Important Questions Chapter 28 English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

Cold Wave

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who wrote the story “Cold Wave”?

• The story “Cold Wave” was written by K.A. Abbas.

2. What does the title “Cold Wave” refer to?

• The title refers to the freezing weather and emotional struggles faced by the protagonist.

3. Where is the story set?

• The story is set in Connaught Place, Delhi, during a severe cold wave.

4. Who is the protagonist of the story?

• Baldeo Raj Sharma is the protagonist of the story.

5. What did the old blind beggar ask for?

• The blind beggar asked for a blanket to protect himself from the cold.

6. What did Baldeo find inside the newspaper ball?

• Baldeo found a riddled newspaper with parts cut out.

7. What headline caught Baldeo’s attention?

• The headline was: “Cold Wave Takes Heavy Toll, Will Hit Delhi Tomorrow.”

8. What does Baldeo compare the cold wave to?

• He compares it to an icy hell and a probing icy lancet.

9. What is Baldeo’s profession?

• Baldeo is a poet and writer.

10. What name does Baldeo use for his poetry?

• He uses the pseudonym “Nirmal.”

11. Why did Baldeo leave his father’s house?

• He left his father’s house for the sake of his love, Radha.

12. What was Radha’s reaction to Baldeo leaving his home?

• Radha rejected Baldeo, saying she did not want to be part of a “Laila Majnun” drama.

13. What caused Baldeo to leave Meerut?

• He wanted to avoid public scandal after leaving his home.

14. Where did Baldeo spend the night in Delhi?

• He spent the night in a crowded third-class waiting hall.

15. What saved Baldeo from freezing in the waiting hall?

• The collective warmth of the people sleeping in the hall saved him.

16. Why did Baldeo visit his friends in Delhi?

• He visited them to seek help and support after leaving home.

17. How did Baldeo’s friends react to his situation?

• Most of his friends expressed reluctance to help him financially or emotionally.

18. What did the beggar woman ask Baldeo for?

• The beggar woman asked Baldeo for a match to light her bidi.

19. How did Baldeo feel when he lit the bidi?

• Baldeo felt a sense of warmth but also noticed his own trembling and fever.

20. What realization does Baldeo have about loneliness?

• He realizes that loneliness feels as cold as the freezing wind.

21. What drove Baldeo to leave Radha’s house?

• Radha’s rejection and her prioritization of practicality over love drove him away.

22. Why does Baldeo feel conflicted about his actions?

• He questions whether he left home out of pride, love, or a foolish whim.

23. What does Baldeo compare the freezing cold to?

• He compares it to a noose of ice strangling him.

24. What does Baldeo notice about his soul during the cold wave?

• He notices that his soul feels stripped of illusions and exposed to the cold.

25. How does the cold wave symbolize Baldeo’s inner turmoil?

• The cold wave reflects his emotional and existential struggles.

26. What does the bidi symbolize in the story?

• The bidi symbolizes a fleeting moment of warmth and connection.

27. What kind of poet does Baldeo consider himself?

• He considers himself a sensitive and passionate poet.

28. What is Baldeo’s father’s occupation?

• His father is a lawyer.

29. What does Baldeo think about Radha’s lifestyle?

• He believes she prioritizes her practical life over their romantic dreams.

30. How does the story end for Baldeo?

• The story ends with Baldeo finding solace in warmth and a sense of shared humanity.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. What does the cold wave represent in the story?

• The cold wave represents physical hardship and Baldeo’s emotional isolation. It reflects his struggle with rejection and his loss of illusions. The freezing weather mirrors his inner desolation.

2. Why does Baldeo describe his earlier life as privileged?

• Baldeo remembers his life as one of wealth and comfort, with a loving family and material luxuries. His home had a warm fireplace, rich food, and fine possessions. This starkly contrasts with his current state of homelessness and cold.

3. How does Radha respond to Baldeo’s love?

• Radha dismisses Baldeo’s romantic ideals, calling them impractical. She refuses to leave her life for him and advises him to return home. Her cold response deeply hurts Baldeo.

