Value Based Questons

English – Core (301)

                                 Value Based Questions

Class XII

The Last Lesson

1. ‘Bah! I’ve got plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow.’

Franz was shocked when he heard that it was the last lesson and he hardly knew French, his

mother tongue. Many of us find ourselves in similar situations and regret when all is over. What

qualities should we inculcate in life so that we are able to achieve our goals? (5)

Value Points

 Hardwork

 Valuing time

 Regularity

 Consistency

 Punctuality

 Determination and perseverance

Lost Spring

1. Mukesh & the other bangle makers are unable to break out of the vicious circle of poverty due

to the collusion of government agencies, sahukars, middlemen & the police. What are the values

that are lacking in these people? (5)

Expected Answer

 empathy & sympathy

 sensitivity towards the rights of others to lead a life of dignity

 Sensitivity towards the right to education of poor children

 responsibility towards society

 desire to uplift the socially backward

 Personal responsibility towards performing their jobs well & with honesty

Deep Water

1. ‘There is terror only in the fear of death, as Roosevelt knew when he said, ‘All we have to

fear is fear itself.’ Coming face to face with a fear, instead of suppressing it helps one to

do away with it completely, just like Douglas did in the story Deep Water. What qualities

should one possess to live a rich and fulfilling life by overcoming fear, which is only

present in your mind? (5)

Expected answer:

 Determination

 Will power

 Perseverance

 Persistence

 Courage

 Steadiness

 Tenacity

2. Cases of older children bullying younger ones have become alarmingly common, especially in a

school environment. How would you connect it to William Douglas’ experience at the YMCA

swimming pool? What is the mindset of the modern youth that is reflected through such

incidents? Which values do you think we must imbibe in order to change? (5)

Expected answer:

 Introspection

 Freedom from complexes

 Acceptance

 Forgiveness

 Compassion

 Courage

 Honesty

The Rattrap

1. In spite of utmost generosity and kindness shown by the crofter, he couldn’t bring in the change

of heart in the peddler, unlike Edla Wilmanson. His money was still stolen by the peddler. What,

according to you, was missing in his behavior although he appeared to be compassionate? (5)

Expected answer

 Genuine and selfless compassion ( the most important value point)

 Crofter needed company as he was lonely

 Acts of kindness arising out of one’s needs and compulsions cannot be seen as acts of true

compassion.

 Edla Wilmanson exhibited true and unconditional kindness, hospitality and concern. And,

therefore, transformed him.

2. The peddler’s instance speaks on a general level to the entire society, urging for a different

outlook towards those maligned individuals who can be redeemed by compassion and

understanding. The rehabilitation programmes at the prisons follow the same value. In the light

of the instance mentioned above, how do you think society can help individuals, especially,

juvenile delinquents, from falling prey to petty crimes and bad habits? (5)

Expected answer

 Compassion

 Sympathy

 Empathy

 Understanding of human nature

 Love and concern for fellow beings.

3. “The whole world is a stage and we are all actors”, sounds romantic but in reality the world is

nothing but the trap, we are all rats and the worldly things are nothing but baits. How important

is it for a person not to get trapped and get away from the worldly baits? Discuss the essential

values required by a person to overcome the temptations in life. (5)

Expected answer

 strong will

 social accountability

 prudence

 sense of judgement

Indigo

1. Gandhi’s experience in Champaran and his success in improving the lot of the peasants establish

him as a true leader. What values surface from this instance of Gandhi’s fight for the peasants?

(5)

Expected Answer

 Belief in the cause

 Perseverance

 Patience

 Integrity of character

 Self-reliance

 Courage

 Organized

2. ‘It was an extraordinary thing ‘in those days’, Gandhi commented for a government professor to

harbour a man like me.’

Many ordinary people did extraordinary things to render our freedom struggle successful. What

do you think urged them to act in a way that most others did not?

 Courage

 Patriotism

 Truth and honesty

 Patriotism

3. Rajkumar Shukla, a poor, unassuming peasant became a catalyst for change by taking Gandhi to

Champaran, an act which later culminated into the first successful instance of Civil Disobedience

in India. What qualities do you think helped Shukla and Gandhi, respectively, to initiate one of

the most powerful movements in the history of our national struggle?

 Courage

 Being resolute

 Determination

 Will power

 Standing by truth and honesty

 Patriotism

 Empathy