Arjun by Mahasweta Devi – Class 8 Literary Reader | Questions, Answers & Summary

Intro Para

Are you looking for a comprehensive guide to the lesson "Arjun" by Mahasweta Devi from the Class 8 Oxford Literary Reader? This blog delivers all you need: a simple story summary, complete solutions for every question, thoughtful inferences, and a Hindi summary. Whether you're preparing for school exams or revising for homework, you'll find extra practice questions and well-structured answers, all crafted uniquely and concisely for quick understanding.

Table of Content

• Summary of the Story Arjun by Mahasweta Devi
• Let's infer Arjun by Mahasweta Devi
• Let's discuss Arjun by Mahasweta Devi
• अर्जुन – कहानी का सारांश (हिंदी में)
• Extra Questions and Answers for "Arjun" (Class 8 Literary Reader)

Summary of the Story Arjun by Mahasweta Devi

Ketu, a poor member of the Shabar tribe, survives by cutting trees in Bandihi village. He often lands in jail but believes it's his destiny. One day, a powerful man named Bishal Mahato orders him to cut down the precious arjun tree, a source of shelter and faith for the tribals. When Ketu and his friends realize the tree’s deep importance, they come together, claiming it has become sacred, and organize a festival around it. Their unity and ingenuity prevent the tree’s destruction, teaching a lesson about community strength and the safeguarding of tradition.

Let's infer Arjun by Mahasweta Devi

1. 'Ketu did not ever question his predicament.'
   a. What was Ketu's predicament?
   ANSWER: Ketu was compelled to illegally cut trees for survival and faced repeated imprisonment.
   b. Did he mind being in this situation? Why/Why not?
   ANSWER: He accepted it as fate, believing Shabars were destined for such hardships.
   
   
2. 'The people will have to elect whoever I nominate, won't they?'
   a. Who says this? To whom?
   ANSWER: Bishal Mahato to Ketu.
   b. What does this tell you about the speaker?
   ANSWER: It reflects Mahato's confidence in his authority over the community.
   
   
3. Bishal Mahato and Ram Haldar 'were two of a kind'. Why did Ketu and his friends think that the two men were quite similar?
   ANSWER: Both men exploited the Shabars and used their power for personal advantage.
   
   
4. 'Haldar and Mahato too knew that the Shabars were indispensable.' This means that the two men believed that they could function without the help of the Shabars. True or False?
   ANSWER: False. They realized they needed the Shabars for their work.
   
   
5. Why do you think Bishal Mahato wanted the arjun tree to be cut down?
   ANSWER: He wanted to benefit from its timber and strengthen his own interests.
   
   
6. 'Why should only the Shabars get trapped in a false case? I'm going to tell the others ...,' says Diga to his friends. Does this mean that the tribals finally realized that they were being treated most unfairly by Mahato and Haldar? How can you tell?
   ANSWER: Yes. The tribals began to openly resist injustice, united the communities, and acted to protect the arjun tree, showing clear awareness of being mistreated.
   
   
7. 'Each one realized that their lives and fate were inextricably linked with that of the arjun.'
   
   a. In what ways had the arjun tree been of help to the tribals?
   ANSWER: The tree provided shelter, hope, and spiritual connection to their heritage.
   
   b. Do you think Mahato and Haldar understood the special relationship that the tribals shared with the tree? Why do you think so?
   ANSWER: No. They focused on their interests and did not respect or recognize the tree’s emotional and cultural value to the tribals.
   
   
8. Haldar says: 'We'd thought these fellows were fools. But they have made fools of us, Mahato!' How did Ketu and his friends fool Haldar and Mahato and save the arjun tree?
   ANSWER: By proclaiming the tree sacred and organizing a festival, making it untouchable and unremovable in public view.
   
   
9. 'Fear. An uncomprehending fear gripped him.' Was Mahato afraid that something unpleasant would happen? What did he think would happen?
   ANSWER: Yes, Mahato became anxious, sensing the new resolve and unity among the tribals could threaten his control.

Let's discuss Arjun by Mahasweta Devi

1. The Shabar men were frequently sent to jail. How did this affect the Shabar women?
   ANSWER: Women were left to support the families alone, facing financial and emotional hardship.
   
   
2. Exploitation is a situation in which a person treats another person in an unfair manner.
   
   a. How were the Shabars exploited?
   ANSWER: They were coerced into illegal work while the powerful enjoyed the profits.
   
   b. Which of these words would you use to describe how they felt?
   ANSWER: Unhappy, worried, miserable, hurt, anxious, wretched, harassed, upset.