4. What does Baldeo learn from the waiting hall experience?

• Baldeo realizes that the warmth of collective humanity can save lives. The shared body heat of strangers helped him survive the cold night. He reflects on interdependence for survival.

5. Why does Baldeo visit his friends in Delhi?

• Baldeo seeks emotional and financial support from his friends. However, their responses are cold and dismissive. He feels further isolated and disillusioned.

6. What internal conflict does Baldeo face?

• Baldeo questions whether his actions were driven by love or a stubborn sense of pride. He wonders if leaving home was a mistake. This self-doubt intensifies his loneliness.

7. How does the beggar woman’s presence affect Baldeo?

• The beggar woman’s warmth and bidi offer a brief sense of companionship. Her resilience contrasts with his despair. This moment highlights shared humanity amidst adversity.

8. What role does poetry play in Baldeo’s life?

• Poetry is a source of identity and passion for Baldeo. However, the cold wave and his emotional struggles paralyze his creativity. He longs to write but feels uninspired.

9. Why does Baldeo refuse to return home?

• Baldeo feels that returning home would compromise his pride and ideals. He believes it would mean abandoning his love for Radha. This stubbornness adds to his suffering.

10. What realization does Baldeo have about wealth and love?

• Baldeo realizes that material wealth cannot replace emotional warmth. He left his wealth for love, but Radha’s rejection leaves him empty. This teaches him the fragility of both.

Long Questions with Answers

1. How does the cold wave show Baldeo’s inner struggles?

• The cold wave reflects Baldeo’s sadness and pain. Just like the cold pierces his body, Radha’s rejection pierces his heart. His suffering outside mirrors his feelings inside. It shows how the weather matches his loneliness and loss.

2. What does loneliness mean in the story?

• Loneliness in the story feels as harsh as the cold wave. Baldeo is far from his family and has no real support from friends or Radha. Being alone makes him feel weaker and more lost. The story shows how loneliness can hurt as much as the freezing cold.

3. Why does Baldeo leave his home, and what happens after?

• Baldeo leaves his home to prove his love for Radha, but she rejects him. This leaves him homeless, alone, and struggling in the cold. He refuses to return because of his pride, even though he regrets his decision. His choice brings him great pain and hardship.

4. What does Baldeo’s meeting with the beggar woman show?

• The beggar woman shows strength despite being poor and cold. She shares her bidi with Baldeo, giving him a brief sense of warmth. This shows how small acts of kindness can comfort people. It also highlights how Baldeo’s struggles are similar to hers in that moment.

5. Why are Baldeo’s memories of home important?

• Baldeo’s memories of home remind him of the comfort and love he gave up for Radha. His warm, rich life contrasts with his current suffering in the cold. These thoughts make him realize the cost of his decision. They also show how much he has lost, both emotionally and physically.

6. How do Baldeo’s friends treat him, and what does it show?

• Baldeo’s friends are polite but do not really help him when he needs it. Their cold reactions show how shallow their friendships are. This makes Baldeo feel even more alone and betrayed. It highlights how some friendships may not last in difficult times.

7. How does the story’s setting make it more powerful?

• The cold and empty streets of Connaught Place show Baldeo’s loneliness. The freezing wind and fog symbolize his emotional struggles. Even busy places, like the waiting hall, reflect how people survive together in tough times. The setting makes his hardships feel even more real.

8. What does Baldeo learn about people from his experience?

• Baldeo learns that strangers can help each other survive tough times. In the waiting hall, the warmth of the people around him saves him from freezing. This shows the importance of helping one another. He realizes that human connection is more valuable than pride.

9. How does Radha’s rejection change Baldeo’s idea of love?

• Radha’s rejection makes Baldeo understand that his love was not practical. She chooses her own life over his dreams, which shatters his romantic beliefs. This teaches him that love is not always as selfless as he imagined. It changes how he sees relationships and life.

10. What lesson does the story Cold Wave teach?

• The story teaches that life can be harsh and pride can make it harder. It shows the importance of kindness and supporting each other in difficult times. Baldeo learns that love and wealth are not guaranteed sources of happiness. The story highlights resilience and the value of shared humanity.