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 Introduction:
The story, “Lost Spring” describes the pitiable condition of poor children who have been forced to miss
the joy of childhood due to the socio-economic condition that prevails in this man-made world. These
children are denied the opportunity of schooling and forced into labour early in life. Anees Jung gives
voice to eliminate child labour by educating the children and to enforce the laws against child labour by
the governments strictly. The call is to end child exploitation and let the children enjoy the days of the
spring that bring joy under their feet.

 The Lost Spring:

As we all know, spring is the season associated with optimism and hope. It also works as a metaphor
for the childhood stage of our life. Right from the time we‟re born until late childhood, every child
hopes for new beginnings and a bright future. The phase of childhood is all about innocence, energy,
and tremendous inclination towards outdoors activities along with fun and play. And playtime does not
have any limits. It is also a time of getting more skill and knowledge. The „Lost Spring‟ written by
Anees Jung talks about the national shame of children being forced to live a life of poverty and
exploitation. The main two protagonists of the chapter, Saheb-e-Alam and Mukesh don‟t live their
childhood as they have to carry the burden of poverty and illiteracy. In their miserable stories of
exploitation, the author provides glimpses of fortitude and resilience.

 About the Author:

Anees Jung is an Indian female author, journalist and columnist who writes for major newspapers in India
and abroad. She was born in Rourkela and belongs to an aristocratic family in Hyderabad. Her father,
Nawab Hosh Yar Jung, who was a renowned scholar and poet, worked as the musahib (adviser) to the last
Nizam (prince) of Hyderabad State. And her mother and brother are also well-known Urdu poets. Jung hit
the headlines with the publication of „Unveiling India in 1987‟, which is primarily a travel diary that
focuses on interviews with women. She went on write many subsequent books on the same topic, and
talked to women about their everyday lives, and wrote books like „Night of the New Moon: Encounters
with Muslim women in India‟ (1993) and Seven Sisters (1994). Her book „Breaking the Silence (1997)
includes conversations on women‟s lives from around the world.

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 Summary

I – Sometimes I find a rupee in the garbage.

The first part tells the writer‟s impressions about the life of the poor rag pickers. The rag pickers
have migrated from Dhaka and found a settlement in Seemapuri. Their fields and homes had been
swept away by storms. They had come to the big city to find a living. They are poor. The writer
watches Saheb every morning scrounging for “gold” in her neighbourhood. Garbage is a means of
survival for the elders and for the children it is something wrapped in wonder. The children come
across a coin or two from it. These people have desires and ambitions, but they do not know the
way to achieve them. There are quite a few things that are unreachable to them, namely shoes,
tennis and the like. Later Saheb joins a tea stall where he could earn 800 Rupees and all the meals.
The job has taken away his freedom.

II – I want to drive a car.

The second part deals with the life of Mukesh, who belongs to the family of Bangle-makers.
Firozabad is best known for its glass-blowing industry. Nearly 20,000 children are engaged in this
business and the law that forbids child labour is not known here. The living condition and the
working environment is a woeful tale. Life in dingy cells and working close to hot furnaces make
these children blind when they step into the adulthood. Weighed down by the debt, they can
neither think nor find a way to come of out of this trap. The politicians, middlemen, policemen and
bureaucrats will all obstruct their way of progress. The women in the household consider it as their
fate and just follow the tradition. Mukesh is different from the rest of the folk there. He dreams to
become a motor mechanic. The garage is far away from his house but he shall walk.

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Gist of the lesson:
‘Sometimes I find a rupee in garbage’
 The author examines and analyses the impoverished conditions and traditions that condemn
children to a life of exploitation .These children are denied education and forced into hardships
early in their lives.
 The writer encounters Saheb – a rag picker whose parents have left behind the life of poverty in
Dhaka to earn a living in Delhi.
 His family like many other families of rag pickers lives in Seemapuri. They do not have other
identification other than a ration card.
 The children do not go to school and they are excited at the prospect of finding a coin or even a
ten rupee note for rummaging in the garbage.
 It is the only way of earning.
 The writer is pained to see Saheb, a rag picker whose name means the ruler of earth, Lose the
spark of childhood and roams barefooted with his friends.
 From morning to noon the author encounters him in a tea stall and is paid Rs. 800. He sadly
realizes that he is no longer his own master and this loss of identity weighs heavily on his tender
shoulders.

‘I want to drive a car’

 The author then tells about another victim, Mukesh who wants to be a motor mechanic.
 He has always worked in the glass making industry.
 They are exposed to various health hazards like losing their eyesight as they work in abysmal
conditions, in dark and dingy cells.
 Mukesh‟s grandfather was blind as were his forefathers before him.
 So burdened are the bangle makers of Firozabad that they have lost their ability to dream unlike
Mukesh who dreams of driving a car.

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TEXTUAL QUESTIONS
Q.1. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he come from?
Answer. Saheb is looking for any precious thing which he cannot afford to buy. Things like a
rupee, silver coin or a pair of shoes. He has come to the garbage dump in the writer‟s
neighbourhood. He lives in Seemapuri in Delhi and has come from Dhaka.

Q.2. What explanations does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?
Answer. The author says that they do not wear footwear because it is a tradition in their families to
remain barefoot.

Q.3. Is Saheb happy working at the tea-stall? Explain.

Answer. Saheb is not happy working at the tea stall. He is paid a fixed wage of Rs 800, and also
receives all his meals free. But the author notices that his face has lost its carefree look, which
makes it evident that he is not happy. He has lost his independence, and is no longer his own
master.
Q.4. What makes the city of Firozabad famous?
Answer. Firozabad is famous for glass blowing industry.

Q.5. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Answer. People who work in the glass bangle industry lose their eyesight.

Q.6. How is Mukesh‟s attitude to his situation different from that of his family?
Answer. Mukesh dares to dream and has a way out of his situation. He aspires to become a motor
mechanic. On the other hand, his family does not dare to dream. They are too tired and scared to
do something to come out of their grim situation.

Q.7. What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities?
Answer: People migrate from villages to cities in search of a better life. They want to earn money
so that they can lead a good life and rear their children in a better way. As cities have more
opportunities for work, this makes them migrate from the villages to these big cities.

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Q.8. Would you agree that promises made to poor children are rarely kept? Why do you think this
happens in the incidents narrated in the text?
Answer: Yes, I agree that the promises made to poor children are rarely fulfilled. In the story the
writer jokingly offers the rag picker boy to join a school that she would open. In fact, she does not
intend to open a school. She speaks mindlessly but the boy takes it to be true and later asks her if
the school has opened. There are many such hollow promises in the boy‟s life because the person
who makes the promise never intends to fulfil it.

Q.9. What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty?
Answer: The writer tells us that the bangle – makers of Firozabad are poverty – stricken. They are
burdened by the fact of the particular caste in which they are born - bangle makers. They have to
continue the traditional profession. Further, the society has formed a harsh circle around them. The
money lenders, middlemen, policemen, law keepers, officers and politicians altogether form a
barrier around them and tie them in the grip of poverty. They cannot escape from it.

Q.10. How, in your opinion, can Mukesh realise his dream?

Answer: Mukesh dared to dream and wanted to become a motor mechanic. He wanted to drive
cars too. He took the initial step by aspiring to do something different from the family business. I
think that Mukesh can realize his dream with determination and hard work.

Q.11. Mention the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.

Answer: The poor bangle makers in Firozabad work in dangerous conditions. The furnaces have
very high temperatures and no ventilation. Hence, they are prone to ailments like lung cancer.
While polishing the bangles, the dust harms their eyes and many lose their vision. They remain in
dark for long hours and so are unable to see during the daytime.

Q.12. Why should child labour be eliminated and how?

Answer: Forcing a child to work is a crime. This is so in order to prevent exploitation of children.
If forced to work, Children cannot enjoy their childhood. They cannot get proper education. Also,
when they are forced into hazardous works, they get ailments at a young age. This destroys their
future. Their parents overlook all these facts as they need money. So, the government has to
become proactive and take measures to check child labour and enforce the law strictly.

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SOLVED QUESTIONS
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS 30-40 WORDS.
Question.1.To which country did Saheb‟s parents originally belong? Why did they come to India?
OR
Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri?
Answer. Saheb‟s parents belonged to Dhaka in Bangladesh, where they lived amidst green fields. They
and the other ragpickers left their homes many years ago and migrated to India in search of a
livelihood, as their homes and fields were destroyed in storms. This forced them to come to India,
where they settled in the slums of Seemapuri.

