Question 1

What literary device is used in the phrase 'a veritable bedlam of chirrupings' in 'The Portrait of a Lady'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The phrase 'a veritable bedlam of chirrupings' is a metaphor comparing the noise of the sparrows to a chaotic scene.

Question 2

Why did the grandmother stop talking to the author frequently after he started attending the English school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The grandmother disapproved of the music lessons because she associated music with harlots and beggars.

Question 3

In the poem 'A Photograph', what does the word 'cardboard' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: In the poem 'A Photograph', the word 'cardboard' refers to the photograph frame, highlighting the fragility and transience of memories captured in photographs.

Question 4

What was the author's grandmother's routine when the author was a child?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The grandmother would wake the author up and get him ready for school, as mentioned in the text.

Question 5

What did the author's grandmother do while the children were at school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: While the children were at school, the grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures.

Question 6

What did the grandmother do in the afternoon while living in the city?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: In the city, the grandmother spent her afternoons feeding the sparrows.

Question 7

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', the author's grandmother was described as having a routine that involved feeding animals. Which of the following animals did she feed regularly?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The author's grandmother regularly fed the village dogs with stale chapattis when they went to the village school together.

Question 8

Which literary device is used in the phrase 'an expanse of pure white serenity' to describe the grandmother?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The phrase 'an expanse of pure white serenity' is a metaphor used to describe the grandmother's peaceful and serene presence.

Question 9

What does the phrase 'a veritable bedlam of chirrupings' signify in the context of the grandmother's interaction with sparrows?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The phrase 'a veritable bedlam of chirrupings' describes the chaotic and noisy scene created by the sparrows as they gathered around the grandmother, chirping loudly.

Question 10

What was the grandmother's reaction to the author's music lessons at school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The grandmother was disturbed by the author's music lessons because she associated music with lewdness and did not approve of it.

Question 11

In the poem 'A Photograph', what does the poet imply by the phrase 'terribly transient feet'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The phrase 'terribly transient feet' suggests the fleeting nature of human life in contrast to the seemingly unchanging sea.

Question 12

In the text, how did the sparrows react when the author's grandmother passed away?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: When the grandmother passed away, the sparrows sat silently and did not eat the bread crumbs offered to them.

Question 13

What was the author's grandmother's reaction when he announced they were being given music lessons?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The grandmother was disturbed by the music lessons and disapproved silently, associating music with inappropriate behavior.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the author and his grandmother before he left for university?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: Before the author left for university, he and his grandmother shared a close friendship, spending much time together.

Question 15

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', what was the grandmother's reaction to the author's music lessons at school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The grandmother was very disturbed by the music lessons as she associated music with harlots and beggars, which was not meant for gentlefolk. Her silence indicated her disapproval.

Question 16

What did the grandmother do when she thought her end was near?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The grandmother believed her end was near and chose to spend her remaining time praying.

Question 17

How did the sparrows react to the grandmother's death?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The sparrows expressed their sorrow by sitting silently and not eating the bread crumbs offered to them.

Question 18

What is the significance of the word 'cardboard' in the poem 'A Photograph'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: In the poem 'A Photograph', 'cardboard' refers to the material on which the photograph is mounted.

Question 19

What was the author's grandmother's reaction to the music lessons at the English school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The grandmother associated music with lewdness and disapproved of it silently.

Question 20

Which of the following words refers to a manner of walking?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The word 'shuffle' refers to a manner of walking, typically dragging one's feet.

Question 21

What did the grandmother do when the author decided to go abroad for further studies?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The grandmother showed no emotion and continued praying when the author decided to go abroad.

Question 22

How did the grandmother express her religious devotion throughout the narrative?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The grandmother expressed her religious devotion by constantly reciting prayers and telling the beads of her rosary, as described in the narrative.

Question 23

What was the grandmother's routine after the author went to the city school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: After moving to the city, the grandmother spent her time feeding sparrows in the courtyard.

Question 24

What change in routine did the grandmother experience after the author went to university?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: After the author went to university, the grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation and spent more time spinning and praying.

