Class 12 NCERT English Kalidoscope Short Stories Lesson 5 One Centimetre Question and Answers.
1. What made Tao Ying decide whether to buy a ticket or not when she rode a bus alone?
2. Why did she insist on buying tickets both for herself and her son that day?
3. Did Tao Ying Really intend to cheat at the temple?
4. Why did Tao change her intention to buy another ticket?
5. Were the old lady’s scales a rellable measure of height and weight? What convoluted logic were her measurements based on?
6. What was the conflict between the mother and son?
Answer:
1. What made Tao Ying decide whether to buy a ticket or not when she rode a bus alone?
Tao Ying’s decision on whether to buy a ticket when riding the bus alone depended on the appearance of the bus conductor. If the conductor looked like the responsible type, she would buy a ticket. However, if he appeared to be casual and careless, she would not bother paying, considering it a small punishment for him and a saving for herself.
2. Why did she insist on buying tickets both for herself and her son that day?
She insisted on buying tickets for both herself and her son that day because her son, Xiao Ye, was very conscious of rituals. Without a ticket in his hand, he wouldn’t consider the ride a proper one. Additionally, despite the conductor’s assertion that Xiao Ye was one centimeter short of needing a ticket, Tao Ying felt that being able to purchase self-esteem for her son with twenty cents was an opportunity she couldn’t resist, wanting to make him happy. Sources and related content
3. Did Tao Ying Really intend to cheat at the temple?
Based on the text, it’s unclear if Tao Ying initially intended to deliberately cheat. She seemed genuinely confused about whether children needed tickets, especially since the ticket Lao Chiang gave her mentioned that children under 110 centimeters didn’t need one. Her surprise and questioning of the guard suggest she might have honestly believed her son was exempt. However, her initial hesitation on the bus about buying a ticket for herself when alone indicates a tendency to avoid payment when she thinks she can get away with it. So, while she might not have had a premeditated plan to cheat at the temple, she was likely hoping her son’s height would fall under the exemption.
4. Why did Tao change her intention to buy another ticket?
Tao changed her intention to buy another ticket because she realized she would never be able to explain her actions to her son if she went ahead and bought one after arguing that he didn’t need it. Xiao Ye’s surprised and bewildered expression frightened her. She was determined to be a perfect role model for him and lying or being caught in a perceived act of dishonesty in front of him would undermine that goal. Therefore, to preserve her image in his eyes, she decided to leave instead of buying another ticket.
5. Were the old lady’s scales a reliable measure of height and weight? What convoluted logic were her measurements based on?
No, the old lady’s scales were not a reliable measure of height and weight. Her “convoluted logic” was based on making people feel good about themselves. She explained that her scales were old and not very accurate, making people seem lighter and taller than they actually were. She had even adjusted them to make people appear taller because being “long and lean” was fashionable. She called them “fitness scales” with a touch of cunning, implying they provided an idealized, flattering measurement rather than a factual one.
6. What was the conflict between the mother and son?
The conflict between the mother and son stemmed from the ticket incident at the temple and the subsequent measurement by the old woman. Xiao Ye believed he was tall enough for a ticket and felt his mother was being unfair by insisting he wasn’t. When the old woman’s scales showed him as taller than the required height, it validated his belief and contradicted his mother. This led to him running away, feeling that his mother was the only one who didn’t acknowledge his height. At home, he no longer trusted his mother’s tape measure, fearing she would manipulate the measurement to deny him a ticket. The core of the conflict was Xiao Ye’s desire to be seen as tall enough for a ticket (representing a step towards being older and recognized) and his perception that his mother was unjustly denying this to him.
Understanding the Text
1. How did Tao Ying’s son influence hey way she led her life?
2. Pick out instances from the story to show that official rules are often arbitrary.
3. Tao Ying was very careful about spending money. What were her reasons for refusing the compensation offered by the temple officials?
