Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 3 – The Rocking-horse Winner Important Question Answers from Woven Words Book
Class 11 English (Elective) The Rocking-horse Winner Important Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Short Stories Chapter 3 – The Rocking-horse Winner? 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 3 – The Rocking-horse Winner 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.
- The Rocking-horse Winner NCERT Solutions
- The Rocking-horse Winner Grammar Exercise
- The Rocking-horse Winner Extract Based Questions
- The Rocking-horse Winner Multiple Choice Questions
- The Rocking-horse Winner Extra Question Answers
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The Rocking-horse Winner Textbook Questions (NCERT Solutions)
Look for these expressions in the story and guess the meaning from the context
- turned to dust
- careered
- sequin
- overwrought
- reiterated
- brazening it out
Ans.
- turned to dust: to be reduced to nothing, to lose all value or significance, or to be completely destroyed
- careered: Moved swiftly and in an uncontrolled way in a specified direction.
- sequin: Small, shiny, often disc-shaped ornaments sewn onto clothing for decoration.
- overwrought: In a state of nervous excitement or anxiety.
- reiterated: Said something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity.
- brazening it out: To face a difficult or embarrassing situation with bold confidence or defiance, often when one is in the wrong or knows they are lying. It implies a shameless or impudent way of carrying oneself.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. What was the reason for young Paul’s restlessness at the beginning of the story? How did it find expression?
Ans. At the start of the story, young Paul felt restless because he sensed a deep anxiety about money in his seemingly well-off home. He noticed his mother was unhappy and believed their financial problems were due to his father’s “lack of luck.” This made Paul feel uneasy, as he wanted to understand and help relieve his mother’s worries and the household’s constant need for “more money.” To cope with this stress, he focused his energy on riding his rocking horse. He would jump on it with determination, imagining that by riding wildly, he could find the “luck” his mother wanted and learn the names of winning racehorses. This frantic riding became his only way to deal with the heavy emotions he carried.
2. Why do you think Paul’s mother was not satisfied with the yearly birthday gift of 1,000 pounds for five years?
Ans. Paul’s mother was unhappy with the yearly gift of 1,000 pounds for five years because her feelings ran deeper than just money. She believed she deserved a better and more luxurious life. This deep dissatisfaction meant that even a large gift, given over time, could not fix her feelings of being unlucky and deprived. Additionally, the house seemed to whisper for “more money,” creating constant pressure. No set amount ever felt enough to calm her anxieties and desires. She wanted a quick and big change in their financial situation, not a slow improvement.
3. What was the reason for the anxiety of Paul’s mother as he grew older?
Ans. Paul’s mother was anxious as he grew older for several reasons. First, she noticed his strange behavior with the rocking horse. His frantic riding and vacant stare made her uneasy, showing he might be too obsessed. Second, she saw how deeply he got into horse racing and betting. Since she had seen how gambling harmed her own family, she worried he would follow the same path. She even tried to make him promise to stop thinking about it. Lastly, even though they received anonymous gifts of money, the anxiety and unsettling “whispers” in the house continued. This suggested that their problems went beyond just having a lack of money. This ongoing worry likely added to her overall concern about Paul’s well-being and his unusual ways of trying to fix their financial issues.
4. Paul’s final bet made the family rich but cost him his life. Explain.
Ans. Paul’s last effort to find the winning horse for the Derby, Malabar, brought his family a big financial gain. Driven by his strong obsession and almost delusional belief, he predicted the winner at high odds, earning over eighty thousand pounds. This “luck” seemed to ease the family’s money problems and could have silenced the constant “whispering” in the house. However, this final attempt came at a terrible personal cost. Paul worked himself physically and mentally to the point of exhaustion during his rocking horse ritual. His desperate need to find out the winner pushed his fragile health too far. The intense riding, focus, and emotional stress he faced led to his collapse and death from brain fever. So, while his last bet brought financial success to the family, it also caused his death. This highlights the tragic irony of his situation: he gained money, but at the cost of his life, making that gain meaningless for him.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups
1. ‘Luck is necessary for success in life’.
