Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 5 – Pappachi’s Moth Important Question Answers from Woven Words Book
Class 11 English (Elective) Pappachi’s Moth Important Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Short Stories Chapter 5 – Pappachi’s Moth? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 11 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 5 – Pappachi’s Moth now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions to the chapter’s extract-based questions, multiple choice questions and Extra Question Answers
Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.
- Pappachi’s Moth NCERT Solutions
- Pappachi’s Moth Grammar Exercises
- Pappachi’s Moth Extract Based Questions
- Pappachi’s Moth Multiple Choice Questions
- Pappachi’s Moth Extra Question Answers
Related:
Pappachi’s Moth Textbook Questions (NCERT Solutions)
Guess the meaning of the following expressions from the context
- ignominy of retirement: shame or disgrace associated with being retired. Feeling unimportant or losing status after leaving one’s job. Pappachi retires and Mammachi starts her pickle business, “ignominy of retirement” refers to Pappachi’s feeling of shame and loss of status after no longer being a high-ranking government official. He sees retirement as a humiliating decline, especially in contrast to Mammachi’s burgeoning success.
- conical corneas: Corneas (the clear front part of the eye) that have an abnormal, cone-like shape. This would likely cause vision problems. Mammachi had “conical corneas and was already practically blind,” it’s a medical condition causing her impaired vision. This detail explains why she needed assistance, though Pappachi refused to provide it.
- slouch around: To walk or stand with a drooping posture, often indicating laziness, boredom, or unhappiness.Pappachi, as he “slouched around the compound in his immaculately tailored suits” highlights the contrast between his elegant appearance and his inner resentment and unhappiness. His slouching visually conveys his displeasure and lack of engagement with Mammachi’s activities.
- weaving: To move by interlacing threads on a loom; or to move in and out of something with a winding or zigzag course. Pappachi was “weaving sullen circles around mounds of red chillies and freshly powdered yellow turmeric,” it paints a picture of him moving aimlessly and resentfully around the ingredients Mammachi was using for her pickles. His movement is unproductive and reflects his negative mood.
- sullen circles: Moving in a circular path while displaying a gloomy, bad-tempered, or resentful mood. The “weaving” emphasizes the nature of Pappachi’s movement. His circles are “sullen,” meaning they are filled with his bitterness and silent anger towards Mammachi’s success and his own perceived decline.
- entomologist: A scientist who studies insects. “Pappachi had been an Imperial Entomologist at the Pusa Institute.” This is his former profession and the basis for his discovery of the moth.
- taxonomic reshuffle: A reorganization or reclassification of organisms within the science of taxonomy (the classification of living things). The scientific reclassification or renaming of the moth he discovered, especially if this was the reason he didn’t receive proper credit.
- lepidopterists: Scientists who study Lepidoptera, the order of insects that includes butterflies and moths. Lepidopterists are the specific type of entomologists interested in Pappachi’s moth.
- pernicious ghost: A harmful or destructive spirit or lingering presence. Something that continues to have a negative effect. The moth was a persistent and damaging reminder of Pappachi’s bitterness, his unacknowledged achievement, and the unhappiness that permeated the family as a result. It would symbolize a lingering negativity that haunts their lives.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. Comment on the relationship shared by Mammachi and Pappachi.
Ans. The relationship between Mammachi and Pappachi in Arundhati Roy’s “Pappachi’s Moth” is a deeply disturbing and complex one, marked by patriarchal dominance, unfulfilled ambitions, jealousy, and abuse.
Pappachi, a retired Imperial Entomologist, is portrayed as a bitter and resentful man, largely due to his professional disappointment of not receiving due credit for discovering a new species of moth. This festering bitterness becomes a defining characteristic that poisons his interactions, particularly with Mammachi. He embodies the patriarchal mindset of the time, believing in the inherent superiority of men and the subservience of women. Mammachi, on the other hand, endures Pappachi’s cruelty with a stoic resilience. She is a talented violinist and a successful businesswoman, having established and run the profitable pickle business. However, her achievements only serve to fuel Pappachi’s jealousy and resentment. He cannot bear to see his wife, a woman seventeen years his junior, gain recognition and success in a sphere where he feels he has failed. The primary mode of their interaction is Pappachi’s systematic abuse of Mammachi. He beats her regularly with a brass flower vase, a ritualistic act of asserting his dominance and venting his frustration. This violence underscores the power imbalance in their relationship and the oppressive nature of their marriage. Mammachi, bound by societal expectations and perhaps a degree of emotional attachment, remains largely silent and endures the abuse. Their communication is minimal and devoid of affection or mutual respect. Pappachi actively discourages Mammachi’s talents, such as abruptly ending her violin lessons in Vienna when her teacher praises her. He refuses to help her with her pickle business, deeming it beneath his dignity as a former high-ranking official, despite her failing eyesight. His actions are driven by a deep-seated ego and a refusal to acknowledge his wife’s worth. In essence, the relationship between Mammachi and Pappachi is a stark portrayal of a dysfunctional marriage under the weight of patriarchy, unfulfilled male ego, and the subjugation of female potential.