4. Why was her final vindication important to Tao Ying?
Answer:
Tao Ying’s son deeply influenced how she lived her life. He made her want to be a perfect and selfless mother. Because Xiao Ye cared a lot about rules and rituals, like needing a ticket for the bus, Tao Ying became more careful about following rules and being honest, even when she might have tried to bend them before. She didn’t want to lie in front of him. She also tried hard to set a good example for him in her behavior, even in small things. When she wanted to make him happy, like buying the bus tickets, she would do it even if she didn’t really want to. After the trouble at the temple, she was so worried about what Xiao Ye thought that she left without buying a ticket. Everything she did was often focused on what was best for him and how he saw her.
There are a few times in the story that show official rules can seem unfair or not make much sense:
- When Tao Ying rode the bus alone, she thought it was pointless to buy a ticket because the bus would run anyway. This shows she felt the rule didn’t really apply to her situation.
- The rule at the temple that children under 1.10 meters didn’t need a ticket seemed very strict. Someone just a little bit taller had to pay full price, which doesn’t seem very fair.
- The young guard at the temple was very strict about the height rule, even though it was just one centimeter. He seemed to enjoy making a big deal out of it, which made the rule seem more about his power than about what was right.
- Lao Chiang’s explanation for why a small magazine was called “Big Reference” was silly. He said it was because if you laid the pages flat, they’d be bigger than a newspaper, which didn’t really make sense. These examples show how rules can sometimes seem illogical, not flexible, or even just about someone being in charge, making them feel arbitrary.
Tao Ying was very careful with her money. She didn’t take the money from the temple officials because she was proud and wanted to keep her respect, especially in front of her son. Taking the money would have made it look like she was begging or that she had done something wrong. She had argued that her son was short enough not to need a ticket, so taking money would have made her look like she was just trying to get something for free. For Tao Ying, it wasn’t about the money; it was about being treated fairly and the guard being rude to her. She also wanted to show Xiao Ye that it’s important to stick to what you believe in and not just take money when someone offers it.
The final proof that she was right was important to Tao Ying because it made things right after she had been treated unfairly and it showed her son that she had been telling the truth. The guard had been rude and had made her feel ashamed in front of everyone. When the temple official said the guard was wrong and Xiao Ye was indeed short enough, it made her feel like justice had been done. Most importantly, it fixed things with her son. Xiao Ye had seen his mother being challenged and it might have made him doubt her. When the official said she was right, it showed Xiao Ye that his mother was honest and that he could trust her. It also made Tao Ying feel relieved and like she could finally move on from the bad experience.
Talking about the text
Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups
1. The way a child looks at the world is very different from that of an adult.
2. There is always a gap between what we really are and what we wish to appear to be others.
Answer:
1. The way a child looks at the world is very different from that of an adult.
In “One Centimetre,” we see this difference clearly through Xiao Ye’s perspective compared to Tao Ying’s:
- Focus on Rituals and Concrete Details: Xiao Ye is very concerned with the ritual of having a ticket for the bus. For him, without a physical ticket, the ride “doesn’t count as a proper ride.” This is a very concrete and rule-based way of seeing things, typical of a child who is learning the order of the world. Adults often see the bus ride as a means to an end, and the ticket as a necessary but perhaps less significant part of that process.
- Sense of Justice and Fairness: Xiao Ye feels a strong sense of injustice when he believes his mother is wrongly denying him a ticket. His outburst, “You told me the last time I could have a ticket the next time, this is the next time. You don’t keep your word!” shows a child’s straightforward understanding of promises and fairness. Adults often understand that circumstances can change and promises aren’t always absolute.
- Pride and Self-Esteem Tied to Simple Things: For Xiao Ye, being tall enough for a ticket becomes a matter of pride and self-esteem. It’s a tangible measure of growing up. Adults have more complex and internal measures of self-worth.
- Direct and Unfiltered Emotions: Xiao Ye expresses his anger and disappointment directly. When he thinks his mother is being unfair, he shouts. Adults often filter their emotions and express them more subtly.
- Trust and Perception of Adults: Xiao Ye initially trusts his mother’s word but his trust is shaken when he feels she’s being dishonest about his height. His statement, “I don’t trust you! I don’t trust you!” is a stark and absolute declaration, reflecting a child’s black-and-white view of trust. Adults often have a more nuanced understanding of trust and deception.
