Important Questions for CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 6 - The Browning Version

Very Short Answer Questions: (1 Marks)

1. Word-Meaning 

i. Frantically 

ii. Slackers 

iii. Muck 

iv. Sadist 

Ans: 

i. Nervously 

ii. Shirkers 

iii. Dirt, rubbish 

iv. A person who enjoys giving pain to somebody 

2. Who is Taplow? 

Ans: Taplow is a sixteen-year-old high school student.

3. What does Frank ask Taplow when he first sees him at the school doing the extra work? 

Ans: When Frank first saw Taplow at school doing extra work, he asked him what his name was and if he was a scientist.

4. What does Taplow reply to him? 

Ans: Taplow informs Frank that he is a lower-fifth student who will not be able to specialize until next term.

5. Why does Taplow not know about his promotion? 

Ans: Frank is unaware of his promotion because his teacher, Mr. Crocker-Harris, did not inform him of the outcome.

Short Answer Questions: (2 Marks)

1. What does „remove” in English schools mean? 

Ans: When a pupil was withdrawn from the English School, it signaled that he was being promoted to a higher class.

2. What was the reason behind Taplow staying at the school on the last day of his form? 

Ans: Taplow returned to school to complete the extra work assigned by his teacher, Mr. Crocker-Harris because the youngster had missed one day of school the previous week.

3. What was the reaction of Taplow on the arrival of Mrs. Crocker-Harris? 

Ans: Taplow was terrified of seeing Millie because of what he had said about Mr. Crocker-Harris. Mr. Crocker-name Harris's wife is Millie. He was terrified that if she told her husband, he would lose his promotion.

4. Write about the two teachers in the play. 

Ans: Mr. Crocker and Frank are the two teachers in the play. The former is a Latin teacher. He is the school's strictest disciplinarian and is in his forties. And the latter is a young science teacher. Frank is envious of Mr Crocker Harris since all of the pupils are terrified of him despite the fact that he does not beat them.

5. How does Frank conclude Taplow‟s agenda behind doing the extra work? 

Ans: Frank is a young science teacher who is aware of his colleagues' personalities. He refused Crocker-Harris' suggestion that he call Taplow to accomplish the additional work on the last day of school. He assures Taplow that if he puts in the extra effort, he will be promoted to a higher level.

Short Answer Questions: (3 Marks)

1. What makes Taplow say that his teacher Mr. Crocker Harris is hardly human? 

Ans: Taplow is a rambunctious young man. He speaks truthfully, which makes his relationship with Mr. Crocker-Harris difficult. Crocker-Harris, he said, was hardly human because one day his teacher told a Latin joke that no one understood and only Taplow laughed, and Crocker-Harris put Taplow to the test by asking him to describe the joke.

2. Why does Taplow hold a grudge against his Latin master, Crocker-Harris? 

Ans: Taplow is a young man in the fifth form. He enjoys playing golf. Mr. Crocker Harris, the school's harshest teacher, frightens him. Crocker-Harris summoned him to school a day before the announcement of the final results and asked him to undertake the extra work because he had been missing one day the previous week.  As his promotion is decided by Crocker-Harris, he holds a grudge against him for making him do the extra work without assuring him of his promotion. 

3. In what ways and why did Taplow make fun of his teacher? 

Ans: Taplow had to wait for his dismissal because the final outcome was to be announced the following day. He approaches Mr. Crocker-Harris to inquire about his chances of advancement to a higher class. But his master, Crocker-Harris, does not respond. He also asked Taplow to perform the extra job because he had been absent for a day the previous week. Taplow is irritated by his teacher's behavior, and he mocks Crocker-Harris in front of his science teacher, Mr. Frank. Frank encourages Taplow to imitate Crocker Harris' voice and repeat his phrases.

4. How was Taplow able to get back his freedom? 

Ans: Mrs. Millie Crocker Harris, Mr. Crocker Harris's wife, assisted Taplow in regaining his freedom. She informed Taplow that her husband would not be returning home until later, so Taplow could leave or run away for 15 minutes and return later. Mrs. Millie also assures the kid that he will not be harmed and requests that he bring medicines for Mr. Crocker Harris. As he sees it, that was a good reason, and he goes out without fear.