2. How does Mammachi stand out as an independent and resilient woman in the text?
Ans. Mammachi stands out as an independent and resilient woman in the text in several ways, especially considering the difficult circumstances she faces. First, she runs her own successful business in pickles. Despite having a husband who offers no support and is actually jealous of her achievements, she builds and manages a profitable enterprise. This shows her strong will and ability to be self-sufficient in a time when women often relied heavily on men. Second, Mammachi endures Pappachi’s cruel treatment with remarkable strength. He beats her regularly and belittles her, yet she continues to manage her household and her business. She doesn’t complain or reveal the extent of his abuse to others, demonstrating a quiet resilience and a determination to carry on despite her suffering. Third, even in her personal life, Mammachi shows a degree of independence. She had tried to learn the violin in Vienna, indicating a desire for personal growth and fulfillment outside of her domestic role, even though Pappachi discouraged it. Mammachi is a woman who, despite facing a difficult and abusive husband in a patriarchal society, manages to build her own success and withstand significant hardship without breaking. She finds her own way to be strong and capable.
3. Why does John Ipe consider retirement to be a dishonour?
Ans. John Ipe considers retirement a dishonor because, in his traditional and perhaps somewhat rigid worldview, working and contributing are seen as essential to a man’s worth and status. Retirement, to him, likely signifies a state of being unproductive, idle, and no longer relevant. It might feel like admitting weakness or an inability to continue fulfilling his responsibilities. In a society that often values a man’s identity through his profession and his capacity to provide, ceasing to work could feel like a loss of that identity and a step down in social standing. Essentially, John Ipe probably believes that a man should work as long as he is able, and choosing not to would be a shameful admission of being past his prime or unwilling to contribute to his family and society. It goes against his ingrained sense of duty and masculine pride.
4. What was the underlying reason for John Ipe’s disgust with the world?
Ans. The underlying reason for John Ipe’s disgust with the world seems to be a deep disappointment and disillusionment with how things turned out, both personally and perhaps more broadly. He likely felt a sense of unfulfilled potential and a lack of recognition for his own life and efforts. The text suggests a certain rigidity and adherence to tradition, and perhaps he felt the world was moving away from those values in ways he didn’t understand or appreciate. His disgust could also stem from a feeling of powerlessness in the face of change or perceived decline. He might have held strong beliefs about how things should be, and the reality of the world around him fell short of those expectations, leading to bitterness and resentment.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss in pairs
1. Chacko’s firmness in dealing with the irrational behaviour of his father.
Ans. Chacko, Mammachi and Pappachi’s son, is shown to be the one family member who directly confronts and stands up to Pappachi’s irrational and often cruel behavior. He doesn’t shy away from challenging his father’s outbursts and attempts to control or belittle Mammachi. When Pappachi acts unreasonably, Chacko speaks firmly and asserts his authority as the eldest son. He sets boundaries and doesn’t allow Pappachi’s bitterness or patriarchal views to dominate the family dynamic unchallenged. For instance, he might intervene when Pappachi is being unfair to Mammachi or dismisses her achievements. Chacko’s firmness is a contrast to Mammachi’s silent endurance. He represents a generation that is perhaps less willing to accept the unchecked dominance of the father figure. He uses his position to try and create a more balanced and respectful environment within the family, even if it means directly confronting Pappachi’s irrationality. His actions show a sense of responsibility towards his mother and a refusal to enable his father’s negative behavior.