Ans. In D.H. Lawrence’s “The Rocking-horse Winner,” the idea that “luck is necessary for success in life” is explored tragically. The story shows luck as something real and almost magical that the family believes they need to escape their money problems. Paul’s mother says that his father’s “lack of luck” is the reason they are poor, which leads young Paul to think that having luck is key to being successful. Paul believes this and goes on a strange quest to find luck through his unusual ritual with the rocking horse. He thinks his ability to predict winning horse races means he is “lucky,” and that this luck will bring his family the money they want and, most importantly, his mother’s love. In a twisted way, Paul does achieve a kind of “success” by predicting winners and making money for his family. However, this success does not come from skill or hard work but is instead based on a strange intuition fueled by obsession. The story’s tragedy comes from the heavy cost of Paul’s search for luck. His frantic efforts to find winning names lead to his physical and mental breakdown, ultimately costing him his life. This shows that relying only on the idea of “luck” for success can be dangerous and harmful. While chance can affect life outcomes, the story suggests that focusing too much on “luck” can lead to irrational actions and neglect of healthier ways to achieve happiness. Additionally, the story criticizes how adults often see success only in financial terms and attribute it to “luck” instead of deeper factors like emotional satisfaction and genuine relationships. Even with more money, Paul’s mother remains unhappy, showing that true success is not just about making money. In conclusion, “The Rocking-horse Winner” uses Paul’s tragic story to question how important “luck” really is for success. While luck seems to bring the family money, it does so at a terrible personal cost. This suggests that a life focused only on chasing luck is not sustainable and can be deadly. The story implies that true success might come from more meaningful and fulfilling parts of life, instead of chasing the unpredictable fortune called “luck.”
2. Although Paul’s mother liked to be rich she did not approve of betting on horses.
Ans. Paul’s mother has a complicated view of wealth and how to acquire it, especially through horse betting. She wants to be rich and often complains about their lack of money, but she also disapproves of gambling. This disapproval likely comes from social beliefs, moral values, and possibly a negative experience with gambling in her family. On one hand, her worries and the “whispering” of the house show her desire for wealth and the status it brings. She secretly tries to earn more money and is never satisfied with what they have, revealing her deep wish for a richer life. This desire for money drives Paul to take desperate actions. However, when Paul shows he can pick winners, she does not react positively. Instead, she worries and says, “I think you care too much about these races. It’s a bad sign. My family had been a gambling family and you won’t know till you grow up how much damage it has done.” This indicates her clear disapproval of gambling as a way to become wealthy. She likely understands the harm and addiction that can come from it and sees it as a “bad sign.” She worries about its negative effects, suggesting she morally objects to it as something for Paul to pursue, even as a young boy. This conflict creates tension in the story. Her wish for wealth pushes Paul towards betting, but her moral beliefs mean she doesn’t realize where the money comes from. If she knew, she would likely be very upset about his actions. While she worries about Paul, her focus on money overshadows her concern for his safety, showing she views betting as a risky choice. This contrasts sharply with her wish for financial security that he provides, though she doesn’t know it. Paul’s mother has a mixed view. She clearly wants wealth, which drives the story’s conflict. However, her disapproval of betting comes from her moral beliefs and family history. This irony highlights the tragic results of Paul’s secret actions. She desires the result (wealth) but would probably condemn the way (gambling) if she knew, showing a conflict between her wish for money and her moral concerns.