अर्जुन – कहानी का सारांश (हिंदी में)

यह कहानी केतु नाम के एक शबर जनजाति के गरीब व्यक्ति की है, जो जीविका चलाने के लिए पेड़ काटता है और बार-बार जेल जाता है। एक दिन, सामर्थ्यशाली बिशाल महतो उसे अर्जुन पेड़ काटने का आदेश देता है, जो शबरों के लिए आस्था और यादों का प्रतीक है। केतु और उसके साथी पेड़ की महत्ता समझते हैं और उसे सुरक्षित रखने के लिए उसे पुजनीय घोषित कर एक उत्सव आयोजित करते हैं। सभी जनजातियाँ एकजुट होकर पेड़ को बचाती हैं, जिससे सामूहिकता और समझदारी की जीत होती है।

Extra Questions and Answers for "Arjun" (Class 8 Literary Reader)

1. Why did Ketu accept his role in tree cutting?
   ANSWER: He thought it was the unchangeable way of life for all Shabars.
   
   
2. What importance did the arjun tree have for the villagers?
   ANSWER: It acted as their shelter, a memory of the jungle, and a spiritual guardian.
   
   
3. What change occurred in Ketu’s views as the story progressed?
   ANSWER: He began to question unfairness and helped unite his friends for a cause.
   
   
4. What strategy did they use to stop the tree’s removal?
   ANSWER: They claimed the tree was sacred and held a village gathering around it.
   
   
5. How did other tribal groups respond to the threat?
   ANSWER: Everyone joined in the celebration, strengthening the movement and solidarity.
   
   
6. What does the story say about power versus justice?
   ANSWER: Powerful people often exploit the weak, but unity restores justice.
   
   
7. Why is the arjun tree called a "mute symbol"?
   ANSWER: It is the final trace of the lost forest, reminding tribals of their past.
   
   
8. What impact did the tribals’ unity have on Mahato?
   ANSWER: He grew fearful, recognizing the power of their collective stand.
   
   
9. What does the narrative teach about bravery?
   ANSWER: Even the marginalized can defend their rights when united and brave.
   
   
10. How did women contribute to the community amid adversity?
    ANSWER: When men were imprisoned, women shouldered burdens, revealing strength and endurance.

The Address by Marga Minco – Summary, Word Meanings, and Q&A for Class 11 English Snapshots

If you're a Class 11 student looking to understand the story The Address by Marga Minco from the NCERT Snapshots textbook, this post is just for you. Here, you'll find a simple and clear summary, important word meanings, and exam-style questions and answers. This guide will help you do well in your school tests and final exams. All answers are written in easy English suited for CBSE and other boards that follow the NCERT syllabus.

Table of Content

• Summary of The Address by Marga Minco
• Word Meaning of The Address by Marga Minco
• Questions and Answers of The Address by Marga Minco
• Important Questions from The Address by Marga Minco
• The Address by Marga Minco – Summary in Hindi
• The Address by Marga Minco – Summary in Urdu
• The Address by Marga Minco – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)</a >

Summary of The Address by Marga Minco

The story The Address is about a young girl who returns to her old home after the war. She wants to find some of her family’s things that were left behind. Before the war, her mother had trusted a woman named Mrs Dorling to keep their valuable items safe. But when the girl visits Mrs Dorling after the war, she does not receive a warm welcome.

Mrs Dorling acts strange and does not want to let her in. Later, the girl visits again when Mrs Dorling is not home. Her daughter opens the door and lets her in. Inside, the girl sees her mother’s things – the tablecloth, cutlery, plates, and other items. But instead of feeling happy, she feels out of place. These objects, once full of warmth, now feel cold and lifeless.

The girl realises that no object can bring back her past. She decides to leave everything behind and not return to the address again. The story shows how war changes everything, even simple things like a spoon or a chair. 

Word Meaning of The Address by Marga Minco

Below are the meanings of some difficult words and phrases from the story The Address. These will help you understand the chapter better.

Word / Phrase	Meaning
War memorial	A place built to remember those who died in war
Muttered	Spoke in a low and unclear voice
Stern	Serious and strict-looking
Beckoned	Made a gesture to call someone over
Maroon	A dark reddish-brown colour
Hanukkah	A Jewish festival celebrated in winter
Cutlery	Knives, forks, and spoons
Woollen table-cloth	A piece of fabric made of wool used on a table
Familiar	Known or recognised
Shabby	Old and in bad condition
Embroidered	Decorated with thread patterns
Mantelpiece	A shelf above a fireplace
Tumult	Noise and confusion
Successor	A person who takes over after someone else
Sunk into	Sat deep in something (like a chair)
Cupped my hand	Shaped my hand like a bowl

Questions and Answers of The Address by Marga Minco

1. ‘Have you come back?’ said the woman. ‘I thought that no one had come back.’

