Class 12 English Kaliedoscope Chapter 1 Questions and Answers - Free PDF Download
FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 12 English Kaliedoscope Chapter 1 Freedom By G.B. Shaw - 2025-26
1. How does the NCERT solution for Chapter 1 'Freedom' explain the difference between natural and unnatural slavery?
The NCERT solution for this chapter clarifies G.B. Shaw's distinction between two forms of slavery. Natural slavery is our necessary and unavoidable dependence on nature, which includes activities like eating, sleeping, and washing. Shaw views this as a fundamental, and not unpleasant, part of life. In contrast, unnatural slavery is the man-made system where certain individuals are forced to work excessively for the benefit of others, leading to social injustice and the loss of true liberty.
2. According to G.B. Shaw's essay 'Freedom', why is a completely free person considered a logical impossibility?
As per the NCERT solutions based on Shaw's text, a completely free person who can do whatever they want, whenever they want, cannot exist. This is because every human, regardless of their status, is bound by natural duties and biological needs such as sleeping and eating. Furthermore, we must all perform a certain amount of work to secure essentials like food, shelter, and clothing. These necessary obligations make absolute, unrestricted freedom an impossibility.
3. What makes the 'master classes' more deluded than the slaves, as explained in the solutions for 'Freedom'?
The solutions for this chapter explain that the master classes are considered more deluded because they are conditioned by their upbringing and education to believe in their own inherent superiority. They perceive the labour of the working class as something they are entitled to. This mindset makes them insensitive and blind to the systemic injustice they perpetuate, creating a profound delusion about the structure of society and their role within it.
4. What is the step-by-step solution G.B. Shaw proposes to ensure a fair distribution of work and leisure in society?
The NCERT solution for this key question outlines Shaw's systematic proposal as follows:
- First, the total amount of work necessary to maintain the health and survival of the entire community must be calculated.
- Next, this total workload should be divided equally among all able-bodied individuals.
- This ensures no one is an idler (which Shaw finds demoralising) and no one is an overworked slave.
- Consequently, every person contributes their fair share and is rewarded with an equal portion of leisure time, leading to a more just and equitable society.
5. Why does G.B. Shaw argue that being an idler is even more demoralising than being a slave?
Shaw's argument, a key concept in this chapter, is that slavery, despite its injustice, involves activity and a (forced) purpose. An idler, on the other hand, lacks any purpose and contributes nothing, which leads to boredom, uselessness, and moral decay. While a slave is deprived of freedom by an external force, an idler is deprived of meaning and utility by their own choice or circumstance. Shaw believes this void of purpose is fundamentally more corrosive to the human spirit than forced labour.
6. How can the concepts from 'Freedom' be applied to understand our modern relationship with technology?
While not a direct NCERT exercise question, applying Shaw's concepts is a higher-order thinking skill. His idea of 'slavery to nature' can be extended to our modern lives. Our dependence on smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity can be viewed as a new form of voluntary, unnatural slavery. We feel a compulsion to be available 24/7, respond instantly, and curate our digital lives. This dictates how we spend our leisure and mental energy, mirroring Shaw's idea of being bound by duties that are not essential for survival but are socially imposed.
7. What is a common misconception students have about the term 'freedom' as used by G.B. Shaw in this chapter?
A frequent misunderstanding is equating Shaw's definition of 'freedom' with simply having no rules or the personal liberty to do as one pleases. The NCERT solutions help clarify that Shaw's primary focus is on economic freedom and social justice. For him, true freedom is unattainable without an equitable distribution of labour and leisure. Therefore, the core of his argument is about freedom from the 'unnatural slavery' of economic exploitation by other people, not just freedom from minor restrictions.
8. Since Class 12 English 'Chapter 1' can refer to different texts, how do I find the correct NCERT solutions for Kaleidoscope's Non-Fiction unit?
This is an important clarification for Class 12 students preparing for the 2025-26 board exams. You must first identify your prescribed CBSE syllabus and textbook:
- The chapter 'The Last Lesson' is Chapter 1 of the 'Flamingo' textbook, part of the English Core syllabus.
- The chapter 'The Third Level' is Chapter 1 of the 'Vistas' reader, also for the English Core syllabus.
- The 'Non-Fiction' unit, starting with G.B. Shaw's essay "Freedom", is from the 'Kaleidoscope' textbook, which is prescribed for the English Elective syllabus.

















