Important Questions Chapter 3 English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

A Pinch of Snuff

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who is the author of A Pinch of Snuff?

Answers : The author of A Pinch of Snuff is Manohar Malgaonkar.

2. What news did the narrator’s mother announce?

Answers : The narrator’s mother announced that Nanukaka was coming to visit their home.

3. What is the narrator’s profession?

Answers : The narrator is an Under-Secretary on probation working in the government.

4. How long did Nanukaka plan to stay?

Answers : Nanukaka planned to stay at their home for two or three days.

5. Why did Nanukaka visit Delhi?

Answers : Nanukaka visited Delhi to meet a Minister for an important purpose.

6. How did the narrator feel about Nanukaka’s visit?

Answers : The narrator felt disturbed and frustrated by the news of Nanukaka’s visit.

7. What unique item did Nanukaka carry on his journey?

Answers : Nanukaka carried a basket containing a kitten during his train journey.

8. What traditional outfit did Nanukaka wear?

Answers : Nanukaka wore a knee-length black coat, a red silk turban, and a white angocha.

9. What challenge did Nanukaka face on the train?

Answers : He had to travel second class on a third-class ticket due to unavailability of seats.

10. What did the narrator have to do when Nanukaka arrived?

Answers : The narrator had to sleep in the verandah as Nanukaka took his bedroom.

11. Why did the narrator hesitate to arrange a meeting with the Minister?

Answers : The narrator hesitated because it was beyond his authority as an Under-Secretary.

12. How did Nanukaka plan to meet Sohanlal Ratiram?

Answers : He dressed the narrator in a turban and presented himself as an influential zamindar.

13. What role did the narrator play during the visit to Sohanlal’s house?

Answers : The narrator acted as Nanukaka’s assistant or A.D.C. to impress Sohanlal.

14. What story did Nanukaka invent to impress Sohanlal?

Answers : He claimed to know a high-ranking ambassador and be involved in political decisions.

15. How did Nanukaka manage to borrow a grand car?

Answers : He tricked a car dealer by pretending to be a wealthy potential buyer.

16. What false title did Nanukaka use at the Minister’s house?

Answers : He signed as the Hereditary Astrologer to the Maharaja of Ninnore in the visitors’ book.

17. Why did the Welfare Minister visit Nanukaka later?

Answers : The Welfare Minister visited to discuss a matter after being impressed by Nanukaka’s image.

18. What does the narrator feel about Nanukaka’s tactics?

Answers : The narrator finds Nanukaka’s tactics manipulative yet highly effective.

19. How did the kitten play a role in the story?

Answers : The kitten added humor and chaos during Nanukaka’s arrival and stay.

20. What lesson does the narrator learn from Nanukaka?

Answers : The narrator learns that confidence and resourcefulness can create unexpected opportunities.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. Why did the narrator dislike the news of Nanukaka’s visit?

Answers : The narrator disliked the news because he found Nanukaka’s visits demanding and inconvenient. He also feared Nanukaka’s unpredictable and overbearing behavior. Additionally, the narrator had to vacate his room and take extra responsibilities.

2. How did Nanukaka deal with the Ticket Collector on the train?

Answers : Nanukaka cleverly convinced the Ticket Collector to let him travel second class on a third-class ticket. He charmed the official and even had him escort him out of the station. This reflects Nanukaka’s resourcefulness and confidence.

3. What was Nanukaka’s plan to meet the Minister?

Answers : Nanukaka planned to impress influential people to gain access to the Minister. He involved the narrator in his schemes and used his wit to navigate through difficult situations. His strategy included creating an image of importance and authority.

4. What role did the narrator play during Nanukaka’s schemes?

Answers : The narrator reluctantly acted as Nanukaka’s assistant or companion. He wore traditional attire and followed Nanukaka’s instructions to impress others. Although hesitant, he supported Nanukaka’s elaborate plans.

