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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 7 The Interview

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 7 The Interview covers both parts of the chapter - the debate on interviews and Umberto Eco's own interview - along with important questions and answers.

Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)

1. Part I: The Pros and Cons of Being Interviewed

Short Note:

• This section presents contrasting perspectives on the practice of interviewing celebrities and public figures, quoting various famous personalities who express strong opinions both for and against being interviewed.

• Some critics argue that interviews often intrude upon a person's privacy and integrity, reducing complex personalities to superficial soundbites, while others acknowledge interviews as a valuable, sometimes even artistic, method of gaining insight into a person's true thoughts and character.

2. Part II: Umberto Eco's Interview

Short Note:

• The second part presents an actual interview conducted with the renowned Italian writer and academic Umberto Eco, exploring his extraordinary productivity, his ability to write extensively despite juggling multiple academic and professional responsibilities.

• Eco humorously explains his time-management techniques, jokingly attributing his high productivity partly to 'interstices' or small gaps of otherwise wasted time, which he uses efficiently for creative and intellectual work.

• The interview reveals Eco's playful yet insightful personality, his passion for both academic and popular fiction writing, and his unique perspective on knowledge, creativity, and scholarly work.

3. Theme & Message

Short Note:

• The chapter explores the complex, sometimes contentious nature of interviews as a medium of communication, weighing their potential to inform and engage the public against concerns about privacy and authenticity.

• Through Eco's example, it also celebrates intellectual curiosity, disciplined time management, and creative productivity.

Reading With Insight (Textbook Questions)

Q1: What arguments are presented against the practice of interviewing, according to the chapter?
Answer: Critics argue that interviews often invade personal privacy, reduce complex individuals and their ideas to oversimplified soundbites, and can sometimes be manipulative or exploitative, prioritising sensationalism over genuine, meaningful insight into the interviewee's true character or work.
Q2: How does Umberto Eco explain his extraordinary literary productivity despite his busy academic schedule?
Answer: Umberto Eco humorously attributes his impressive productivity to efficiently using small 'interstices' of otherwise wasted time, such as while waiting for appointments or during short breaks, explaining that he trained himself to think and write productively even in these brief intervals rather than allowing them to go to waste.
Q3: What does Eco's interview reveal about his personality and attitude towards his work?
Answer: Eco's interview reveals a playful, witty and remarkably disciplined personality, someone who approaches even serious academic work with humour and genuine enjoyment, and who values intellectual curiosity and creativity across both his scholarly writing and his popular fiction.

Extract-Based / Short Answer Questions

Q4: What is the significance of including contrasting viewpoints on interviewing before presenting Eco's actual interview?
Answer: Including contrasting viewpoints allows readers to critically consider the ethical and practical complexities surrounding interviews as a medium, setting up a thoughtful context before presenting Eco's interview, which itself serves as a positive example of how a well-conducted interview can offer genuine insight into a fascinating, accomplished individual.
Q5: What can readers learn from Eco's approach to time management and productivity?
Answer: Readers can learn the value of making efficient use of even small amounts of otherwise unproductive time, maintaining intellectual discipline, and approaching work with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, which together can lead to remarkable levels of creative and academic productivity, as demonstrated by Eco's own prolific career.
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Class 12 › English › The Interview
Chapter notesRead the chapterPractice MCQsCheck what you rememberChapter test10 questions on one pageOnline testTest 1, 2 and 3, one question at a timePYQPrevious year questionsStudy materialPDF notes
Topics in this chapter: Part I: The Pros and Cons of Being InterviewedPart II: Umberto Eco's InterviewTheme & Message