3. What were the voices that Paul heard? Did they lead him to success in the real sense?
Ans. Paul’s “voices” were not real sounds he heard. Instead, they were a strong metaphor for the anxiety and ongoing need for money that filled his home. These voices represented the emotional stress caused by his parents’ financial struggles and his mother’s unhappiness. This constant pressure took root in Paul’s young mind, showing up as a nagging reminder of what the family lacked and the need for more money. These “voices” did lead Paul to some financial success, but not in a healthy way. To quiet these voices and gain his mother’s love by meeting this need for money, Paul developed an obsession with his rocking horse. His intense focus made him think he could predict winning racehorses, which brought in money for the family. However, this success was flawed and tragic. It was built on a false belief, as a child tried to handle adult worries. Paul’s chasing of these “lucky” insights exhausted him physically and mentally, ultimately leading to his death. The money he won was significant, but it came at the cost of his health and life. So, while the “voices” led Paul to win money, they did not bring him real success. True success means being well, having healthy relationships, and leading a balanced life. Paul’s story shows how obsession can be destructive and how a child can suffer under adult pressures. The only way to silence the “voices” was through his death, highlighting the false promise of wealth as a solution to deeper emotional problems.
APPRECIATION
1. Examine the communication channels in the story between
a. Paul and his mother
b. Paul and Bassett
c. Paul and his uncle
d. Bassett and Paul’s uncle
e. Paul’s mother and his uncle.
Ans.
a. Paul and his mother: Paul and his mother do not communicate well. Their conversations are emotional and lack real understanding. Paul mainly expresses himself through his actions, like rocking back and forth and trying to give her money. He has trouble sharing his feelings and thoughts directly. When he does talk, it’s often because she asks or he wants to discuss his “luck.” His mother is focused on her own worries and doesn’t really listen to why Paul behaves this way. Their talks are usually short and shallow, missing a deeper emotional connection. She worries about his health and his racing obsession but doesn’t ask about the reasons behind it. Paul keeps his secret about the rocking horse, which creates a barrier in their communication. The main topic they discuss is “luck,” which they each understand differently.
b. Paul and Bassett: Paul and Bassett communicate with trust and a shared understanding. Bassett is one of the few adults who takes Paul seriously. Their talks centre around horse racing and Paul’s predictions. Paul tells Bassett which horses he thinks will win, and Bassett places bets based on this information. Bassett respects Paul and acknowledges his unusual ability. Paul, in turn, trusts Bassett to manage their finances. Their discussions are straightforward, focusing on practical betting matters, with Bassett often asking for clarification from Paul. They work together toward the common goal of winning.
c. Paul and his uncle: Paul and his uncle, Oscar Cresswell, initially have light and curious conversations that later become more serious but still somewhat distant. Uncle Oscar finds Paul’s predictions interesting and engages with him playfully about horse racing. As Paul’s predictions start to come true, their talks become more focused on betting strategies and managing winnings. Oscar participates in the betting but stays slightly sceptical and sometimes worries about Paul’s well-being. Paul involves his uncle in the betting and trusts him with the money. Their communication is direct, focusing on questions and answers about betting, but Paul keeps the full truth of his “knowing” from Oscar.
d. Bassett and Paul’s uncle: Bassett and Uncle Oscar communicate in a straightforward and business-like way, focusing on Paul’s betting activities. Bassett acts as a go-between, sharing Paul’s predictions and the winnings with Oscar. He speaks to Oscar respectfully and explains what Paul does. Oscar asks Bassett for information to better understand the situation and handle the money. Their talks are direct and centred on the practical aspects of betting, lacking the personal connection that Bassett has with Paul or the family bond Oscar shares with his nephew.
e. Paul’s mother and his uncle: Paul’s mother and uncle communicate with a mix of family concern and indirectness about the money source. Uncle Oscar knows about his sister’s financial worries and, at Paul’s suggestion, helps organize anonymous birthday gifts. Their direct discussions about money are limited to Oscar explaining this arrangement and her asking later about receiving the full amount at once. While there is concern for Hester’s well-being, Uncle Oscar does not share the true source of the money with her. Their communication highlights the secrecy of Paul’s activities and the adults’ efforts to manage the situation without fully revealing the truth to Paul’s mother.
