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Important Questions for CBSE Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 - The Tale of Melon City

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CBSE Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter- 5 Important Questions - The Tale of Melon City Free PDF Download

Chapter 5 of CBSE Class 11 English Snapshots, The Tale of Melon City by Vikram Seth, is a funny and light-hearted poem about a king who faces an unusual fate because of his own rules. The poem uses humor to talk about justice, public opinion, and the quirky side of human behavior.

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Table of Content
1. Study Important Questions for Class 11 English - Snapshots Chapter 5 - The Tale of Melon City
2. 5 Important Points to Remember From Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City
3. Related Study Materials for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 
4. Access Chapterwise Links to CBSE Class 11 English - Important Questions - FREE PDF
5. Bookwise Important Questions Links for Class 11 English
6. Important Study Material for English Class 11 
FAQs


In this article, we have provided a Free PDF to download Class 11 English Snapshots Important Questions with solutions, which is prepared by  English experts from the CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus.

Study Important Questions for Class 11 English - Snapshots Chapter 5 - The Tale of Melon City

Very Short Answer Questions: (1 Marks)

1. Word- Meaning 

i. Placid 

Ans: Calm, Gentle

ii. Proclaimed 

Ans: Made a public announcement

iii. Triumphantly 

Ans: Victoriously, Successfully

iv. Edify 

Ans: Improve morally


2. Write the qualities of the king and tell about his proclamation. 

Ans: The monarch was a great giver. He was dedicated to the people's well-being. As a result, he stated that he would construct an arch that would span the main thoroughfare.


3. Why the king ordered an arch to be built over the public road? 

Ans: To morally enlighten and uplift the bystanders, the righteous and peaceful king had an arch gate built above the public route.


4. Why the king was annoyed when he rode thoroughfare? 

Ans: Since the arch was so low, as the king rode through the highway, his arch collided with it, and the crown was lost. This infuriated the king.


5. What was a disgrace for the king? 

Ans: The king's crown had fallen to the ground and had been lost, which was a humiliation.


Short Answer Questions: (2 Marks)

6. How is king in the poem just and placid? What makes him lose his temper? 

Ans: The king was known for his cool demeanor and serene demeanor. That was a complete fabrication. King was about to lose his cool. As a just judge, he ordered the guilty person or thing to be hanged. His idea of justice had no bounds. As a result, he has hanged himself.


7. How was the architect able to turn the tables towards the king? 

Ans: The king requested that the architect be presented in order to obtain a conviction. The architect, on the other hand, reminded the king of the king's own alterations to the architectural plan. This made the king anxious, so he stated he'd talk to the state's wisest man about it.


8. What circumstances lead to the execution of the king? 

Ans: After consulting the wisest man, the monarch ordered the architect's execution. The architect was defended by a councilor. The people demanded action, and the noose was only big enough for the towering ruler. As a result, the king had to be hanged himself.


9. What are your thoughts about the king from the story? 

Ans: The chapter elucidates the folly of a supposedly calm and just ruler. His concept of justice was much beyond anyone's comprehension. He lost his life as a result of his folly.


10. Why the author has described the ministers of the king as practical-minded men? How is it an irony? 

Ans: As they were in a hurry to select a new ruler, the author describes the king's ministers as practical men. They lacked practical insight, however, when they followed the traditional custom of choosing the new monarch by the first person to pass through the gate. The first to pass was a fool, who was held by the ministers until the next monarch was named.


Short Answer Questions: (3 Marks)

11. Why were the ministers relieved and elated? 

Ans: The ministers were delighted and elated since the public's desire to see a hanging had been met. The public was ecstatic to see them hanging. The public was ecstatic that they had finally found someone to hang and that they could see it with their own eyes. The ministers feared that if they did not succeed, the people would revolt against the monarch.


12. On the basis of the behavior and action of the ministers, what opinion will you form for them? 

Ans: The king's ministers were pragmatic individuals. They were staunch believers in the importance of traditional rituals. They cried, "Long live the king!" when he died. They were well aware that the throne would not be vacant for long. Someday, someone will ascend to the throne and rule them. They recognized the crown as a powerful symbol.


13. Discuss about the custom of the citizens. 

Ans: Citizens can elect a representative to serve as the state's ruler or king. The mechanism for selecting the ruler was that whoever passed through the City Gate first the next day would be the next king or ruler. This technique of selecting a new ruler precluded hereditary rule and any conspiracy involving the king's selection or concerning the king. The ministers have to adhere to the rules with the utmost rigor.