- The Significance of the Temple Visit: For Xiao Ye, the temple visit seems to be about the novelty of seeing the Buddha. His excitement is childlike and immediate. Tao Ying’s reasons are more complex, involving a gift and a desire to broaden her son’s horizons without necessarily sharing his potential wonder.
In essence, Xiao Ye’s world is more immediate, rule-oriented, and emotionally direct. He sees things in simpler terms, focusing on tangible aspects like the ticket and the height mark. Tao Ying’s adult perspective is shaped by financial concerns, social appearances, and a more nuanced understanding of rules and motivations.
2. There is always a gap between what we really are and what we wish to appear to be to others.
This theme is also evident in “One Centimetre,” particularly in Tao Ying’s behavior:
- Wanting to Appear Gentle and Gracious: Despite her practical nature and occasional shrewdness (not buying bus tickets), Tao Ying consciously tries to be “gentle and gracious” to set a good example for her son and make a good impression. This suggests she wants to appear more refined than her humble background might suggest.
- Elevating Her Sense of Self-Worth: Her efforts to be gentle and gracious “elevates her sense of self-worth and makes her feel like an aristocrat.” This clearly shows a desire to appear and feel more sophisticated than her reality as a factory cook.
- Not Biting the Watermelon Rind: Her deliberate act of not biting too close to the watermelon rind in front of Xiao Ye, even though she sees no real difference, is a performance. She wants to appear cultured and teach her son “proper” behavior, even if it’s not her natural inclination.
- Her Reaction to Xiao Ye Imitating Her: Her fury when Xiao Ye eats the melon the same way she does reveals the gap. She wants to appear refined, but when her son mirrors her actual (perhaps less refined) behavior, she is embarrassed and angry.
- Not Claiming Back the Bus Fare: Tao Ying knows that claiming back the bus fare with the stubs would save money for her working-class family. However, she doesn’t do it because she doesn’t want to lie to Xiao Ye if he were to question it. This shows a conflict between her practical need to save money and her desire to appear honest and principled in front of her son.
- Her Panic at the Temple: While she might have hoped to get away with one ticket, her panic when confronted suggests a fear of appearing dishonest or cheap in public, especially with her son present.
In all these instances, Tao Ying’s actions are often driven by how she wants to be perceived by her son and by others. She constructs a persona of gentility, graciousness, and unwavering honesty, which at times clashes with her more practical or less refined realities. This highlights the universal human tendency to present an idealized version of ourselves to the world.
Appreciation
1. Comment on the significance of the first sentence of the story to its theme.
2. Would you describe the author’s portrayal of Tao Ying’s character in the story as sympathetic, critical or realistic?
3. Identify the episode that bring out the ambivalent attitude to ethics seen in human life?
4. How effectively does the narrative technique adopted in this story illustrate ‘unity o though’?
Answer:
1. Comment on the significance of the first sentence of the story to its theme.
The first sentence of the story, “When Tao Ying rides on the bus alone, quite often she does not bother to buy a ticket,” is highly significant to its central themes. It immediately introduces Tao Ying’s character as someone who is pragmatic, perhaps a little opportunistic, and willing to bend rules when she perceives it to be to her advantage and without significant consequence. This sets the stage for exploring themes of:
- Moral Ambiguity: It establishes that Tao Ying’s ethical compass is situational rather than absolute. This foreshadows her later actions and internal conflicts regarding honesty and rules, particularly in front of her son.
- Economic Hardship and Resourcefulness: It hints at the financial constraints that might influence Tao Ying’s decisions. Not buying a ticket is a small act of saving, suggesting a life where every penny counts. This context makes her later careful spending habits more understandable.
- The Contrast Between Private and Public Morality: Her behavior on the bus alone differs from how she wants to appear in front of her son. This immediately introduces the idea of the gap between who we are and how we present ourselves, a key theme of the story.
- The Child’s Developing Sense of Morality: By contrasting Tao Ying’s casual approach to bus fares with Xiao Ye’s strong sense of the “proper” way to ride a bus (with a ticket), the first sentence subtly introduces the theme of how children learn and internalize rules and ethics, often in a more rigid way than adults.
