Question 1 - Chapter 4 - The Rattrap - Flamingo - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 12

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

The world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it in this way. It became a cherished pastime of his, during many dreary ploddings, to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare, and of others who were still circling around the bait

(The Rattrap)

Question (i)

What is the name of the chapter from which this extract is taken?

1. The Rattrap
2. The Ratcatcher
3. The Rat Race
4. The Rat King

    Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(a) The Rattrap

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to recall the name of the chapter that was given before the extract.
• The name of the chapter is The Rattrap, which is option A.
• Therefore, the correct answer is A. The Rattrap.😊

Question (ii)

What did the world never do to the narrator in this extract?

1. It never caught him in the snare
2. It never gave him unwonted joy
3. It never circled around the bait
4. It never was very kind to him

    Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(d) It never was very kind to him

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to read the first sentence of the extract carefully.
• The sentence says, "The world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it in this way."
• This means that the world never treated him well or fairly, and that he felt happy or satisfied to think badly of it in return.
• Therefore, the correct answer is D. It never was very kind to him.😕

Question (iii)

 Complete the sentence appropriately. 

The phrase "a cherished pastime" suggests that ____________.

    Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The phrase "a cherished pastime" suggests that thinking ill of the world was something that he enjoyed or valued a lot.

Step-by-step explanation:

• To complete this sentence, we need to understand what the phrase "a cherished pastime" means.
• The phrase means that thinking ill of the world was something that he did often or regularly, and that he found pleasure or satisfaction in doing it.
• The phrase also implies that thinking ill of the world was something that he cared for or appreciated a lot, and that he did not want to give up or lose.
• Therefore, the sentence can be completed as: The phrase "a cherished pastime" suggests that thinking ill of the world was something that he enjoyed or valued a lot.😊

Question (iv)

 Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that the narrator had a negative or cynical view of the world.

    Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The evidence from the extract that helps one infer that the narrator had a negative or cynical view of the world is that he compared it to a rattrap, and that he thought of people who had been caught or tempted by it.

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to find a part of the extract that shows that the narrator had a low or distrustful opinion of the world and its people.
• The part of the extract that shows this is: "It became a cherished pastime of his, during many dreary ploddings, to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare, and of others who were still circling around the bait."
• This shows that the narrator had a negative or cynical view of the world, because he compared it to a rattrap, which is a device that traps or kills rats with a bait. He also thought of people who had fallen victim or prey to the world's temptations or traps, and who had suffered or lost as a result.
• Therefore, the evidence is that he compared it to a rattrap, and that he thought of people who had been caught or tempted by it.😐

Question (v)

 Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?

1. A Man's Joy in Thinking Ill of the World
2. A Man's Escape from the World's Snare
3. A Man's Discovery of the World's Bait
4. A Man's Challenge to the World's Trap

    Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(a) A Man's Joy in Thinking Ill of the World

Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the main point or message of the extract.
• The extract tells us about how the narrator had never been very kind to by the world, and how he felt unwonted joy in thinking ill of it in return. I t also tells us about how he compared the world to a rattrap, and how he thought of people who had been caught or tempted by it.
• The extract does not focus on how the narrator escaped, discovered, or challenged the world's snare or bait. It focuses on how he enjoyed or valued thinking ill of the world and its people.
• Therefore, the headline that best suggests the central idea of the extract is A. A Man's Joy in Thinking Ill of the World.😊

Question (vi)

Complete the sentence with ONE word.

 The phrase "many dreary ploddings" suggests that the narrator was _______________.

    Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The phrase "many dreary ploddings" suggests that the narrator was bored.

Step-by-step explanation:

• To complete this sentence, we need to find a word that describes the narrator's state or condition when he thought ill of the world.
• The phrase "many dreary ploddings" suggests that the narrator was not interested or excited by his life or activities, and that he moved or walked slowly or heavily.
• Therefore, the word that fits this description is bored, which means feeling weary or dull because of lack of interest or variety.
• Therefore, the sentence can be completed as: The phrase "many dreary ploddings" suggests that the narrator was bored.😐