was Subbu's fault. He felt that his miseries, public disgrace, and professional neglect were entirely caused by Subbu, who had successfully risen to the top position despite similar beginnings.

How does the author compare the early film careers of Subbu and the office boy?

The author points out that Subbu actually faced a much tougher start. Unlike the office boy, Subbu began his career when there were no established film companies, meaning he had a far less encouraging and stable opening in films.

What does the phrase 'openly or covertly' reveal about human frustration?

The phrase reveals a deep psychological truth about human nature. It shows that when people fail to achieve their dreams, they rarely blame themselves; instead, they inevitably find a specific scapegoat to channel their bitterness, either publicly or secretly.

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Extract Questions

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Extract 3

Reading Set

Extract 3

Passage

When Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament army, some two hundred strong, visited Madras sometime in 1952, they could not have found a warmer host in India than the Gemini Studios. Someone called the group an international circus. They weren't very good on the trapeze and their acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner table, but they presented two plays in a most professional manner.

The Moral Re-Armament army visited Madras in the year __________.

1952

Some people humorously referred to the MRA group as an international __________.

circus

Why does the author make a joke about the MRA's acquaintance with animals?

The author jokes about animals to mock the label 'international circus.' He humorously clarifies that they had no actual performing animals; their only interaction with beasts was eating meat at the dinner table, contrasting their theatrical work with circus acts.

How did the MRA army compensate for not being a real circus?

Although they lacked acrobats and animals, they compensated brilliantly through their exceptional theatrical skills. They presented two stage plays, 'Jotham Valley' and 'The Forgotten Factor', with incredibly professional execution, stunning sets, and excellent costumes that deeply impressed the audience.

Why did Gemini Studios prove to be the perfect host for the MRA?

Gemini Studios was an ideal host because its large, politically ignorant staff already held a vague but strong prejudice against Communism. Since the MRA was an anti-communist movement, their underlying ideologies matched perfectly, ensuring a very warm and supportive reception.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 4

Reading Set

Extract 4

Passage

At last, around four in the afternoon, the poet (or the editor) arrived. He was a tall man, very English, very serious and of course very unknown to all of us. Battling with half a dozen pedestal fans on the shooting stage, The Boss read out a long speech. It was obvious that he too knew precious little about the poet (or the editor).

The mysterious English visitor arrived at the studio at around __________ in the afternoon.

four

While delivering his welcoming speech, The Boss had to battle with half a dozen __________.

pedestal fans

How did the Gemini staff react to the appearance of the English poet?

The staff felt entirely disconnected from him. They noted his tall, very serious, and distinctly English demeanor, but because he was completely unknown to them, his sudden arrival at a Tamil film studio generated more confusion and bafflement than excitement.

What does the Boss's speech reveal about his understanding of the guest?

The Boss's lengthy but generalized speech, which merely sprinkled vague terms like 'freedom' and 'democracy', clearly indicated his ignorance. It revealed that despite hosting the event, the Boss himself had absolutely no real knowledge about the visiting English literary figure.

Why is the visitor continuously referred to as 'the poet (or the editor)'?

This repetitive phrasing highlights the profound ignorance and confusion prevailing at Gemini Studios. No one, not even the management, was certain about the guest's actual profession or identity, underscoring the absurd incongruity of his visit to a commercial film studio.

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Chapter sections

Chapter poets-and-pancakes: Poets and Pancakes | Extract Questions

Extract 1

The make-up department was located in a building believed to have previously been Robert Clive's __________.

Robert Clive was famously known for marrying a maiden in __________ in Madras.

How does the author highlight Robert Clive's restless nature in Madras?

What historical contrast does the location of the make-up department provide?

What is the tone of the author while describing Robert Clive's life?

Extract 2

The frustrated man in the make-up department directed all his anger towards __________.

Subbu held the prestigious position of being the __________ at Gemini Studios.

Why did the office boy hold a strong grudge against Kothamangalam Subbu?

How does the author compare the early film careers of Subbu and the office boy?

What does the phrase 'openly or covertly' reveal about human frustration?

Extract 3

The Moral Re-Armament army visited Madras in the year __________.

Some people humorously referred to the MRA group as an international __________.

Why does the author make a joke about the MRA's acquaintance with animals?

How did the MRA army compensate for not being a real circus?

Why did Gemini Studios prove to be the perfect host for the MRA?

Extract 4

The mysterious English visitor arrived at the studio at around __________ in the afternoon.

While delivering his welcoming speech, The Boss had to battle with half a dozen __________.

How did the Gemini staff react to the appearance of the English poet?

What does the Boss's speech reveal about his understanding of the guest?

Why is the visitor continuously referred to as 'the poet (or the editor)'?