2. How has the author linked the symbol of the rocking-horse to Paul’s triumphs at the races?
Ans. The author connects the symbol of the rocking-horse to Paul’s success at the races by making it the only way he believes he can find “luck” and predict which horses will win.
From a young age, Paul links the rocking-horse to a frenzied, almost trance-like feeling. He thinks that if he rides it intensely enough, the name of the winning horse will be revealed to him. This act turns the simple toy into a means for his desperate search for money and his mother’s love. The author highlights this connection by describing how intensely Paul rides the horse and how wild his eyes become. After these intense rides, he makes predictions about winning horses, showing a direct link in his mind (and seemingly, in the story) between his riding and his predictions. Paul also clearly states his dependence on the rocking-horse: “if I can ride my horse, and get there, then I’m absolutely sure.” This shows the toy’s importance as the key to his “knowing.” His wins at the races result not from careful analysis but from his frenzied connection with the rocking-horse, emphasizing the strange and almost supernatural quality of his ability. The rocking-horse symbolizes his obsession and becomes the source of his unusual and tragic “luck.”
3. The ending of the story is an instance of irony. Suppose Paul had not died at the end, how would you have reacted to the story?
Ans. The ending of “The Rocking-horse Winner” is very ironic. Paul tries desperately to stop the “whispering” and win his mother’s love by giving her money. He succeeds in making money, but it costs him his life. If Paul had not died at the end, my thoughts about the story would have been mixed. I would still feel uneasy and see it as a tragic situation, even if there was a hint of hope. While the family’s financial struggles would have eased, the deeper emotional problems would likely remain. His mother’s unhappiness and the unhealthy family dynamic—where love depends on money—would still be there. Paul, despite his “gift,” would still be a troubled child. His intense desire for luck would have lasting effects on him. The story criticizes materialism and emotional neglect, and those themes would still be strong. Without death at the end, there might be a slight chance for healing or for Paul to realize the real cost of his successes. But without real emotional support and a change in the family’s values, the ending would probably just feel like a temporary fix rather than a true solution.
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The Rocking-Horse Winner Grammar Exercises
LANGUAGE WORK ____________________________________________
1. ‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush’.
a. Explain the above statement in the literal sense.
Ans. Literally, the proverb “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” means that it is better to hold onto something you already possess and are certain of, even if it seems less valuable, than to risk losing it by trying to obtain something that is more appealing but uncertain or difficult to acquire. It emphasizes the value of security and the potential for loss when pursuing something that is not guaranteed. You have one bird you can see and touch versus the possibility of getting two birds that you may never catch.
b. Explain it in the context in which it is mentioned in the story.
Ans. This proverb is spoken by Uncle Oscar in response to Paul’s eagerness for his mother to receive the full five thousand pounds at once. Paul believes that if they let his mother have the entire sum, they can easily win more money through his ability to predict future races. “A bird in hand” represents the guaranteed five thousand pounds that Paul’s mother has just received (or the steady instalments she was initially meant to get). It’s a tangible, certain amount. “Two in the bush” represents the potentially larger sums of money Paul believes he can win in the future by betting on more races (like the Grand National, Lincolnshire, or Derby). These are uncertain gains, dependent on his “knowing” the winners.
Uncle Oscar, being more grounded in reality and perhaps a bit cynical, uses the proverb to caution against relying on future, uncertain gains. He suggests it’s wiser to appreciate and secure the money they already have rather than risking it in pursuit of potentially greater but ultimately uncertain winnings. He implies that Paul’s “luck” is not a sure thing.
c. Is there a corresponding proverb in your own language?
Ans. Yes, in Hindi, a corresponding proverb is “नौ नगद न तेरह उधार” (nau nagad na terah udhaar) The proverb literally means that it’s better to have nine rupees in hand right now than the promise of thirteen rupees later (which might not materialize). It carries the same meaning as “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” emphasizing the value of a smaller but certain gain over a potentially larger but uncertain future gain.