2. The contrast between the outward elegance of a person and his private behaviour.
Ans.”Pappachi’s Moth” sharply highlights the contrast between how a person might appear to the outside world (their outward elegance) and how they truly behave in private. Pappachi, for example, was a retired Imperial Entomologist, a position that likely carried a certain level of respect and perhaps even prestige in the community. He might have presented himself with a certain dignity and outward sophistication. However, his private behavior towards Mammachi was anything but elegant. Behind closed doors, he was a bitter, jealous, and abusive husband who regularly beat her. This contrast shows that outward appearances can be deceiving. Someone who seems respectable or even distinguished in public might harbor unpleasant or even cruel behavior in their personal life. The story suggests that judging a person solely on their outward presentation can hide a darker and more complex reality of their private actions and relationships. Pappachi’s case illustrates how social standing and outward demeanor can mask significant personal flaws and harmful behavior within the confines of the home.
3. Approval from the outside world and approval within the family.
Ans. In “Pappachi’s Moth,” there’s a stark contrast between the approval Mammachi receives from the outside world and the lack of it within her own family, particularly from Pappachi. Mammachi is a talented and industrious woman who has successfully established and runs her pickle business. Her pickles are popular and well-regarded by the community, leading to numerous orders and recognition for her skill and hard work. The Kottayam Bible Society appreciates her contributions, and her violin teacher in Vienna acknowledges her exceptional talent. This demonstrates that Mammachi is capable and her work is valued by those outside her immediate family. Despite Mammachi’s talents and success, Pappachi consistently withholds any form of approval or appreciation. He is jealous of her achievements, viewing them as a slight to his own unfulfilled ambitions and perceived higher status as a former government official. He actively discourages her pursuits, ending her violin lessons and refusing to help with her pickle business. His disapproval stems from his patriarchal mindset and his inability to accept his wife’s success, creating a deeply damaging dynamic within their marriage and family. This lack of familial approval, especially from her husband, highlights the emotional isolation Mammachi endures despite external validation.
APPRECIATION
1. How does the author succeed in raising crucial social issues not through open criticism but through subtle suggestion?
Ans. Arundhati Roy, in “Pappachi’s Moth,” effectively addresses crucial social issues not by directly criticising them, but by subtly weaving them into the characters’ lives and the narrative. One way she accomplishes this is through the portrayal of relationships, especially the toxic dynamic between Mammachi and Pappachi. Pappachi’s patriarchal dominance and abuse, coupled with Mammachi’s silent suffering, highlight the deeply ingrained gender inequality and oppression of women in the society depicted in the story. The author does not explicitly declare that “women are treated badly,” but instead reveals this through Mammachi’s experiences. Another subtle suggestion arises from the characters’ behaviours and attitudes. John Ipe’s rigid adherence to tradition and his perception of retirement as dishonourable reflect the societal pressures and expectations placed on men, as well as the lack of value assigned to those who are no longer contributing in the traditional sense. Additionally, the absence of open rebellion or discussion regarding these issues within the family speaks volumes. Mammachi’s silence and Chacko’s occasional assertiveness underscore the complex power dynamics and the challenges of confronting established social norms within a private sphere. Roy indicates that these issues are deeply ingrained, often accepted without direct confrontation. Even the symbolism of Pappachi’s moth—an important discovery he was never fully credited for—touches on themes of colonialism and the marginalisation of local knowledge by dominant Western powers. The lingering bitterness associated with the moth hints at larger historical and social injustices without explicitly stating them. In summary, Roy illustrates these problems through the characters’ actions, feelings, and interactions within their social context. She allows the reader to witness the consequences of these social issues firsthand, making the critique more powerful and thought-provoking than a direct lecture would be. The issues permeate the air the characters breathe rather than being loudly proclaimed.
2. Within a few pages the author has packed the important events in the lives of John Ipe and his wife. Discuss how conciseness and economy of expression can achieve effective portrayal of entire lives.
Ans. Arundhati Roy effectively captures the lives of John Ipe and his wife through impactful details rather than lengthy descriptions. This technique works because key details act as anchors for understanding. By focusing on defining characteristics, pivotal events, and strong emotional responses, the author allows the reader to infer the broader context of their lives. A well-chosen anecdote or a deeply felt emotion can speak volumes about a person’s history and personality. Furthermore, conciseness creates impact. By not getting bogged down in unnecessary details, the author keeps the narrative focused and allows the important elements to resonate more strongly with the reader. The reader’s imagination fills in the gaps, creating a more personal and vivid understanding of the characters’ lives. The author shows us the essence of John Ipe and his wife’s lives by focusing on a few powerful moments and traits. It’s like looking at a few carefully chosen photographs from someone’s life that tell a much bigger story than just those individual snapshots. This way of writing is efficient and makes the characters and their experiences stick in the reader’s mind.This technique allows readers to infer broader contexts from key traits and significant events. By focusing on impactful details, the narrative remains concise and engaging, leaving a lasting impression. Essentially, Roy reveals the essence of their lives through a few powerful snapshots, making them resonate deeply with the reader.
