NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Woven Words English Chapter 6 The Third and Final Continent

Using NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Woven Words English Chapter 6 The Third and Final Continent while preparing for the exams also helps students frame better answers during the exam. These solutions not only help students understand the concepts better but also enable them to score good marks in the exams.

By providing step-by-step solutions to questions, The Third and Final Continent Class 11 Woven Words English NCERT Solutions help students understand the concepts better and also prepare them for exams. These are designed by expert teachers keeping in mind the CBSE curriculum and guidelines.

Chapter 6 The Third and Final Continent Class 11 Woven Words English NCERT Solutions

Understanding the Text

1. Indicate the details that tell us that the narrator was not very financially comfortable during his stay in London.

Solution

The narrator mentioning his voyage in a third-class cabin of the ship was one of the facts that tell us the narrator was not financially comfortable throughout his stay in London. The narrator also describes his time in London, where he shared a room with many other friends. The description of his previous residence, which he describes as having an extremely cold washroom, and how they took turns making curries, which they ate with their hands on a table covered with newspaper. He also didn’t have a knife, so he sliced the eggs with a spoon. The narrator also discusses weekend activities like as going barefoot, strolling, and sipping tea, all of which reflect his economical situation.

2. How did the narrator adjust to the ways of life first in London and then in Cambridge, U.S.A.?

Solution

The narrator explains his audience that he was a bachelor in London who used to work at a library to cover his essential requirements. This argument is supported by the different information supplied in the chapter detailing the changes he made. He also clearly describes his living conditions as not being that great because he had to share his room with many other friends, eating egg curry repeatedly, dining table covered with newspaper, soaking dirty curry pots in the bathing tub, walking on the streets on weekends barefoot. He also states in the story that his stay and living in London was lazier and that he did not earn well.

In the later part, he comes to the United States after landing a permanent job at a university. When he married, everything changed. Even though he had a full-time job, it did not totally lift the standards completely. He characterises the YMCA flat as loud, undersized and with little air ventilation. There were no cooking regulations, so he ate cornflakes and milk all day and night. He also states that he was not financially well off, therefore he continued to pay tuition fees.

3. What do you understand of the character of Mrs Croft from the story?

Solution

Mrs Croft is portrayed as a very stern and authoritarian lady. Her behaviour began to shift as time went. She wants to investigate all alternatives and was quite clear about whether the narrator was from Harvard or Tech before making a choice about renting out her flat. She was also highly demanding, telling the narrator that she expected him to pay the rent on time and disliked any delays. Her authoritarian nature is also evident when she advises him to close the door and dislikes any female guests, despite the fact that the narrator was attempting to indicate that he was married. Later, as she ages, she gets softer and the narrator develops affection for her.

4. What kind of a relationship did Mrs Croft share with her daughter Helen?

Solution

Mrs Croft’s connection with her daughter Helen was more practical than the typical mother-daughter relationship, which is filled with love and emotions. The daughter had no empathy for her mother rather, she did her tasks to her as a duty, and not a single job she completed was out of love and compassion. The connection that they enjoyed was not at all compassionate and was merely the daughter’s obligation to complete. She didn’t care that her mother was 103 years old.

5. How does the narrator bring out the contrast between the Indian way of life and American society? Do you think his wife Mala adjusted comfortably to the new way of life?

Solution

The narrator highlights the difference between the Indian way of life and American civilization by seeing another Indian woman coming down the street with a kid in a pram and stumbles about. No, the narrator’s wife, Mala, was unable to adjust totally to the new environment. She was apprehensive about transferring to a totally new location where everything was unfamiliar to her.

6. How does the bond of affection between Mrs Croft and the narrator evolve?

Solution

Mrs. Croft and the narrator developed an affectionate relationship as they began spending time together every evening. Mrs. Croft would call out to him when he came from the library, tap on the vacant place on the bench, speak about the flag on the moon, and declare that he was splendid. That was their daily routine, which grew into a personal attachment since Mrs. Croft’s daughter did not get the same care, so she was drawn to where she got attention.

Talking About The Text

Discuss in pairs or in small groups

1. Living abroad is challenging in many ways.

Solution

Living abroad may be both exciting and difficult. It provides fresh chances for personal and professional development, as well as exposure to diverse countries and ways of life and the opportunity to meet new people. However, adjusting to a new environment, dealing with cultural differences, and overcoming language barriers may be tough. Another major challenge that emerges is the difference in geography and climate. It also takes time to adjust to the educational and medical aspects. Because each nation has its own set of laws and regulations, it may be difficult to swiftly adjust to a new set of restrictions.

2. The Indian family system offers more security to the aged than what is found in the West.

Solution

The Indian family system offers more security to the aged than what is found in the West. There is a significant tradition in India of respecting and caring for seniors. In India, the joint family structure provides for an expanded circle of family members to give assistance and care for the elderly. In Indian culture, the notion of familial devotion is strongly engrained, which implies that children are expected to care for their parents and grandparents in their old age.

3. The eccentricities of the old are often endearing.

Solution

The eccentricities of the old age are most of the time endearing and serve as stress relievers, bringing a grin to one’s face. People tend to grow more set in their ways as they become older, and they may acquire habits or peculiarities that seem strange to others. These eccentricities are frequently appealing since they reflect a person’s own personality and experiences. People become stubborn in old age, which is not always welcomed by others, but if temper tantrums and mood swings are seen positively, all moments become lasting. Their tantrums and desires become childlike, which is again quite calming.

Appreciation

1. Discuss the manner in which the author interweaves details of the narrator’s family with the flow of the main narrative.

Solution

The narrator’s family information is important in understanding the narrator’s viewpoint on interacting with the elders. He informs us in the narrative that he had a difficult upbringing but has effectively performed all of the obligations of being an elder son till her final rights. He also mentions in the narrative that he had a really strong relationship with his mother. In the narrative, he also recalls any little situations involving his mother. When he learns Mrs. Croft’s age, he develops feelings of affection for her and begins to form a relationship with her. He afterwards begins to take over Mrs Croft’s tasks.

2. ‘Mrs Croft’s was the first death I mourned in America, for, hers was the first life I had admired; she had left this world at last, ancient and alone, never to return’—how do these lines encapsulate the bond that is possible between two strangers?

Solution

The major reason the narrator was being close to Mrs. Croft was because he felt homesick. He had been living alone and surviving on his own while his family was in India. However, in the story, he meets Mrs Croft and builds a relationship with her after learning that she is 103 years old and lives alone. As an old lady, she resembled a mother figure to the narrator, and he was captivated by her. Spending time with her had become an essential part of his day, if not his existence. As a result, the two formed a friendship.

3. Examine the pieces of conversation in the story. How do they reflect the worldview of each of the speakers?

Solution

Mrs. Croft was the story’s major character, apart from the narrator. There are many exchanges that reveal how the lady’s dealings are noticeably different. When she was hesitant whether to provide the narrator with her residence or not, she was forceful and asked the narrator if he was from Tech or Harvard. This was the criteria by which she assessed the narrator. But. her perspective shifted as time passes. She then formed a close relationship with the narrator.

4. There are many instances of gentle humour in the story. Point out some of these and state how this contributes to the interest of the narration.

Solution

There are many instances of gentle humour in the story. Some of them include:

• Mrs Croft’s first encounter with Mala. She was nice and friendly to Mala, commenting that she was the perfect wife for the narrator.
• How the old lady had the habit of remarking the flag on the moon and saying that it was splendid.