Extract Based Questions: Indigo | English Class 12 PDF Download

• The sight of the agreements signed by the sharecroppers
• The sound of the thugs hired by the landlords

Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to identify two details from the extract that appeal to one or more of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. Sensory details help the reader to imagine and understand the situation better. In this extract, one possible sensory detail is the sight of the agreements signed by the sharecroppers, which shows their willingness or reluctance to be released from the 15 per cent arrangement. Another possible sensory detail is the sound of the thugs hired by the landlords, which shows their violence and intimidation towards the resisting peasants. Therefore, these are two possible sensory details present in this extract.

Question (ii) Why did some peasants want their money back after signing the agreements?
(a) They realized they had been cheated by the landlords
(b) They changed their mind about growing indigo
(c) They found out about synthetic indigo
(d) They wanted to hire lawyers
Ans: (c) They found out about synthetic indigo
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to understand the reason behind the peasants' demand for their money back after signing the agreements. The last sentence of the extract tells us that the information about synthetic indigo reached the illiterate peasants who had signed, and they wanted their money back. Synthetic indigo was a cheaper and artificial alternative to natural indigo, which reduced the demand and price of natural indigo. This meant that the peasants who had agreed to pay compensation to the landlords for being released from growing indigo had made a bad deal. Therefore, the correct option is (c) They found out about synthetic indigo.

Question (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase "those who resisted" refers to ____________.
Ans: those who resisted signing the agreements
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to find a phrase that best completes the sentence and matches the context of the extract. The phrase "those who resisted" refers to the peasants who did not want to sign the agreements to pay compensation to the landlords for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement. These peasants engaged lawyers to fight for their rights and interests. Therefore, the phrase that fits the blank is those who resisted signing the agreements.

Question (iv) Explain any one possible inference that can be drawn from the line "the landlords hired thugs".
Ans: One possible inference that can be drawn from the line "the landlords hired thugs" is that the landlords were desperate and ruthless in getting the agreements signed by the peasants.
Step-by-step explanation:
They did not care about the welfare or consent of the peasants, and they resorted to violence and coercion to achieve their goals. They wanted to avoid paying any compensation or rent to the peasants, and they wanted to get rid of the indigo cultivation as soon as possible. Therefore, this line shows the greed and cruelty of the landlords.

Question (v) What does the term 'synthetic indigo' mean?
(a) Indigo that is made from natural sources
(b) Indigo that is made from artificial sources
(c) Indigo that is mixed with other colors
(d) Indigo that is of poor quality
Ans: (b) Indigo that is made from artificial sources
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to know the meaning of the term 'synthetic indigo'. Synthetic indigo is a type of indigo dye that is produced from chemical substances, rather than from plants or animals. Synthetic indigo was developed by German scientists in the late 19th century, and it became a cheaper and more accessible alternative to natural indigo, which was grown by farmers in India and other countries. Therefore, the correct option is (b) Indigo that is made from artificial sources.

Question (vi) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?
(a) The Discovery of Synthetic Indigo
(b) The Conflict between Landlords and Peasants
(c) The Agreements Signed by Sharecroppers
(d) The Role of Lawyers in Champaran
Ans: (b) The Conflict between Landlords and Peasants
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to identify the main theme or message of the extract. The extract focuses on how the discovery of synthetic indigo led to a conflict between the landlords and the peasants in Champaran over the agreements to pay compensation for being released from growing indigo. The extract shows the contrast between the peasants who signed willingly, those who resisted and engaged lawyers, and those who wanted their money back. It also shows the difference between the landlords who obtained the agreements and those who hired thugs. Therefore, the headline that best captures this idea is (b) The Conflict between Landlords and Peasants.

Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Extract:
They thought he would demand repayment in full of the money which they had illegally and deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers. He asked only 50 per cent. “There he seemed adamant,” writes Reverend J. Z. Hodge, a British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close range. “Thinking probably that he would not give way, the representative of the planters offered to refund to the extent of 25 per cent, and to his amazement Mr. Gandhi took him at his word, thus breaking the deadlock.”
(Indigo)
Question (i) List any two sensory details present in this extract.
Ans: Two possible sensory details present in this extract are:

• The sound of Gandhi asking for a 50 per cent refund from the landlords
• The sight of the representative of the planters being amazed by Gandhi's acceptance of a 25 per cent refund

Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to identify two details from the extract that appeal to one or more of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. Sensory details help the reader to imagine and understand the situation better. In this extract, one possible sensory detail is the sound of Gandhi asking for a 50 per cent refund from the landlords, which shows his demand for justice and fairness for the sharecroppers who had been cheated by the landlords. Another possible sensory detail is the sight of the representative of the planters being amazed by Gandhi's acceptance of a 25 per cent refund, which shows his surprise and relief at Gandhi's compromise and generosity. Therefore, these are two possible sensory details present in this extract.

Question (ii) Who was Reverend J. Z. Hodge?
(a) A British missionary in Champaran
(b) A British official in Champaran
(c) A British landlord in Champaran
(d) A British lawyer in Champaran
Ans: (a) A British missionary in Champaran
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to recall the information given in the extract about Reverend J. Z. Hodge. The extract tells us that Reverend J. Z. Hodge was a British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close range. A missionary is a person who is sent by a religious organization to spread its faith or to do social work. Therefore, the correct option is (a) A British missionary in Champaran.

Question (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase "breaking the deadlock" means ____________.
Ans: ending the stalemate
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to find a word or a phrase that best completes the sentence and matches the context of the extract. The phrase "breaking the deadlock" means ending a situation in which no progress can be made by either side. The extract tells us that Gandhi broke the deadlock by accepting the offer of a 25 per cent refund from the representative of the planters, who thought that Gandhi would not give way. Therefore, the phrase that fits the blank is ending the stalemate.

Question (iv) Explain any one possible inference that can be drawn from the line "He asked only 50 per cent".
Ans: One possible inference that can be drawn from the line "He asked only 50 per cent" is that Gandhi was not greedy or vindictive in his dealings with the landlords.
Step-by-step explanation:
He did not ask for the full amount of money that they had illegally and deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers, but only for half of it. This shows that he was reasonable and moderate in his demands, and that he wanted to settle the matter peacefully and amicably. Therefore, this line suggests Gandhi's moral and ethical character.

Question (v) What does the term 'extorted' mean?
(a) Obtained by force or threat
(b) Obtained by fraud or deception
(c) Obtained by consent or agreement
(d) Obtained by donation or charity
Ans: (a) Obtained by force or threat
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to know the meaning of the term 'extorted'. Extorted is an adjective that means obtained by using violence or threats, usually involving money or property. The extract tells us that the landlords had extorted money from the sharecroppers, which implies that they had coerced them to pay compensation for being released from growing indigo. Therefore, the correct option is (a) Obtained by force or threat.

Question (vi) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?
(a) The Generosity of a Leader
(b) The Surprise of a Representative
(c) The Observation of a Missionary
(d) The Justice for Sharecroppers
Ans: (d) The Justice for Sharecroppers
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer this question, we need to identify the main theme or message of the extract. The extract focuses on how Gandhi managed to get some justice for the sharecroppers who had been extorted by the landlords. He asked for a reasonable refund of the money that they had paid, and he accepted a lower offer when the representative of the planters made it. He broke the deadlock and achieved a positive outcome for the peasants. Therefore, the headline that best captures this idea is (d) The Justice for Sharecroppers.