Question.2.What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy?

Answer. Saheb took up work at a tea stall, where he had to perform several odd jobs, including getting
milk from the milk booth. He was not happy, as he had lost his independence. Though he earned 800
and got all his meals free, he was no longer his own master.

Question.3. Garbage to them is gold; why does the author say so about the ragpickers?
Answer. Garbage is gold to the ragpickers of Seemapuri because it provides them items which can be
sold for cash, which can buy them food and is a means of survival. Moreover, it is gold also because
the ragpickers can find stray coins and currency notes in it.

Question.4. How is Mukesh different from the other bangle makers of Firozabad?
Answer. Mukesh has the courage to dream big in spite of all adversity, whereas the other bangle
makers of Firozabad have resigned to their fate, and have suppressed all their hopes and desires.
Mukesh refuses to follow the „God-given lineage‟ of bangle making and wants to be a motor mechanic
when he grows up.

Question.5. Whom does Anees Jung blame for the sorry plight of the bangle makers?
Answer. Anees Jung blames the middlemen, the policemen, the lawmakers, the bureaucrats and the
politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle makers. These people conspire against and exploit the poor
bangle makers. They pay them meagre wages, do not let them form co-operatives, and compel their
children to join the same trade at an early age.

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Question.6.What is Mukesh‟s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream? Why? Why
not? OR
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer.
Answer. Mukesh‟s dream is to become a motor-mechanic. It is no doubt difficult for Mukesh to
achieve his dream, as he is torn between his desires and his family tradition, which he cannot escape.
Besides, he has to face a number of obstacles in the form of sahukars, middlemen, bureaucrats, law
makers, politicians etc. However, his will to work hard, and his strong determination could make him
achieve his dream.

Question.7. In spite of despair and disease pervading the lives of the slum children, they are not devoid
of hope. How far do you agree?
Answer. In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live in the slum have the
desire to achieve something big in life, like Mukesh. This shows that they are not devoid of hope.
Saheb, a ragpicker, is eager to go to a school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy cells
making bangles, dreams of becoming a motor mechanic, which is very much against his family
tradition.

Question.8. Who is Mukesh? What is his dream?

Answer. Mukesh is a child laborer who Works in a glass bangle making factory that is situated in
Firozabad. Though Mukesh belongs to a poor family which is engaged in bangle making, he dreams of
becoming a motor mechanic when he grows up.

Question.9. Why could the bangle makers not organise themselves into a cooperative?
Answer. The bangle makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative because they were
trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, the keepers of law, bureaucrats and
politicians. If they tried to organise themselves, they would be beaten by up the police and put in jail.

Question.10. Mention any two hazards of working in the bangle industry.

Answer. The glass bangle industry offers a very unhealthy and hazardous environment to the people
working in it. They have to work in the glass furnaces with high temperature in dingy cells without air
and light. Workers, including child labourers, lose their eyesight at an early age. Slogging for long,
relentless hours also has adverse effects on their bodies.

Question.11. Why does the author say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web?
Answer. The bangle makers in Firozabad are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, middlemen,
policemen, law makers, bureaucrats and politicians. They toil day and night, but are not paid
appropriate wages and are steeped in poverty. They cannot form cooperatives for their betterment.
Moreover, their children are also compelled to join the same trade at an early age and cannot dare to
take up any other profession.

Question.12. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? How do you know?
Answer. Saheb is not happy working at the tea stall. He is paid a fixed wage of Rs 800, and also
receives all his meals free. But the author notices that his face has lost its carefree look, which makes it
evident that he is not happy. He has lost his independence, and is no longer his own master.

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Question.13. What does Saheb do for living? Why?
Answer. Saheb is a rag picker. His family has left the life of poverty behind in Dhaka in to pursue their
dream of finding a better life. The children like him have no access to Education and are forced into
rag picking

Question.14. “Saheb is no longer his own master”, says the writer. What does she mean?
Answer. The writer means that having accepted the job with the tea-stall, Saheb has lost the
independence that he enjoyed as a rag picker, even though he was poor. Although he will now be able
to supplement the family income, it will be at the cost of his freedom, which is difficult, binding and
unfair for someone so young.

Question.15. Why did people migrate from the village in Dhaka to Delhi?
Answer. Better education, job opportunities and living conditions.

Question.16. What trade does the family of Mukesh follow? Why does the writer feel that it will be
difficult for Mukesh to break away from this tradition?
Answer. Engaged in bangle making-difficult to break away from this trade. He belongs to the caste of
bangle makers His family is caught in the web of sahukars, the middlemen, policemen, the keepers of
law, bureaucrats and the politicians, from which there is no escape.

Question.17. What does garbage symbolize for the adults and children?
Answer. For the elders it is a means of survival (earning a livelihood) and for the children it is wrapped
in wonder (magical).

Question.18. Who was Saheb? What did he do for a living?

Answer. Saheb was a rag picker of Seemapuri and had migrated from Bangladesh in 1971. Besides
rag-picking, he used to look for gold in the garbage dumps of the big city for a living.

Question.19. What did living in Seemapuri actually mean?

Answer. Living in Seemapuri meant being subjected to extreme poverty. People had lived there for
thirty years without an identity, without permit, only concentrating on the matter of food.

Question.20. What does Anees Jung attempt to bring out in her story 'Lost Spring'?
Answer. Anees Jung wants to show the grinding poverty, traditions and circumstances which compel
and condemn the children to a life full of misery and exploitation

Question.21. What is illegal that none of the bangle makers of Firozabad know?
Answer. The bangle makers do not know that employing children in bangle-making is illegal. If the
law is enforced strictly 20,000 children will be released from working at hot furnaces with high
temperatures.

22. Describe the irony in Saheb‟s name.

Answer. Saheb is a poor ragpicker who lives in Seemapuri. His full name is ‟Saheb-e-Alam‟, which
means ‟Lord of the Universe‟. The irony lies in the meaning of his name itself. According to his name,
he should be a king and enjoy all the luxuries of life. But unfortunately, he is a barefoot ragpicker, who
lacks even the basic necessities.

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23. Why had the ragpickers come to live in Seemapuri?
Or
To which country did Saheb‟s parents originally belong? Why did they come to India?
Or
Why did Saheb‟s parents leave Dhaka and migrate to India?
Answer. Once Saheb‟s parents lived in Bangladesh, amidst the green fields of Dhaka. There were
many storms that swept away their fields and homes. That‟s why they migrated to Delhi and settled
down in Seemapuri looking for an" occupation.

24. What did garbage mean to the children of Seemapuri and to their parents?
Or
In what sense is garbage gold to the ragpickers?
Or
„Garbage to them is gold.‟ Why does the author say so about the ragpickers?
Answer: Garbage means „gold‟ to the poor ragpickers because some of it can be sold for cash, thus
becoming a means of survival for the Children of Seemapuri and for their parents. It is providing them
their daily bread and a roof over their heads.

25. What kind of gold did the people of Seemapuri look for in the garbage?
Answer: The people of Seemapuri look for items in the garbage which can be traded for money,
meaning „gold‟, as it helps them earn their daily bread and have a roof over their heads. For a child,
garbage may mean something wrapped in wonder, whereas for the elders it is a means of survival.

26. Describe Mukesh as an ambitious person.

Answer: Mukesh is an ambitious person because he wants to become a motor-mechanic by breaking
free from the vicious web of generations of families being involved in bangle-making. He has the
courage to dream of becoming a motor mechanic, thus breaking free from destiny.

27. What is Mukesh‟s dream? Do you think he will be able to fulfil his dream? Why? Why not?
Or
Is it possible for Mukesh to realise his dream? Justify your answer.
Or
What was Mukesh‟s dream? In your opinion, did he achieve his dream?
Or
Why is Mukesh‟s dream of learning to drive a car a mirage?
Answer: Mukesh belongs to the bangle-makers of Firozabad where each family is engaged in bangle-
making. On asking, Mukesh says, “I will be a motor-mechanic. I will learn to drive a car.” Thus, he
wants to be his own master. However, because he is caught up in the vicious cycle created by others,
he will not be able to realise his dream and will remain a bangle-maker.

