NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots - A Supplementary Reader Chapter 4

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots - A Supplementary Reader Chapter 4
Last Updated At: 17 Mar 2026
4 min read

NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter Birth – complete answers & explanations 

This blog provides NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter Birth. The chapter is an excerpt from A.J. Cronin’s novel The Citadel and focuses on the experiences of Andrew Manson, a young doctor who has just started his medical career in a small Welsh mining town. The story describes a difficult childbirth case where Andrew faces a tense medical situation and struggles to save both the mother and the child. Through this incident, the chapter highlights the responsibility, dedication, and emotional challenges faced by doctors. These solutions provide complete answers strictly based on the worksheet so that students can clearly understand the questions and prepare effectively for exams. 

What this NCERT chapter covers? 

1. The introduction of Andrew Manson, a young doctor beginning his medical practice in a mining town. 
2. The difficult childbirth case of Joe Morgan’s wife after many years of marriage. 
3. The tension and emotional pressure Andrew experiences during the medical emergency. 
4. The struggle to revive the apparently lifeless newborn baby. 
5. The determination and quick thinking required in real medical situations. 
6. The joy and satisfaction Andrew feels after successfully saving the baby’s life. 

How to use these NCERT solutions? 

1. Students should first read the chapter carefully to understand the medical situation and the sequence of events. 
2. Try answering the worksheet questions independently before referring to the solutions. 
3. Compare your answers with the provided solutions to understand the key ideas of the chapter. 
4. Teachers and parents can guide students by discussing the challenges faced by doctors in real-life situations. 
5. The answers are arranged in the exact order of the worksheet questions for easy reference. 

Important tips & tricks for students 

1. Understand Andrew Manson’s emotions and responsibilities during the childbirth case. 
2. Focus on the medical dilemma he faces between saving the mother and the child. 
3. Write answers clearly and refer to important events in the story. 
4. Keep answers concise and relevant to the question. 
5. Pay attention to the moment when the baby finally begins to breathe and the doctor’s reaction. 

NCERT solutions – complete answer key 

Reading with Insight 


1. “I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does Andrew say this? What does it mean?

Andrew says this because he has successfully saved the life of the newborn baby after intense effort. The child was born lifeless, and Andrew worked desperately to revive it using special methods of respiration. When the baby finally began to breathe and cry, Andrew felt a deep sense of achievement. His words express the satisfaction of performing meaningful work as a doctor and saving a human life.

2. There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practising physician. Discuss. 

The chapter shows that practical medical situations are often very different from what is described in textbooks. In real life, doctors must make quick decisions under pressure and deal with unexpected complications. Andrew had to act immediately when the baby was born lifeless and could not rely only on theory. His experience demonstrates that practical skill, presence of mind, and determination are essential for a practising physician. 

3. Do you know of any incident when someone has been brought back to life from the brink of death through medical help. Discuss medical procedures such as organ transplant and organ regeneration that are used to save human life. 

Answers may vary. 

Why NCERT solutions help students? 

NCERT solutions help students understand the key events and themes of the chapter clearly. These answers follow the NCERT pattern and help students prepare effectively for exam questions. Practising these solutions improves writing skills, strengthens concept clarity, and builds confidence for examinations.