2. Explain the following phrases
- Sure as eggs
- Spinning yarns
- Turned to dust
Use them in sentences of your own.
Ans. Sure as eggs: Absolutely certain; without a doubt; as reliable or predictable as the fact that hens lay eggs. It emphasizes a high degree of confidence or inevitability.
Sentence:
- He’ll be late for the meeting, sure as eggs.
- With that much evidence, the jury’s verdict is sure as eggs.
Spinning yarns: Telling long, often exaggerated or imaginative stories. It implies a sense of informal, entertaining storytelling, sometimes with a touch of embellishment or fabrication.
Sentence:
- Grandpa would sit by the fire, spinning yarns about his adventures at sea.
- Don’t believe everything he says; he’s always spinning yarns.
Turned to dust: Became worthless, ruined, or came to nothing; the initial promise or hope vanished or failed completely. It suggests a sense of disappointment, decay, or the shattering of expectations.
Sentence:
- Their dreams of opening a restaurant turned to dust after the financial crisis.
- All the effort they put into the project turned to dust when the funding was withdrawn.
3. Given below is the dictionary meaning of
Smirk : to smile in a silly or unpleasant way that shows that you are pleased with yourself.
Look up the dictionary for the following words which are also related to facial expressions and write down the meaning of each
| smile | grin | grimace | sneer |
Ans.
Smile: A facial expression indicating happiness, amusement, or pleasure, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth sometimes showing.
Grin: To smile broadly, especially in an enthusiastic, pleased, or slightly mischievous way. It often shows more teeth than a regular smile.
Grimace: An ugly, twisted expression on a person’s face, typically expressing disgust, pain, or wry amusement. It involves contorting the facial muscles in an unattractive way.
Sneer: To smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking way. It often involves raising one corner of the upper lip and wrinkling the nose, expressing disdain or disrespect.
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CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 3 The Rocking-Horse Winner Extract-Based Questions
Answer the following extract-based question.
A.
‘Paul,’ she cried. ‘Whatever are you doing?’
‘It’s Malabar!’ he screamed in a powerful, strange voice. It’s Malabar!’
His eyes blazed at her for one strange and senseless second, as he ceased urging his wooden horse. Then he fell with a crash to the ground and she, all her tormented motherhood flooding upon her, rushed to gather him up.
But he was unconscious, and unconscious he remained, with some brain-fever. He talked and tossed, and his mother sat stonily by his side.
‘Malabar! It’s Malabar! Bassett! Bassett, I know! It’s Malabar!’
So the child cried, trying to get up and urge the rockinghorse that gave him his inspiration.
‘What does he mean by Malabar?’ asked the heartfrozen mother. ‘I don’t know,’ said the father stonily.
‘What does he mean by Malabar?’ she asked her brother Oscar.
‘It’s one of the horses running for the Derby,’ was the answer.
And, in spite of himself, Oscar Cresswell spoke to Bassett, and himself put a thousand on Malabar: at fourteen to one.
The third day of the illness was critical: they were waiting for a change. The boy, with his rather long, curly hair, was tossing ceaselessly on the pillow. He neither slept nor regained consciousness, and his eyes were like blue stones. His mother sat, feeling her heart had gone, turned actually into a stone.
Q1. What did Paul shout when his mother asked what he was doing?
Ans. Paul shouted, “It’s Malabar! It’s Malabar!”
Q2. What happened to Paul immediately after he stopped riding his rocking horse in this scene?
Ans. Paul fell with a crash to the ground and became unconscious.
Q3. What illness did Paul have while he remained unconscious?
Ans. Paul had brain-fever while he remained unconscious.
Q4. What did Paul keep repeating in his unconscious state?
Ans. Paul kept repeating, “Malabar! It’s Malabar! Bassett! Bassett, I know! It’s Malabar!”