14. How was the new king selected? 

Ans: The state ministers sent a word to the people of the state through a messenger, saying that whoever crossed the City Gate first would get to choose their new king or ruler. The next day, an idiot occurs to be the first to pass through the City Gate. When asked who should be the future king of the state, he responded immediately with A melon. Our future monarch, according to the ministers, will be a melon.


15. What is your opinion for the selection process practiced by the ministers and people of the state? 

Ans: The process of choosing a king or ruler for a country is foolish and idiotic. Choosing a ruler based on a single man's vote is never a good idea. The idea of appointing a monarch of the state made the state extremely unhappy and vulnerable. A king is the guardian of his subjects. The king should be capable of dealing with any situation. Giving a person the power to choose a ruler on behalf of all citizens is both humiliating and ridiculous.


Long Answer Questions: (5 Marks)

16. Describe the king of the state from the lesson „The tale of Melon City‟. 

Ans: The king was regarded as a just and peaceful ruler. However, he reveals himself to be a brutal ruler when he orders the execution of all the builders in place of the builder. Due to his shaky thinking and erratic personality, he regularly changes his mind. He reconsiders his judgment and falls prey to the arguments. This is clear from the architect's actions. The king was easily duped by the cunning architect. The king has a reputation for being a keen observer. He is quick to judge the masses' temptations. He attempts to be amusing for the sake of their people, but he ends up dying. His nearsightedness is the cause of his death. The moose's neck cannot accommodate his height, and he dies.


17. Do you think the lesson “The Tale of Melon City” is interesting and edifying? 

Ans: Yes, the lesson "The Tale of Melon City" is very interesting and edifying. The process of choosing a ruler and the role of ministers left an imprint on my life. The lesson roams around the making of the king, its processes, its people, and the process of choosing the king selector. We can learn a great lesson about the life of the king. This story has a very high moral for the people who think whatever they think is well acceptable for everyone. This story tells us that we should never fall into the trap of someone's conversation. We should analyze it before taking any action. We should always take suggestions from the people who are well learned. Sometimes our decisions can be disastrous for us as well as for the people who belong to us. Our decisions can sometimes be terrible for us as well as the people we care about.


18. Does the poem mocks the process of proper judgment and fair trial? Write your opinion. 

Ans: The poem is about the old ways of administering justice through the king's speech. The words of the monarchs were formerly regarded as the words of God, and no one dared to dispute them. However, this is not a suitable way to give justice to individuals. This should improve with time. Oral justice is unsuitable for a king who is thought to be just and peaceful. The king in the poem "The Tale of Melon City" was someone who was swayed by the people's arguments. People in his state used to play him for a fool by telling him lies. They would declare someone else a criminal for their misdeeds, and the kings would listen to their reasons. This was a mistake. As a result, the poem can be said to mock the process of appropriate judgment and fair trial.


19. Does the title of the poem “The Tale of Melon City” satisfy it? 

Ans: The poem "The Tale of Melon City" ends with a satisfying conclusion. The incidents in the poem happened a long time ago, and the poem explains why. It sheds information on the states' practices. Everything in real life is a conundrum, from the practice of selecting a ruler to the practice of administering justice. No king is chosen by a single person's speech or election. It is impossible for one person to select who will be the king of the masses. The process of choosing a king or ruler for a country is foolish and idiotic. Choosing a ruler based on a single man's vote is never a good idea. The name of the city is based on the king's name. The entire poem revolves around and validates the title.


20. How can a state maintain peace and liberty? 

Ans: Different peace philosophies are advocated by different people. Only if the ruler of the state is determined, indignant, and intelligent in making decisions can the state be peaceful. It makes no difference to any state which means they use to govern themselves; for example, some states use democratic norms while others use tyranny. The main slogan, in my opinion, should be excellent governance, regardless of the means or procedure of administration. Unbiased justice and equality for citizens should be the primary concerns of any ruler. A monarch should not base his or her decision on caste, creed, color, or religion. People should be aware of their state's rights, benefits, and responsibilities. This is the only way for a country to maintain its peace and liberty.


5 Important Points to Remember From Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City

  • "The Tale of Melon City" is set in a vibrant fictional city renowned for its prolific melon production and close-knit community.

  • The story centers around a mysterious blight threatening to devastate the melon crops, endangering the city's economy and residents' livelihoods.

