NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill The Portrait of a Lady

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill The Portrait of a Lady:- The first chapter of Class 11 English Hornbill, The Portrait of a Lady, beautifully captures the relationship between the narrator and his grandmother. Written by Khushwant Singh, the story unfolds in a nostalgic tone, reflecting on the changing dynamics of their bond over time. The chapter explores themes of love, respect, and tradition, making it a relatable and thought-provoking read for students. 

To help you excel in understanding and answering the questions, our NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill - The Portrait of a Lady provide detailed explanations for class 11 English chapter 1 question answer sessions. Whether you need insights into the narrative or accurate answers, these solutions are designed to simplify class 11 English chapter 1 concepts while enhancing your preparation.

We have curated detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Hornbill English Chapter 1: The Portrait of a Lady, ensuring that each and every question from the textbook is thoroughly addressed. These solutions are designed not only to help students excel in Class 11 English Chapter 1 but also to enhance their answer-writing skills and understanding of the subject. By referring to these NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 Question Answer sets, students can confidently prepare for their exams. Our faculty have crafted these answers to provide clear and precise solutions while improving students’ understanding of language, grammar, and writing structure. 

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NCERT Solution for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady

Students can go through The Portrait of a Lady Class 11 Questions with Answers below to improve their knowledge of Class 11 Chapter 1. 

Question 1: The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before lie left else country to study abroad.

Answer: The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country to study abroad are:

1. childhood – when he went to the village school and the grandmother helped him to get ready and went to school with him.

2. boyhood – when he went to the city school in a bus. He shared a room with grandmother but she could no longer help him in his studies.

3. early youth – when he went to the university and was given a room of him own. The common link of friendship was snapped.

Question 2: Three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when m started going to the city school.
Answer: The three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school are:

1. She hated western Science and learning.

2. She was pained to know that there was no teaching of God and the scriptures there.

3. She was allergic to music. She thought it was not meant for decent people and gentlefolk. It was the monopoly of prostitutes and beggars.

Question 3: Three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up.
Answer: The three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up are:

• She lived alone in her room as she had accepted her loneliness quietly.

• She sat at her spinning wheel reciting prayers.

• In the afternoon, she would feed the sparrows for half an hour.

Question 4: The odd ways in which the author’s grandmother behaved just before she died.

Answer: Just before her death, the author’s grandmother refused to talk to them. Since she had omitted to pray the previous night while she was singing songs of homecoming and beating the drum, she was not going to waste any more time. She ignored their protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling beads.

Question 5: The way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.

Answer: Thousands of sparrows sat silently surrounding the dead body of the author’s grandmother. There was no chirruping. The author’s mother threw some crumbs of bread to them. They took no notice of them. As soon as the grandmother’s corpse was carried off, they flew away quietly. Thus the sparrows expressed their sorrow.

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Question 6: The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this?

Answer: The author’s grandmother was a deeply religious lady. We come to know this through the different ways of her behaviour. She visited the temple every morning and read scriptures. At home she always mumbled inaudible prayer and kept telling the beads of rosary. She would repeat prayers in a sing-song manner while getting the writer ready for school. She hoped that he would learn it by heart. She didn’t like English school as there was no teaching of God and scriptures.

Even while spinning at her spinning-wheel she would recite prayers. Perhaps it was only once that she forgot to say her prayers. It was on the evening prior to her death when she felt over excited while celebrating the arrival of her grandson with songs and beatings of drum. She continued praying and telling beads of her rosary till her last breath.

Question 7: Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?

Answer: During his boyhood, the author was completely dependent on his grandmother. She was a part of his life. The turning point in their friendship came when they went to city. She could no longer accompany him to school as he went there by bus. They shared the same room but she could not help him in his studies. She would ask him what the teachers had taught. She did not believe in the things that were taught at school. She was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. She felt offended that music was also being taught. She expressed her disapproval silently. After this she rarely talked to him. When he went to university, he was given a room of his own. The common link of friendship was snapped.

However their feelings for each other did not change. They still loved each other deeply. She went to see the author off at the railway station when he was going abroad for higher studies. She showed no emotion but kissed his forehead silently. The author valued this as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between them. When the author returned after five years, she received him at the station. She clasped him in her arms. In the evening she celebrated his homecoming by singing songs and beating an old drum.

Question 8: Have you known someone like the author’s grandmother? Do you feel the same sense of loss with regard to someone whom you have loved and lost?