3. Identify instances of ironical comment in the story.
Ans. It’s ironic that even though Pappachi beats Mammachi regularly and treats her badly, the story mentions that her love for him never faded, and she cried bitterly when he died. The irony lies in the fact that someone who is abused still holds affection for their abuser. It highlights the complex and sometimes unhealthy attachments people can form. There’s irony in the contrast between Pappachi’s outward appearance as a respected, well-dressed former government official and his private behaviour as a jealous and abusive husband. He presents an elegant image to the world, but his actions within his own home are anything but refined or respectable. This shows how appearances can be deceiving. It’s deeply ironic that Pappachi, who discovered the moth, never got it named after him. Instead, after his retirement, it was named after his junior officer, whom Pappachi disliked. The irony is that his significant achievement was attributed to someone he likely felt was less deserving, highlighting a lack of recognition and a sense of injustice in his life. After Pappachi’s death, Ammu observes that Mammachi might be crying more out of habit and being used to his presence (and even his beatings) than out of genuine love. This is ironic because one would expect relief at the absence of an abuser, but instead, there’s a sense of loss tied to familiarity, however negative that familiarity was. There’s a subtle irony in Pappachi buying a Plymouth car and then not allowing anyone else in the family to sit in it. He buys it seemingly as a symbol of his status, but then uses it to further assert his control and bitterness, denying his own family the pleasure of it. The purpose of owning a car for a family is usually shared transportation, making his possessiveness an ironic twist.
Pappachi’s Moth Grammar Exercises
LANGUAGE WORK
1. Entomologist and lepidopterist are mentioned in the text and you must have guessed the meanings of these words or found them out from the dictionary.
Now match the kinds of scientists given below with the work they do:
| A | B |
| ornithologist | study of the skin |
| gerontologist | study of cells |
| ergonomist | study of birds |
| dermatologist | study of old age |
| cytologist | study of design of equipment |
Ans.
| A | B |
| ornithologist | study of birds |
| gerontologist | study of old age |
| ergonomist | study of design of equipment |
| dermatologist | study of the skin |
| cytologist | study of cells |
2. A short report announcing the death of a person in a newspaper is called an ‘obituary’. Where would you find the following
| a citation | an epitaph | a glossary |
| an abstract | a postscript |
Ans.
- Citation: A citation is a reference to the source of information used in your research. Any time you directly quote, paraphrase or summarize the essential elements of someone else’s idea in your work, an in-text citation should follow. An in-text citation is a brief notation within the text of your paper or presentation which refers the reader to a fuller notation, or end-of-paper citation, that provides all necessary details about that source of information.
- Epitaph: An epitaph is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense.
- A Glossary: A glossary is a section at the end of a written work that defines confusing, technical, or advanced words. You can think of a glossary as a mini-dictionary for words used in that work. Glossaries are commonly used in research papers and academic books to explain special words or jargon readers wouldn’t understand.
- An Abstract: An abstract is a short summary of your completed research. It is intended to describe your work without going into great detail. Abstracts should be self-contained and concise, explaining your work as briefly and clearly as possible. Different disciplines call for slightly different approaches to abstracts, as will be illustrated by the examples below, so it would be wise to study some abstracts from your own field before you begin to write one.
- A Postscript: A postscript is text added at the end of a book or other document. Your textbook is so long that by the time you finish it, you’re too exhausted to read the postscript. Postscript comes from the Latin word postscribere, with post meaning after and scribere meaning to write.
CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 5 Pappachi’s Moth Extract-Based Questions
Answer the following extract- based questions.
A.
Mammachi had started making pickles commercially soon after Pappachi retired from government service in Delhi and came to live in Ayemenem. The Kottayam Bible Society was having a fair and asked Mammachi to make some of her famous banana jam and tender mango pickle. It sold quickly, and Mammachi found that she had more orders than she could cope with. Thrilled with her success, she decided to persist with the pickles and jam, and soon found herself busy all year round. Pappachi, for his part, was having trouble coping with the ignominy of retirement. He was seventeen years older than Mammachi and realised with a shock that he was an old man when his wife was still in her prime.
