Poets and Pancakes — Class 12 English PYQs

Then the poet spoke. It was evident that he hadn't meant to speak for so long. When he realised what he'd done, he became extremely confused. He couldn't remember how he'd begun. What had they asked him? Did it matter? He had been provoked by their question. His passion, his conviction had stirred him. He believed in the work. He had faith in what he was doing. His visit proved he had not lost his poetic fire. But it had happened by accident — he hadn't expected to hold the audience for so long. Leaving the stage, he was utterly surprised at himself. His visit remained an unexplained mystery.

The poet spoke longer than he intended because

What was the poet's reaction after he finished speaking?

Complete the following sentence appropriately.
The poet's visit remained 'an unexplained mystery' because _________.

The phrase 'he had not lost his poetic fire' means

State whether the given statement is True or False with reference to the extract.
The poet had planned to deliver a long speech.

What does the extract reveal about the poet's character?

Attempt any one of the two extracts (A) and (B) given below :

(b) / 13. (b) In the chapter 'Poets and Pancakes', the author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances of this to show how it served to make the extract engaging.

He couldn't have addressed a more dazed and silent audience – no one knew what he was talking about and his accent defeated any attempt to understand what he was saying.