Answer: Yes, I have known my grandfather, who loved me deeply and looked after me. He had served in the army before he retired as a colonel 20 years ago. When I was a school going kid, he was still active and smart. He was fond of walking, jogging and playing outdoor games. He inspired us to get up early in the morning. He believed that a healthy mind lives in a healthy body. He used to give us good physical exercises followed by milk and nourishing food and then asked us to study for a while before going to school. In the afternoon, he would enquire what we had been taught at the school. He would help us in our home task and supervise our reading, writing and doing sums. He was gentle but firm. He laid stress on good habits and character building. He passed away when I had gone abroad for higher studies. I miss him a lot. A sense of loss fills me whenever I see his portrait on the wall. But his cheerful looks remind me to take heart and fight the struggle of life.

Question 9: Which language do you think the author and his grandmother used while talking to each other?

Answer: The author’s grandmother was not much educated. So, I think the author and his grandmother used to talk in their mother tongue—in this case Panjabi.

Question 10: Which language do you use to talk to elderly relatives in your family?

Answer: My elderly relatives are well versed in English and Hindi. I feel at home greeting them in English but like to converse with them freely in Hindi.

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Question 11: What is the expression used in your language for a ‘dilapidated drum’?

Answer: The expression used in our language for a ‘dilapidated drum’ is ‘phata-purana dhol.’

Question 12: Can you think of a song or poem in your language that talks of homecoming?

Answer: There are many folk songs and poems singing of the exploits of brave warriors. All these talk of their homecoming after winning a battle.

Question 13: How long had the narrator known his grandmother—old and wrinkled? What did people say? How did the narrator react?

Answer: The narrator had known his grandmother—old and wrinkled for the last twenty years. She was terribly old. Perhaps she could not have looked older. People said that she had once been young and pretty. They said that she even had a husband. The narrator found it hard to believe.

Question 14: How did the narrator’s grandfather appear in the portrait?

Answer: His grandfather looked very old. He had a long white beard. His clothes were loose fitting. He wore a big turban. He looked too old to have a wife or children. He looked at least a hundred years old. He could have only lots and lots of grandchildren.

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The Portrait of a Lady Class 11 English Chapter 1 Summary

In the first chapter of The Portrait of a Lady, we are introduced to the narrator’s grandmother. She is an elderly woman who lives with the narrator and his family in a small village. The chapter describes her as a kind and deeply religious person. She is devoted to her daily rituals and prayers, and her life is deeply intertwined with her faith.

The narrator reflects on how his grandmother has always been a part of his life. He recalls her caring nature and the time they spent together. Despite her old age and frailty, she maintains a sense of calm and dignity. Her routine is very simple and revolves around prayer and caring for others.

The grandmother’s deep connection to her religion is central to her life. She spends much of her time reading religious texts and visiting the temple. She also has a special bond with the narrator, sharing stories and wisdom from her life experiences.

The chapter sets up the background of the grandmother’s character and her influence on the narrator. It shows how her life, though marked by simplicity, is full of grace and devotion. Her presence and actions deeply impact the narrator, creating a view of her as a person of love and respect.

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The Portrait of a Lady Class 11 Questions with Answers FAQs

Q1. What is the theme of the Portrait of a Lady Class 11 Chapter 1?

Ans. The theme of the Portrait of a Lady Class 11 Chapter 1 revolves around the bond between the author and his grandmother and his day-to-day activities.

Q2. What is the message of the Portrait of a Lady Class 11?

Ans. The message of the Portrait of a Lady Class 11 is about innocence, friendship, love, connection, kindness, selflessness, respect and acceptance. 

Q3. Which thought about the grandmother was often revolting and for whom?

Ans. The narrator’s grandmother was very old and wrinkled. She had stayed at this stage for the last twenty years. People said that once she was young and pretty. The narrator couldn’t even imagine her being young. So the thought was revolting to him.

Q4. Why was it hard for the author to believe that his grandmother was once young and pretty?

Ans. She was quite an old lady. She had been old and wrinkled for more than two decades. It is said that once she had been young and pretty. But it is hard to believe so.

Q5. How did the narrator and his grandmother become good friends?

Ans. During his childhood, the narrator stayed with his grandmother in the village. She was his constant companion. She looked after him. She used to wake him up. She got him ready for school in the morning. She would give him breakfast. She went to school with him.