In essence, this opening immediately encapsulates Tao Ying’s complex character and foreshadows the ethical dilemmas and the exploration of appearance versus reality that unfold throughout the narrative.
2. Would you describe the author’s portrayal of Tao Ying’s character in the story as sympathetic, critical, or realistic?
The author’s portrayal of Tao Ying’s character is best described as realistic, with elements of sympathy but without being overly critical.
- Realistic: The author presents Tao Ying as a complex and multifaceted individual. She is not entirely virtuous nor entirely flawed. Her actions are often driven by a combination of economic necessity, love for her son, a desire for social acceptance, and a touch of opportunism. Her internal struggles, contradictions in her behavior, and her yearning to be a good mother despite her own shortcomings make her a believable and relatable human character.
- Sympathetic: The narrative allows us to understand the motivations behind Tao Ying’s actions. Her careful spending is rooted in her working-class background. Her desire to be a good mother and set a positive example for Xiao Ye is evident. Even her attempts to avoid paying the bus fare can be seen as a small act of defiance against a system that might feel impersonal. The author doesn’t explicitly judge her, allowing the reader to empathize with her situation and desires.
- Not overly Critical: While the story highlights Tao Ying’s flaws and inconsistencies, it does so without harsh judgment. The focus is on understanding her motivations and the complexities of her character rather than condemning her actions. The humor in some situations, like her internal justifications for not buying a ticket, also softens any potential criticism.
Therefore, the portrayal is primarily realistic, showing a character with both strengths and weaknesses, driven by understandable human desires and facing relatable challenges, which naturally evokes a degree of sympathy from the reader.
3. Identify the episode that brings out the ambivalent attitude to ethics seen in human life?
Several episodes in the story bring out the ambivalent attitude to ethics seen in human life, but the most prominent is the entire sequence of events surrounding the bus ticket and the temple ticket.
- The Bus Ticket: Tao Ying’s rationalization for not buying a bus ticket when alone demonstrates a situational ethic. She justifies it based on the minimal impact her non-payment has on the bus operations. This shows a willingness to bend rules when she perceives no direct harm or significant consequence.
- The Temple Ticket: Her initial hope that Xiao Ye might be under the height limit for the temple ticket, even though she might have suspected otherwise, shows a similar inclination to take advantage of a situation.
- The Confrontation at the Temple: Her insistence that Xiao Ye is under the height limit, even when the guard disputes it, highlights a conflict between her desire to save money and her public image.
- Her Refusal of Compensation: Her decision not to accept the temple’s compensation, despite her carefulness with money, reveals a prioritization of pride and setting a moral example for her son over financial gain.
- Her Internal Justifications: Her elaborate reasoning for not biting the watermelon rind and for not claiming back the bus fare in front of Xiao Ye illustrates the complex ways humans rationalize their behavior and try to present a certain ethical image, even if their underlying motivations might be more self-serving or pragmatic.
This entire arc, from Tao Ying’s casual disregard for bus fares to her complex and sometimes contradictory behavior at the temple, vividly portrays the nuanced and often inconsistent way humans navigate ethical situations, balancing personal gain, social appearances, and their internal moral compass.
4. How effectively does the narrative technique adopted in this story illustrate ‘unity of thought’?
The narrative technique adopted in “One Centimetre” effectively illustrates a ‘unity of thought’ primarily through its close third-person perspective focused almost entirely on Tao Ying’s internal thoughts and feelings. This allows the reader direct access to her reasoning, justifications, anxieties, and desires, creating a strong sense of unity around her perspective.
- Limited Point of View: By staying closely aligned with Tao Ying’s thoughts, the narrative filters all events and other characters through her understanding and interpretation. We see the world and the other characters (Xiao Ye, the conductors, the guard, the old woman) as she perceives them.
- Stream of Consciousness: The narrative often dips into Tao Ying’s internal monologue, revealing her thought processes, her rationalizations for her actions, and her emotional responses in a way that feels like a stream of consciousness. This allows the reader to understand the underlying unity of her motivations, even when her actions might seem contradictory.
- Focus on Internal Conflict: The narrative frequently delves into Tao Ying’s internal conflicts – her desire to save money versus her desire to be a good mother, her pragmatism versus her yearning for social respectability. This focus on her inner turmoil creates a unity around her central concerns and values.
