Passage 1📖
In Benedictine monasteries, there was a manuscript with 73 chapters of rules which were followed by monks for many centuries. Here are some of the rules they had to follow:
Chapter 6: Permission to speak should rarely be granted to monks.
Chapter 7: Humility means obedience.
Chapter 33: No monk should own private property.
Chapter 47: Idleness is the enemy of the soul, so friars and sisters should be occupied at certain times in manual labour, and at fixed hours in sacred reading.
Chapter 48: The monastery should be laid out in such a way that all necessities be found within its bounds: water, mill, garden, workshops.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: Why was permission to speak rarely granted to monks according to Chapter 6 of the Benedictine rules?
Answer: In Benedictine monasteries, limited permission to speak was granted to monks to cultivate an environment of silence and contemplation. This practice aimed to foster a focused and introspective atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth.
Question 2: What is the significance of humility in the context of Chapter 7 of the Benedictine rules?
Answer: According to Chapter 7, humility is equated with obedience. Monks were expected to embrace a humble attitude by willingly submitting to the authority and rules of the monastery. Obedience was considered a fundamental aspect of humility within the Benedictine tradition.
Question 3: How did Chapter 33 address the issue of private property among monks in Benedictine monasteries?
Answer: Chapter 33 emphasized that no monk should own private property. This rule aimed to promote a sense of communal living and detachment from worldly possessions, fostering an environment where monks focused on their spiritual journey rather than individual material concerns.
Question 4: Why did Chapter 47 emphasize the importance of manual labor and sacred reading for friars and sisters in Benedictine monasteries?
Answer: Chapter 47 acknowledged the spiritual dangers of idleness and advocated for a balanced life for monks. It prescribed specific times for manual labor and sacred reading to keep the monks occupied in productive and spiritually enriching activities, thereby guarding against the pitfalls of idleness.
Question 5: How did Chapter 48 outline the layout requirements for a Benedictine monastery?
Answer: Chapter 48 specified that a monastery should be laid out to include all necessary elements within its bounds, such as water sources, mills, gardens, and workshops. This design was intended to create a self-sufficient community where monks could fulfill their basic needs and engage in meaningful work without having to rely extensively on external resources.
Passage 2📖
‘‘When in April the sweet showers fall
And pierce the drought of March to the root
And the small birds are making melody
That sleep away the night with open eye…
(So Nature pricks them and their heart engages);
Then people long to go on pilgrimages,
And palmers* long to seek the foreign shrines
Of far-off saints, revered in various lands.
And especially from every shire Of England,
to Canterbury they make their journey.’
– Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340–1400), The Canterbury Tales. This was written in Middle English, and the verse is a translation in modern English.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What season is described in the opening lines of the passage, and how does it affect people?
Answer: The opening lines describe the season of April. The showers of April are said to pierce the drought of March, and the renewal of nature with the arrival of spring inspires a desire in people to embark on pilgrimages.
Question 2: What role do small birds play in the passage, and what effect do they have on people?
Answer: The small birds are making melody, singing during the springtime. Their songs have a soothing effect, helping people to sleep with open eyes. The birds’ melodies, in connection with the awakening of nature, contribute to the desire for pilgrimages described in the passage.
Question 3: Who are the individuals mentioned as longing to go on pilgrimages in the lines provided?
Answer: The individuals mentioned are “people” in general, and specifically, “palmers” are noted as longing to seek the foreign shrines of far-off saints. “Palmers” refers to pilgrims who have returned from the Holy Land, often bearing palm fronds as a symbol of their journey.
Question 4: According to the passage, where do people from every shire of England make their journey to?
Answer: People from every shire of England make their journey to Canterbury, as mentioned in the lines, “And especially from every shire of England, to Canterbury they make their journey.” Canterbury was a significant pilgrimage destination due to the presence of the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
Question 5: Who is the author of the quoted passage, and what literary work does it belong to?
Answer: The author of the quoted passage is Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340–1400), and the passage is from “The Canterbury Tales.” This work is a collection of stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral, offering a snapshot of medieval English society and culture.
Passage 3📖
Because of the inadequacy which we often felt on feast days, for the narrowness of the place forced the women to run towards the altar upon the heads of the men with much anguish and noisy confusion, [we decided] to enlarge and amplify the noble church…
We also caused to be painted, by the exquisite hands of many masters from different regions, a splendid variety of new windows… Because these windows are very valuable on account of their wonderful execution and the profuse expenditure of painted glass and sapphire glass, we appointed an official master craftsman for their protection, and also a goldsmith…who would receive their allowances, namely, coins from the altar and flour from the common storehouse of the brethren, and who would never neglect their duty, to look after these [works of art].’