Does this statement give some clue about the story? If yes, what is it?

Answer:
Yes, this line gives us a clear clue. It shows that something bad happened in the past, most likely during the war. The woman (Mrs Dorling) thought that the narrator and her family did not survive. This tells us that the story is about someone returning after a long, painful time, looking for something or someone from their past.

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2. The story is divided into pre-War and post-War times.

What hardships do you think the girl underwent during these times?

Answer:
Before the war, the girl and her mother had to give their belongings to Mrs Dorling for safekeeping. It must have been hard to part with those familiar things. During the war, the girl and her mother faced danger, fear, and loss. After the war, the girl returned alone. Her mother had died. She had no proper home, no family, and even when she tried to get her things back, she was not treated kindly. The objects, instead of bringing comfort, made her feel worse. This shows how deeply the war had hurt her life.

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3. Why did the narrator of the story want to forget the address?

Answer:
The narrator wanted to forget the address because it reminded her of pain, loss, and the past. Even though her mother’s belongings were in that house, they no longer felt like hers. The house was different, the woman was cold, and the objects brought no happiness. The past could not return, so the narrator chose to let go of it and move on.

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4. ‘The Address’ is a story of human predicament that follows war. Comment.

Answer:
Yes, the story shows how war breaks people’s lives. The narrator lost her home, her mother, and even the comfort of her family’s old things. She was left with memories and sadness. Mrs Dorling, who was once trusted, acted selfishly. People changed. Objects lost their meaning. The story tells how war not only destroys buildings and lives, but also feelings, trust, and memories. It shows the pain people carry, even after the fighting is over.

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Important Questions from The Address by Marga Minco

These questions are based on both facts and understanding. They include Very Short Answer (VSA), Short Answer (SA), and Long Answer (LA) types, as per Class 11 exam pattern.

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Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)
(Answer in one sentence)

1. What did Mrs Dorling wear when the narrator saw her after the war?
Answer: She wore a green coat and opened the door only a little.

2. Who gave Mrs Dorling the family’s belongings?
Answer: The narrator’s mother gave them to Mrs Dorling.

3. What was the narrator’s reaction when she saw the old things in the house?
Answer: She felt like a stranger and wanted to leave.

4. Why was the narrator not recognised by Mrs Dorling’s daughter?
Answer: Because they had never met before and the narrator had changed.

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Short Answer Questions (SA)
(Answer in 30–40 words)

5. Describe the atmosphere in Mrs Dorling’s house when the narrator visited the second time.
Answer: The house felt strange and lifeless. Though the objects were familiar, the warmth was missing. The narrator felt uneasy and disconnected.

6. How does the narrator describe the cutlery at Mrs Dorling’s house?
Answer: She says the spoons, forks, and knives were all silver and once used daily in her own home. Now, they looked dull and out of place.

7. Why did the narrator not tell Mrs Dorling’s daughter who she really was?
Answer: She did not want to talk about the painful past. She also knew that even if she explained, the girl might not understand.

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Long Answer Questions (LA)
(Answer in 100–120 words)

8. Why do you think Mrs Dorling refused to let the narrator in when she first came?
Answer: Mrs Dorling may have felt guilty for keeping the narrator’s family’s things. She might have hoped the family would never return. When the narrator came back, she feared she’d be asked to return the items. Her cold behaviour showed that she didn’t want to deal with the past or take responsibility.

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9. What kind of relationship do you think the narrator’s mother had with Mrs Dorling?
Answer: The narrator’s mother trusted Mrs Dorling enough to give her valuable household items during the war. This shows that they shared some level of understanding. However, it is also possible that the mother was desperate and had no one else to rely on. It wasn’t a close friendship, as the narrator herself barely remembered the woman.

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10. How does The Address show that material things cannot replace lost people and emotions?
Answer: In the story, the narrator sees all the things that once belonged to her family—plates, cutlery, tablecloths—but they no longer bring comfort. Instead of joy, these objects make her feel sad and empty. They remind her of what she has lost—her home, her mother, and a life that is gone. This shows that things cannot bring back feelings, memories, or people. Some losses are beyond repair.

