Comprehension
I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived. At Solapur, I had not seen any building which was more than three storeyed. Mumbai however was full of skyscrapers. At IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my English was very poor. I had my entire education in Marathi. My spoken English was quite pathetic. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but, my pronunciation also was terrible and my construction of English sentences very awkward to say the least. Due to all this, I was feeling quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai in general and IIT in particular. I had developed an inferiority complex and wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.
One day, I was sitting at my mess table in the hostel sipping tea when a senior guy came and sat on the chair adjacent to me. He was a convent educated guy with fairly sophisticated English – at least spoken or colloquial English. He was a bit arrogant and wanted to pull my leg. He tried to engage in some conversation with me and started pointing out errors in just about every sentence or everything that I said, After about 5 minutes he walked away after insulting me.
I felt extremely humiliated and upset. As it is, I was feeling quite depressed and diffident and this incident was the last straw. I was almost broken. I felt out of place there and literally wanted to run away to Solapur that very moment. However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me. Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me
Question: 1

Choose and rewrite the two correct statements from the following:
(a) The writer had his entire education in English.
(b) The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.
(c) The senior guy was co-operative and he encouraged the writer.
(d) The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts.

Show Hint

Read the extract carefully to distinguish between explicit statements and implied meanings; focus on direct evidence.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2025
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Evaluate each statement based on the extract:
(a) Incorrect: The writer states, "I had my entire education in Marathi," not English.
(b) Correct: The writer explicitly says, "I had developed an inferiority complex and wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai."
(c) Incorrect: The senior guy was arrogant, insulted the writer, and "walked away after insulting me," not cooperative or encouraging.
(d) Correct: The writer overcame depression through self-esteem: "However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me. Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me."
Step 2: Selected correct statements:
(b) The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.
(d) The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2

The writer developed an inferiority complex during his stay in Mumbai. Enlist the causes:
(a) ________
(b) ________
(c) ________
(d) ________

Show Hint

Inferiority complexes often arise from perceived gaps in skills, environment, and social interactions.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2025
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

The writer’s inferiority complex stemmed from multiple interconnected factors:
(a) Poor command of English: "My spoken English was quite pathetic... weak vocabulary... pronunciation also was terrible... construction of English sentences very awkward."
(b) Cultural shock: "At Solapur, I had not seen any building which was more than three storeyed. Mumbai however was full of skyscrapers."
(c) Feeling isolated: "At IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my English was very poor."
(d) Humiliation: The senior "started pointing out errors... After about 5 minutes he walked away after insulting me. I felt extremely humiliated and upset."
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3

Point out the qualities of the writer that you have come across while reading the extract.
Negative qualities:
(i) ________
(ii) ________
Positive qualities:
(i) ________
(ii) ________

Show Hint

Greatness emerges when negative emotions are transformed into positive resolve through self-belief.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2025
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Negative qualities:
(i) Felt inferior and depressed: "I had developed an inferiority complex... I was feeling quite lonely and terrified... I was almost broken."
(ii) Wanted to run away: "I wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai... literally wanted to run away to Solapur that very moment."
Positive qualities:
(i) Self-esteem and determination: "However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me."
(ii) Resilience and inner strength: "Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me."
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 4

Give any four suggestions to improve English communication skills.

Show Hint

Consistency and immersion are key to mastering any language skill.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2025
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

To improve English communication:
1. Practice speaking: Engage in daily conversations with fluent speakers or join language clubs.
2. Read extensively: Books (e.g., novels), newspapers, and subtitles build vocabulary and grammar.
3. Self-correction: Record your speech, identify errors, and work on pronunciation and fluency.
4. Active vocabulary use: Learn 5–10 new words daily and use them in writing or speaking.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 5

Language study:
(i) ‘I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived’.
(Choose the correct alternative showing proper use of ‘though’)
(a) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived.
(b) I was quite happy getting into IIT, though my joy is short-lived.
(c) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived.
(d) I was quite happy though getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived.
(ii) ‘I felt extremely humiliated and upset.’
(Identify the correct exclamatory form of the above sentence.)
(a) What humiliated and upset I felt!
(b) How humiliated and upset I felt!
(c) How extremely humiliated do I feel!
(d) What a humiliated and upset I felt!

Show Hint

"Though" + clause shows contrast; "How" + adjective expresses strong emotion in exclamations.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2025
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

(i) The word "though" introduces a contrast and is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause. "But" is not used with "though" in standard English.
Correct: (c) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived.
(ii) Exclamatory sentences with "how" emphasize degree of feeling (adjectives). "What" is used with nouns.
Correct: (b) How humiliated and upset I felt! (Emphasizes intensity of emotions.)
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 6

Match the following words in column ‘A’ with their antonyms in column ‘B’. 

Show Hint

Antonyms reverse meaning; match emotional states or personality traits carefully.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2025
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Matching based on meaning:
- (a) diffident (lacking confidence): opposite is confident (iii).
- (b) humiliated (feeling ashamed): opposite is exhilarated (iv) (feeling thrilled).
- (c) arrogant (overly proud): opposite is humble (i).
- (d) inferiority (feeling of being lower): opposite is superiority (ii).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top Questions on Comprehension and Analysis

View More Questions

Questions Asked in Maharashtra Class XII exam

View More Questions