Question 25

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', the author's grandmother is described as having a strong character. Which of the following instances best illustrates her strength of character?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The grandmother's acceptance of her seclusion with resignation shows her strength of character as she adapts to changes without complaint.

Question 26

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', why was the grandmother disturbed by the author's music lessons?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The grandmother associated music with lewdness and believed it was the monopoly of harlots and beggars, not meant for gentlefolk.

Question 27

What did the grandmother do when the author went to university?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Solution: The grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation and spent her time spinning and reciting prayers.

Question 28

What was the grandmother's routine after the author went to university?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: After the author went to university, the grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation, spent her time spinning the wheel, and feeding sparrows, which was the happiest part of her day.

Question 29

Which verb form is used to recount events in the distant past?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The past perfect form is used to recount events in the distant past.

Question 30

What did the grandmother do while the author was at the village school?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Solution: The grandmother read the scriptures inside the temple while the author was at the village school.

Question 31

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', how did the grandmother react when the author announced music lessons?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: The grandmother was disturbed because she associated music with harlots and beggars.

Question 32

What was the grandmother's reaction when the author returned from studying abroad?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Solution: Upon the author's return, the grandmother greeted him with prayers and spent her happiest moments feeding the sparrows.

Question 33

The author's grandmother was a religious person.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The text describes several instances of the grandmother's religious practices, such as praying and telling the beads of her rosary.

Question 34

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', the grandmother was happy about the author's English education.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother was distressed by the English education as it did not include teachings about God and the scriptures, and she disapproved of music lessons.

Question 35

The grandmother's happiest moments were when she was feeding the sparrows.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The grandmother enjoyed feeding the sparrows, and it was described as the happiest half-hour of her day.

Question 36

The author's grandmother believed in the teachings of Western science and learning.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother did not believe in the teachings of Western science and learning and was distressed by the lack of religious education.

Question 37

The sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author's grandmother died by chirruping loudly.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The sparrows expressed their sorrow by sitting silently and not chirruping when the author's grandmother died.

Question 38

The author's grandmother in 'The Portrait of a Lady' was indifferent to the sparrows.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother enjoyed feeding the sparrows and it was the happiest part of her day, indicating she was not indifferent to them.

Question 39

The author's grandmother was happy when he started learning music at school.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother was disturbed by the music lessons as she associated music with harlots and beggars, not with gentlefolk.

Question 40

The grandmother in 'The Portrait of a Lady' accepted her seclusion with resignation after the common link of friendship with the author was snapped.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: After the author went to university, the grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation and rarely left her spinning-wheel.

Question 41

The grandmother's room was filled with sparrows on the day of her death.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: On the day of the grandmother's death, thousands of sparrows filled her room and the verandah, expressing their sorrow.

Question 42

The author's grandmother was always old and wrinkled as far as he could remember.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The author mentions that his grandmother had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that he had known her.

Question 43

The grandmother in 'The Portrait of a Lady' was upset when the author decided to go abroad for further studies.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother was not upset when the author decided to go abroad; she was not sentimental and continued her prayers.

Question 44

The author's grandmother in 'The Portrait of a Lady' was always perceived as an old woman by the narrator.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The narrator mentions that his grandmother had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years he had known her, and it was hard to believe she was ever young and pretty.

Question 45

In 'The Portrait of a Lady', the grandmother's silence after the author started music lessons indicated her approval.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother's silence indicated disapproval, as she associated music with lewdness and not with gentlefolk.

Question 46

The poem 'A Photograph' is placed after 'The Portrait of a Lady' due to their thematic connection.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The poem 'A Photograph' follows 'The Portrait of a Lady' because both texts share thematic elements related to memory and relationships.

Question 47

The grandmother in 'The Portrait of a Lady' believed in the teachings of Western science and learning.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother was distressed by the English school's teachings, which included Western science and learning, as there was no teaching about God and the scriptures.

Question 48

The grandmother was upset when the author decided to go abroad for further studies.