28. „It is his karam, his destiny‟. Explain this statement of Mukesh‟s grandmother.
Answer: Mukesh‟s grandmother believes in destiny. She believes that they cannot escape from the God
given lineage. It is their destiny to suffer like this. They were born in the caste of bangle-makers and
will always be one, for they do not have any control over their destiny.

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29. Why could the bangle-makers not organise themselves into a cooperative?
Answer: The bangle-makers could not organise themselves into a cooperative because they were
trapped in the vicious circle of sahukars, middlemen, policemen, bureaucrats and politicians, who
exploited them. If they tried to organise themselves, they would be beaten by the police and put in jail.

30. In spite of despair and disease pervading lives of the slum children, they are not devoid of hope.
How far do you agree?
Answer: In spite of growing up amidst despair and disease, children who live in slums have the desire
to achieve something big in life. This shows that they are not devoid of hope. Saheb, a ragpicker, is
eager to go to a school and learn. Mukesh, who works in dark, dingy cells making bangles, dreams of
becoming a motor mechanic against his family tradition.

31. Whom does Anees lung blame for the sorry plight of the bangIe-makers?
Answer: Anees Jung blames the vicious circle of the sahukars (moneylenders), middlemen, policemen,
bureaucrats and politicians for the sorry plight of the bangle-makers. They don‟t allow the bangle
makers to organise themselves into a cooperative.

32. What does the title „Lost Spring‟ convey?

Answer: Spring is associated with childhood. Just as spring is the season when flowers bloom
similarly, childhood is the period when an individual blooms and grows. Anees Jung here presents the
horrific truth about the life of children in India who are victims of child labour and are not allowed to
grow and bloom freely. Their childhood or springtime is lost.

33. Which industry was a boon and also bane for the people of Firozabad? How?
Answer: The bangle-making industry was a boon and also bane for the people of Firozabad. It was a
boon because it gave them a livelihood so that they could survive. However it was a bane because they
were forced to work in their industry for generations, as their children had to also work in bangle-
making to make ends meet, as the earnings were meagre. Additionally, their eyes and general health
were ruined due to continuously working close to the furnaces used for making bangles.

34. How are Saheb and Mukesh different from each other?
Answer: Saheb and Mukesh are different from each other because, while Saheb is content with just
managing to survive, Mukesh dares to dream of working in a better profession as a motor mechanic.
Saheb is satisfied even when working in the tea stall, as it is still better than rag picking, Mukesh wants
to change his hereditary profession. Thus, Mukesh is ambitious while Saheb is not.

35. “Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds...” In the context of Mukesh, the bangle maker‟s son,
which two worlds is Anees Jung referring to?
Answer: The two worlds that the author refers to are those represented by Mukesh‟s parents and
Mukesh respectively. Mukesh has the courage to dream big in spite of all adversity, whereas the other
bangle makers of Firozabad have resigned to their fate, and have suppressed all their hopes and desires.
Mukesh refuses to follow the „God-given lineage‟ of bangle-making and wants to be a motor mechanic
when he grows up

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LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. “Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi, yet miles away from it, metaphorically.” Explain.
Answer: Seemapuri is a place on the outskirts of Delhi where 10000 ragpickers and their families live.
The people living there are squatters who migrated from Bangladesh in 1971. The ragpickers live in
structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage or running water. No one
can imagine that such a place exists on the periphery of Delhi, the capital of India. It stands in stark
contrast to the metropolitan city of Delhi. The main city of Delhi, and Seemapuri at its periphery,
provide an exemplary case of contradiction. In Delhi there is luxury and affluence, there are a host of
opportunities and dreams, and in Seemapuri there is squalor, hopelessness and despair. There is no
chance for the inhabitants of this area to strive towards the attainment of the prospects offered by
Delhi. Thus, although Seemapuri is located at the periphery of Delhi, in the real sense, Delhi is many
miles away from it.

2. Give a brief account of life and activities of the people like Saheb-e-Alam settled in Seemapuri.
Answer: Seemapuri is a slum area located on the periphery of Delhi. Most of the residents of
Seemapuri consist of people who are refugees from Bangladesh. Saheb‟s family is among them. The
area consists of mud structures, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin. They do not have facilities of sewage,
drainage or running water. About 10000 ragpickers live here. Their only means of livelihood is finding
saleable items from rubbish. Thus, for them, the rubbish is as valuable as gold, for their survival
depends on what they find in the rubbish. These rag pickers have lived here for more than thirty years
without any identity. They do not have permits but have ration cards, thanks to the selfish whims and
wishes of the politicians. With these, they can get their name on the voter‟s lists and also buy grains for
themselves at a subsidised rate.

3. „Saheb is no longer his own master.‟ Comment.

Answer: Grinding poverty and the necessity for a life of subsistence have involved Saheb in
ragpicking. Rummaging through garbage does not provide him with a regular income but gives
him freedom. He has all the liberty in the world to roam with his friends in the streets without any
worries to bother him. Also, he can hunt for ‟gold‟ in the garbage dumps. It provides him a hope
and a thrill every day in the form of a rupee or a ten-rupee note. So, he looks forward to
ragpicking. The job he takes up at a tea stall is one of his attempts to become his own master.
Ironically, this further enslaves him. He is now not free to roam aimlessly in the streets. His new
occupation binds him to serve somebody else.

4..Describe the circumstances which keep the workers in the bangle industry in poverty.
Answer: The bangle-makers of Firozabad are exposed to multiple health hazards while working.
Many of them are children who work near hot furnaces during daylight, often losing their eyesight
before adulthood. Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to even think
of taking up another profession. They are not able to organise themselves into a cooperative due to
bullying and exploitation by the politicians, authorities, moneylenders and middlemen. They live in
stinking lanes choked with garbage, having homes with crumbling walls, wobbly doors, no
windows, overcrowded with families of humans and animals coexisting in a primeval state. They
have not even enjoyed even one full meal in their entire lifetime because of their poverty.

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5. “It is his karam, his destiny” that made Mukesh‟s grandfather go blind. How did Mukesh
disprove this belief by choosing a new vocation and making his own destiny?
Answer: Mukesh disproved this belief that bangle-making was his destiny by choosing a new
vocation and making his own destiny. He decided to become a motor-mechanic and learn to drive a
car. As he had seen his parents and others suffer because of the vicious circle of poverty and
exploitation by the sahukars, middlemen, politicians and the police, he did not want to remain in
the bangle-making profession. He had the courage to break free from the family lineage of bangle-
making and was ready to walk a long distance to reach a motor garage to learn the vocation of car
mechanic. He had even thought that he would request the garage owner to hire him initially as a
helper and learn the trade. Finally, he also wanted to learn to drive a car. Thus, Mukesh was ready
to make his destiny by choosing a new vocation and break the age old belief.

Q.6 Imagine that Mahatma Gandhi from the text 'Indigo' visits Mukesh's town Firozabad as described
in 'Lost Spring'. Gandhi sees how the poor bangle-makers are caught up in 'a vicious circle of the
sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the politicians.' True
to his nature of being an activist and a social reformist, he decides to do something about it over a
month. As Mukesh, write a diary entry on the last day of Gandhi's one-month stay, elaborating on any
two things that he did that transformed the people's lives in Firozabad. You may begin this way: Dear
Diary, Today marks a month of Mahatma Gandhi being in our town...
23rd July, 20XX
Sunday, 10:00 p.m.

Dear Diary
Today marks a month of Mahatma Gandhi being in our town, Firozabad. It has been an extraordinary
time, and I have witnessed two remarkable transformations brought about by Bapu's unwavering
determination and compassion.

Firstly, Gandhi ji addressed the issue of the vicious circle that entrapped the poor bangle-makers. He
held meetings with the sahukars, middlemen, and other influential figures. Through his relentless
efforts and persuasive speeches, he managed to negotiate fair wages for the bangle-makers. This not
only improved our economic condition but also gave us a sense of dignity and respect that we had long
been deprived of.

Secondly, Bapu initiated a movement to educate our children. He strongly believed that education was
the key to breaking free from the cycle of poverty. With the help of some like-minded individuals, he
set up makeshift schools in our town. I am proud to say that my little sister, Shanti, is now attending
one of these schools. Gandhi ji's focus on education has given hope to many parents like mine who
dream of a brighter future for their children.