Q1. What prompted Mammachi to begin making pickles and jams commercially?
Ans. Mammachi started making pickles commercially after the Kottayam Bible Society requested her famous banana jam and tender mango pickle for a fair. Their quick sale and the subsequent high demand encouraged her to continue the business.
Q2. How did Pappachi react to his retirement and Mammachi’s newfound success?
Ans. Pappachi struggled with the “ignominy of retirement.” He was seventeen years older than Mammachi and was shocked to realize he was aging while his wife was still energetic and successful in her new venture.
Q3. What were the first two items Mammachi made for commercial sale?
Ans. The first two items Mammachi made for commercial sale were her famous banana jam and tender mango pickle.
Q4. Where was Pappachi stationed before retirement?
Ans. Pappachi had retired from government service in Delhi.
Q5 What was the outcome of Mammachi’s initial participation in the Kottayam Bible Society fair?
Ans. Mammachi’s participation in the fair was a significant success. Her banana jam and tender mango pickle sold quickly, leading to more orders than she could initially handle and ultimately inspiring her to start her commercial pickle and jam business.
B.
Though Mammachi had conical corneas and was already practically blind, Pappachi would not help her with the pickle-making, because he did not consider pickle-making a suitable job for a high-ranking ex-government official. He had always been a jealous man so he greatly resented the attention his wife was suddenly getting. He slouched around the compound in his immaculately tailored suits, weaving sullen circles around mounds of red chillies and freshly powdered yellow turmeric, watching Mammachi supervise the buying, the weighing, the salting and drying, of limes and tender mangoes. Every night he beat her with a brass flower vase. The beatings weren’t new. What was new was only the frequency with which they took place. One night Pappachi broke the bow of Mammachi’s violin and threw it in the river.
Q1. Despite Mammachi’s near blindness due to conical corneas, why didn’t Pappachi assist her with her pickle-making business?
Ans. Pappachi refused to help Mammachi with pickle-making because he considered it beneath his dignity as a “high-ranking ex-government official.” He did not believe it was a suitable occupation for someone of his former status.
Q2. What was the underlying reason for Pappachi’s resentment towards Mammachi’s pickle business?
Ans. Pappachi had always been a jealous man and he greatly resented the sudden attention and success that Mammachi was experiencing with her pickle-making venture.
Q3. How did Pappachi physically manifest his displeasure and resentment around the pickle-making activities?
Ans. Pappachi would “slouch around the compound in his immaculately tailored suits, weaving sullen circles around mounds of red chillies and freshly powdered yellow turmeric,” while watching Mammachi supervise the various stages of pickle production.
Q4. What form of violence did Pappachi inflict upon Mammachi, and was this a new occurrence?
Ans. Every night, Pappachi beat Mammachi with a brass flower vase. The beatings themselves were not new, but their frequency had increased since Mammachi’s business began to thrive.
Q5. What specific act of destruction did Pappachi commit against Mammachi’s possessions in a fit of anger?
Ans. One night, Pappachi broke the bow of Mammachi’s violin and threw it in the river. This act highlights his spite and desire to hurt her in a personal way.
C.
Then Chacko came home for a summer vacation from Oxford. He had grown to be a big man and was, in those days, strong from rowing for Balliol. A week after he arrived he found Pappachi beating Mammachi in the study. Chacko strode into the room, caught Pappachi’s vase-hand and twisted it around his back.
‘I never want this to happen again,’ he told his father, ‘Ever.’
For the rest of that day Pappachi sat in the verandah and stared stonily out at the ornamental garden, ignoring the plates of food that Kochu Maria brought him. Late at night he went into his study and brought out his favourite mahogany rocking chair. He put it down in the middle of the driveway and smashed it into little bits with a plumber’s monkey wrench. He left it there in the moonlight, a heap of varnished wicker and splintered wood. He never touched Mammachi again. But he never spoke to her either as long as he lived. When he needed anything he used Kochu Maria or Baby Kochamma as intermediaries.
Q1. What event prompted Chacko to intervene in his parents’ relationship?
Ans. Chacko intervened when he witnessed Pappachi beating Mammachi in the study, a week after Chacko had returned home for his summer vacation from Oxford.
Q2. How did Chacko physically stop Pappachi’s violence?
Ans. Chacko strode into the room, caught Pappachi’s vase-hand and twisted it around his back, effectively stopping him from continuing to beat Mammachi.