5. Why did Nanukaka want to meet Sohanlal Ratiram?

Answers : Nanukaka wanted to meet Sohanlal to use his influence in securing a meeting with the Minister. He fabricated stories about his connections and importance to impress Sohanlal. This was part of his larger strategy to achieve his goals.

6. How did Nanukaka prepare for the meeting with Sohanlal Ratiram?

Answers : Nanukaka dressed the narrator in traditional attire and rehearsed a backstory to establish credibility. He pretended to be a zamindar and presented himself as someone with political influence. This added weight to his character.

7. How did the secretary at Sohanlal’s house react to Nanukaka?

Answers : The secretary was initially polite but skeptical of Nanukaka’s claims. However, Nanukaka’s confident demeanor and fabricated connections eventually convinced the secretary to arrange the meeting. This shows how perception influenced their interaction.

Long Questions with Answers

1. Nanukaka tells lots of lies. Why does he do so? Does he succeed in his pursuit?

Answers : Nanukaka lies to create a powerful image of himself and gain advantages. He manipulates situations by exaggerating his connections and status. Despite his dishonesty, he succeeds in impressing people and achieving his goals. His charm and confidence help him navigate his fabrications.

2. What impression does Nanukaka make on you? Do you like him? Attempt a character sketch of Nanukaka.

Answers : Nanukaka is a charming and confident man who uses lies to navigate situations. He is resourceful and skilled at manipulating others for his benefit. While his actions are deceptive, his wit and boldness make him an interesting character. Though dishonest, he is likable for his eccentricity and humor.

3. Suppose you have Nanukaka as your uncle. How would you behave with him? Explain in detail.

Answers : If Nanukaka were my uncle, I would enjoy his company but remain cautious of his lies. I would respect his wisdom but be wary of getting caught up in his manipulations. His confidence and charm would make him entertaining, but I would keep a healthy distance from his deceptions. I’d stay skeptical while appreciating his resourcefulness.

4. Nanukaka made a big promise to Sohanlal Ratiram. Did he ever fulfill his promise?

Answers : Nanukaka promised to help Sohanlal with his political issues, but he never actually followed through. Instead, he made excuses and avoided taking real responsibility. His main goal was to maintain appearances and avoid commitment. Ultimately, Nanukaka never fulfilled his promise to Sohanlal.

5. Can a person like Nanukaka be more successful in the present society? Give reasons.

Answers : In today’s society, Nanukaka would face challenges due to transparency and accountability. His manipulations would likely be exposed in modern times. However, his confidence and resourcefulness could still help him navigate social situations. Success today would require honesty, which Nanukaka lacks.

6. “I wonder what is going to happen when the Minister discovers that my uncle has never been within a hundred miles of a place called Ninnore… Only, when it happens, I want to be somewhere far out of range.” What light does it throw on the motive of the writer in the story? Does he want to glorify manipulation? Warn us of the consequences which its discovery leads to? Expose the reality we are living in?

Answers : This line reflects the narrator’s awareness of the eventual consequences of Nanukaka’s manipulations. The writer doesn’t glorify manipulation but warns of the risks of deception being uncovered. It exposes how people rely on false appearances in society. The story highlights the consequences of dishonesty and the reality of manipulation.

7. What is a ‘linguistic emergency’? Do we all face it? How does it affect our speech?

Answers : A ‘linguistic emergency’ happens when a person uses unfamiliar language or expressions under stress. In the story, Nanukaka uses Marathi expletives when frustrated, reflecting his linguistic habits. Everyone faces linguistic emergencies when stressed, affecting speech. It shows how language reflects emotions or the pressure of the moment.

8. Discuss the significance of the title. How is it related to the theme of the story?

Answers : The title A Pinch of Snuff symbolizes Nanukaka’s eccentricity and how small habits reveal a character’s nature. Snuff, often taken by Nanukaka, represents his bold and casual approach to life. It connects to the story’s theme of appearances and manipulation. The title highlights how trivial actions can uncover deeper truths about a person’s character.