Q5. What did Uncle Oscar say Malabar was?
Ans. Uncle Oscar said Malabar was one of the horses running for the Derby.
B.
Everybody else said of her: ‘She is such a good mother. She adores her children.’ Only she herself, and her children themselves, knew it was not so. They read it in each other’s eyes.
There were a boy and two little girls. They lived in a pleasant house, with a garden, and they had discreet servants, and felt themselves superior to anyone in the neighbourhood.
Although they lived in style, they felt always an anxiety in the house. There was never enough money.
The mother had a small income and the father had a small income but not nearly enough for the social position which they had to keep up. The father went into town to some office. But though he had good prospects, these prospects never materialised. There was always the grinding sense of the shortage of money though the style was always kept up.
Q1. What did other people think of the mother’s relationship with her children?
Ans. Other people thought she was a good mother and adored her children.
Q2. Who knew that the mother did not truly love her children?
Ans. The mother herself and her children knew she did not truly love them.
Q3. How did the children and the mother understand the truth about their relationship?
Ans. They understood the truth by reading it in each other’s eyes.
Q4. What was the underlying feeling that was always present in the family’s house, despite their lifestyle?
Ans. Despite living in style, there was always anxiety in the house because there was never enough money.
Q5. What was the financial situation of the parents in relation to their social standing?
Ans. The mother and father had small incomes that were not nearly enough to maintain the social position they felt they had to uphold.
C.
‘Mother,’ said the boy Paul one day, ‘why don’t we keep a car of our own? Why do we always use uncle’s, or else a taxi?’
‘Because we’re the poor members of the family,’ said the mother.
‘But why are we, mother?’
‘Well—I suppose,’ she said slowly and bitterly, ‘it’s because your father has no luck.’
The boy was silent for some time.
‘Is luck money, mother?’ he asked, rather timidly.
‘No, Paul, not quite. It’s what causes you to have money.’
‘Oh!’, said Paul vaguely. ‘I thought when Uncle Oscar said filthy lucre, it meant money.’
‘Filthy lucre does mean money,’ said the mother. ‘But it’s lucre, not luck.’
‘Oh,’ said the boy. ‘Then what is luck, mother?’
‘It’s what causes you to have money. If you’re lucky you have money. That’s why it’s better to be born lucky than rich. If you’re rich, you may lose your money. But if you’re lucky, you will always get more money.’
‘Oh! Will you? And is father not lucky?’
‘Very unlucky, I should say,’ she said bitterly.
The boy watched her with unsure eyes.
‘Why?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. Nobody ever knows why one person is lucky and another unlucky.’
‘Do they? Nobody at all? Does nobody know?’
Q1. What does Paul ask his mother about at the beginning of the conversation?
Ans. Paul asks his mother why they don’t own their own car and always have to use their uncle’s or a taxi.
Q2. According to his mother, why are they the “poor members of the family”?
Ans. According to his mother, they are poor because Paul’s father has no luck.
Q3. What does Paul initially think the word “luck” means?
Ans. Paul initially asks if luck is the same as money.
Q4. How does Paul’s mother explain the difference between “luck” and “filthy lucre”?
Ans. Paul’s mother explains that “filthy lucre” means money, but “luck” is what causes someone to have money.
Q5. What does Paul’s mother say about his father’s luck?
Ans. Paul’s mother says that his father is very unlucky.
D.
‘I never told you, mother, that if I can ride my horse, and get there, then I’m absolutely sure—oh, absolutely mother, did I ever tell you? I am lucky!’
‘No, you never did,’ said his mother.
But the boy died in the night.
And even as he lay dead, his mother heard her brother’s voice saying to her: ‘My God, Hester, you’re eighty-odd thousand to the good, and a poor devil of a son to the bad. But, poor devil, poor devil, he’s best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner.’
Q1. What does Paul say he had never told his mother before?
