NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Vistas) Chapter 1 The Third Level

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Class : 12th

Subject : English

Chapter : 1

Chapter Name : The Third Level

Q1 Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?

Answer. Absolutely,Yes. The modern world has entirely been surrounded by the hustle and
bustle. The busyness of life has left people puzzled in anxiety, fear and worries. This sort of
situations often urge people to find an escape from this busy world to a land of peace and
leisure. 'The third level' could have been a way of escapism for Charley. As told by his friend
Sam, his other hobbies like, philately is also a similar escapism 'a temporary refuge from reality'
for Charley through which he wants to skip the hard reality of the world and find a way towards
relaxation.

Q2 What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?

Answer. Sam's letter was the only convincing instance in the entire story that supports the
existence of 'The third level'. However, that too was mysterious since the ending of the story is
not very clear. Sam's letter was one of the first-day covers Charley had in his collection.
Generally first-day covers were blank envelopes but this one consisted of a letter dated 18 July
,1894 ,been posted to Charley's grandfather. It was the very first time Charley found it in his
collection. It's quite possible that his repeated thoughts of 'The third level' would have made him
to imagine this letter.

Q3 “The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.” What are the ways in
which we attempt to overcome them?

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Answer. There's no denying in the fact that "The modern world is full of insecurity , war, worry
and stress ". We come across many problems every now and then. But there can be various
ways we can overcome them. Generally people tend to follow their interests and hobbies in
order to give themselves a sort of relaxation from the busyness of the world. It can be philately
or reading or dancing or singing or painting etc which may abate one's stress and anxieties.

Q4 Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story “The Third Level”?

Answer. Yes, there are many instances in the story encompassing the intersection of time and
space. When Charley mentions about his encounter with the 'third level' it was all a setting of
1894 that he had come across, unlike the first two levels. Another instance being that of Sam's
letter, which was posted back in 1894 to his grandfather but by a person 'Sam' who was nearly
Charley's age.

Q5 Apparent illogicality sometimes turns out to be a futuristic projection. Discuss.

Answer. The statement is upright and correct. Sometimes people mock the creativity of others
forgetting that it could turn out to be a great idea in the future. There are many instances we
encounter in daily lives. For eg, the great scientist Albert Einstein was mocked by his teachers
for his poor marks while he was in school. But he was the one who had given a new direction to
his field and ushered an era of modern science.

People generally create mockery over those extraordinary examples who think unique that
might be hard to achieve. But sometimes the creativity and innovation projects a wonderful idea
that give thrust to bigger achievements.

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Book : Vistas Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 1 English

Q6 Philately helps keep the past alive. Discuss other ways in which this is done. What do you
think of the human tendency to constantly move between the past, the present and the future?

Answer. Other than Philately, there are many activities which may help us to preserve or relive
our past. The great monuments and heritage, old currencies, preserved manuscripts, ancient
artefacts etc are great examples.

Yes, I do believe in the human tendency to move between the past, the present and the future.
It may not be possible physically but we can very well acquaint ourselves with the past by
preserving it in various forms. Through deeply analyzing the present we can also check on what
our future is likely going to be.

Q7 You have read ‘Adventure’ by Jayant Narlikar in Hornbill Class XI. Compare the
interweaving of fantasy and reality in the two stories.

Answer. 'Adventure' and 'The Third Level' are both based on the concept of wonderful power of
our subconscious mind to create whatever it wants. These both are fantasies which made to
feel the respective protagonists of the stories to experience a different world away from the
current reality. The only difference between the two is, Prof. Gaitonde in 'Adventure' experience
a parallel world inside his mind while his duration in coma. But in 'the third level' Charley enters
the era of 1890s physically which give him thrilling experiences.

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