– Abbot Suger (1081-1151) about the Abbey of St Denis, near Paris.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: What issue prompted the decision to enlarge and amplify the church mentioned in the passage?
Answer: The inadequacy felt on feast days due to the narrowness of the place, which forced women to run towards the altar over the heads of men, led to the decision to enlarge and amplify the church.
Question 2: What significant artistic enhancements were made to the church, as described by Abbot Suger in the passage?
Answer: Abbot Suger describes the painting of new windows in the church, executed by skilled masters from different regions. These windows were considered valuable due to their wonderful execution and the use of painted glass and sapphire glass.
Question 3: Why did the Abbey of St Denis appoint an official master craftsman and a goldsmith, according to the passage?
Answer: The Abbey appointed an official master craftsman and a goldsmith to protect the valuable windows. Their role included overseeing the intricate works of art, managing allowances received in the form of coins and flour, and ensuring the proper maintenance of these artistic elements.
Question 4: What resources were allocated to the official master craftsman and goldsmith for their duties?
Answer: The resources allocated to the official master craftsman and goldsmith for their duties included allowances in the form of coins from the altar and flour from the common storehouse of the brethren.
Question 5: Who is the historical figure quoted in the passage, and what Abbey is he associated with?
Answer: The historical figure quoted in the passage is Abbot Suger (1081-1151), and he is associated with the Abbey of St Denis, located near Paris. Abbot Suger was known for his contributions to the artistic and architectural development of the abbey.
Passage 4📖
‘How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, (had) breakfast with their kinfolk and the same night supped with their ancestors in the next world! The condition of the people was pitiable to behold. They sickened by the thousands daily, and died unattended and without help. Many died in the open street, others dying in their houses, made it known by the stench of their rotting bodies. Consecrated churchyards did not suffice for the burial of the vast multitude of bodies, which were heaped by the hundreds in vast trenches, like goods in ships hold and covered with a little earth.’
– Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-75), Italian author.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: Who is the author of the quoted passage, and during which time period did he live?
Answer: The author is Giovanni Boccaccio, an Italian author who lived from 1313 to 1375.
Question 2: According to the passage, what was the grim fate that befell many people during the described period?
Answer: Many people sickened and died daily, often unattended and without help, leading to a pitiable condition. Some died in the open street or in their houses, with the stench of their rotting bodies becoming noticeable.
Question 3: How were the bodies of the deceased handled due to the overwhelming number of deaths described in the passage?
Answer: Consecrated churchyards were insufficient for the vast multitude of bodies. Instead, they were heaped in vast trenches, reminiscent of goods in a ship’s hold, and covered with a small amount of earth.
Question 4: What contrast in the daily lives of the people does the passage highlight?
Answer: The passage emphasizes the stark contrast between people having breakfast with their kinfolk and, tragically, ending the same day by supping with their ancestors in the next world.
Question 5: What does the passage suggest about the impact of the described events on the community’s well-being?
Answer: The passage suggests a devastating impact on the community’s well-being, with widespread sickness, death, and a shortage of proper burial sites. The scene painted is one of despair and a lack of resources to cope with the overwhelming number of fatalities.
📚 Why NCERT Solutions for Class 11th history ✨
History is not just about learning story or writing essays—it’s about developing an appreciation for stories, poems, and ideas. 🌈 Our solutions help students understand moral lessons, improve reading comprehension, and build their vocabulary. 📖 Each chapter’s summary and answers are explained in a way that’s easy to follow, making exam preparation a breeze! 🌟
Clear Your Doubts with CBSEJanta.com 🔍
Visit CBSEJanta.com to access detailed solutions for every chapter in your Class 6 English textbook! 📚 These solutions not only help you answer questions but also enhance your overall understanding of stories and grammar concepts. 💡
Download Our App for Easy Access 📱
Want to study on the go? 🚀 Download our app for instant access to Class 6 English NCERT solutions, practice questions, and much more! Whether at home or traveling, you can easily prepare for your exams and boost your English skills with CBSEJanta.com. 🌍
Always Thinks for Students ❤️
“Excel in Class 11th history with CBSEJanta.com! 🌟 Get FREE NCERT solutions for Honeysuckle and A Pact with the Sun. Visit CBSEJanta.com now or download our app for instant access to solutions and extra practice!” 📲