Class 11 English (Hornbill / JAC Board)

1. Who is the author of the story 'The Portrait of a Lady'?

• A. Khushwant Singh
• B. Ruskin Bond
• C. Vikram Seth
• D. A.R. Williams

2. How did the author's grandfather appear in the portrait hanging above the mantelpiece?

• A. Wearing a big turban and loose-fitting clothes
• B. Wearing a modern suit and tie
• C. Wearing a traditional dhoti kurta
• D. Wearing a uniform with medals

3. What was the grandmother's daily routine while waking up the author for school in the village?

• A. Sing morning prayers in a monotonous sing-song manner
• B. Read storybooks aloud
• C. Cook lavish breakfasts
• D. Exercise in the courtyard

4. What did the grandmother feed the village dogs with?

• A. Stale chapatis
• B. Fresh bread crumbs
• C. Biscuits and milk
• D. Bones and meat

5. Where was the author's village school located?

• A. Attached to a temple
• B. Next to a river bank
• C. In the middle of a market
• D. Inside a government complex

6. What was the turning point in the friendship between the author and his grandmother?

• A. When they moved to the city to live with his parents
• B. When the author went to the university
• C. When the author went abroad for higher studies
• D. When the grandfather passed away

7. How did the author travel to his English school in the city?

• A. In a motor bus
• B. On a bicycle
• C. Walking with grandmother
• D. In a horse carriage

8. Why was the grandmother unhappy with the author's city school education?

• A. There was no teaching about God and scriptures
• B. The fees were too expensive
• C. The school was too far from home
• D. She did not like English grammar

9. What was grandmother's view regarding music lessons taught at the city school?

• A. It had lewd associations and was fit only for harlots and beggars
• B. It was essential for overall development
• C. It was good for spiritual healing
• D. It was a waste of time for boys

10. When the author went to university, what change occurred in their relationship?

• A. The common link of friendship was snapped as he got a separate room
• B. They stopped talking completely
• C. Grandmother moved back to the village
• D. They became closer than before

11. How did the grandmother spend her time in the city after the common link of friendship was broken?

• A. Spinning wheel, reciting prayers, and feeding sparrows
• B. Watching television and reading books
• C. Visiting neighbors and social work
• D. Sleeping and gardening

12. Which time of the day was described as the 'happiest half-hour of the day' for the grandmother?

• A. While feeding the sparrows in the afternoon
• B. During morning prayers
• C. When the author returned from school
• D. While spinning the wheel

13. How long was the author away for higher studies abroad?

• A. 5 years
• B. 3 years
• C. 7 years
• D. 2 years

14. What was grandmother's gesture when she came to see off the author at the railway station?

• A. She kissed his forehead silently in prayer
• B. She cried bitterly
• C. She gave him advice on studying hard
• D. She gave him a holy book

15. What unusual thing did the grandmother do on the evening of the author's return from abroad?

• A. Collected women of the neighborhood and beat an old drum singing of warriors' homecoming
• B. Went to the temple to offer special prayers
• C. Prepared a big feast for the whole family
• D. Slept early without talking to anyone

16. What was the immediate result of the grandmother's over-exertion during the celebration?

• A. She was taken ill with a mild fever
• B. She lost her voice
• C. She broke her hand
• D. She fainted instantly

17. What did the grandmother claim just before her death?

• A. That her end was near and she didn't want to waste time talking
• B. That she wanted to visit the village temple
• C. That she wanted to eat sweets
• D. That she was completely healthy

18. How did the grandmother die peacefully in her bed?

• A. Praying and counting her rosary beads
• B. Holding her grandson's hand
• C. While drinking water
• D. While talking to her family

19. How did the sparrows express their grief over the death of the grandmother?

• A. Sat silently around her body without chirping
• B. Flew wildly around the courtyard making noise
• C. Ate all the bread crumbs quickly
• D. Didn't show up at all

20. What did the sparrows do when the author's mother threw bread crumbs to them after grandmother's death?

• A. Took no notice of the bread crumbs
• B. Fought over the crumbs
• C. Ate them silently
• D. Carried them away in their beaks

21. How was the grandmother's physical appearance described in her old age?

• A. Short, fat, slightly bent, with a criss-cross of wrinkles
• B. Tall, slim, and perfectly upright
• C. Short, thin, and agile
• D. Tall, muscular, and active

22. What clothing did the grandmother always wear in the house?

• A. Spotless white clothes
• B. Brightly colored silk sarees
• C. Simple dark blue suits
• D. Plain cotton yellow attire

23. What phrase did the author use to describe the peaceful appearance of his grandmother?

• A. An expanse of pure white serenity
• B. A mountain of calm strength
• C. A ray of golden sunshine
• D. An ocean of silent love

24. What did the grandmother do inside the temple while the author was studying at school?

• A. Read scriptures
• B. Cleaned the temple premises
• C. Prepared food for priests
• D. Chanted songs with other women

25. What was done with the bread crumbs left by the sparrows the next morning?

• A. Swept into the dustbin by the sweeper
• B. Eaten by stray dogs
• C. Fed to the cows
• D. Collected and saved for later