Chapter
Lost Spring
Theme-
The central theme of the story is the loss of childhood and innocence due to poverty and
exploitation. The story portrays how poverty forces children to grow up too soon and how they
are robbed of their childhood and innocence.
The sub theme of the story is about the loss of identity and culture of the underprivileged
people who have been forced to leave their villages and migrate to the slums of cities in search
of work.
The story also highlights the theme of hope and resilience. Despite the harsh realities of life in
the slums, the children in the story have not lost their hope for a better future. In conclusion the
chapter highlights the harsh realities of life for the underprivileged people living in the slums of
India. The story is a reminder that poverty and exploitation are still prevalent in our society, and
it is our responsibility to work towards creating a better future for these children.
Summary
(To be done on your own)
Extract Based Questions-
Hint-1- “I have nothing else to do- - - - - - in every corner of his bleak world.”
I- Saheb’s muttering and ‘looking away’ suggests his
a. anger
b. shyness
c. embarrassment
d. anxiety
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Of the four meanings of ‘glibly’, select the option that matches in meaning with its usage in the
extract.
a. showing a degree of informality
b. lacking depth and substance
c. being insincere and deceitful
d. speaking with fluency
Ans. Option (b)
iii. Who do you think Saheb is referring to as ‘they’, in the given sentence?
“When they build one, I will go”
a. The officials
b. The inhabitants
c. The teachers
d. The journalists
Ans. Option (a)
iv. Select the option that lists the feelings and attitudes corresponding to the following:
i- I ask half-joking
ii- ...he says, smiling broadly
Ans- Option- D
Hint-2- Food is more important for survival - - - - - - -But for a child, it is even more.
i. The phrase ‘transit homes’ refer to dwellings that are
a. unhygienic.
b. inadequate.
c. fragile.
d. temporary.
Ans. Option (d)
ii. Identify the figure of speech used in the sentence “Garbage to them is gold”.
a. hyperbole
b. simile
c. synecdoche
d. personification
Ans. Option (a)
iii. Choose the term which best matches the statement ‘Food is more important for survival than
an identity.”?
a. immorality
b. necessity
c. obligation
d. ambition
Ans. Option (b)
iv. What does ‘acquired the proportions of a fine art’ mean?
a. Rag-picking has regained its lost status.
b. A segment of ragpickers are skilled in fine arts.
c. Rag-picking has attained the position of a skill.
d. Only a few people are experts in rag-picking.
Ans. Option (c)
Hint 3- “I will learn to drive a car,” - - - - - - which he proudly says is being rebuilt.
i. The simile ‘dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets’ indicates that his dream was
a. a reality, yet seemed distant.
b. lost in the sea of dust.
c. illusory and indistinct.
d. hanging in the dusty air.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. ‘I will learn to drive a car,’ he answers, looking straight into my eyes. This sentence highlights
Mukesh was
1. determined
2. fearless
3. hopeful
4. valiant
5. ambitious
6. stern
a. 1 & 5
b. 2 & 4
c. 2 & 5
d. 3 & 6
Ans. Option (a)
iii. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE with reference to the extract?
a. Children work in badly lit and poorly ventilated furnaces.
b. The children are unaware that it is forbidden by law to work in the furnaces.
c. Children toil in the furnaces for hours which affects their eyesight.
d. Firozabad has emerged as a nascent producer of bangles in the country.
Ans. Option (d)
iv. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles indicating that
a. bangle making is the only industry that flourishes in Firozabad.
b. the entire population of Firozabad is involved in bangle-making.
c. majority of the population in Firozabad is involved in bangle making.
d. bangle making is the most loved occupation in Firozabad.
Ans. Option (c)
Hint- 4- She still has bangles - - - - - - and the ability to dream.
i. ‘She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes.’ This implies that
a. she is married but has lost the charm in her eyes.
b. she is a married woman who has lost her grace and beauty.
c. though she is married, her eyes are devoid of happiness.
d. she is a married woman who has lost her eyesight.
Ans. Option ©
ii. ‘He has a roof over his head!’ The tone of the author is
a. pessimistic.
b. empathetic.
c. sympathetic.
d. optimistic.
Ans. Option (d)
iii. Choose the term which best matches the statement ‘The young men echo the lament of their
elders.’
a. acceptance
b. reflection
c. reiteration
d. doubtfulness
Ans. Option (c)
iv. ‘Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream’. This shows that
a. the bangle makers are exhausted yet they are enterprising and have dreams.
b. the drudgery of work has destroyed their willingness to improve their lot.
c. the daily grind has stolen the dreams of the bangle makers and made them dull.
d. the bangle makers have been working so hard that there’s no time to dream.
Ans. Option (b)