Worksheet Solutions: Poem - A Roadside Stand | English Class 12 PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The poet contrasts the lives of countryside people with the ____________ of city dwellers.
Ans: insensitive life
The city dwellers are portrayed as insensitive because they don't pay attention to the struggles of the countryside people.

Q2: The city dwellers often don't bother to think about the struggles of the roadside stand people, highlighting their ____________.
Ans: indifference
The city dwellers are indifferent because they don't consider or care about the hardships faced by the roadside stand people.

Q3: These impoverished people have to wait for passing cars to stop and purchase their ____________.
Ans: products
The impoverished people rely on selling their goods to passing cars for income.

Q4: If a car stops by, it's usually to inquire about ____________ or make a complaint.
Ans: directions
Cars typically stop for purposes other than purchasing goods from the roadside stand, as mentioned in the summary.

Q5: The poet deeply sympathizes with these ____________ people and feels compassion for them.
Ans: impoverished
The poet has a strong sense of empathy for the people in poverty, as discussed in the summary.

Q6: The shack owners have extended the shed to the edge of the road, hoping to ____________ passers-by.
Ans: attract
The shack owners hope to attract the attention of people passing by and encourage them to buy their products.

Q7: The poet expresses anger at the attitude of the "polished traffic" and asks them to ____________.
Ans: move ahead
The poet is frustrated with the behavior of city dwellers and urges them to continue their journey.

Q8: The poet believes that these people have a longing to handle some city ____________ to reduce their suffering.
Ans: money
The poet suggests that the villagers desire city money to improve their difficult lives.

Q9: The political party in power is blamed for depriving the villagers of a happy ____________.
Ans: life
The political party is accused of causing the villagers to have a miserable life.

Q10: The civic authorities promise the villagers a better life but end up making their lives ____________.
Ans: miserable
Civic authorities fail to fulfill their promises, resulting in a worsened situation for the villagers.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The city dwellers often ignore the struggles of roadside stand people.
Reason: They are too busy to notice the road signs.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (c)
The assertion is true as the poem mentions that city dwellers often ignore the struggles of roadside stand people, but the reason provided is not accurate.

Q2: Assertion: The poet feels compassion for the shack owners.
Reason: They have extended their shed to attract more customers.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true as the poet does feel compassion for the shack owners. However, the reason provided is not a direct explanation of this feeling.

Q3: Assertion: The poet expresses anger at the "greedy good-doers."
Reason: The government authorities neglected their promises to care for the villagers.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true, and the reason correctly explains why the poet is angry at the "greedy good-doers."

Q4: Assertion: Money is not abundant in the countryside.
Reason: Lack of money raises the spirits of villagers.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true, and the reason correctly explains that a lack of money raises the spirits of the villagers, as mentioned in the poem.

Q5: Assertion: The poet wants to change the villagers' lives in one go.
Reason: The poet believes it will be an achievable act.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (d)
The assertion is false because the poet does not believe that changing the villagers' lives in one go is an achievable act. However, the reason suggests the poet's belief is true.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What is the poet's main focus in "A Roadside Stand"?
Ans: The poet's main focus in "A Roadside Stand" is to shed light on the struggles and plight of the poor villagers who run roadside stands.

Q2: How do city dwellers generally treat the roadside stand people?
Ans: City dwellers generally ignore or treat the roadside stand people with indifference.

Q3: Why do the poor villagers extend their shed towards the road?
Ans: The poor villagers extend their shed towards the road to attract the attention of passing traffic and potential customers.

Q4: What are the shack-owners hoping for by extending their shed?
Ans: By extending their shed, the shack-owners hope to increase their chances of making sales and improving their meager livelihood.

Q5: Why do the shack-owners feel disappointed when traffic stops by?
Ans: The shack-owners feel disappointed when traffic stops by because the passing vehicles only pause momentarily and do not actually stop to buy their goods.

Q6: What do the shack-owners offer for sale in a wooden quart?
Ans: The shack-owners offer various goods for sale in a wooden quart, such as berries, flowers, vegetables, and firewood.

Q7: Why does the poet express anger towards the "polished traffic"?
Ans: The poet expresses anger towards the "polished traffic" because they overlook the struggles of the villagers and fail to support their small businesses.

Q8: What does the poet believe would reduce the suffering of the villagers?
Ans: The poet believes that if the shack-owners were provided with a proper market and fair opportunities, it would reduce their suffering and improve their lives.

Q9: Who is blamed for depriving the villagers of a happy life?
Ans: The civic authorities are blamed for depriving the villagers of a happy life by not providing them with better opportunities and resources.

Q10: Why does the poet express anger at the civic authorities?
Ans: The poet expresses anger at the civic authorities because they have neglected the needs of the villagers and have not taken any steps to alleviate their poverty and struggles.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the contrast between the lives of countryside people and city dwellers as presented in the poem.
Ans: The poem presents a stark contrast between the lives of countryside people and city dwellers. The countryside people live in shacks by the roadside, struggling to make ends meet, while the city dwellers live a more prosperous and comfortable life. The countryside people are portrayed as impoverished, lacking basic amenities and living in harsh conditions, whereas the city dwellers enjoy the luxuries and conveniences of urban life. This contrast highlights the stark inequality between the two groups.

