Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 7 The Captive Question Answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse throughout different chapters Assam Board Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 7 The Captive, Class 11 Alternative English Question Answer, HS 1st year Alternative English and select needs one.
Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 7 The Captive
Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given AHSEC Class 11 Alternative English Chapter 7 The Captive Solutions for All Subject, You can practice these here.
The Captive
Chapter: 7
PROSE |
COMPREHENSION |
I. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. Where is the place which is described at the beginning of the story?
Ans: Highland is the place which is described at the beginning of the story.
2. Who took a dip in the water?
Ans: The Youth took a dip in the water.
3. What were they travelling by?
Ans: They were travelling by Bicycle .
4. In whose house was the captive kept?
Ans: In the village headman’s house.
5. Which bird does the captive think of?
Ans: The captive thinks of the Kingfisher.
II. Answer these questions in a few words.
1. What is referred to as the ‘object’ by the captive?
Ans: A loaded gun was referred to as “the object” by the captive.
2. What is the food offered to the captive in the headman’s house?
Ans: The captive was offered parboiled rice and chicken curry at the headman’s house.
3. How did Captain Batra offer his respects to the boy.
Ans: Captain Batra offered his respects to boy by standing next to the dead body of the boy after being shot who then paid his respects by touching his cap with his hand.
4. What did the boy say he would do if the circumstances changed?
Ans: The young man initially claimed he would force the narrator to join the organisation but later claimed that he would be forced to have the narrator put to death.
5. How did the captive know that the boy was highly educated?
Ans: The captive knew that the boy was highly educated as he had a good pronunciation in English, Assamese and tribal languages; in addition to his wide information on subjects such as literature, writers, nature, agriculture, farming and rural life.
III. Answer these questions briefly.
1. What is the nature of the relationship between the captive and the young man?
Ans: Despite being two different personalities, the two men shared a sense of fellow – feeling, companionship and brotherhood which grew despite the presence of the gun which stayed as a “constant companion” between them. There was a constant sense of trust between the two men which could be seen as the abductor, on many occasions leave his captive for fulfilling his other duties who never took advantage of these situations to escape his captivity. Such a response of the unnamed narrator reflected his acceptance of captivity which he saw as peaceful. In addition, they also shared a teacher – student equation with each other as they had discussion on several writers, nature, rural life, agriculture and farming.
2. How does the captive come to understand the meaning of ‘Freedom Fighters’?
Ans: The captive come to understand the meaning of ‘Freedom Fighters’ as they witnesses his abductors fearlessly fight the security forces; all of which is done for the larger cause of their organisation that was in opposition to the government whom they considered as the symbol of ‘imperialist power’.Freedom fighters here referred to the warriors of the outfit, who were fighting for freedom against the nation-state of India.
3. How did the captive record his movement in captivity?
Ans: The captive documented his experiences during captivity in a diary he kept with him. Although he was held for seven months, he managed to record in detail the events of the final three months. The diary had been brought to him by a young man in response to his request.
4. How did his abductors treat the captive?
Ans: the abductors were rather harsh toward the captive. However, once the young man took responsibility for him, their treatment began to change. Over time, their behavior grew more kind, considerate, and perhaps even affectionate.They developed a different relationship as they spent more time together during their journey.
5. Why does the captive feel that his abductor is also not free?
Ans: The captive comes to understand that the abductor is not truly free either. While the abductor fights for freedom, it is not the same as the freedom experienced by a citizen of an independent nation.Instead, he is fighting against an imperialist nation-state that has tried to control and oppress his community. In this way, both the captive and the abductor hold different views of what freedom means, each yearning for their own version of it within their unique circumstances.
IV. Answer these questions in detail.
1. Comment on the significance of the title of the story. Does it refer only to the abductee?
Ans: The story’s title is fitting because it revolves around the theme of captivity, not only in the physical sense of the boy being kidnapped but also the captor feeling trapped in a nation-state that seeks to dominate their people forcefully. Nation in the presence of law, order and security. He always had an impression of the world like a free bird. But the halting situation realized him that the concept of freedom is not same for everyone. What is seen as freedom by the authorities is perceived as bonded by others. The prisoner adapts to the hardships despite being accustomed to a life of comfort. Both the captor and his group struggle with questions of freedom and identity.The story highlights that freedom holds different meanings for different people, and through their time together, an unexpected bond forms between the captor and the captive. As the army eventually closes in, the young captor is killed, leaving a deep and lasting impact on the captive.
2. Write about the journey undertaken by the captive and the young man.
Ans: The story unfolds through two parallel strands: the present narration and the captive’s diary entries from the last three months of his captivity. In the beginning, the captive and the young man are seen riding a bicycle together. However, the situation soon shifts dramatically when the captive realizes that he has been kidnapped, and the young man who accompanied him has turned into his abductor. The captive’s life changes tragically in just a few moments when he becomes aware of his captivity.
He loses his trust in the common people and the government, entities he had once felt secure within his own nation. Without a fixed place to stay, they moved from one shelter to another, often wandering through fields and dense forests in search of safety. Towards the end of the story, they reach a village where the captive is held at the headman’s house. This brief description provides an overview of the journey they went through together.

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