NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Woven Words Short Stories Chapter 6
NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter The Third and Final Continent – complete answers & explanations
The chapter “The Third and Final Continent” from Class 11 English Woven Words tells the story of a man who moves from India to London and then to America in search of a better life. The story focuses on migration, cultural adjustment, loneliness, and the relationships people build in new places. It highlights the narrator’s experiences as he adapts to a new country and interacts with people like Mrs Croft and his wife Mala. This blog provides complete NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Chapter The Third and Final Continent strictly based on the worksheet content so that students can easily understand the answers and prepare effectively for exams.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. The challenges faced by the narrator while living abroad and adjusting to new cultures.
2. The narrator’s life in London and America and the financial struggles he experiences.
3. The personality and character traits of Mrs Croft and her relationship with other characters.
4. Cultural differences between Indian and American lifestyles.
5. The emotional development of relationships between the narrator, Mrs Croft, and Mala.
6. Language usage, vocabulary, and communication differences in different countries.
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. First read the chapter carefully and try to answer the questions on your own.
2. Use these NCERT solutions to check your answers and understand the correct responses.
3. Compare your responses with the worksheet answers to improve clarity and accuracy.
4. Parents and teachers can guide students by discussing the themes and ideas in the chapter.
5. Follow the exact order of questions to make exam preparation easier.
6. Use the answers to revise important concepts and improve writing skills.
Important tips & tricks for students
1. Read the story carefully to understand the narrator’s experiences and emotions.
2. Pay attention to character descriptions and relationships in the story.
3. Notice cultural differences and how the narrator adapts to them.
4. Write answers clearly and based on the text provided in the worksheet.
5. Do not add unnecessary details; focus on the key ideas given in the chapter.
6. Practice explaining themes like migration, adjustment, and cultural differences.
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
Understanding the text
1
The narrator’s financial difficulties in London are shown through several details. He arrived with only ten dollars to his name and lived in a house in Finsbury Park occupied by penniless Bengali bachelors. Three or four of them shared a single room and used a common icy toilet. They cooked simple meals like egg curry and ate with their hands on a table covered with newspapers. They had very few comforts and responsibilities beyond their jobs and studies. Even later, while travelling to America, he bought a cheap guidebook and carefully managed his limited budget. All these details show that he lived a modest and financially strained life.
2
In London, the narrator adjusted by sharing accommodation with other Bengali students, cooking simple meals together, attending lectures at the LSE, and working in the university library to support himself. He maintained his Indian habits, such as eating with his hands and socialising with fellow Bengalis, which gave him comfort in a foreign land.
In Cambridge, U.S.A., he had to adjust more independently. He stayed at the YMCA, ate cornflakes and milk to save money, learned American terms like “elevator” and “busy,” opened a bank account, and managed daily chores on his own. Gradually, he adapted to American culture, traffic rules, food habits, and lifestyle. His regular interaction with Mrs Croft also became part of his adjustment process.
3
Mrs Croft is a 103-year-old woman who is strict, disciplined, proud, and conservative. She insists on punctuality, proper behaviour, and moral conduct. She strongly believes in old-fashioned values and disapproves of modern trends like miniskirts. At the same time, she is patriotic and deeply moved by the fact that there is an American flag on the moon.
Though she appears harsh and commanding, she is dignified and independent. She lives alone and manages her life with determination despite her old age. She also shows kindness in her own way, calling the narrator a “gentleman” and later describing Mala as a “perfect lady.” Beneath her stern exterior, she possesses warmth and strength of character.
4
Mrs Croft and Helen share a caring but slightly strained relationship. Helen visits her mother every Sunday, brings groceries, and looks after household chores. She ensures her mother’s safety and wellbeing. However, there is a generational gap between them. Mrs Croft criticises Helen’s modern dress and behaviour, while Helen gently corrects her mother and manages her stubbornness with patience.
Despite their differences, Helen is devoted to her mother and takes responsibility for her care, showing love and concern.