- Consistent Tone: The narrative maintains a consistent tone that reflects Tao Ying’s blend of practicality, humor, and underlying tenderness, further unifying the reader’s experience around her central character.
While we see events unfold externally, the primary lens through which we experience the story is Tao Ying’s mind. This close adherence to her perspective, her thoughts, and her feelings effectively creates a ‘unity of thought’ for the reader, allowing us to deeply understand her character and the motivations behind her actions, even when they are complex or seemingly inconsistent.
Language Work
A. Figures of Speech
a. Simile
Notice the underline phrases in the following sentences
(i) As the doors shut her jacket is caught, ballooning up like a tent behind her.
The comparison here is between the ballooning of the jacket and a tent made explicit by the use of the conjunction. ‘like’
(ii) The white of the wall looks like a virgin canvas and Xiao Ye a painting filling up the space.
The comparison in (ii) is between the whiteness of the wall and a virgin canvas made explicit by the use of ‘like’. In the second ‘like’ is understood. Xiao Ye is like a painting…..
Such explicit comparison are called similes.
b. Metaphor
Sometimes comparison are made by the application of words or phrases to concept that they do not literally denote.
An example of this is
But in order to melt the ice in her son’s eyes. she must do something.
Here the ice stands for the coldness and distance in her son’s eyes and how she wishes to make him come closer to her.
The comparison of a mental attitude to ice is not explicitly emphasised but is understood. Similes and metaphors add to the richness of language and help to make the reader visualise more vividly the thoughts of the author.
Answer:
a. Simile
(i) As the doors shut her jacket is caught, ballooning up like a tent behind her.
- Comparison: The way Tao Ying’s jacket expands and fills with air is being compared to the shape and size of a tent.
- Explicit Conjunction: The word “like” directly signals that a comparison is being made between two unlike things (a jacket ballooning and a tent). This direct comparison is the defining characteristic of a simile.
(ii) The white of the wall looks like a virgin canvas and Xiao Ye a painting filling up the space.
- First Comparison: “The white of the wall looks like a virgin canvas” explicitly compares the color and perhaps the potential or emptiness of the wall to a clean, unused canvas. The word “like” makes this comparison clear.
- Second Comparison (Understood): “and Xiao Ye a painting filling up the space.” Here, the “like” is implied. The sentence suggests that Xiao Ye, in his position against the white wall, is like a painting that occupies and gives meaning to the blank space. The way he stands out or draws attention is being compared to how a painting fills a canvas.
Key takeaway for Simile: Similes are direct comparisons between two different things, using words such as “like,” “as,” “so,” “than,” or “resembles” to make the connection explicit.
b. Metaphor
You’ve also correctly identified the example of a metaphor:
But in order to melt the ice in her son’s eyes, she must do something.
- Comparison: The “ice” in her son’s eyes is being compared to a lack of warmth, affection, or connection. It represents his coldness, distance, and perhaps hurt or suspicion towards her after the temple incident.
- Implicit Comparison: Unlike a simile, the comparison is not made explicit with words like “like” or “as.” Instead, the abstract concept of a cold emotional state is directly referred to as “ice.” The reader understands the comparison without an explicit connector.
Key takeaway for Metaphor: Metaphors are implicit comparisons where a word or phrase is applied to an object or idea to which it is not literally applicable. The comparison is understood or implied rather than directly stated.
Significance of Similes and Metaphors:
As the text correctly points out, both similes and metaphors enrich language by:
- Creating Vivid Imagery: They help the reader form a clearer and more imaginative picture in their mind. For example, visualizing the jacket as a tent or the coldness in the son’s eyes as ice makes the descriptions more impactful.
- Adding Depth and Meaning: They can convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful way. “Ice in her son’s eyes” communicates a significant emotional distance more effectively than a literal description might.
- Engaging the Reader’s Imagination: They require the reader to make connections and interpret the comparisons, making the reading experience more engaging and thought-provoking.
Understanding these figures of speech helps in appreciating the nuances and artistry of the author’s writing.