Class 11 English (Snapshots / JAC Board)

1. Who wrote the poem 'The Tale of Melon City'?

• A. Vikram Seth
• B. A.J. Cronin
• C. Amitav Ghosh
• D. William Saroyan

2. How is the King described at the beginning of the poem?

• A. Placid and just
• B. Cruel and strict
• C. Wise and powerful
• D. Greedy and foolish

3. What did the King order to be constructed across the major thoroughfare?

• A. An arch
• B. A bridge
• C. A high wall
• D. A grand palace

4. What happened when the King rode under the newly built arch?

• A. His crown was knocked off because the arch was built too low
• B. The arch collapsed completely
• C. His horse tripped and fell
• D. People showered flowers on him

5. How did the King feel when his crown fell off?

• A. He lost his placid composure and felt disgraced
• B. He laughed it off
• C. He ignored it and moved on
• D. He cried loudly

6. Whom did the King first order to be hanged?

• A. The chief of builders
• B. The workmen
• C. The masons
• D. The architect

7. How did the chief of builders defend himself?

• A. He blamed the workmen
• B. He blamed the architect
• C. He blamed the bad quality cement
• D. He blamed the King

8. Whom did the workmen blame when called by the King?

• A. The masons who made the wrong sized bricks
• B. The chief of builders
• C. The architect
• D. The rain

9. Whom did the masons blame for the wrong brick size?

• A. The architect
• B. The chief of builders
• C. The King himself
• D. The royal guards

10. How did the architect turn the blame back onto the King?

• A. He reminded the King that he had made amendments to the original plans
• B. He accused the King of being drunk
• C. He said the King ordered smaller bricks
• D. He denied drawing the map

11. What did the King do when he was blamed by the architect?

• A. He nearly lost his mind and demanded counsel from the wisest man in the realm
• B. He immediately hanged the architect
• C. He pardoned everyone
• D. He resigned from his throne

12. Who was chosen as the 'wisest man' in the country?

• A. An old man who could neither walk nor see
• B. The court priest
• C. The oldest school teacher
• D. A travelling scholar

13. What verdict did the 'wisest man' give to resolve the matter?

• A. The arch itself was the real culprit and must be hanged
• B. The King should be hanged
• C. All builders must be executed
• D. The case should be dismissed

14. Why was the arch NOT hanged in the end?

• A. A councillor pointed out that hanging something that touched the royal head would be a disgrace
• B. The gallows broke into pieces
• C. The rope was too short
• D. People protested against hanging stone

15. Why did the crowd begin to grow restless?

• A. They demanded a hanging immediately
• B. They wanted the King to lower taxes
• C. They wanted free food
• D. They were bored of court speeches

16. How was the person to be hanged finally selected?

• A. Everyone was measured against the gallows, and whoever fitted the height would be hanged
• B. By drawing secret lots
• C. By public voting
• D. The tallest person in town was chosen

17. Who was the only person who fitted the gallows perfectly?

• A. The King himself
• B. The Architect
• C. The Chief of Builders
• D. The Minister

18. What custom did the ministers follow to select the new ruler after the King's death?

• A. The first person to pass through the city arch would choose the new king
• B. The minister's son would automatically become king
• C. Holding a general election
• D. A sword fighting tournament

19. Who was the first person to pass under the arch after the execution?

• A. An idiot who loved melons
• B. A wise merchant
• C. A beggar
• D. A foreign prince

20. What answer did the idiot give when asked who should be the King?

• A. A Melon
• B. Himself
• C. The Prime Minister
• D. Nobody

21. What was crowned as the new King of the state with full ceremony?

• A. A Melon
• B. A statue
• C. The idiot's dog
• D. A wooden chair

22. How did the citizens feel about having a Melon as their King?

• A. Perfectly satisfied, as long as they enjoyed peace and non-interference (Laissez-faire)
• B. Ashamed and angry
• C. Terrified
• D. Sad and depressed

23. What political concept is satirized in 'The Tale of Melon City'?

• A. Blind reverence for authority, mindless bureaucracy, and Laissez-faire governance
• B. Military dictatorship
• C. Communism
• D. Democracy and voting rights

24. What does the principle of 'Laissez-faire' mentioned in the poem mean?

• A. Policy of minimal government interference in people's lives
• B. Strict law enforcement
• C. High tax collection
• D. Complete military rule

25. What genre of literature does 'The Tale of Melon City' belong to?

• A. Narrative Verse / Political Satire
• B. Historical Biography
• C. Tragic Monologue
• D. Gothic Horror