RATTRAP, GRADE 12 ENGLISH (CBSE) EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS, SHORT QUESTIONS AND LONG QUESTION

 

THE RATTRAP BY SELMA LAGERLOF

GRADE 12, ENGLISH CORE (CBSE)

 

SHORT ANSWERS, EXTRACT BASED ANSWERS AND LONG ANSWER

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Extract Based Questions

1. "Suddenly the peddler was struck by an idea that the whole world about him - the whole world with its land and seas, its cities and villages - was nothing but a big rat trap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people"

A. What was his idea about the whole world?

Ans: The whole world was nothing but a big rat trap

B. What do you mean by the word 'bait'?

Ans: 'Bait' means temptations to cheat someone. It is in the form of an attractive offer.

C. Who is a peddler?

Ans: A 'peddler' is the one who sells small things, walking door to door.

D. Who is the author of "The Rattrap"?

Ans: Selma Lagerlof, a Swedish writer.

 

2. "The blacksmith glanced only casually and indifferently at the intruder. He looked the way people of his type usually did, with a long beard, dirty ragged and with a bunch of rattrap dangling on his chest"

A. How did the blacksmith treat the peddler?

Ans: The blacksmith treated the peddler casually and indifferently.

B. Why did the blacksmith treat paddler casually and indifferently?

Ans: Because it was not the first experience to the blacksmith. Many people like peddler visited the forge at night. That was why he didn't pay any importance to the peddler.

 C. How did the peddler look like?

Ans: He seemed to be very poor with a long beard, dirty torn clothes and a bunch of rattraps dangling on his chest.

D. What do you mean by the word 'intruder'?

Ans: One who enters a house or room without permission

 3. "We were just saying that it was too bad we didn't have any company for Christmas. Now come along with me and help us make Christmas food disappear a little faster"

A. Who was the speaker? Why did he speak so?

Ans: The speaker was the owner of Ramsjo Ironworks. He mistook the peddler that he was Mr. Nils Olof, his old regimental comrade. So he welcomed the peddler.

B. What was the owner's regret?

Ans: The owner showed regret because there was none to give him company for the Christmas

 C. What is your opinion about the speaker?

Ans: The Speaker is kindhearted and friendly person

 D. What do you mean by 'help us make Christmas food disappear'?

Ans: Eat Christmas food as much as he wanted.

 SHORT ANSWERS

1. What do you mean by 'Crofter'?

Ans. Crofter is a farmer who leases the land from the landlord and does agriculture and foster his cattle.

 2.  Why was the crofter so friendly to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter had no wife and children, who lived alone in his gray cottage. In order to avoid his loneliness he welcomed the peddler. He was happy to get someone to talk in the night.

 3. What was the philosophy of the peddler?

Ans: The peddler thought that the whole world was a big rattrap. There were  lots of baits awaiting for the people to cheat them mercilessly.

 4. Why did the crofter show 30 kronor to the peddler?

Ans: The crofter thought that the peddler would not believe that he had 30 kronor. So he opened his leather pouch and took out the money, just to show him.

5. Why did the peddler go to the forest?

Ans: The peddler stole the crofter's money and scared of being caught by the police. He disliked to move along the main road. So he selected a forest road.

 6. Why did the rattrap seller refuse the invitation to the manor house?

Ans: The stolen money was in his pocket. He feared of being caught with the stolen money. He also thought that the money in his pocket was a kind of bait.

 7.  Why did the rattrap seller accept Edla Willmanson's invitation?

Ans: Edla Willmanson promised him that he would be back from her manor house without any problem. She invited him lovingly. The felt some confidence in her. So he went along with her.

 8. What did the ironmaster do when he realized his mistake?

Ans: Ironmaster was very angry and charged at the peddler. He also said that the peddler didn't reveal his identity. He threatened him that he would call the police. But the peddler defended himself by saying that it was not his fault. He didn't tell any lie.

 9. What message does the story rattrap convey?

Ans: There are many tempting things in the world as in the form of baits. These

 baits will entrap the people for ever. Try not to attract the baits.

 10. Edla Willmansson gave a little cry when she opened the gift packet of the peddler. Why?

Ans: When she opened the packet, she saw a small rattrap in which there were  three wrinkled ten kronor notes. She also found a letter in which the peddler

praised her as she was helpful to him. He requested her to return the money to the old crofter. He promised her that he would be a good citizen. He signed the letter as a captain.

 Long Answer

1. Differentiate the characters of Iron master and his daughter, Miss Edla Willmanssion.

 Ans. They are totally different characters from one another in many ways. The Ironmaster is very quick in action. when he sees the peddler, he thinks that it is his old regimental comrade. It is a hasty conclusion. He pays much respect to him and invite him to his house without thinking anything. He feels sorry for his pitiable state. He wants to help him to come out of his poor state of life. He has many plans to help him. He is kindhearted and most friendly to his beloveds. But when he understands the true identity of the peddler, he gets angry and shouts at him. He accuses the peddler that he does wrong. He plans to call the sheriff for enquiring the matter.

