NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter 6 Poets and Pancakes
This worksheet provides NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Poets and Pancakes from the Flamingo textbook. This chapter presents a humorous and insightful account of life inside Gemini Studios, one of the most famous film studios in India during the early days of the Indian film industry.
This worksheet explains how different departments functioned inside the studio and introduces several interesting personalities such as the make-up artists, the office boy, Kothamangalam Subbu, and the studio owner S. S. Vasan. It also describes a mysterious visit by the English poet Stephen Spender and how it confused the audience at the studio.
The chapter is important for students because it shows how humour, observation, and storytelling can be used to describe real-life experiences. It also highlights the relationship between literature and cinema. This worksheet provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions to help students clearly understand the chapter and its questions.
Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes
The NCERT Chapter Poets and Pancakes describes the author’s experiences while working at Gemini Studios in Madras. The chapter presents a lively picture of the people, departments, and activities inside the studio.
Students learn about the make-up department, the work culture of the studio, and the personalities of people such as the frustrated office boy and the talented Kothamangalam Subbu. The chapter also discusses how the Moral Rearmament Army visited the studio and how an English poet gave a speech that the audience could not understand.
The main themes of the chapter include humour, satire, human behaviour, and the connection between literature and the film industry. The author uses a light and conversational tone to describe misunderstandings, frustrations, and amusing incidents inside the studio.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
• Understanding the working environment of Gemini Studios
• Observing humour and satire in narrative writing
• Learning about personalities in the early Indian film industry
• Understanding the connection between literature and cinema
• Vocabulary development through expressions used in the text
• Understanding narrative transitions and writing style
• Developing creative writing skills through activities
How to use these NCERT solutions?
Students should first read the chapter Poets and Pancakes carefully before looking at the answers. Attempting the questions independently helps students develop better comprehension and confidence.
Parents and teachers can use these NCERT Solutions to guide students while revising the chapter and understanding the characters and events described in the studio.
The answers in this worksheet follow the exact sequence and structure of the NCERT textbook questions. This makes revision easier and helps students prepare effectively for school tests and board examinations.
Student tips & learning tricks
• Pay attention to the different departments described in Gemini Studios.
• Remember the role played by Kothamangalam Subbu and S. S. Vasan.
• Understand how the author uses humour to describe people and situations.
• Focus on the incident involving the English poet Stephen Spender.
• Observe the narrative style and how the author moves from one topic to another.
• Revise the meanings of expressions used in the chapter.
Why NCERT solutions are important?
NCERT Solutions provide reliable and structured explanations that follow the official NCERT curriculum. Since most school examinations and board questions are based on NCERT textbooks, studying these solutions ensures accurate preparation.
These solutions also improve reading comprehension, writing skills, and understanding of literary techniques such as humour and satire. They help students gain confidence while answering questions and analysing the chapter.
Complete answer key – NCERT solutions
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context
Blew over
Meaning: The anger or problem gradually disappeared.
Was struck dumb
Meaning: Became speechless due to shock or surprise.
Catapulted into
Meaning: Suddenly pushed into a new position or situation.
A coat of mail
Meaning: Something that protects a person like armour.
Played into their hands
Meaning: Did something that unknowingly helped someone else.
The favourite haunt
Meaning: A place frequently visited or liked by a person.
Heard a bell ringing
Meaning: Something reminded someone of a familiar memory.
Think as you read (Page 58)
1 The writer refers to the uncomfortable conditions actors faced during make-up. The make-up room had many bright incandescent lights around mirrors which produced intense heat. The actors had to sit under these lights for long periods, making the process very unpleasant.
Think as you read (Page 60)
1 The office boy was frustrated because he believed his literary talents were ignored in the make-up department. He blamed Kothamangalam Subbu for his failure and directed his anger towards him.
2 Subbu’s principal was S. S. Vasan, the owner and head of Gemini Studios.
3 Subbu had many talents such as:
He was a creative writer and poet.
He was an excellent actor.
He could develop ideas for films quickly.
He had great organisational ability and loyalty to his boss.
Think as you read (Page 62)
1 No, the people at Gemini Studios did not have strong political views. Although they wore khadi and admired Gandhiji, they did not have deep understanding of political ideologies.
2 The Moral Rearmament Army was welcomed because it performed plays that impressed the people of Madras. Gemini Studios hosted them warmly and allowed them to stage their productions.
3 Many Tamil plays started copying the stage style of MRA plays, especially scenes showing sunrise and sunset with simple sets and background music.
4 The Boss of Gemini Studios was S. S. Vasan, the founder and owner of the studio.
5 The lack of communication occurred because the audience could not understand the English poet’s accent or ideas. The poet also could not connect with the audience who were unfamiliar with English poetry.
Think as you read (Page 63)
1 The English visitor was Stephen Spender, a famous English poet and editor.
2 The author later visited the British Council Library and saw the magazine The Encounter. When he read the editor’s name, he realised it was Stephen Spender, the same person who had visited Gemini Studios.
3 The God That Failed is a book containing essays by several writers describing their experiences with Communism and their later disillusionment with it.
Understanding the text
1 The author humorously describes the make-up department, the frustrated office boy, and the confusing visit of Stephen Spender. His light-hearted tone highlights human weaknesses and misunderstandings in an entertaining way.
2 Subbu was considered second in command because he was very close to the Boss and played an important role in many creative and organisational activities of the studio.
Talking about the text
1 Today filmmaking uses advanced technology, special effects and digital equipment. In the early days of Gemini Studios, filmmaking relied mainly on basic sets, simple lighting and manual techniques.
2 The author describes it as strange because the audience mainly worked in Tamil cinema and had little interest or understanding of English poetry. Therefore the poet’s speech seemed irrelevant to them.
3 Poetry and films both express emotions and ideas creatively. While poetry uses words and imagination, films use visual storytelling and performance to communicate messages.
4 Humour is often used to criticise social behaviour in a light manner. In this chapter, the author uses humour to highlight misunderstandings, frustrations and human weaknesses.
5 The author clearly had strong literary interests. He enjoyed reading, writing and participating in literary contests, showing his passion for literature despite working in a film studio.
Noticing transitions
Example of transitions in the text:
Make-up Department → Office Boy → Subbu → Story Department → Moral Rearmament Army → English Poet → Stephen Spender
This shows the author’s rambling and conversational style of narration.
Writing
An Interesting Character in My Neighbourhood
In my neighbourhood lives a man named Mr. Sharma, who is famous for knowing everything about everyone. He wakes up earlier than the newspaper delivery boy and somehow manages to know the news even before the newspaper arrives. If someone buys a new car, Mr. Sharma will immediately appear at their gate asking detailed questions as if he is conducting an official investigation.
He has a strange habit of giving advice on every topic. If you are studying, he advises you to study less and relax; if you are relaxing, he advises you to study more and work hard. Once he even tried to explain to the electrician how to repair a fan, though he himself could barely switch on a light.
Despite his amusing habits, everyone in the neighbourhood secretly enjoys his presence. Without Mr. Sharma’s daily commentary on people, politics, and weather, our street would certainly be a much quieter and less entertaining place.
(This is a student-generated activity and answers may vary)
Things to do
Students should collect cartoons from newspapers or magazines and analyse how they criticise social or political issues through humour and visual symbols. This activity helps students understand satire and the relationship between images and written messages.
This is a student-generated activity and answers may vary.
Get clear and accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Chapter Poets and Pancakes to strengthen comprehension and exam preparation.