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The Address by Marga Minco – Summary in Hindi

द एड्रेस – हिंदी में सारांश

यह कहानी एक लड़की की है जो युद्ध के बाद अपने पुराने घर लौटती है। वह कुछ सामान वापस लेने आती है जो उसकी मां ने युद्ध से पहले एक महिला, मिसेज डॉरलिंग, को सौंप दिया था।

जब वह पहली बार मिसेज डॉरलिंग के घर जाती है, तो वे उसे अंदर नहीं आने देतीं। कुछ समय बाद वह दोबारा जाती है। इस बार मिसेज डॉरलिंग घर पर नहीं होतीं और उनकी बेटी दरवाजा खोलती है।

लड़की घर में जाती है और वहां अपनी मां का सामान देखती है — चम्मच, प्लेटें, मेज़पोश आदि। लेकिन अब वे चीजें उसे परायी लगती हैं। उन्हें देखकर वह खुश नहीं होती। वह सोचती है कि चीजें भले ही वापस मिल जाएं, बीता हुआ समय और लोग कभी वापस नहीं आते।

आख़िर में वह फैसला करती है कि वह अब कभी उस पते पर वापस नहीं आएगी। यह कहानी दिखाती है कि युद्ध सिर्फ जीवन नहीं, यादें और रिश्ते भी छीन लेता है।

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The Address by Marga Minco – Summary in Urdu

دی ایڈریس – اردو میں خلاصہ

یہ کہانی ایک لڑکی کی ہے جو جنگ کے بعد اپنے پرانے گھر واپس آتی ہے۔ اس کی ماں نے جنگ سے پہلے اپنا قیمتی سامان مسز ڈارلنگ نامی عورت کو دے دیا تھا تاکہ وہ اسے محفوظ رکھے۔

جب لڑکی پہلی بار اس ایڈریس پر جاتی ہے، تو مسز ڈارلنگ اسے گھر میں داخل نہیں ہونے دیتیں۔ کچھ دن بعد وہ پھر جاتی ہے۔ اس بار مسز ڈارلنگ گھر پر نہیں ہوتیں اور ان کی بیٹی دروازہ کھولتی ہے۔

لڑکی گھر کے اندر جاتی ہے اور اپنی ماں کی چیزیں دیکھتی ہے — چمچ، پلیٹیں، میز پوش وغیرہ۔ لیکن ان چیزوں کو دیکھ کر اسے خوشی نہیں ہوتی بلکہ وہ اجنبی محسوس کرتی ہے۔

لڑکی کو محسوس ہوتا ہے کہ چیزیں تو واپس آ سکتی ہیں، لیکن پرانا وقت اور اپنے لوگ واپس نہیں آ سکتے۔ آخرکار وہ فیصلہ کرتی ہے کہ وہ اس ایڈریس پر دوبارہ کبھی نہیں آئے گی۔

یہ کہانی دکھاتی ہے کہ جنگ صرف جسمانی نقصان نہیں کرتی بلکہ دل اور یادوں کو بھی زخمی کرتی ہے۔

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The Address by Marga Minco – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Why did the narrator visit Mrs Dorling's house after the war?</strong >
A. To meet an old friend
B. To ask for help
C. To take back her family's belongings
D. To deliver a letter

2. How did Mrs Dorling behave when she first saw the narrator?</strong >
A. She was excited and welcomed her
B. She looked confused and invited her in
C. She was polite but distant
D. She was cold and did not let her enter

3. What emotion did the narrator feel while seeing her mother's things in Mrs Dorling’s house?</strong >
A. Joy
B. Pride
C. Discomfort
D. Curiosity

4. What item did the narrator not mention seeing in the house?</strong >
A. Silver cutlery
B. Tablecloth
C. Photo album
D. Plates

5. What was the narrator’s final decision after visiting the house?</strong >
A. She would come again
B. She would report Mrs Dorling
C. She would take the items back
D. She would never return

6. What does the title The Address mostly refer to?</strong >
A. A letter from her mother
B. The location of her old house
C. The place where her family's belongings were kept
D. A post-war refugee centre

7. What war is referred to in the story?
A. World War I
B. World War II
C. Civil War
D. Cold War

8. What is the likely reason the narrator’s mother gave the items to Mrs Dorling?</strong >
A. For donation
B. To hide them from soldiers
C. For safekeeping during the war
D. Because she was shifting abroad