Q3. What was Pappachi’s immediate reaction to Chacko’s intervention?
Ans. For the rest of that day, Pappachi sat in the verandah, staring stonily at the garden and refusing to eat the food Kochu Maria brought him.
Q4. How did Pappachi express his anger and resentment later that night?
Ans. Late that night, Pappachi took his favorite mahogany rocking chair, placed it in the middle of the driveway, and smashed it into pieces with a plumber’s monkey wrench, leaving the remains in the moonlight.
Q5. What was the long-term impact of Chacko’s intervention on Pappachi’s behavior towards Mammachi?
Ans. As a direct result of Chacko’s intervention, Pappachi never physically touched Mammachi again for the rest of his life. However, he also never spoke to her directly, instead using Kochu Maria or Baby Kochamma as intermediaries for any needs or communication.
D.
In the evenings, when he knew visitors were expected, he would sit on the verandah and sew buttons that weren’t missing onto his shirts, to create the impression that Mammachi neglected him. To some small degree he did succeed in further corroding Ayemenem’s view of working wives.
He bought the skyblue Plymouth from an old Englishman in Munnar. He became a familiar sight in Ayemenem, coasting importantly down the narrow road in his wide car, looking outwardly elegant but sweating freely inside his woollen suits. He wouldn’t allow Mammachi or anyone else in the family to use it, or even to sit in it. The Plymouth was Pappachi’s revenge.
Pappachi had been an Imperial Entomologist at the Pusa Institute. After Independence, when the British left, his designation was changed from Imperial Entomologist to Joint Director, Entomology. The year he retired, he had risen to a rank equivalent to Director.
Q1. What deceptive act did Pappachi engage in during the evenings when visitors were expected?
Ans. In the evenings, anticipating visitors, Pappachi would sew buttons onto his shirts even if they weren’t missing. His intention was to give the impression that Mammachi neglected him.
Q2. What was the significance of the skyblue Plymouth that Pappachi bought?
Ans. The skyblue Plymouth, bought from an old Englishman, became a symbol of Pappachi’s “revenge.” He wouldn’t allow Mammachi or any other family member to use or even sit in it, asserting his control and perhaps trying to diminish Mammachi’s growing independence.
Q3 What was Pappachi’s profession before Indian Independence, and where did he work?
Ans. Before Indian Independence, Pappachi was an Imperial Entomologist at the Pusa Institute.
Q4. How did Pappachi’s professional designation change after India gained independence?
Ans. After the British left, Pappachi’s designation was changed from Imperial Entomologist to Joint Director, Entomology. He eventually rose to a rank equivalent to Director by the time he retired.
Q5. What impression did Pappachi try to create regarding working wives, and was he successful?
Ans. Pappachi attempted to further erode Ayemenem’s view of working wives by portraying himself as neglected by Mammachi. The extract suggests he had some limited success (“to some small degree”) in achieving this.
