Explain why Umberto Eco said, "I started writing novels by accident.'' (The Interview)
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Solution and Explanation
Top Questions on The Interview
- Read the following extract and answer the following questions:
So it is hardly surprising that opinions of the interview—of its
functions, methods and merits—vary considerably. Some might
make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a
source of truth, and, in its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities
who see themselves as its victims, might despise the interview as an
unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel that it somehow
diminishes them.
(The Interview)
(i) What does the author mean by the phrase ‘extravagant claims’?
(ii) Select the correct option from those given in the brackets to fill in the blank.
The phrase ‘hardly surprising’ indicates that the writer is ___ (taken aback/unsurprised) at the varied opinions of the interview.
(iii) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The people have diverse opinions about an interview. Some consider it ___, while others ___.
(iv) What does the phrase ‘unwarranted intrusion’ illustrate about an interview?
(A) celebration
(B) confession
(C) invitation
(D) interference
(v) Select the textual option that is closest to indicating a feeling of deep dislike:
(A) celebrities see themselves as victims
(B) extravagant claims
(C) despise the interview
(D) vary considerably
(vi) Why do celebrities feel that interviews ‘diminish’ them?- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- The Interview
Umberto Eco: Aah, now that is more difficult to explain. I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace ... you see, the same bunch of ethical, philosophical interests. And then I have a secret. Did you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms? The universe will become as big as my fist. Similarly, we have a lot of empty spaces in our lives. I call them interstices. Say you are coming over to my place. You are in an elevator and while you are coming up, I am waiting for you. This is an interstice, an empty space. I work in empty spaces.
(The Interview)- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- The Interview
- Umberto Eco says, he works in interstices. By this, he means that he works ............
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- The Interview
Umberto Eco : Aah, now that is more difficult to explain. I have some philosophical interests and I pursue them through my academic work and my novels. Even my books for children are about non-violence and peace...you see, the same bunch of ethical, philosophical interests.
And then I have a secret. Did you know what will happen if you eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, eliminate the empty spaces in all the atoms ? The universe will become as big as my fist.
(The Interview)
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- The Interview
- How do the characters of Umberto Eco from ‘The Interview’ and Subbu from ‘Poets and Pancakes’ compare in terms of their resourcefulness? (The Interview and Poets and Pancakes)
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- The Interview
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(i) Trisha's share of profit was entirely taken by Shanu.
(ii) Fixed assets were found to be undervalued by Rs 2,40,000.
(iii) Stock was revalued at Rs 2,00,000.
(iv) Goodwill of the firm was valued at Rs 8,00,000 on Trisha's retirement.
(v) The total capital of the new firm was fixed at Rs 16,00,000 which was adjusted according to the new profit sharing ratio of the partners. For this necessary cash was paid off or brought in by the partners as the case may be.
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