  • Ravi, a dedicated young farmer, leads the effort to address the crisis with the support of his wise friend Mrs. Sharma and his supportive friend Amit.

  • Together, Ravi, Mrs. Sharma, and Amit organize community meetings and explore various solutions to combat the blight.

  • They discover a natural remedy that successfully saves the melon crops and reinforces the bonds within the community.


Related Study Materials for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 

S. No 

Important Study Material Links for Class 11 English Chapter 5

1.

Class 11 The Tale of Melon City Notes

2.

Class 11 The Tale of Melon City Solutions


Conclusion:

In “The Tale of Melon City,” we journey through an unusual, imaginative world that highlights the importance of creativity and community. It reminds us that even the most unusual places have their own charm and stories. This chapter encourages us to appreciate diversity and think outside the box, making our own lives as vibrant and unique as Melon City itself.


Access Chapterwise Links to CBSE Class 11 English - Important Questions - FREE PDF


Bookwise Important Questions Links for Class 11 English

S. No

Other Bookwise Important Questions Links for Class 11 English

1.

CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Important Question

2.

CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Important Questions


Important Study Material for English Class 11 

FAQs on Important Questions for CBSE Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 - The Tale of Melon City

1. Why did the king ride down the thoroughfare and what was the result?

Chapter 5 of Class 11 English tells a tale of a city that had a king that lost his life for giving out a thoughtless order. It is understood from the tale that a king had ordered the construction of an arch in the road of the city, which would not only beautify the town and be an attraction for tourists but also uplift the mood of the local people. And with an intention of spiritually advising the people, he went on to cross the thoroughfare that had a low arch above it. In doing that, he tripped his crown off his head due to that low built arch.

2. Comment upon the criteria of selection of the wisest man and the quality of counsel he offered.

When the king was in danger because of the arch's poor construction, he had to seek advice from someone intelligent. In such moment, he had lost his ability to think and reason. Yet the criteria he used to select the wise guy were completely arbitrary. He said that knowledge came with age. He reasoned that the more grey hair on your head, the greater your intellect and cleverness. As a result, he chose someone who was too elderly to walk, see, or speak. Students can obtain a free PDF of crucial solutions from the Vedantu website to learn more about the chapter and answer queries about it.

3. What happened when his crown fell off?

The king was otherwise known to be very gentle and fair. He always tried to keep his calm and composure in front of the people of the town. But as soon as his crown fell off, the signs of anger were clearly seen on his face. Out of anger he even said that the incident that happened was a complete disgrace and ordered that the one at fault for making the arch so low was to be blamed and hanged to death from the same arch. He first put the blame on the chief.

4. Who put the blame on the king?

When the chief was criticised, he deftly transferred the blame to the employees, claiming that they were responsible for the structure's design. In response, the employees claimed that the bricks were substandard, resulting in the flawed arch, and that the masons were too responsible. Now to save themselves the masons passed on the blame to the architect stating it was all his plan. The architect was clever enough to put the blame on the king saying that he had made last-minute changes to the main plan. To know more students can visit the Vedantu app or website.

5. Why was the king hanged at last?

The king was puzzled and confused when the architect put the blame on him. To solve the problem at hand he went to consult a wise man and take ideas from him to solve the crisis. But here too the king made the mistake of choosing the wrong man since the king’s idea of wisdom was not proper. This gain led to his downfall and ultimately the people of the town went restless and wanted to see someone hanging from there. The king went restless and ordered that whoever fit the noose would be hanged and unfortunately, he himself fit the noose and got hanged.

6. What lesson does the story convey?

The story teaches that rigid planning without considering human nature can lead to failure. It highlights the importance of flexibility and understanding people’s needs in leadership and decision-making.

7. How did the townspeople feel about the arch initially?

Initially, the townspeople were excited and hopeful that the new arch would beautify the city and bring joy. They looked forward to the arch becoming a landmark and enhancing their community.

8. What mistake did the king make in selecting the wise man?

The king mistakenly believed that age equated to wisdom. He chose an elderly man who was unable to effectively help, leading to poor advice and worsening the situation.

9. How did the architect justify the low arch design?

The architect claimed that he had made last-minute changes to the original plan, blaming the king for these alterations. This shift in responsibility led to the king being held accountable for the flawed arch.

10. What impact did the king’s actions have on Melon City?

The king’s poor decisions and inability to manage the crisis led to chaos and unrest in Melon City. His eventual hanging caused distress among the people and disrupted the community’s stability.