Class 11 Pappachi’s Moth Multiple Choice Questions
1. What was Pappachi’s profession before retirement?
A. Doctor
B. Engineer
C. Imperial Entomologist
D. Lawyer
Ans. C. Imperial Entomologist
2. What significant discovery did Pappachi make?
A. A new species of bird
B. A new cure for a disease
C. A new species of moth
D. A new type of pickle
Ans. C. A new species of moth
3. Who eventually got credit for naming Pappachi’s moth?
A. Mammachi
B. His junior officer
C. His senior professor
D. His son, Chacko
Ans. B. His junior officer
4. What musical instrument did Mammachi play?
A. Flute
B. Piano
C. Sitar
D. Violin
Ans. D. Violin
5. What business did Mammachi successfully run?
A. A clothing store
B. A restaurant
C. Paradise Pickles & Preserves
D. A travel agency
Ans. C. Paradise Pickles & Preserves
6. What object did Pappachi regularly use to beat Mammachi?
A. A belt
B. A cane
C. A brass flower vase
D. A riding crop
Ans. C. A brass flower vase
7. Where did Mammachi briefly study the violin?
A. Berlin
B. London
C. Paris
D. Vienna
Ans. D. Vienna
8. Who was John Ipe’s wife?
A. Ammu
B. Baby Kochamma
C. Mammachi’s mother
D. Sophie Mol’s mother
Ans. C. Mammachi’s mother
9. What did John Ipe consider retirement to be?
A. A blessing
B. A new beginning
C. A dishonour
D. A time for relaxation
. C. A dishonourAns
10. What kind of car did Pappachi buy?
A. Ambassador
B. Ford
C. Morris Minor
D. Plymouth
Ans. D. Plymouth
11. Who was the first to point out the irony of the moth being named after someone else?
A. Ammu
B. Chacko
C. Mammachi
D. The narrator
Ans. B. Chacko
12. What was the Kottayam Bible Society known to appreciate from Mammachi?
A. Her musical performances
B. Her charitable donations
C. Her pickles
D. Her gardening skills
Ans. C. Her pickles
13. What was the age difference between Pappachi and Mammachi?
A. Five years
B. Ten years
C. Seventeen years
D. Twenty years
Ans. C. Seventeen years
14. What was the primary reason for Pappachi’s bitterness?
A. His financial struggles
B. His lack of recognition for his discovery
C. Mammachi’s success
D. His children’s behavior
Ans. B. His lack of recognition for his discovery
15. How did Mammachi react to Pappachi’s death?
A. She showed no emotion.
B. She celebrated quietly.
C. She cried bitterly.
D. She expressed relief.
Ans. C. She cried bitterly.
16. What did Chacko do when Pappachi behaved irrationally?
A. Ignored him
B. Joined in his anger
C. Spoke to him firmly
D. Left the house
Ans. C. Spoke to him firmly
17. What was the narrator’s perspective on the relationship between Mammachi and Pappachi?
A. Admiring
B. Humorous
C. Disturbing
D. Indifferent
Ans. C. Disturbing
18. What did Pappachi refuse to help Mammachi with?
A. Cooking meals
B. Gardening
C. Her pickle business
D. Looking after the children
Ans. C. Her pickle business
19. What was the name of the moth discovered by Pappachi?
A. It was never officially named after him.
B. Mammachi’s Moth
C. Ipe’s Moth
D. The Imperial Moth
Ans. A. It was never officially named after him.
20. What was John Ipe’s profession before he retired to Kottayam?
A. He was a teacher.
B. He worked in the government.
C. He was a businessman in Rangoon.
D. He was a doctor in Madras.
Ans. C. He was a businessman in Rangoon.
CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 5 – Pappachi’s Moth Extra Question and Answers
Answer the following questions.
Q1. What is the significance of the Pappachi moth in the novel?
Ans. The Pappachi moth, a dull grey moth that Pappachi (Mammachi’s husband and Ammu’s father) discovered, becomes a potent symbol in the novel. It represents his frustrated ambition, his bitterness at not receiving due recognition for his entomological discovery, and the lingering unhappiness that permeates the family. Its persistent presence, often described as ugly and unsettling, mirrors the underlying tensions and unspoken resentments within the Ayemenem household.
Q2. How does Pappachi’s obsession with the moth affect his family?
Ans. Pappachi’s obsession with the moth casts a long shadow over his family. His constant demands for recognition and his simmering resentment create an atmosphere of unease. Mammachi is often subjected to his temper and dismissiveness related to his perceived lack of appreciation for his achievement. Ammu and her brother Chacko witness this dynamic and are affected by the underlying unhappiness. The moth, therefore, becomes a symbol of the emotional distance and dysfunction within the family.
Q3. What was Pappachi’s profession, and how does it relate to his discovery of the moth?
Ans. Pappachi was an imperial entomologist. His profession provided him with the opportunity to discover the moth. However, his frustration stemmed from the fact that while he identified it, a colleague later published a paper on it and the moth was named after this colleague, not Pappachi. This perceived injustice fueled his bitterness and obsession.
Q4. How is the Pappachi moth described in the novel?
Ans. The Pappachi moth is consistently described as a large, ugly, and dull grey moth. Its appearance is often linked to feelings of unease and unpleasantness. For example, it is described as having a “bulbous, dusty body” and “papery wings.” Its lack of beauty contrasts sharply with the vibrant natural world surrounding Ayemenem and reinforces its symbolic representation of negativity.
Q5. Does the Pappachi moth have any connection to the twins, Estha and Rahel?
Ans. While the Pappachi moth predates the twins’ birth, its symbolic weight and the atmosphere of familial tension it represents certainly influence the environment in which they grow up. The moth serves as a constant reminder of the unresolved unhappiness and the legacy of bitterness that hangs over the family, indirectly shaping their experiences and perspectives. They inherit a world already marked by this history.