Complete Exam-Oriented Questions & Answers for The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh | Class 11 UP Board
The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh: Class 11 Exam-Oriented Questions & Answers (UP Board & CBSE)
Looking for comprehensive exam-oriented questions and answers from The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh for Class 11? You’ve come to the right place!
This post covers all the essential questions and answers based on the UP Board and CBSE Board syllabus, ensuring you're fully prepared for your exams. Whether you're studying from Hornbill or looking for key takeaways, this guide will help you score better in your English exam. The Portrait of a Lady is a critical part of the Class 11 English syllabus, and our Q&A format breaks down complex ideas into simple, digestible answers that follow the exam pattern.
Make sure to read through all the short and long answer questions to strengthen your understanding of the chapter and boost your confidence before the exam!
Short Answer Type Questions:
1. How did the narrator’s grandfather appear in the portrait?
Ans: The narrator’s grandfather appeared to be at least a hundred years old in the portrait. He wore a turban and loose-fitting clothes, giving him a traditional and dignified appearance.
2. Describe ‘the happiest half-hour of the day’ for the grandmother.
Ans: The happiest half-hour of the day for the grandmother was when she sat in the verandah in the afternoon, feeding small pieces of bread to the birds. This daily ritual brought her immense joy and peace.
3. How did the narrator and the grandmother become good friends?
Ans: During his childhood, the narrator was left in the care of his grandmother when his parents moved to the city. She took care of him, and through this close bond, they became good friends.
4. Why could the grandmother not walk straight?
Ans: The grandmother could not walk straight because she was short, slightly bent, and had grown old, which affected her posture.
5. How did the grandmother spend her time when the narrator went to the university?
Ans: After the narrator went to the university, the grandmother spent her time singing prayers while sitting at her spinning wheel, devoting herself to her routine.
Long Answer Type Questions:
1. Describe the friendship between Khushwant Singh and his grandmother.
Ans:
The friendship between Khushwant Singh and his grandmother was deep and affectionate during his childhood in the village. His grandmother took care of him with love and devotion. She would wake him up early in the morning, sing her prayers while helping him bathe and dress, and provide him with a simple breakfast of stale chapatis with butter and sugar. They would walk together to the temple school, where she also spent time in prayer. This daily routine strengthened their bond, making them close companions.
However, their friendship underwent a significant change when they moved to the city. Khushwant Singh’s education now included subjects like music and science, which his grandmother disapproved of, as she preferred traditional and religious values. She disliked the western education he received, and her role in his life diminished. As a result, the bond of friendship they shared in the village gradually loosened, though the affection between them never faded.
2. Write a character sketch of Khushwant Singh’s grandmother.
Ans:
Khushwant Singh’s grandmother was a remarkable and saintly woman, as described in his portrait of her. She possessed qualities of calmness, contentment, spirituality, and devotion. Dressed in spotless white clothes, her silver hair symbolized her simplicity and purity. She had a routine steeped in religious practices, always engaged in prayer, often with a rosary in hand, which she never abandoned until her death.
Her kindness extended not just to her family but also to animals. She lovingly fed the village dogs in the village and, later, the birds when they moved to the city. This strong affection for animals was mutual, as shown by the birds’ sorrowful reaction after her passing. Her calm demeanor, love for prayer, and care for all living beings painted her as a gentle and saintly figure who left a lasting impression on everyone around her.
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Master "The Portrait of a Lady" for Class 11 English Exams (UP Board & CBSE)
By going through these exam-oriented questions and answers from The Portrait of a Lady, you’ve taken a major step towards acing your Class 11 English exams. Our carefully curated Q&A format ensures that you understand all key themes, characters, and analysis points crucial for both the UP Board and CBSE Board. For more such insightful content covering Class 11 English, stay tuned to English रथ for detailed answers and study materials that follow the latest syllabus and exam patterns.
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