Q2: How does the poet express his sympathy for the impoverished people at the roadside stand?
Ans: The poet expresses his sympathy for the impoverished people at the roadside stand through his use of vivid and empathetic language. He describes their difficult living conditions, their struggle to earn a living, and their longing for a better life. The poet's choice of words evokes a sense of compassion and understanding for their plight, conveying his sympathy towards their struggles.

Q3: Why do the shack-owners extend their shed towards the road, and what do they hope to achieve?
Ans: The shack-owners extend their shed towards the road to attract the attention of passing vehicles and potential customers. By extending their shed, they hope to increase their visibility and draw people towards their roadside stand. They aim to achieve more business and make a higher income by capturing the attention of those traveling on the road.

Q4: Describe the disappointment felt by the shack-owners when traffic stops by.
Ans: The shack-owners feel disappointed when traffic stops by because they initially perceive it as a potential opportunity for business. However, their hopes are quickly dashed as they realize that the traffic has stopped due to some accident or mishap on the road. This disappointment stems from their desperate need for customers and income, and the interruption in traffic prevents them from attracting potential buyers.

Q5: What does the poet mean when he says that these people have a longing to handle some city money?
Ans: When the poet says that these people have a longing to handle some city money, he is referring to their desire to experience the financial prosperity associated with city life. The phrase implies that the impoverished countryside people yearn for the opportunities and benefits that come with having money. They aspire to improve their economic conditions, escape poverty, and enjoy the privileges that urban dwellers have access to.

Q6: How does the poem depict the role of the political party in power regarding the villagers' well-being?
Ans: The poem suggests that the political party in power has neglected the well-being of the villagers. It implies that despite promises made during election campaigns, the political party has failed to improve the living conditions of the countryside people. The poem portrays the villagers as marginalized and forgotten by those in power, emphasizing the lack of support and attention they receive from the ruling political party.

Q7: Explain the poet's view on the promises made by civic authorities to the villagers and how they have been neglected.
Ans: The poet views the promises made by civic authorities to the villagers as empty and unfulfilled. He suggests that these promises are merely a tool to gain votes during election campaigns, with little intention of actually addressing the villagers' needs. The neglect of these promises is evident through the continued poverty and difficult living conditions experienced by the countryside people. The poet's view reflects a sense of disappointment and frustration towards the broken promises of civic authorities.

Q8: Why is there a sense of sadness and alienation between urban and rural life in the poem?
Ans: The sense of sadness and alienation between urban and rural life in the poem arises from the vast disparities and inequalities depicted in the contrasting lifestyles. The poem portrays the countryside people as marginalized and impoverished, while the city dwellers enjoy a more privileged existence. This stark contrast creates a feeling of separation and estrangement between the two worlds, evoking a sense of sadness and a recognition of the social divide that exists.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Discuss the central theme of "A Roadside Stand" and how the poet conveys the contrast between the lives of the impoverished villagers and the city dwellers. Provide examples from the poem.
Ans: The central theme of "A Roadside Stand" is the contrast between the difficult lives of impoverished rural people and the insensitive, comfortable life of city dwellers. The poem conveys this contrast through various elements, such as the city dwellers' indifference to the struggles of the roadside stand people. For example, the shack-owners desperately wait for passing cars to stop and purchase their products, but the "polished traffic" remains uninterested. The poet's compassion for these impoverished people is evident in the portrayal of the roadside sheds in a poignant manner. The poet also expresses anger at the "greedy good-doers" who make false promises to the villagers, particularly the political party in power, which is blamed for depriving the villagers of a happy life. This contrast highlights the disparity in the quality of life between the two groups.

Q2: Analyze the poet's feelings and emotions towards the shack-owners and their struggles, highlighting how the poet expresses compassion and anger.
Ans: The poet expresses sympathy for the shack-owners by vividly describing their struggles and the disappointment they feel when traffic stops by without making purchases. This sympathy is evident in the way the roadside sheds are depicted poignantly, emphasizing the difficult circumstances of these impoverished people. The poet's anger is directed at the "greedy good-doers" who have made false promises to the villagers and at the political party in power, which is accused of depriving them of a happy life. The poet's compassion and anger reflect a deep emotional response to the plight of the roadside stand people and the exploitation they face.

Q3: Explain the significance of money in the countryside as discussed in the poem and how it impacts the villagers' lives. Discuss the poet's emotional response to this theme.
Ans: The significance of money in the countryside is a prominent theme in the poem. The lack of money in rural areas is depicted as a source of suffering, and the poem suggests that money has the power to improve the villagers' lives. The shack-owners are portrayed as having a longing to handle city money because they believe it could alleviate their suffering, as they may have seen in movies where money often brings happiness and comfort. The poet becomes emotional and contemplates the pain of the villagers, acknowledging the impact of financial hardship on their lives.

Q4: Explore the poet's critique of political authorities and civic promises in the poem, and how this reflects the exploitation of the poor villagers.
Ans: The poem criticizes the political authorities and civic promises by highlighting the broken commitments made to the villagers. The civic authorities promised a better life for the villagers near shops and theaters but neglected these promises, resulting in the villagers' misery. The poet expresses anger at this behavior and calls the civic authorities "greedy good-doers" who exploit the poor villagers. The poem underscores the exploitation and manipulation of vulnerable rural populations by those in power, emphasizing the political and social issues faced by the villagers.