Accepted Answer

Answer: False. Solution: The grandmother was not sentimental and did not show any emotion when the author decided to go abroad.

Question 49

The author's grandmother always accompanied him to school because the school was attached to a temple.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The grandmother went to school with the author because the school was attached to the temple, where she read scriptures while he studied.

Question 50

The author's grandmother in 'The Portrait of a Lady' was described as always being old and wrinkled.

Accepted Answer

Answer: True. Solution: The author mentions that his grandmother had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years he had known her, and people found it hard to believe she was once young and pretty.

The Portrait of a Lady

Learning Objectives

Revision Notes & Summary

The Portrait of a Lady

Overview

Key Themes

Understanding the Text

Language and Vocabulary

Activities and Engagement

Conclusion

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes and Exam Tips

Common Pitfalls

Tips for Success

AI Learning Assistant

Practice Test – MCQs, True/False

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Multiple Choice Questions

Q1.What literary device is used in the phrase 'a veritable bedlam of chirrupings' in 'The Portrait of a Lady'?

Correct Answer: A

Q2.Why did the grandmother stop talking to the author frequently after he started attending the English school?

Correct Answer: B

Q3.In the poem 'A Photograph', what does the word 'cardboard' refer to?

Correct Answer: B

Q4.What was the author's grandmother's routine when the author was a child?

Correct Answer: A

Q5.What did the author's grandmother do while the children were at school?

Correct Answer: B

Q6.What did the grandmother do in the afternoon while living in the city?

Correct Answer: B

Q7.In 'The Portrait of a Lady', the author's grandmother was described as having a routine that involved feeding animals. Which of the following animals did she feed regularly?

Correct Answer: A

Q8.Which literary device is used in the phrase 'an expanse of pure white serenity' to describe the grandmother?

Correct Answer: A

Q9.What does the phrase 'a veritable bedlam of chirrupings' signify in the context of the grandmother's interaction with sparrows?

Correct Answer: B

Q10.What was the grandmother's reaction to the author's music lessons at school?

Correct Answer: C

Q11.In the poem 'A Photograph', what does the poet imply by the phrase 'terribly transient feet'?

Correct Answer: B

Q12.In the text, how did the sparrows react when the author's grandmother passed away?

Correct Answer: C

Q13.What was the author's grandmother's reaction when he announced they were being given music lessons?

Correct Answer: C

Q14.Which of the following best describes the relationship between the author and his grandmother before he left for university?

Correct Answer: B

Q15.In 'The Portrait of a Lady', what was the grandmother's reaction to the author's music lessons at school?

Correct Answer: C

Q16.What did the grandmother do when she thought her end was near?

Correct Answer: A

Q17.How did the sparrows react to the grandmother's death?

Correct Answer: C

Q18.What is the significance of the word 'cardboard' in the poem 'A Photograph'?

Correct Answer: A

Q19.What was the author's grandmother's reaction to the music lessons at the English school?

Correct Answer: C

Q20.Which of the following words refers to a manner of walking?

Correct Answer: B

Q21.What did the grandmother do when the author decided to go abroad for further studies?

Correct Answer: B

Q22.How did the grandmother express her religious devotion throughout the narrative?

Correct Answer: B

Q23.What was the grandmother's routine after the author went to the city school?

Correct Answer: C

Q24.What change in routine did the grandmother experience after the author went to university?

Correct Answer: C

Q25.In 'The Portrait of a Lady', the author's grandmother is described as having a strong character. Which of the following instances best illustrates her strength of character?

Correct Answer: A

Q26.In 'The Portrait of a Lady', why was the grandmother disturbed by the author's music lessons?

Correct Answer: A

Q27.What did the grandmother do when the author went to university?

Correct Answer: B

Q28.What was the grandmother's routine after the author went to university?

Correct Answer: C

Q29.Which verb form is used to recount events in the distant past?

Correct Answer: C

Q30.What did the grandmother do while the author was at the village school?

Correct Answer: A

Q31.In 'The Portrait of a Lady', how did the grandmother react when the author announced music lessons?

Correct Answer: C