NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Woven Words) Essays 7 Bridges

Class : 11th

Subject : English

Chapter : 7(Essays)

Chapter Name : Bridges

Q1 How did the author feel about her mother’s passion to make her a dancer?

Answer. The author never wanted to be a dancer; it was her mother who wanted her to make
her a dancer. The author's mother discovered this quality in her daughter at an early age, from
then on she decided to make her a dancer. The film industry has sparked an interest in her
mother to make her daughter. The author felt the pressure by dancing on her by the mother.
She never wanted to be a dancer it was her mother’s interest that forced her to run around the
dance schools.

Q2 What were the lessons of life learnt in her younger days that Kumudini carried into her adult
life?

Answer. During her younger days, Kumudini learned various lessons that she carried into her
life. She recalls one incident when she who was Laiqat Ali (later Prime Minister of Pakistan)
gardener caught his brother picking guava’s from his garden, Laiqat did not punish him or
corrected his mistake instead asked him to freely pick them whenever he wanted to.

During her college days, she understood a lot of things. The most important was discipline,
through discipline she gained discipline in her thoughts too. When her mother passed away, she
understood the meaning of hunger and performed a play called Duvidha to understand the
nature of the conflict.

Q3 How did Kumudini react to her mother’s death?

Answer. The news of the death of the mother was not directly shared with Kumudini, instead,
her principal asked her to go home as her mother was very sick. But as soon as she reached
home, her mother had already passed away. She felt broken and lost and was unaware of how
life would be without her mother. She was hungry at that time but could not ask for food as it
would seem inappropriate.

Q4 What were the concepts that Kumidini Lakhia represent through Duvidha, Atah Kim and
Panch Paras?

Answer. In Duvidha or conflict, Kumudini told about the plight of a middle-class woman who is
attached to the traditions of homely life. In Atah Kin, Kumudini uses the concept of the desire for
power. Panch Paras is about the exploration of spiritual life. These three plays were different in
essence and differed in concept.

Q5 How does Kumudini Lakhia describe her guru Ram Gopal's influence on her?

Answer. Ram Gopal had deep influence on Kumudini. Ram Gopal was strict and always looked
for perfection. She always tried to impart this knowledge to her students and being with Ram
Gopal made her more acquainted with her own deeper sense.

Q1 The significance of reading an autobiography lies in drawing lessons from another life. What
is the significance of Kumudini’s account for us as readers?

Answer. The account shows how dance played a major role in her life and how she still
managed to live her life and learn various things. She recalls how in Duvidha she has examined
the plight of a middle-class woman who is put to boundaries by tradition. In Atah Kim, we can
see how Kumudini bases the theme on the desire for power which she experienced after her
schooling was over. Panch Paras is her work about spiritualism. As a child, the arguments she
had with her grandmother provide an insight into the work.

Page : 197 , Block Name : Appreciation

Q2 ‘I can see clear bridges between my life experiences and my work in dance.’ How does
Kumudini Lakhia weave episodes from the two realms in her account?

Answer. In the narration, all the incidents and learnings are made with her dance lessons.
Though she danced she never left learning from her life. She recounts how those plays affected
her and the themes played a major role in learning more about life.

Page : 197 , Block Name : Appreciation

Q1 Exceptionally talented people are born so; talent cannot be cultivated.

Answer. The talented people are not born but made with hard work. A person can only improve
by his hardwork and by showcasing his talents.

Q2 Discipline and a questioning spirit can coexist in an individual.

Answer. Discipline and a questioning spirit can coexist. As a disciplined person can ask his
doubts in a more polite way. When discipline hinders the questioning spirit then it may not
coexist.

Q3 “Before you begin experimenting, you need to perfect the technique with which you
experiment.”

Answer. First you need to practice in your space to perfect that technique of experimentation.

Q4 Kumudini Lakhia’s life is an inspiring illustration of the emancipation of women.

Answer. Kumudini shows emancipation of women. She learned dance and then joined
agriculture college. Later she joined Ram Gopal's company. After having made her career she
got married and showed her free to opt for career.