Lost Spring - Simple Questions (Class 12 English)
Short Answer Type Questions with Answers (2-3 marks):
1. Who is Saheb and where did he come from?
1. Saheb is a ragpicker boy who migrated from Dhaka, Bangladesh, with his family in search of a better life.
2. Why does Saheb scavenge the garbage dumps?
2. He scavenges garbage to earn a living, as his family is poor and cannot afford to send him to school.
3. What is the meaning of the title 'Lost Spring'?
3. 'Lost Spring' refers to the lost childhood and dreams of poor children who are forced into labour.
4. What does the author mean by "garbage is gold" for the ragpickers of Seemapuri?
4. For the ragpickers, garbage is their source of income; sometimes they find valuable things like coins or
useful items.
5. Why did Saheb stop working at the tea stall?
5. Saheb stopped working at the tea stall because he lost his freedom. Though he earned money, he felt
burdened by the job.
6. What is the dream of Mukesh?
6. Mukesh dreams of becoming a car mechanic. He wants to break away from the family tradition of bangle
making.
7. What problems do the bangle makers of Firozabad face?
7. The bangle makers work in poor, dark, and unhealthy conditions. They are trapped in poverty and cannot
Lost Spring - Simple Questions (Class 12 English)
escape the family trade.
8. How is the life of Saheb different from that of Mukesh?
8. Saheb is unsure of his future and helpless, while Mukesh is determined to change his life and fulfill his
dream.
9. Why has the author called Seemapuri a place of 'transient dwellers'?
9. Seemapuri is called a place of transient dwellers because its residents are migrants who live temporarily
without legal documents or ownership.
10. What does Saheb's name mean? Why is it ironical?
10. Saheb's name means 'lord' or 'master', which is ironical because he is a poor boy living a life of hardship.
Long Answer Type Questions with Answers (5-6 marks):
1. Describe the life and hardships of Saheb and other ragpickers in Seemapuri.
1. Saheb and other ragpickers live in Seemapuri, in poverty and poor living conditions. They pick garbage to
earn a living. Despite being in India for years, they live without proper homes, education, or basic rights. Their
childhood is lost in the struggle for survival.
2. How is Mukesh's attitude different from other children in Firozabad?
2. Unlike others in Firozabad who blindly follow the family trade of bangle making, Mukesh dreams of
becoming a car mechanic. He is determined and shows the will to fight against tradition and poverty to
achieve his goal.
Lost Spring - Simple Questions (Class 12 English)
3. What social message does the story 'Lost Spring' give?
3. The story gives a strong social message about child labour, poverty, and the loss of childhood. It shows
how children from poor families are deprived of education and basic needs, and are forced into hard labour.
The author urges society to recognize and address this injustice.
4. Compare and contrast the lives of Saheb and Mukesh.
4. Saheb is a ragpicker who has accepted his fate and lost hope of change. Mukesh, on the other hand,
wants to break free and fulfill his dream. Saheb represents lost hope, while Mukesh represents courage and
determination.
5. How do poverty and tradition trap children in the story 'Lost Spring'?
5. Children in the story are trapped in poverty and forced into labour due to lack of resources. In Firozabad,
traditions and fear of police and moneylenders force children into bangle-making. These traps stop them from
dreaming or changing their fate.
6. Do you think the title 'Lost Spring' is appropriate? Give reasons.
6. The title 'Lost Spring' is very suitable because it symbolizes the lost childhood (spring is a symbol of youth)
of children like Saheb and Mukesh. Their dreams and innocence are lost in poverty, work, and tradition.
