The Portrait of a Lady Class 11 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 11 English The Portrait of a Lady - 2025-26
1. Based on CBSE exam trends, what is an important character sketch question that can be asked from 'The Portrait of a Lady'?
A highly expected question is the character sketch of the author's grandmother. For full marks, your answer should cover the following aspects:
- Physical Appearance: Described as short, fat, slightly bent, with a face full of wrinkles and silver locks. She was not 'pretty' but exuded a divine 'beauty'.
- Pious and Spiritual Nature: Her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer, and her fingers were always busy telling the beads of her rosary.
- Kind and Affectionate: She had a deep love for the author, cared for him in the village, and showed kindness to animals by feeding dogs and sparrows.
- Strong and Resilient: She accepted her seclusion in the city with grace and found solace in her spinning wheel and prayers without complaining.
2. How did the relationship between Khushwant Singh and his grandmother evolve through the three distinct phases mentioned in the story?
The evolution of their relationship is a very important topic for the Class 11 English exam. The three phases are:
- Phase 1 - Childhood in the Village: This was the phase of maximum closeness. The grandmother was his constant companion, waking him up, getting him ready for school, and walking with him to the temple-school.
- Phase 2 - Boyhood in the City: This was the turning point where their friendship was strained. They shared a room, but she could not help him with his English lessons and disapproved of the modern education, leading to a growing distance.
- Phase 3 - University and Abroad: The common link of their friendship was almost broken when the author got his own room. Her acceptance of his decision to go abroad for five years showed her strength, and their interactions were reduced to silent, affectionate gestures.
3. Why was the grandmother disturbed by the author's education in the city school? What does this reveal about her values?
The grandmother was deeply disturbed by the city school education for two main reasons. Firstly, she was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures, which she considered essential. Secondly, she was appalled to learn about music lessons, as she associated music with 'harlots and beggars' and considered it unsuitable for 'gentlefolk'. This reveals her deeply traditional, religious, and conservative values, highlighting the conflict between modern education and orthodox beliefs.
4. How is the title 'The Portrait of a Lady' justified? Explain its significance for your exam answer.
The title 'The Portrait of a Lady' is highly significant and apt. The author, Khushwant Singh, doesn't just describe his grandmother; he paints a vivid and loving picture (a portrait) of her character, values, and inner beauty. The story focuses not on her physical appearance but on her grace, piety, kindness, and resilience. Like a painter capturing the soul of a subject, the author captures the essence of a truly noble and dignified lady, making the title a perfect metaphor for his literary tribute.
5. How did the sparrows mourn the grandmother's death, and what does their behaviour signify?
The sparrows' reaction is a crucial element of the story. On the day of her death, thousands of sparrows gathered silently around her body. They did not chirp as they usually did, and when the author's mother threw bread crumbs, they took no notice of the food. Their silent departure after the body was carried away signifies a deep, unspoken bond of love and gratitude. It shows that even nature mourned the loss of a kind soul, highlighting her selfless love that was understood even by birds.
6. The author describes his grandmother as never having been 'pretty', but always 'beautiful'. What is the deeper meaning behind this distinction?
This distinction is a key theme of the story. 'Pretty' refers to conventional, external physical attractiveness, which the grandmother lacked due to old age. In contrast, 'beautiful' refers to an inner, spiritual quality. Her beauty lay in her serenity, contentment, and the peace she radiated, which the author compared to a 'winter landscape in the mountains'. This highlights the idea that true beauty comes from the soul and character, not just the physical appearance.
7. What are the main themes in 'The Portrait of a Lady' that are important for the CBSE 2025-26 examination?
For the CBSE Class 11 English exam, students should focus on these important themes:
- Innocence and Love: The pure, unconditional love between a grandchild and a grandparent.
- Tradition vs. Modernity: The clash of values represented by the grandmother's beliefs and the author's modern education.
- Companionship and Loneliness: The changing dynamics of their relationship, leading to the grandmother's graceful acceptance of isolation.
- Inner Beauty vs. Outer Appearance: The idea that a person's character and soul are more beautiful than their physical looks.
8. How did the grandmother spend her time when the author went to university? How did she find contentment?
When the author went to university and was given his own room, the grandmother accepted her seclusion calmly. She found contentment in a structured routine. From sunrise to sunset, she sat at her spinning wheel, a symbol of her self-reliance and peace. She rarely spoke to anyone and recited her prayers. Her 'happiest half-hour of the day' was in the afternoon when she would take a break to feed the sparrows, who would perch on her and eat the bread crumbs she gave them.