It's heartening to see how Mahatma Gandhi's presence has ignited a spirit of change and unity in
Firozabad. We are no longer voiceless victims of injustice, but rather, individuals who are striving for
a better tomorrow. Bapu's teachings and actions have left an indelible mark on our lives, reminding us
that we have the power to bring about change when we stand together.

With gratitude
Your name

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Q.7.'The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles,
not even enough to eat, rings in every home.' (The Lost Spring)
'...far from the city, we make our roadside stand and ask for some city money to feel in hand'.
(A Roadside Stand)
Create a conversation between a bangle maker and the owner of a roadside stand with reference to
the above extracts.
You may begin the conversation like this:
Owner of a roadside stand: Your bangles are pretty. Tell me about your experience in this business.

Answer:

Owner of a roadside stand: Your bangles are pretty. Tell me about your experience in this
business.

Bangle Maker: Thank you. I have been making bangles for as long as I can remember. It's a
family business and we have been doing it for generations.

Owner of a roadside stand: I can understand. My situation is not very different. I also have a
small business, and I struggle to make ends meet.

Bangle Maker: Yes, it's not easy. We barely make enough to survive. The cry of not having money
to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles, not even enough to eat, rings in
every home.

Owner of a roadside stand: I know how it feels. That's why I came to the city to set up this roadside
stand. But even here, it's a struggle to make enough money to survive.

Bangle Maker: It's the same for us. We live far from the city, and when we come here to sell our
bangles, we ask for some city money to feel in our hand. It's a difficult life.

Owner of a roadside stand: Yes, it is. But we have to keep going. We can't give up. We have to
find ways to improve our situation.

Bangle Maker: I agree. We need more opportunities to improve our business and our lives. We
need support from the government and society to break the cycle of poverty.

Owner of a roadside stand: That's true. We need to work together and support each other. Only
then can we hope to overcome the challenges we face.

Q.8. Hunger knows no friend but its feeder. The downtrodden lead a miserable life. Elucidate the
dictum keeping in mind the following lines: “survival in Seemapuri means ragpicking. Through the
years, it has acquired the proportions of a fine art. Garbage to them is gold. It is their daily bread a
roof over their heads”

14
Poverty: A Vicious Circle
It is a well known saying that poverty is the root cause of all evils. Corruption, loot, begging and
incidents of theft are the offspring of abject poverty. The destitute lead a pitiable and miserable life.
They do not get sufficient food. Lack of funds constrains them to take recourse to illegal activities.
Slum dwellers always feel themselves dejected.

They recognise only those beings who help them and feed them. Political leaders take undue
advantages of their poverty. They are misused to win elections. Humanity, mankind, honesty, trust and
love become significant when an individual succeeds in satisfying his hunger. Hungry people need
only food. There is a dearth of people who are capable of converting obstacles into opportunities.
These poor people are exploited ruthlessly by industrialists, politicians and other middlemen. They
scrounge for gold in the garbage dumps to earn their livelihood. The hiatus between the rich and the
poor seems difficult to be bridged. It is increasing day by day. The poor are becoming poorer and the
rich richer. There is no human being who would like to work for their welfare. Their plight is pitiable
and horrible. The residential areas of these people are packed with filth. They become habitual of foul
smell. Poverty is a vicious circle. It never comes to an end. The unemployed youth are heading towards
destruction. They do not remember anything except the help they receive from the opportunistic people
who feed them to materialise their vested interests.

Q.9. There is no denying the fact that 'Life is action and not contemplation. Those who shirk work
and waste their time in thinking about bitter consequences never achieve greatness. They lack
enthusiasm. Substantiate the aphorism keeping in mind the following lines:
"I will be a motor mechanic" "I will learn to drive a car", His dream looms like a mirage amidst the
dust of streets..."
Ans.

Life is Action and not Contemplation

Initiation is the law of nature. Success depends on the actions taken by an individual. One has to
take actions without wasting time. Dreams give us directions. But it should not be forgotten that a
man cannot become influential by only dreaming. One who does not utilise time fails to do
anything significant in life. Actions shape the destiny of the beings. Contemplation destroys
happiness. Aimless thinking aggravates woes and worries. It leads to nowhere. Such thinkers never
get pleasure in this world of mortals. Those who believe in taking actions attain their long
cherished goals with an astonishing ease. They never feel confused or perplexed. They never
become a victim of depression. All the human beings are to perform their duties on the earth.
Contemplation leads to idleness. Life is a judicious blend of contemplation and action.
Contemplation transformed into action is of utmost importance. Action without contemplation may
be disastrous. Contemplation without action is a sin. One should not waste time in thinking only.
We should always remember that life is short and time is swift. Procrastination is the thief of time.
One should not forget that there's a time for everything. One should grab this opportune time to get
success in life.

15
Q. 10. Dedication, determination and devotion are the factors responsible for phenomenal success.
Substantiate the above quoted statement in the light of the following lines:
"I want to be a motor mechanic, he repeats. He will go to a garage and learn. But the garage is a
long way from his home. I will walk, he insists."
Ans.
Key to Success

Hard work is the key to success. Dogged determination and strong will power are the essential
ingredients of success. Industrious people never feel disheartened. They bum the mid night oil and
strive hard to achieve the desired goals. It is said that between two stools one falls on the ground.
Thus, one has to dedicate one's life to a specific field. The long term goals and aims of life must be
set thoughtfully and not whimsically. The capricious nature of a fellow does not allow him to reach
the heights. Devotion always brings good results and rewards. The essence of devotion is trust or
faith. If one has trust in performing the actions, one is able in winning the battle of life. Trust gives
strength and strength gives birth to determination which leads to dedication. Devoted and
dedicated people never become a part of a problem. They remain a part of the solution. They do
not do different things but they do things differently. Their devotion to the field encourages them
to have in depth knowledge. Those who dare to climb the hill conquer Mount Everest. Dedication
has no substitute. It is the only way to great accomplishments.

Q5. Health plays an important role in the life of a mortal. But the destitute fail to get nutritious
food and do not remain healthy. It is said that health is wealth. People believe that a sound mind
lives in a sound body. Elucidate it taking ideas from the following lines: "Ek wagt ser bhar khana
bhi nahin Khaya.""

Ans.
Health and Food
One has to accept the fact that if wealth is lost, something is lost and if health is lost, everything is
lost. The proverb A sound mind lives in a sound body is apt. A healthy man can enjoy the beauty
of this world. An unhealthy man misses one of the greatest boons given by the Almighty. A
healthy beggar is better than an unhealthy king. A person who accumulates enormous wealth and
suffers from chronic or fatal diseases cannot relish life. He wastes his time in clinics and hospitals.
Health is essential to have positive thoughts. One should wake up early in the morning and take
exercise. Nutritious food is indispensable for good health. Junk food must be avoided. The
destitute suffer because they do not get sufficient food. 'They do not have any source of income.
Undoubtedly good health plays a pivotal role in the life of a mortal. Pecuniary gains are of utmost
importance but a strong and sturdy body free from ailments is of paramount importance. It has no
substitute. A mortal cannot endure the loss of health. Creativity, productivity and innovation get
enhanced if a man is healthy. Thus, one should be in the best of health so that one can lead a happy
and contented life.

16
Q6. Child abuse is a very serious problem in our country. Children are forced by circumstances to
work in various factories. Write an article, on the topic 'Child Abuse'. Take ideas from the
following lines : "None of them knows that it is illegal for children like him to work in the glass
furnaces 1 with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air and light; that the law, if enforced,
could get him and all those 20,000 children out of the hot furnaces where they slog their daylight
/hours, often losing the brightness of their eyes."

Ans.

Child Abuse
Child abuse is a grave problem in India. Many children work for dhabas, factories and tea stall
owners. These are those unfortunate children of this country who don't get even. Meals three times
a day. It is a blemish on our nation. It is the duty of the governments to make arrangements of
education for these children. Child labour is common in the fields of agriculture, domestic service,
sex industry, carpet and textile industries, quarrying, bangle making and brick making. These
children are forced to work in horrible conditions. There are no set working hours for these
children. They are given low wages.

In some cases poverty of the household and low level of parental education are responsible, for
child labour. Employing children in factories implies that the nation's future is in dark. 'These
children never feel happy. They become devoid of human emotions. They adopt illegal ways to
earn their bread and butter when they become able-bodied. It gives rise to violence and corruption.
Child labour should be stopped and the governments should educate these children free of cost. At
least elementary education should be given to all children.