Ans. Paul says he had never told his mother that if he can ride his horse and “get there,” then he is absolutely sure and lucky.
Q2. What is his mother’s response to Paul’s statement about being lucky?
Ans. His mother simply replies, “No, you never did.”
Q3. What happens to the boy after this exchange with his mother?
Ans. The boy died in the night after this exchange with his mother.
Q4. Whose voice does the mother hear even as her son lies dead?
Ans. The mother hears her brother’s voice.
Q5. According to the voice, what did the boy do in his life to try and find a winner?
Ans. According to the voice, the boy rode his rocking-horse to try and find a winner.
Class 11 The Rocking-horse Winner Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the pervasive, unspoken anxiety within Paul’s household?
A. Fear of illness
B. Social isolation
C. Lack of money
D. Marital discord
Ans. C. Lack of money
2. What does Paul’s mother believe is the reason for their financial struggles?
A. Her own bad luck
B. The economic climate
C. Their extravagant spending
D. Her husband’s lack of luck
Ans. D. Her husband’s lack of luck
3. What object does Paul use in his attempt to discover lucky racehorses?
A. A crystal ball
B. A deck of cards
C. A rocking horse
D. A dream journal
Ans. C. A rocking horse
4. Who is the young gardener who becomes Paul’s confidant and betting partner?
A. Joe Gleen
B. Bassett
C. Uncle Oscar
D. Miss Wilmot
Ans. B. Bassett
5. What is the name of the first horse Paul confidently predicts will win the Lincoln race?
A. Mirza
B. Lancelot
C. Daffodil
D. Malabar
Ans. C. Daffodil
6. Who is the wealthy relative who becomes involved in Paul’s betting activities?
A. Paul’s father
B. Paul’s grandfather
C. Joe Gleen
D. Uncle Oscar
Ans. D. Uncle Oscar
7. How does Paul initially arrange for his winnings to reach his mother?
A. He gives her cash directly.
B. He deposits it in her bank account.
C. Uncle Oscar gives it to her as anonymous birthday gifts.
D. Bassett buys her expensive presents.
Ans. C. Uncle Oscar gives it to her as anonymous birthday gifts.
8. What happens to the “whispering” in the house after Paul’s mother receives the initial winnings?
A. It intensifies and becomes more frantic.
B. It becomes softer and less frequent.
C. It stops completely.
D. It focuses on other anxieties.
Ans. A. It intensifies and becomes more frantic.
9. What horse does Paul become fixated on before the Derby race?
A. Daffodil
B. Lively Spark
C. Sansovino
D. Malabar
Ans. D. Malabar
10. What does Paul’s mother do the night before the Derby that shows her sudden anxiety?
A. She has a premonition in a dream.
B. She impulsively calls home from a party.
C. She argues with her husband about Paul.
D. She checks on Paul repeatedly throughout the night.
Ans. B. She impulsively calls home from a party.
11. What does Paul shout as he is violently riding his rocking horse before his collapse?
A. “I’ve won!”
B. “More money!”
C. “It’s Malabar!”
D. “I’m lucky!”
Ans. C. “It’s Malabar!”
12. What is the immediate medical condition Paul suffers after his final rocking horse ride?
A. A broken leg
B. A severe headache
C. A heart attack
D. Unconsciousness and brain fever
Ans. D. Unconsciousness and brain fever
13. What is the outcome of the Derby race involving the horse Paul was fixated on?
A. It loses badly.
B. It wins at long odds.
C. It comes in second place.
D. It doesn’t finish the race.
Ans. B. It wins at long odds.