5. Write the first two stanzas of the poem “Childhood‟ 

Ans: The first and second stanzas of the poem "Childhood- What happened to my childhood? Was it the day I turned eleven? Wasn't that the time I realized that Hell and Heaven couldn't be discovered in Geography, and hence couldn't exist? That was the day! What happened to my childhood? Was it the time I realized that adults were not what they looked to be? They talked about love and preached about love, but they did not act in such a kind manner. That was the day!.

Long Answer Questions: (5 Marks)

1. What were the views of Taplow on Mr. Crocker Harris? 

Ans: Taplow is sixteen years old and in the fifth form. He is a person who makes snap decisions. He has a lot of preconceived notions about others, especially his school professors. Crocker-Harris is mocked and referred to as "barely human" by him. He imitates Crocker-Harris' voice and words. But he is also terrified of him and will not defy or go against Crocker-Harris' intentions. Taplow is also occasionally courteous to and appreciates his teacher. He informs his science instructor Frank that, despite his violent personality, Mr. Crocker has never beaten a child since he is not a sadist like some other teachers who enjoy beating children. He is aware that Crocker-Harris dislikes being loved or liked by others. Taplow liked Crocker-Harris more than any other instructor at his school, regardless of who he was.

2. What do you think of Taplow‟s science teacher Frank, and the wife of Mr. Crocker-Harris, Mrs. Millie Crocker Harris? 

Ans: Frank is the school's new science instructor. We learn about him through his conversations with the sixteen-year-old boy Taplow. Overall, he appears to be a cruel and insignificant individual. He admires Crocker-Harris' ability to keep his students under control. He provokes Taplow to make a remark about his teacher, as well as to imitate or impersonate his voice. It is impolite for a teacher to discuss his colleagues or other employees with a boy. He advises Taplow to flee because Crocker-Harris is late and the weather is pleasant. Mrs. Millie Crocker-Harris is a kind and easygoing person. She is really astute. Taplow is rescued when she sends him on an errand.

3. What perspective do you form of Taplow as a student? 

Ans: Taplow, a fifth Form student, is sixteen years old. He's a bit rambunctious and outspoken. He is easily carried away. He is terrified of CrockerHarris, despite the fact that the master never beats a boy. He dares not defy his mentor since Crocker-Harris might follow him home. Crocker-Harris is incomprehensible to him, and he is not readily satisfied. Crocker-Harris refuses to inform the youngster of his final outcome before the time limit expires. Taplow goes too far when he claims Crocker-Harris is "barely human." Taplow, on the whole, is really honest and vulnerable. He imitates his teacher, including his voice. He refers to his teacher in a disparaging manner. He stupidly compares one teacher to another. His acts demonstrate that he has not matured.

4. Write down the third stanza of the poem “Childhood”. 

Ans: “When did my childhood go?” asks the third stanza of the poem “Childhood.” Was it when I realized my mind was truly mine, to use however I pleased, producing concepts that were not those of others, but my own, and mine alone? That was the day!” The poet returns to the subject of when he lost his youth in the third stanza. He pondered the possibilities. He recalls the day he discovered his mind was his own and that he could use it whatever he pleased. When he understood he could generate his own thoughts that were not constrained by anyone when he realized he had a uniqueness and a distinct personality. Was it on that day that he lost his childhood?

5. What is the summary of the poem “Childhood”. 

Ans: Markus Natten wrote the poetry "Childhood." The poet has written about the truths of childhood innocence that evolve into adult rationality, insincerity, and originality. It begins with the poet reflecting on his childhood and if it ended on the day he turned eleven or when he learned to distinguish between fiction and reality by realizing that heaven and hell do not exist because they are not mentioned in geography books. The poet also discusses whether the adults are genuine or just hypocrites. Their deeds do not correspond to their words of love and thanks. He wonders if the day he was able to process his ideas was the day he lost his childhood. He closes the poem by noting that childhood has vanished and can only be found in the innocent face of a toddler.