17
EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS

A. Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.
My acquaintance with the barefoot rag pickers leads me to Seemapuri, a place on periphery of Delhi
yet miles away from it, metaphorically. Those who live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh
back in 1971. Saheb's family is among them. Seemapuri was then a wilderness. It still is, but it is no
longer empty. In structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage or
running water, live 10,000 rag pickers.

(i) Who was the acquaintance talked about in the above lines?
(a) Mukesh (b) Saheb
(c) The narrators gardener's son (d) Children of Seemapuri

(ii) Why is Seemapuri miles away from Delhi?

(a) It is a home to illegal immigrants.
(b) It is a home to poverty stricken families.
(c) It lacks even the basic facilities.
(d) It is in the outskirts of Delhi.

(iii) As per the author, residents of Seemapuri lack

(a) occupation (b) humanity (c) proper sanitation (d) values

(iv) Seemapuri is a home of ............ .

(a) poor people of India
(b) rag pickers
(c) refugees from Bangladesh
(d) All of these

B. Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.
“Go to school”, I say glibly, realising immediately how hollow the advice must sound. “There is no
school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.”
“If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking. “Yes,” he says, smiling broadly.
A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?”
“It takes longer to build a school,” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But
promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world. After months of knowing him, I ask him
his name, “Saheb-e-Alam”, he announces. He does not know what it means. If he knew its meaning-lord
of the universe-he would have a hard time believing it.

(i) How does Saheb respond to the narrator‟s advice?

(a) That he enjoys doing his work
(b) That his parents won‟t allow
(c) That he would go when one is there
(d) That they all are beyond his reach

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(ii) Why did the narrator feel embarrassed?
(a) For making a false promise
(b) For hurting the emotions of Saheb
(c) For mocking the poverty of Saheb
(d) For making Saheb run to her

(iii) ......... in the extract means ‟thrive‟.

(a) Embarrassed (b) Broadly (c) Glibly (d) Abound

(iv) How is the name of the poor rag-picker, Saheb-e-Alam ironic in nature?
(a) It means the lord of cleanliness
(b) It means the lord of the universe
(c) It means rich end the prosperous
(d) It means king of the kingdom

C. Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.
“Why aren‟t you wearing chappals?” I ask one.
“My mother did not bring them down from the shelf,” he answers simply.
“Even if she did he will throw them off,” adds another who is wearing shoes that do not match. When I
comment on it, he shuffles his feet and says nothing. “I want shoes”, says a third boy who has never
owned a pair all his life. Travelling across the country I have seen children walking barefoot, in cities,
on village roads. It is not lack of money but a tradition to stay barefoot, is one explanation. I wonder if
this is only an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty.

(i) Why was the one, being asked, not wearing chappals?
(a) Because he had none
(b) Because one of them was broken
(C) Because his father had asked him not to ' wear
(d) Because his mother did not bring them down from the self

(ii) What does the boy do when the narrator comments on unmatching shoes?
(a) He changes his shoes
(b) He hides behind the other boys
(c) He shuffles his shoes without responding
(d) He rebukes the narrator and mocks her dress

(iii) What is an excuse to explain away a perpetual state of poverty?

(a) Walking barefoot
(b) To term „walking barefoot‟ a tradition
(c) To reuse the „worn out shoes‟
(d) Not to bring chappals out of shelf

(iv) The word ‟perpetual‟ used in the extract means..........

(a) constant (b) ceasing (c) transient (d) ephemeral

19
D. Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.
In his hand is a steel canister. “I now work in a tea stall down the road,” he says, pointing in the
distance. “I am paid 800 rupees and all my meals.” Does he like the job? I ask. His face, I see, has lost
the carefree look. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly over
his shoulder. The bag was his. The canister belongs to the man who owns the tea shop. Saheb is no
longer his own master!

(i) What is Saheb holding while on his way?

(a) Rag picking bag
(b) A pair of different colour shoes
(c) A gold coin
(d) A steel canister

(ii) How has the new job impacted Saheb?

(a) He earns more money and better food now
(b) He has lost his carefree look now
(c) He saves the time to go to school now
(d) He has no time to play now.

(iii) Why does the steel canister seem heavier than the plastic bag he would carry so lightly?
(a) The bag was his
(b) The canister belongs to the shop owner
(c) Saheb is no longer his own master
(d) All of the above

(iv) …………..means ‟canister‟ used in the extract.

(a) Vessel (b) Humdinger (c) Implication (d) Fuss

E. “I will learn to drive a car,” he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His dream looms like a
mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad, famous for its bangles. Every other
family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of India‟s glass-blowing industry
where families have spent generations working around furnaces, wielding glass, making bangles for all
the women in the land it seems. Mukesh‟s family is among them. None of them know that it is illegal
for children like him to work in the glass furnaces with high temperatures, in dingy cells without air
and light; that the law, if enforced, could get him and all those 20,000 children out of the hot furnaces
where they slog their daylight hours, often losing the brightness of their eyes. Mukesh‟s eyes beam as
he volunteers to take me home, which he proudly says is being rebuilt.

1. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE with reference to the extract?
A. Children work in badly lit and inadequately ventilated furnaces.
B. The children are not aware that it is forbidden by law to work..
C. Children work in the furnaces for hours which poorly affects their eyesight.
D. Firozabad has emerged as a budding producer of bangles in the country.

20
2. 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.

3. „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

4. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles indicates that

A. bangle making is the only industry that thrives in Firozabad.
B. Everyone in Firozabad works in the bangle industry.
C. majority of the population in Firozabad is involved in bangle making.
D. bangle making is the most favoured occupation in Firozabad.

Answers
A.
1.Ans - (b) Saheb
2.Ans- (c) It lacks even the basic facilities.
3.Ans - (c) proper sanitation
4.Ans - (c) refugees from Bangladesh

B.
Ans - (c) That he would go when one is there
Ans - (a) For making a false promise
Ans - (d) Abound
Ans - (b) It means the lord of the universe

C.
Ans - (d) Because his mother did not bring them down from the self
Ans - (c) He shuffles his shoes without responding
Ans - (b) To term „walking barefoot‟ a tradition
Ans - (a) constant

21
D.
Ans - (d) A steel canister
Ans - (b) He has lost his carefree look now
Ans - (d) All of the above
Ans - (a) Vessel

E.
Ans: D. Firozabad has emerged as a budding producer of bangles in the country
Ans: C illusory and indistinct.
Ans: A 1 & 5
Ans: C majority of the population in Firozabad is involved in bangle making.

F. She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes. “Ek waqt ser bhar khana bhi nahin
khaya.” she says, in a voice drained of joy. She has not enjoyed even one full meal in her entire
lifetime-that’s what she has reaped! Her husband, an old man with a flowing beard says, “I know
nothing except bangles. All I have done is make a house for the family to live in.” Hearing him one
wonders if he has achieved what many have failed in their lifetime. He has a roof over his head! The
cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles, not even
enough to eat, rings in every home. The young men echo the lament of the elders. Little has moved with
time, it seems in Firozabad, years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to
dream.

1. 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

2. „Years of mind-numbing toil have killed all initiative and the ability to dream‟. This shows that
a) Although the bangle manufacturers are tired and exhausted, they are ambitious and have dreams.
b) The drudgery of work has destroyed their willingness to improve their lot.
c) The grind of daily life has darkened and stolen the dreams of the bangle manufacturers.
d) There is no time for dreaming because the bangle manufacturers are working so hard.

3. „She still has bangles on her wrist, but no light in her eyes.‟ This implies that
a) She is married, but the charm in her eyes has faded.
b) She is a married woman who has aged poorly and lost her grace.
c) Though she is married, her eyes are devoid of happiness.
d) She is a married woman with visual impairment.

22
4. „He has a roof over his head!‟ The tone of the author is_____________
a) pessimistic.
b) empathetic.
c) sympathetic.
d) optimistic.