14. Who brings Paul the news of the winning horse and the amount of money won?
A. Uncle Oscar
B. Paul’s father
C. Bassett
D. Miss Wilmot
Ans. C. Bassett
15. What is the approximate amount of money Paul believes he has won in total?
A. A few hundred pounds
B. A few thousand pounds
C. A million pounds
D. Over eighty thousand pounds
Ans. D. Over eighty thousand pounds
16. What is Paul’s primary motivation for his obsession with finding lucky horses?
A. To become famous
B. To escape his boring life
C. To gain his mother’s love and alleviate her worry
D. To prove his intelligence
Ans. C. To gain his mother’s love and alleviate her worry
17. How does Uncle Oscar react to Paul’s death and the significant winnings?
A. He is devastated and remorseful.
B. He is primarily concerned about the legal implications.
C. He vows to never gamble again.
D. He makes a cynical remark about the financial gain versus the human loss.
Ans. D. He makes a cynical remark about the financial gain versus the human loss.
18. What does Paul’s mother do for work in secret?
A. She sketches furs and dress materials.
B. She writes novels.
C. She teaches piano.
D. She invests in the stock market.
Ans. A. She sketches furs and dress materials.
19. What is the name of the horse Paul is “absolutely sure” about before the Leger race?
A. Malabar
B. Daffodil
C. Lively Spark
D. Sansovino
Ans. C. Lively Spark
20. What does Paul say he started his betting for?
A. To buy himself a real horse
B. To prove he was lucky
C. For his mother
D. To silence the other children
Ans. C. For his mother
CBSE Class 11 English (Elective) Chapter 3 – The Rocking-horse Winner Extra Question and Answers
Answer the following questions.
Q1. What is the primary driving force behind Paul’s obsessive desire to predict winning racehorses?
Ans. The primary driving force is Paul’s deep-seated need to gain his emotionally distant mother’s love and alleviate the pervasive anxiety about the lack of money in their household. He internalizes her belief that “luck” is the key to their financial woes and believes that by providing this “luck” (in the form of winnings), he can finally earn her affection and silence the demanding “whispers” of the house.
Q2. How does the symbol of the rocking horse contribute to the central themes of the story?
Ans. The rocking horse symbolizes Paul’s desperate and ultimately futile attempt to control fate and conjure “luck.” His frantic riding becomes a physical manifestation of his internal turmoil and obsession. It represents the distorted and childlike way he tries to solve adult problems. Furthermore, the increasingly violent nature of his riding foreshadows his physical and mental decline, highlighting the destructive consequences of his pursuit. The fact that it is a toy underscores the immaturity and misguided nature of his quest.
Q3. What does the “whispering” of the house represent, and how does it impact the characters?
Ans. The “whispering” of the house represents the unspoken but constant anxiety and pressure surrounding the lack of money within the family. It acts as a tangible manifestation of their materialistic desires and perceived inadequacy. This relentless, almost sentient demand for “more money” deeply affects the sensitive Paul, driving his obsession. While the other characters may be less overtly affected, the underlying tension created by this “whispering” permeates the household and contributes to the emotionally sterile environment.
Q4. In what ways does the story critique the values and priorities of the adult world?
Ans. The story critiques the adult world’s obsession with material wealth and its often-detrimental impact on emotional well-being, particularly that of children. The mother’s emotional detachment and relentless pursuit of social standing and money, even at the expense of her children’s emotional needs, exemplifies this. Uncle Oscar’s detached involvement in Paul’s betting, primarily motivated by financial gain, further highlights this critique. The story suggests that this materialistic focus can create an emotionally barren environment where genuine connection and love are sacrificed in the pursuit of wealth.
Q5. What is the tragic irony of Paul’s “success” in winning money?
Ans. The tragic irony lies in the fact that Paul achieves the financial success he so desperately sought, winning a significant sum of money, but at the ultimate cost of his health and life. His pursuit of “luck” and his desire to please his mother lead to his physical and mental exhaustion and eventual death. Furthermore, even his financial contribution fails to bring about the emotional fulfillment he craved from his mother, highlighting the emptiness of material gain in the absence of genuine love and connection. His sacrifice underscores the story’s central message about the destructive nature of misplaced priorities and the true, non-monetary value of love and emotional security.