5
The narrator highlights contrasts through daily habits and cultural practices. In India, marriages are arranged, families live closely connected lives, and traditions like wearing saris and applying vermilion are important. In America, life is independent, fast-paced, and modern. Women dress freely, people live alone even at an advanced age, and food habits differ greatly.
Mala initially finds it difficult to adjust. She does not eat the airplane food because of cultural reasons, keeps her sari modestly draped, and feels lonely in a foreign land. However, gradually she adapts. She learns to manage the household, explores the city with her husband, makes friends, and builds a life in America. Over time, she adjusts successfully and becomes confident and comfortable.
6
Initially, the relationship between Mrs Croft and the narrator is formal and distant. She treats him strictly as a tenant and makes him repeat the word “splendid.” However, over time, their daily interactions create a quiet bond. He begins to care about her safety and respects her dignity and independence.
Mrs Croft also shows appreciation for him, calling him a gentleman and thanking him for his kindness. When he brings Mala to meet her, she warmly declares Mala a “perfect lady.” After her death, the narrator mourns her deeply, showing that she had become an important figure in his life. Their relationship evolves from a landlord-tenant connection to one of mutual respect and affection.
Talking about the text
1
Living abroad is not easy. A person has to adjust to a new country, new people, new food and new language. The narrator felt lonely when he first went to London and later to America. He had little money and had to live carefully. Even small things like buying milk or understanding American words were new for him. Mala also felt lonely in America at first. So, living abroad needs patience and courage.
2
In India, old parents usually live with their children. Family members take care of them and support them emotionally. But in the story, Mrs Croft is 103 years old and lives alone in America. Her daughter visits her, but she does not stay with her. This shows that in Western countries old people are more independent but sometimes alone. Indian families generally give more care and security to the aged.
3
Old people sometimes have strange habits. Mrs Croft keeps talking about the flag on the moon and makes the narrator say “splendid.” At first, it seems funny and odd. But later, the narrator starts liking her and respecting her.
Her habits make her special and memorable. So, the strange habits of old people can be lovable and touching.
Appreciation
1
The author smoothly mixes the narrator’s past with his present life in America. While describing his stay with Mrs Croft, he remembers his mother’s death and his arranged marriage with Mala. These family details come naturally in the story and help us understand his emotions. They make the story deeper and more personal.
2
These lines show that even strangers can form a deep emotional bond. At first, Mrs Croft was only his landlady. But over time, the narrator began to admire her strength, independence and character. When she died, he truly felt her loss. This shows that respect and care can create strong bonds, even without family ties.
3
Mrs Croft’s conversations show that she is proud, old-fashioned and patriotic.
The narrator speaks politely and respectfully, showing his Indian upbringing.
Mala speaks softly and shyly, showing her traditional nature.
Helen speaks practically and represents modern American thinking.
Through their conversations, we understand their different attitudes and beliefs.
4
Mrs Croft repeatedly making the narrator say “splendid” is humorous.
Her strict comments about modern dresses are also funny.
When she proudly says she called the police after breaking her hip, and the narrator replies “Splendid!”, it creates gentle humour. This humour makes the story light and interesting while dealing with serious themes like loneliness and migration.
Language work
1
The phrase suggests that life in America is different from England. The English are seen as calm and relaxed, enjoying traditions like tea. Americans, on the other hand, are shown as fast-paced and ambitious. It shows that American life is quicker and more competitive than English life.
2
The narrator learned the difference from a salesman at Woolworth’s store. The salesman told him that a “thermos” is used to keep tea or coffee hot, while a “flask” in America usually refers to a container used to store alcohol. This helped him understand the American usage of the words.
3
The problem was caused by differences in pronunciation and accent. The narrator was not used to the British accent, so he misheard words. For example, he thought “paper” sounded like “piper.” It took him time to adjust to the new way of speaking.
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions help students understand the chapter clearly and prepare effectively for exams. They provide answers that follow the NCERT pattern and help students learn how to write accurate responses. By practising these solutions, students can build confidence, improve comprehension, and strengthen their writing skills.
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