1. Ans: C 2. Ans: B 3. Ans: C 4. Ans: D

G. “Why do you do this?” I ask Saheb whom I encounter every morning scrounging for gold in the
garbage dumps of my neighbourhood. Saheb left his home long ago. Set amidst the green fields of
Dhaka, his home is not even a distant memory. There were many storms that swept away their fields
and homes, his mother tells him. That’s why they left, looking for gold in the big city where he now
lives.
1. Saheb‟s home, before Delhi, was in_________________
a) Bengal
b) Orissa
c) Dhaka
d) Bihar

2. Why did Saheb and his family move to Delhi?

a) because storms had swept away their fields and homes
b) their village was flooded
c) there were landslides
d) there was a deadly virus in the village

3. „Why do you do this?‟ This question was asked by the author to

a) the bangle sellers
b) Mahesh
c) Saheb
d) Saheb‟s mother

4. Saheb‟s profession was that of a________________

a) cook
b) rag-picker
c) bangle seller
d) driver

1. Ans: C 2. Ans: A 3. Ans: C 4. Ans: B

H. “If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking.

“Yes,” he says, smiling broadly. A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?”
It takes longer to build a school”. I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But
promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.”

23
Q1.Where does the line occur?
Ans: These lines occur in the prose “Lost Spring” written by Anees Jung.

Q2. Who is referred to as „I‟?

Ans: Here in this extract from “Lost Spring”, the writer Anees Jung is referred to as „I‟.

Q3. Why is the speaker embarrassed?

Ans: The speaker is embarrassed because she promised Saheb to enroll in her school after she built it.
But as she did not do it and Saheb enquired about her school, she was embarrassed.

Q4. Find out the word from the passage which means „plenty‟?
Ans: The word „plenty‟ means abound.

I. “Saheb left his home long ago. Set amidst the green fields of Dhaka, his home is not even a distant
memory. There were many storms that swept away their fields and homes, his mother tells him.”
That’s why they left, looking for gold in the big city where he now lives.
“I have nothing else to do,” he mutters, looking away. “Go to school,” I say glibly, realising
immediately how hollow the advice must sound.
Q1. Who is the speaker here?
Ans: Anne‟s Jung the author of „Lost Spring‟ is the speaker here.

Q2. Who are „they‟?

Ans: Here „they‟ refers to the family of Saheb.

Q3. From where did „they‟ come?

Ans: They came from Dhaka in Bangladesh.

Q4. What do they do now?

Ans: Now they pick rags in the dustbins in Delhi.

Q5. What has been swept away by storms?

Ans: The homes and fields of Saheb‟s family were washed away by storms.

F. Food is more important for survival than an identity. “If at the end of the day we can feed
our families and go to bed without an aching stomach, we would rather live here than in
the fields that gave us no grain,” say a group of women in tattered saris when I ask them
why they left their beautiful land of green fields and rivers. Wherever they find food, they
pitch their tents that become transit homes. Children grow up in them, becoming partners
in survival. And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has
acquired the proportions of a fine art. Garbage to them is gold. It is their daily bread, a roof
over their heads, even if it is a leaking roof. But for a child it is even more. (SQP 2020-21)

Q1. The phrase „transit homes‟ refer to the dwellings that are
A. unhygienic. B. inadequate. C. fragile. D. temporary.

24
Q2. Identify the figure of speech used in the sentence “Garbage to them is gold”.
a) hyperbole
b) simile
c) synecdoche
d) personification

Q3. 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

Q4. 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.

1. Ans: d) temporary 2. Ans: a) hyperbole

3. Ans: c) necessity 4. Ans: d)Rag-picking has attained the position of a skill.

J. “I have nothing else to do,” he mutters, looking away. “Go to school,” I say glibly, realising
immediately how hollow the advice must sound. “There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they
build one, I will go.” “If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking. “Yes,” he says, smiling
broadly. A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?” “It takes longer to build
a school,” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But promises like mine
abound in every corner of his bleak world. (SQP 2021-22)

Q1. Saheb‟s muttering and „looking away‟ suggests his

a) anger b) shyness
c) embarrassment d) Anxiety

Q2. 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

Q3. 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

25
Q4. Select the option that lists the feelings and attitudes corresponding to the following:
(1) I ask half-joking (2) …he says, smiling broadly

1. Part arrogance, part seriousness 1. Part amusement, part irritation

A. B.
2. hesitation 2. submissiveness

1. Part concern, part hurt 1. Part humour, part earnestness

C. D.
2. pride 2. Self belief

Q5. Select the option that lists reasons why Saheb‟s world has been called „bleak‟.
(1) The absence of parental presence
(2) The poor socio-economic conditions
(3) His inability to address problems
(4) His lack of life-skills
(5) The denied opportunities of schooling

A. (1) and (4)

B. (2) and (5)
C. (3) and (5)
D. (2) and (4)

1. Ans: C. embarrassment
2. Ans: B. lacking depth and substance
3. Ans: A. The officials
4. Answer: D
5. Ans: B. (2) and (5)

26
MCQS
1. From this chapter, it is evident that the author has an attitude of___________
A. sympathy B. apathy C. empathy D. bewilderment

2. „That‟s why they left, looking for gold in the big city.‟ Here „gold‟ indicates
A. misfortune of circumstances. B. ample wealth.
C. means of survival. D. a sign of luxury.

3. „But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world‟. This suggests that
A. there is no shortage of promises which remain unfulfilled.
B. there is a deficiency of people promising things for betterment.
C. people make a lot of promises which are often fulfilled.
D. promises made, live up to the expectations of people.

4. Choose the statement that is NOT TRUE about ragpickers in Seemapuri.

A. Children are equally involved in ragpicking as their parents.
B. The ragpickers settle down in a place for ever.
C. Rag picking has established itself as a skill and form of art.
D. Ragpickers live in unstable shanties on the outskirts of Delhi.
5. What is true about Udipi?
A. It is situated in Kerala
B. Its top tourist attraction is Krishna Temple
C. There are no beaches in Udipi
D. Udipi is a small village
6. How do henna tattoos work?
A. The pigment in the plant temporarily stains the proteins in skin cells.
B. The plant is ground into a paste that is painted onto the skin, and stays until you wash it off
with soap.
C. The leaves are ground and mixed with ink and added to the skin with a needle.
D. The henna leaves are ingested, affecting the natural pigmentation of the skin.

7. Who is the author of Lost Spring?

A. James Bond B. Arundhati Roy
C. Sudha Murthy D. Anees Jung
8. Firozabad is the centre of which industry?
A. cotton industry
B. furniture industry
C. textile industry
D. glass blowing industry

27
9. What is the metaphorical symbol of Seemapuri in the lesson?
A. poverty
B. exploitation
C. enjoyment
D. a little hell

10. Why had the bangle-makers accepted their fate?

A. They felt it was due to their karma (deeds)
B. They were exploited by the police and other authorities
C. They had no money to do any other business
D. All of the above

11. What may arouse a ray of hope in rag pickers?

A. Hollow promises made by the politicians
B. Assurances given by the frequent visitors
C. Discovery of a few more rupees in the heaps of garbage
D. Fellow rag pickers‟ achievements

12.The squatters in Seemapuri arrived as refugees from Bangladesh in

A. 1965 B. 1971 C. 1980 D. 1986

13. „Hearing him, one wonders if he has achieved what many have failed in their lifetime. He
has a roof over his head!‟ Which of the following is true, in the context of the given line?
A. The husband of the elderly woman had earned sufficient to get a roof over his head
B. The writer gives a positive picture for Mukesh‟s family
C. By saying so, the writer suggests that Mukesh could become a motor mechanic
D. Mukesh‟s father had earned enough to get a roof over his head

14. Assertion: The bangle makers of Firozabad are reluctant to organize themselves into a
cooperative.
Reason: They are trapped in the vicious cycle of debt and afraid of the police.
A. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B. Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C. Assertion is true and reason is false.
D. Assertion is false and reason is true.

15. “Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?” These words spoken by

A. Mukesh
B. Mukesh‟s father
C. Mukesh‟s grandmother
D. The author

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16. Assertion: Mukesh has potential to materialize his dream of becoming a motor mechanic.
Reason: He is an ambitious boy.
A. Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B. Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C. Assertion is true and reason is false.
D. Assertion is false and reason is true.