9. What did the narrator do when Mrs Dorling’s daughter invited her to sit?</strong >
A. She sat comfortably
B. She looked around and then sat
C. She refused to sit
D. She sat and started talking about her mother

10. Why did the narrator not share her identity with the girl in the house?</strong >
A. She was afraid
B. She forgot to mention
C. She did not want to bring back painful memories
D. The girl was rude

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Answer Key:

1. C

2. D

3. C

4. C

5. D

6. C

7. B

8. C

9. C

10. C

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Subtitling – A Complete Guide with Solved Examples for Class XI English Core

Subtitling is an important part of the Writing Skills section in Class XI English Core. It helps us break down long passages into smaller, readable sections. This blog post explains what subtitling is, how it works, and gives you solved examples and textbook activities from the NCERT Hornbill book.

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What is Subtitling?

Subtitling means giving suitable headings to smaller sections of a long passage. These short headings are known as subtitles or sub-headings. Each subtitle tells the reader what the section is about. It is like adding a title to every paragraph that follows a new idea or point. This helps the reader to follow the content easily, especially when the passage is long or has many details.

Subtitling also improves the appearance of the writing. It makes the passage look clear and well-structured. It breaks the monotony of reading a long piece of text without any breaks. In newspapers, reports, and even essays, subtitling is a common and useful skill. In your CBSE Class XI English exam, you may be asked to provide subtitles to given paragraphs. So, learning this skill is important.

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Three Examples Solved

Here are three simple examples of how to subtitle a paragraph. The subtitle is written after understanding the main idea of each section.

Example 1: Passage on Water Conservation
Passage:
In many Indian cities, people face water shortages. As a solution, rainwater harvesting has become popular. This method collects rainwater and stores it for later use. It is also helpful in recharging the underground water.

Subtitle: Rainwater Harvesting: A Smart Water Solution

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Example 2: Passage on Social Media and Youth
Passage:
Social media has changed how young people communicate today. It helps them stay in touch with friends but can also distract them from studies. Many students spend hours on social media and become less focused on academics.

Subtitle: Social Media and Its Effect on Students

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Example 3: Passage on Pollution in Cities
Passage:
Pollution is increasing in most urban areas. Vehicles, factories, and waste disposal problems are the main causes. People throw garbage in open drains, which leads to water pollution and foul smells.

Subtitle: Urban Pollution: A Growing Threat

These examples show how a short and meaningful subtitle can capture the main idea of a paragraph.

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Solved Activities from the NCERT Hornbill Book (Class XI)

In the NCERT Class XI English Core textbook (Hornbill), the subtitling activity is based on a newspaper article titled “A New Deal for Old Cities”. The article was written by G. Ananthakrishnan and published in The Hindu. It talks about the poor condition of Indian cities and compares it with a city in Brazil—Curitiba—that successfully improved its urban life using simple and low-cost ideas.

Let us now solve the activities one by one as given in the book.

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Activity 1: Identifying the Subtitle at the Top
The line at the top of the article is italicised and reads:

“The example of Curitiba in Brazil… shows that inclusive development models for urban renewal are workable.”

✅ This is the subtitle of the article and gives the central idea in just one line. It prepares the reader for what to expect in the full article.

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Activity 2: Dividing the Article and Giving Subtitles

The article can be divided into four parts based on the change in sub-topic or focus. Here are the subtitles for each section:

🔹 Section 1 – Urban Decay and Policy Failures
This part talks about poor civic conditions in Indian cities like Surat, especially during the plague in 1994. It explains how policies have ignored basic needs like waste disposal and sanitation.

🔹 Section 2 – Lack of Basic Services in Urban Areas
Here, the article discusses how millions of Indian homes lack toilets and proper drainage. It highlights the failure to provide clean water and a healthy environment to the urban poor.

🔹 Section 3 – Transport Issues and Unsafe Roads
This section shows how bad planning in transport systems has increased traffic problems. Pedestrians and cyclists are the most affected, and cities have ignored their safety in favour of motor vehicles.

🔹 Section 4 – Learning from Curitiba’s Urban Planning
The final part explains how Curitiba in Brazil made big changes with simple, low-cost ideas. These include creating parks, banning cars in busy areas, building good bus systems, and using empty land wisely. It shows that urban renewal is possible if planned well.

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Why Subtitling Matters

Subtitling not only helps the reader understand long texts better but also improves your writing in essays, reports, and summaries. In your exams, questions on subtitling may come as part of unseen passages or as part of note-making. Learning this skill now will help you both in school and later in college writing tasks.