Edla Wllmanssion, on the other hand is more practical and a better judge than her father. When she meets the peddler she thinks that  he may be an escaped prisoner or a thief. But she keeps it in her mind. She also understands that he is not much educated or is a captain. But she doesn't discard him because she compels him to be with her in the Christmas. She is the embodiment of selfless love and caring. Even if  she understands that the peddler is not the captain as her father thinks,  she dislikes him to send him out. It is because of her unconditional love and kindness, the peddler is elevated to a captain and becomes a good man.       

 

THE ROADSIDE STAND BY ROBERT FROST, GRADE XII ENGLISH CORE

                 A ROADSIDE STAND BY ROBERT FROST

CBSE GRADE XII ENGLISH CORE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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 EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS

1."The hurt to the scenery wouldn't be my complaint

So such as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid

Here far from the city we make our roadside stand

And ask for some city money to feel in hand

To try if it will not make our being expand,

And give us the life of the moving pictures' promise

That the party in power is said to be keeping from us"

 (a) What was the poet's concern?

Ans: The poet's concern was that the people who made Roadside stand suffered a lot. The city dwellers who passed past by the Roadside stand did not stop in front of it and buy nothing from them.

 (b). What was not concern of the poet?

Ans: The poet didn't think about the landscape which was spoilt by the artless paint of the roadside stand. But the city people concerned it. They cried that the beauty of the landscape was destroyed by the Roadside stand.

 (c) What did the people who ran the Roadside stand expect?

Ans: The people who ran the Roadside stand expected that the polished cars would stop in front of their shop and buy something from them. If so, they could get some city money and their life would be prosperous.

 (d) What did the government do to improve the standard of life of the rural people who constructed the Roadside stand?

Ans: The government did not do anything to improve the life of the rural people. They gave only false hope. They motivated them to sleep even the day time like rich people.

 2. "Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear

The thought of so much childish longing in vain,

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 stopping car,

O f all the thousand selfish cars that pass,

Just one to inquire what a farmer's prices are"

 (a) What is the poetic device of "selfish cars"?

Ans" Transferred Epithet.

 (b) What was the childish longing?

Ans: It was nothing but the shopkeepers were waiting in their roadside stand expecting rich customers from the city. But it was fruitless as a childish longing.

 (c) Is there anyone stopped near the roadside stand?

Ans: Yes, Someone stopped their cars and asked the actual price of the goods that they bought from the farmer, they wanted to know the farmer's price. Some others asked the directions and addresses where they had to go. A few others asked a gallon of petrol. All the quarries were fruitless.

 (d) "The sadness that lurks near the open window there" Explain

Ans: The shopkeeper is in the roadside stand, is waiting for some city customers through their open window. On her/his face there lingers the expression of sadness because no one stops there. In an in- audible prayer she/he  expects someone will come and buy something.

 3.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,

But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

 (a)Where was the new shed put up? What was its purpose?

Ans: The new shed was put up extending one side of a small house towards the main road. It was made to attract the pedestrians and passersby to buy things from them. That type of shop was called the Roadside stand, that was nothing but a small petty shop.

 (b). Why did the poet feel sad?

Ans: The poet felt sad because the condition of the roadside stand was a  pitiable sight and the owner of it seemed to be very humble.

 (c).‘too pathetically pled’ Explain

Ans: The shopkeepers of roadside stand pathetically pleading to the rich city people for stopping their polished cars and buy something from them, so that they could earn some city money.

 (d). What is  ‘the flower of cities’ mentioned here?

Ans:  The poet uses the term "the flower of cities" to indicate the rich and contented people who live in the cities luxuriously.

SHORT ANSWERS
1. “soothe them out of them wits”, explain with reference to the poem 'The Roadside Stand’.
Ans: The great powerful men give the country people false promises telling that if they construct a roadside stand they can earn enough city money. and they will be great business men. The poor country men believe them. They may be cheated to take over their village houses or landed properties. The country people believe the false claims and feel soothed and satisfied.

2. Why does Robert Frost sympathize with the rural poor?

Ans: Robert Frost says that the downtrodden countrymen are cheated and despised by the politicians and the party in power. These rich powerful men do not help the poor roadside owners; they are indifferent to their welfare. so the poet sympathizes with the rural poor.

3. What is the theme of the poem "The Roadside Stand"?

Ans: In this poem Robert Frost pictures clearly the lives of the poor rural people with deepest sympathy. He draws a pathetic picture of a roadside stand and the one who runs it. The poor rural people want money for their progress. Unfortunately, no rich man bothers about it. Moreover the party in power remains indifferent.

 4. Why didn’t the ‘polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand?

Ans: The polished traffic didn't stop their cars in front of the roadside stand because the shops hadn't any goodwill. The rich didn't mind about the money but the goodwill. Moreover they were focusing only to their destination. They felt disgust upon the poor decorations and artless paintings of the roadside stand.