17. What was Saheb‟s real name?

A. Saheb-e-Alam
B. Saheb -e- Bahadur
C. Saheb -e- Kamal
D. Saheb-e-Malik

18. Assertion (A) : The bangle makers talk endlessly in a spiral that moves from poverty to apathy to
greed and to injustice.
Reason (R) : They are caught in the web of poverty, burdened by the stigma of caste.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true but R is false
D. Both A and R are false

19. What does the title „Lost Spring‟ symbolize?

A. Lost blooming childhood
B. Autumn season
C. Lost money
D. Lost age

20. What is the function of the glass blowing industry?

A. To make windows
B. To make doors
C. To mould glass
D. To mould glass and make colourful bangles

21. What do the bangles symbolise in Indian culture?

A. Auspiciousness for a married Indian woman
B. Corruption
C. Chastity
D. Farming

22. What makes the working condition of the children worst in the glass industry?
A. Dark dingy cells without light and air
B. Dazzling and sparking of welding light
C. High temperature
D. All of these

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23. What was the profession of Mukesh‟s father before he became a bangle maker?
A. Tailor B. Carpenter C. Plumber D. Mason
24. According to the author, what was garbage for the children ?
A. Means of entertainment
B. Means of time pass
C. Means of playing
D. A wonder
25. Saheb‟s name means „Lord of the Universe‟, but he leads a life of
A. Wealth and power
B. Opulence
C. Prosperity
D. Poverty and misery
26. What do the parents expect from their children to bring from the garbage dumps?
A. Left over food
B. Silver coins
C. Money
D. Items valuable for them
27. “Is your school ready”? Who asked this question?
A. Saheb‟s mother
B. Saheb‟s friends
C. The author
D. Saheb
28. What is Saheb watching from the fenced gate of a club?
A. Two young men playing tennis
B. Two women ballet dancing
C. Two quarrelling dogs
D. A gardener planting flowers
29. Saheb‟s discarded and worn out tennis shoes are
A. an indication to procure different ones.
B. a dream come true.
C. a sign of his poverty.
D. an insult to the sport itself.

30. Select the suitable option for the given statements, based on your reading of Lost Spring.
(1) The writer notices that Saheb has lost his carefree look.
(2) Saheb has had to surrender his freedom for ₹800 per month.
A. (1) is false but (2) is true B. Both (1) and (2) are true.
C. (2) is a fact but unrelated to (1). D. (1) is the cause for (2).

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1. Ans: A 2. Ans: C 3. Ans: A 4. Ans: C 5. Ans: B
6. Ans: A 7. Ans: D 8. Ans: D 9. Ans: D 10. Ans: D
11. Ans: C 12.Ans: B 13. Ans: A 14. Ans: A 15. Ans: C
16. Ans: A 17. Ans: A 18. Ans: A 19. Ans: A 20. Ans: D
21.Ans: A 22.Ans: D 23. Ans: A 24. Ans: D 25. Ans: D
26. Ans: D 27. Ans: D 28. Ans: A 29. Ans: C 30. Ans: B

31. “Why do you do this?” I ask Saheb whom I encounter every morning scrounging for gold in the
garbage dumps of my neighbourhood. Saheb left his home long ago. Set amidst the green fields of
Dhaka, his home is not even a distant memory. There were many storms that swept away their fields
and homes, his mother tells him. That‟s why they left, looking for gold in the big city where he now
lives.

1. What is the boy doing?

a. Cleaning utensils
b. Sifting through the garbage
c. making tea
d. Playing with friends

2. „Gold‟ is which figure of speech?

a. Rhyme b. Imagery c. Metaphor d. Pun

3. Find a synonym of „in the middle of‟_________

4. Which „big city‟ do they live in?

a. Dhaka b. Delhi c. Mumbai d. Kolkata

1.Ans. b 2. Ans. C 3. A. amidst 4. Ans. b

32. “Go to school,” I say glibly, realising immediately how hollow the advice must sound.
“There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I will go.”
“If I start a school, will you come?” I ask, half-joking. “Yes,” he says, smiling broadly.
A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?”
“It takes longer to build a school,” I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant.
But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.

1. What does glibly mean?

a. Spoken confidently but without careful thought
b. Done with confidence and careful thought
c. spoken in a serious manner
d. Careless attitude

Ans.. a

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2. A few days later I see him running up to me. “Is your school ready?” This shows
a. The boy wants to go to school
b. The boy is showing her down
c. the boy does not want to work and wants to escape to a school
d. The boy likes her
Ans. a

3. Why is the narrator embarrassed?

Ans.. She is embarrassed because she made a false promise. She did not intend to open a school
but the boy took her seriously.

4. Why does she say that promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world?
Ans. The poor boy‟s life is full of sadness. He sees many things around him which are like the writer‟s
promise but he never gets anything. So his life is not encouraging and it is full of false promises.

33. My acquaintance with the barefoot ragpickers leads me to Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of
Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically. Those who live here are squatters who came from
Bangladesh back in 1971. Saheb‟s family is among them. Seemapuri was then a wilderness. It still is,
but it is no longer empty. In structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage,
drainage or running water, live 10,000 ragpickers. They have lived here for more than thirty years
without an identity, without permits but with ration cards that get their names on voters‟ lists and
enable them to buy grain.

1. “ a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it” means –
i. Semapuri is not in Delhi
ii. Seemapuri is in Delhi
iii. Seemapuri is different from the rest of Delhi
iv. Seemapuri is near Delhi

a. i, ii, iii, iv
b. ii, iii
c. i, ii
d. iii, iv

Ans.. b

2. Find a synonym of outskirts_________

Ans. Periphery

3. Which of the following best describes a squatter?

a. One who lives on a land not belonging to him
b. One who sits cross legged
c. One who spends all the money he has
d. None of these

Ans.. a

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4. Why do they have ration cards only?
A. The ragpickers aim at mere survival and so the authorities provide them ration cards through which
they get cheap ration. Other than that, these people never ask for any permit or identity card.

5. Find a synonym of „without‟- Ans. Devoid

34. And survival in Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the proportions
of a fine art. Garbage to them is gold. It is their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it is a
leaking roof. But for a child it is even more.

1. What „more‟ does the garbage mean for the children?

Ans.. It proves to be a means to fulfil their desires by providing torn shoes, a coin, old clothes and
other such wonders.

2. Why is ragpicking an art?

Ans. Ragpicking is an art because the ragpicker should have an eye to search the valuable things in a
heap of garbage

3. “It is their daily bread, a roof over their heads, even if it is a leaking roof.” This statement means –
1. The roof is made of garbage
2. The bread is made of recycled garbage
3. They earn money for bread by selling things found in the garbage

a. 1, 2, 3
b. 1 only
c. 3 only
d. None of these

Ans.. c

35. His dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad, famous for its
bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of India‟s glass-
blowing industry where families have spent generations working around furnaces, welding glass,
making bangles for all the women in the land it seems.
1. Mirage here means _____
a. An aeroplane b. A hope that cannot be achieved
c. An image seen in hot weather in the deserts d. none of these
Ans.. b

2. Why every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles?

a. They don‟t know any other work
b. Firozabad is the centre of India‟s glass-blowing industry
c. They don‟t dare do anything else
d. All of these

Ans.. D

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3. Why does the author say that “making bangles for all the women in the land it seems”?
Ans. She says this because in Firozabad numerous glass bangles are made. It appears that all the
women buy and wear bangles made here.

4. Find a synonym of fireplace.

Ans.. Furnace

36. He stops at the door of one such house, bangs a wobbly iron door with his foot, and pushes it open.
We enter a half-built shack. In one part of it, thatched with dead grass, is a firewood stove over which
sits a large vessel of sizzling spinach leaves. On the ground, in large aluminum platters, are more
chopped vegetables. A frail young woman is cooking the evening meal for the whole family. Through
eyes filled with smoke she smiles. She is the wife of Mukesh‟s elder brother.

1. Wobbly means ______

a. Strong
b. wooden
c. trembling
d. All of these
Ans.. c

2. Shack means _____

a. Shop
b. Hut
c. room
d. None of these

Ans.. b

3. Find a synonym of „weak‟-

Ans.. Frail

4. Why are her eyes filled with smoke?

Ans.. Her eyes are filled with smoke because she is cooking on the firewood stove which is emitting
smoke.

37. “Why not organise yourselves into a cooperative?” I ask a group of young men who have fallen
into the vicious circle of middlemen who trapped their fathers and forefathers. “Even if we get
organised, we are the ones who will be hauled up by the police, beaten and dragged to jail for doing
something illegal,” they say. There is no leader among them, no one who could help them see things
differently. Their fathers are as tired as they are.

