Factual Passage Worksheet Solutions: An Educator’s Triple Weapons | Class 11 English Grammar PDF Download

Read the following passage carefully:

1. In my boyhood, the teacher never appeared in public without the cane in hand. I used to think that one’s guru was born clutching a cane in his right hand while the left held a pinch of snuff between the thumb and forefinger. He took a deep inhalation before proceeding to flick the cane on whatever portion of myself was available for the purpose. I really had no idea what I was expected to do or not do to avoid it. I could never imagine that a simple error of calculation in addition, subtraction or multiplication (I never knew which) would drive anyone hysterical.
2. I notice nowadays a little girl at home always playing the school game in a comer of the verandah, but never without a flat wooden foot-rule in hand, which she flourishes menacingly at the pupils assembled in her phantasmagoric class-room. On investigation, I found that the cane, being discredited, has yielded place to the foot-rule, especially in ‘convent’ schools. The foot-rule has the advantage over the primitive birch of mauling without marking (which could count as an achievement in torturing technique) and it also possesses the innocent appearance of a non-violent, pedagogic equipment. A modem educator, naturally has to adapt his ways to modem circumstances, and put away obsolete weapons. The flat-scale is employed only at the primary stage: at higher levels of education, torments to a young soul are devised in subtler forms progressively; admissions, textbooks, and examination are the triple weapons in the hands of an educator today.
3. In June every father and son go through a purgatory of waiting at the doors of every college. Provision of seats planned in a grand musical-chair-manner keeps every applicant running frantically about, unless, as in certain well-geared technical colleges, the parent could make a bid in the style of a competitor at a toddy auction. Fifty thousand rupees for an engineering seat is considered quite reasonable nowadays. I recently met a hopeful father who had just written a cheque for ninety thousand rupees for two sons in the first year B.E. in a certain college. He is a businessman fully aware of the debit and credit value of his action, and must have undertaken the financial sacrifice after due consideration. Those that cannot afford it have to queue up in the corridors of colleges, hunt and gather recommendations, plead, appeal, canvass, and lose weight until they find (or do not find) their names in the list of admissions. At the next stage the student will once again queue up, beg, beat about, and appeal—for textbooks this time (especially if it happens to be a ‘Nationalized Textbook’, which may not be available until the young man is ready to leave the college.)
4. Finally the examination—in a civilized world the examination system should have no place. It is a culmination of all sadistic impulses. The real wrecker of young nerves, however, is the examination system. It builds up a tension and an anxiety neurosis day by day all the year round, all through one’s youth, right into middle age (for some).

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option:

Q.1. The punishment for a simple error in arithmetical calculation was______
(a) twisting of ears
(b) a ringing slap on the face
(c) a flick of cane on the body
(d) bending down like a cock

Ans: (c)
Explanation: The passage mentions that the teacher used to flick the cane on whatever portion of the author's body was available for the purpose. This indicates that a flick of the cane was the punishment for a simple error in arithmetic calculation.

Q.2. As one progresses to higher classes, the tools of torment______
(a) are given up altogether
(b) become more refined
(c) hurt more persons
(d) assume many shapes

Ans: (d)
Explanation: The passage states that at higher levels of education, torments to a young soul are devised in subtler forms progressively. This suggests that the tools of torment assume many shapes as one progresses to higher classes.

Q.3. The word ‘obsolete’ in para 2 means______
(a) total
(b) complete
(c) old-fashioned
(d) out of dat

Ans: (d)
Explanation: The passage mentions that a modern educator has to adapt his ways to modern circumstances and put away obsolete weapons. Here, "obsolete" refers to something that is out of date or no longer in use.

Q.4. The ‘guru’ in the author’s boyhood was a strange figure because______
(a) he had big glaring eyes
(b) he had a long coloured beard
(c) his face looked horrible
(d) he carried a cane in his hand

Ans: (d)
Explanation: The passage describes the author's perception of the guru in his boyhood, mentioning that the teacher never appeared in public without the cane in hand. This makes the guru a strange figure because he always carried a cane with him.

Q.5. The foot-rule has replaced the cane because______
(a) it can injure without leaving a mark
(b) it is easy to handle
(c) it looks harmless
(d) it can be used for other purposes also

Ans: (a)
Explanation: According to the passage, the foot-rule has replaced the cane, especially in 'convent' schools. The foot-rule has the advantage over the cane as it can maul without marking, meaning it can cause injury without leaving visible marks.

Q.6. The month of “June” is a state of suffering for parents and children because______
(a) it is very hot and tiresome
(b) results are declared in June
(c) they have to appear for admissions
(d) they have to bid for the limited seats

Ans: (d)

Explanation: The passage mentions that in June, every father and son go through a purgatory of waiting at the doors of every college. It further describes the provision of seats planned in a grand musical-chair-manner, keeping every applicant running frantically about unless they can make a bid for a seat. This indicates that in June, parents and children have to bid for the limited seats, leading to a state of suffering.

B. Answer the following questions in brief:

Q.7. Why has foot rule replaced the cane?

The foot-rule has replaced the cane because it can maul without leaving marks. It is considered a non-violent, pedagogic equipment that appears innocent. The cane, being discredited, has yielded place to the foot-rule, especially in 'convent' schools.

Q.8. How are the tools of torment in higher classes different to primary classes?

In higher classes, the tools of torment become more refined and are devised in subtler forms progressively. The passage suggests that at higher levels of education, torment takes the shape of admissions, textbooks, and examinations, which become the triple weapons in the hands of an educator today. This implies that the torment in higher classes involves more complex and sophisticated methods compared to the use of a foot-rule in primary classes.

Q.9. Write the words from the passage opposite in meaning to these words.
(a) Exhalation (para 1)
(b) Obsolate (para 2)

(a) Inhalation: The opposite of "exhalation" is "inhalation," which refers to the act of breathing in or taking in air.
(b) Current or Contemporary: The opposite of "obsolete" is a word indicating something that is current or contemporary, which is not explicitly mentioned in the passage.

Q.10. Which weapons are in the hands of educators today?

According to the passage, the triple weapons in the hands of educators today are admissions, textbooks, and examination. These are the tools or means through which educators exert influence or create torment for students.

Q.11. Why is the month of June is a state of suffering for parents and children?

The month of June is a state of suffering for parents and children because they have to go through a process of waiting, admissions, and competition for limited seats in colleges. The passage describes the frantic running about and the need for parents to make bids or sacrifices, such as paying large sums of money, to secure seats for their children. This process of admissions and seat allocation in June causes suffering and anxiety for parents and children alike.