Question 5 - Chapter 1 - The Third Level - Vistas - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 12

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

Have you ever been there? It’s a wonderful town still, with big old frame houses, huge lawns, and tremendous trees whose branches meet overhead and roof the streets. And in 1894, summer evenings were twice as long, and people sat out on their lawns, the men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm-leaf fans, with the fire-flies all around, in a peaceful world. To be back there with the First World War still twenty years off, and World War II over forty years in the future... I wanted two tickets for that.

(The Third Level)

Question (i)

What is the name of the town that the narrator wants to go to in the extract?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

 The name of the town that the narrator wants to go to in the extract is Galesburg.

Step-by-step explanation: 🏘️

• To answer this question, we need to recall or find the detail in the text that tells us the name of the town.
•  The detail that tells us the name of the town is in the last paragraph of the story: "I bought two tickets for Galesburg, Illinois, July 18, 1894". This shows that the narrator wants to go to Galesburg in 1894. 🗓️
•  Therefore, the name of the town that the narrator wants to go to in the extract is Galesburg. 📍

Question (ii)

Why does the narrator think that 1894 was a peaceful world in the extract?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

 The narrator thinks that 1894 was a peaceful world because there were no major wars or conflicts at that time.

Step-by-step explanation: 🕊️

•  To answer this question, we need to understand what the text tells us about why the narrator thinks that 1894 was a peaceful world in the extract.
•  To understand what the text tells us, we need to look for clues or hints in the words or phrases that show his reasoning or justification.
•  One clue that shows his reasoning or justification is his comparison of 1894 with later years. He says that "the First World War still twenty years off, and World War II over forty years in the future". This implies that he thinks that 1894 was a peaceful world because there were no major wars or conflicts at that time. 🌎
•  Another clue that shows his reasoning or justification is his description of 1894. He says that "people sat out on their lawns, the men smoking cigars and talking quietly, the women waving palm-leaf fans, with the fire-flies all around". This implies that he thinks that 1894 was a peaceful world because people were relaxed and happy at that time. 😊
• Therefore, we can infer that he thinks that 1894 was a peaceful world because there were no major wars or conflicts at that time. 🙏

Question (iii)

What is one difference between Galesburg in 1894 and New York in 1941 in the extract?

1. Galesburg had big old frame houses, while New York had skyscrapers and apartments.
2. Galesburg had huge lawns and trees, while New York had streets and buildings.
3. Galesburg had men smoking cigars and women waving fans, while New York had men wearing suits and women wearing hats.
4. All of the above.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(d) All of the above.

Step-by-step explanation: 🆚

•  To answer this question, we need to compare and contrast Galesburg in 1894 and New York in 1941 in the extract.
•  To compare and contrast, we need to look for similarities and differences between them.
•  One difference between them is their architecture. The extract tells us that Galesburg had "big old frame houses", which are wooden structures with large windows and porches. New York had skyscrapers and apartments, which are tall and narrow buildings made of steel and concrete. 🏠🏙️
• Another difference between them is their landscape. The extract tells us that Galesburg had "huge lawns and tremendous trees whose branches meet overhead and roof the streets". This shows that Galesburg had a lot of green space and natural scenery. New York had streets and buildings, which are paved and crowded areas with little vegetation. 🌳🚗
• A third difference between them is their culture. The extract tells us that Galesburg had "men smoking cigars and talking quietly, women waving palm-leaf fans". T his shows that Galesburg had a leisurely and traditional way of life. New York had men wearing suits and women wearing hats, which are modern and fashionable clothing items. 🎩👒
•  Therefore, we can infer that all of these differences show how Galesburg in 1894 and New York in 1941 were different in the extract. 🔢

Question (iv)

What does the narrator’s desire to go to Galesburg in 1894 reveal about his character or motivation in the extract?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The narrator’s desire to go to Galesburg in 1894 reveals that he is unhappy with his present situation and that he wants to escape from it.

Step-by-step explanation: 😞

• To answer this question, we need to analyze or interpret what the extract reveals about the narrator’s character or motivation in the extract.
• To analyze or interpret, we need to look for clues or hints in the text that show his traits or qualities and his reasons or goals.
• One clue that shows his character or motivation is his use of words like “want” and “escape”. These words reveal that he has a strong desire or wish to leave his present situation and find a better one. 🚀
• Another clue that shows his character or motivation is his use of words like “unhappy” and “peaceful”. These words reveal that he is dissatisfied or discontented with his present situation and that he wants to find a more satisfying or contented one. 😔
• Therefore, we can infer that the narrator’s desire to go to Galesburg in 1894 reveals that he is unhappy with his present situation and that he wants to escape from it. 😢