1. Why will they be beaten by the police?

Ans.. The police will beat them to stop them from organizing themselves into a cooperative.

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2. Hauled up means ________
a. To call to account for something
b. to stop
c. to criticize
d. To teach

Ans. a

3. They are tired of __________

1. Making bangles
2. The vicious circle of middlemen
3. Each other

a.) 1, 2, 3
b) Only 1
c) Only 2
d) Only 3

Ans. C

4. Find a synonym of „harsh‟____________

Ans. Vicious

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. He is content to dream of cars. Who is „he‟ being talked about?
(a) Mukesh
(b) Saheb
(c) Sahukar
(d) Politician

2. The sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of the law, the bureaucrats and the
politicians. Together these people
(a) worked for the benefit or bangle makers
(b) imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down
(c) worked for the upliftment of women
(d) abolished child labour

3. Who will be hauled up by the police if they try to get organized?

(a) the old citizens
(b) the owners of the factories
(c) the group of young men
(d) Mukesh‟s family

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4. „She has not enjoyed a full meal in her entire lifetime‟. Who is „she‟ in the given sentence?
(a) the elderly woman sitting close to Savita
(b) Mukesh‟s sister-in-law
(c) Mukesh‟s mother
(d) Mukesh‟s grandmother
5. Savita, a young girl is seen by the author,…………………
(a) stitching clothes
(b) washing clothes
(c) soldering pieces of glass
(d) embroidering a sheet
6. „Can a god-given lineage ever be broken?‟ These words were spoken by…………..
(a) Mukesh
(b) Mukesh‟s grandfather
(c) Mukesh‟s grandmother
(d) the author
7. Mukesh‟s father is a…………………
(a) car-driver
(b) bangle-maker
(c) cracker-maker
(d) mechanic
8. Mukesh‟s house is covered with……………
(a) stones
(b) bricks
(c) tiles
(d) thatch
9. The families of the bangle-makers live in…………..
(a) comfortable environment
(b) big houses
(c) very small houses
(d) factories
10. What did Mukesh want to become, on growing up?
(a) a motor mechanic
(b) a shopkeeper
(c) a bangle maker
(d) a carpenter
11. Saheb did not like to work in the tea-stall because…………….
(a) he was getting only 800
(b) he hated the steel canister
(c) he was no longer his own master
(d) he had to carry heavy bags now

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12. Garbage to the rag pickers is……………………..
(a) money
(b) daily bread, a roof over their heads
(c) gold
(d) silver
13. For the rag pickers, food is more important than…………………..
(a) clothes
(b) shoes
(c) identity
(d) shelter
14. The squatters in Seemapuri arrived as refugees from Bangladesh in…….
(a) 1965
(b) 1971
(c) 1982
(d) 1986
15. The author visited the town and temple of Udipi after
(a) ten years
(b) five years
(c) thirty years
(d) fifteen years
16. The man from Udipi was the son of a/an
(a) doctor
(b) teacher
(c) priest
(d) engineer
17. Saheb‟s full name was_____________
(a) Mughal-e-Azam
(b) Saheb-e-Alam
(c) Shahenshah-e-Alam
(d) Shah Jahan
18. The author advised Saheb to go to________________
(a) school
(b) college
(c) club
(d) playground
19. Why did Saheb and his family move to Delhi?
(a) because storms had swept away their fields and homes
(b) their village was flooded
(c) there were landslides
(d) there was a deadly epidemic in the village

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20. Saheb‟s profession was that of a
(a) cook
(b) rag-picker
(c) bangle seller
(d) driver
21. What change did Anees Jung see in Saheb when she saw him standing by the gate of the
neighbourhood club?
(a) As if lost his freedom
(b) Lost ownership
(c) Lost joy
(d) All of these
22.What is the metaphorical symbol of Seemapuri in the lesson?
(a) Poverty
(b) Exploitation
(c) Enjoyment
(d) A little hell
23. How is Mukesh‟s attitude different from that of his family?
(a) Being daring, firm and clear
(b) Being a fighter
(c) Being a coward
(d) Not clear
24. The city of Firozabad is famous for what?
(a) For casteism
(b) For ragpickers
(c) For poverty
(d) For bangles
25. What are the reasons for the migration of people from villages to city in the lesson?
(a) Sweeping of houses and fields by storms
(b) No money
(c) Education and unemployment
(d) Safety
26. What excuse do the rag pickers give for not wearing chappals?
(a) Mothers don‟t give
(b) No interest
(c) A tradition
(d) All these
27. What is the function of glass blowing industry?
(a) To make windows
(b) To make doors
(c) To mould glass
(d) To mould glass and make colorful bangles

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28. What are the hazards of working in the glass bangles industry?
(a) Poor health
(b) Impaired vision
(c) Miserable life
(d) All of these
29. Who are responsible for the poor condition of bangle makers in Firozabad?
(a) Parents
(b) Society
(c) Bureaucrats
(d) All of these
30. Where is Seemapuri?
(a) In Noida
(b) South Delhi
(c) North Delhi
(d) East Delhi
31. Why did Saheb leave his house?
(a) Because the storm swept away his house and field
(b) To enjoy a life of leisure
(c) To find friends
(d) To go to college
32. Saheb hailed from which place?
(a) Delhi
(b) Seemapuri
(c) Greenfields of Dhaka
(d) None
33. Name the birthplace of the author.
(a) U.S.A
(b) California
(c) Koch
(d) Rourkela
34. Why is the author calling garbage as „gold‟ in the story?
(a) Because of jewels in it
(b) Because of gems in it
(c) Because of gold in it
(d) Because of its encashment value
35. What is the meaning of Saheb -e- Alam?
(a) Owner
(b) Rich man
(c) Poor man
(d) Lord of the Universe

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36. Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall?
(a) Yes
(b) Yes, he earns money
(c) No earning
(d) No, earning but no freedom
37. Who was Saheb?
(a) A shopkeeper
(b) A servant
(c) A ragpicker
(d) All of the above
38. According to the author what was garbage for the parents?
(a) Means of entertainment
(b) Means of joy
(c) Means of sorrow
(d) Means of survival
39. What is the central theme of the story Lost Spring?
(a) Pitiable Poor children and their lost childhood
(b) Garbage
(c) Saheb and Mukesh
(d) Spring Season
40. This story is an excerpt from which book of the author?
(a) Lost Spring – Stories of Stolen Childhood
(b) Unveiling India
(c) Breaking the Silence
(d) The Song of India

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Answer
Answer: 1 (a) Mukesh
Answer: 2 (b) imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down
Answer: 3 (c) the group of young men
Answer: 4 (a) the elderly woman sitting close to Savita
Answer: 5 (c) soldering pieces of glass
Answer: 6 (c) Mukesh‟s grandmother
Answer: 7 (b) bangle-maker
Answer: 8 (d) thatch
Answer: 9 (c) very small houses
Answer: 10 (a) a motor mechanic
Answer: 11 (c) he was no longer his own master
Answer: 12 (b) daily bread, a roof over their heads
Answer: 13 (c) identity
Answer: 14 (b) 1971
Answer: 15 (c) thirty years
Answer: 16 (c) priest
Answer: 17 (b) Saheb-e-Alam
Answer: 18 (a) school
Answer: 19 (a) because storms had swept away their fields and homes
Answer: 20 (b) rag-picker
Answer: 21 (d) All of these
Answer: 22 (d) A little hell
Answer: 23 (a) Being daring, firm and clear
Answer: 24 (d) For bangles
Answer: 25 (a) Sweeping of houses and fields by storms
Answer: 26 (d) All these
Answer: 27 (d) To mould glass and make colorful bangles
Answer: 28 (d) All of these
Answer: 29 (d) All of these
Answer: 30 (d) East Delhi
Answer: 31 (a) Because the storm swept away his house and field
Answer: 32 (c) Greenfields of Dhaka
Answer: 33 (d) Rourkela
Answer: 34 (d) Because of its encashment value
Answer: 35 (d) Lord of the Universe
Answer: 36 (d) No, earning but no freedom
Answer: 37 (c) A ragpicker
Answer: 38 (d) Means of survival
Answer: 39 (a) Pitiable Poor children and their lost childhood
Answer: 40 (a) Lost Spring – Stories of Stolen Childhood

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