Get ASSEB/AHSEC Class 12 A Cup of Tea Question Answers prepared as per academic session 2024-2025. HS 2nd Year A Cup of Tea Solution with most important questions for Exams.
Assam Board Class 12 Alternative English Notes for 2025 Exam
Chapter: 1 A Cup of Tea
(A) Very Short Questions & Answers: Mark: 1
1. State whether these sentences are True or False:
(i) Miss Smith was a very rich girl.
Ans. False.
(ii) Rosemary was a very compassionate woman.
Ans. True
(iii) Philip did not want Miss Smith to dine with them.
Ans. True.
(iv) Rosemary had been married for a couple of years.
Ans. True.
(v) Miss Smith asked Rosemary for the price of cups of tea.
Ans. False.
2. Which Russian author influenced Katherine Mansfield?
Ans. The Russian author Dostoevsky influenced Katherine Mansfield.
3. In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss Smith?
Ans. Rosemary was shopping in Curzon Street when she met Miss Smith.
4. How many pounds did Rosemary give to Miss Smith?
Ans. Rosemary gave three pound notes to Miss Smith.
5. What is the cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy?
Ans. The cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy is twenty-eight guineas.
6. What is the name of the main character of 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. The name of the main character of 'A cup of Tea' is Rosemary Fell.
7. Who is the author of the short story 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. The author of the short story 'A Cup of Tea' is Katherine Mansfield.
8. What is 'The Milliner's Gazette' mentioned in 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. 'The Milliner's Gazette' is a cheap magazine which is popular among working class women.
9. Name the son of Rosemary Fell in 'A Cup of Tea'.
Ans. Michael.
10. Where was the short story 'A Cup of Tea' first pub- lished?
Ans. The short story 'A Cup of Tea' was first published in the magazine 'Story Teller'.
11. What is Rosemary Fell's social status?
Ans. Rosemary Fell is a wealthy woman from the upper class.
12. What does Rosemary buy for Miss Smith during their shopping trip?
Ans. Rosemary purchases a pair of boots for Miss Smith during their shopping trip.
Also Read 🔖: Class 12 Alternative English Solved Question Paper 2024
(B) Short Questions & Answers : Marks: 2
1. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?
Ans. Philip immediately understands the situation when he sees the hat and coat lying on the floor. He wants to send Miss Smith away, as she belongs to a poor class.
2. Who was Miss Smith? Why did Rosemary send her back?
Ans. Miss Smith was a poor young girl. Rosemary sent her back because she got jealous of Miss Smith when Philip called her pretty and lovely.
3. Why did Philip disapprove of Rosemary's decision to keep Miss Smith with them?
Ans. Philip disapproved of Rosemary's decision to keep Miss Smith with them. He believed that it would disrupt their routine and introduce an unwelcome presence into their lives.
4. What are the names of the two women characters in the story 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. Rosemary Fell and Miss Smith are the two women char- acters in the story 'A Cup of Tea'.
5. What kind of relationship do Rosemary and Philip share in 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. Rosemary Fell and Philip are married couple i.e. wife and husband. Rosemary's husband absolutely adored her.
6. Why does Rosemary like shopping at antique stores?
Ans. Rosemary Fell believes in materialism. She also likes the way of flattery which the shopkeeper at the antique shop treats her.
7. What does Rosemary's response to the shopkeeper's flattery reveal about her character?
Ans. Rosemary is fond of getting a treatment full of flattery. This reveals that she is easily influenced by the owner at the antique shop.
8. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home? What plans did she have for her?
Ans. Rosemary Fell took Miss Smith to her home to give the latter a cup of tea. Rosemary had a plan to alleviate Miss Smith's suffering and show compassion.
9. Describe Rosemary Fell and her manner of living?
Ans. Rosemary Fell was affluent and modern. She was well dressed and well read.
10. How does Miss Smith react when Rosemary Fell invites her for tea?
Ans. When Rosemary Fell invites Miss Smith for tea the latter initially hesitates. But eventually she accepts Rosemary's invitation.
11. How does Rosemary feel after encountering Miss Smith?
Ans. After encountering Miss Smith, Rosemary experiences a mix of curiosity, compassion and a desire to help Miss Smith.
12. What is the significance of the eternal box in the story 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. The eternal box in the story 'A cup of Tea' symbolizes luxury and serves as an object of desire for Rosemary.
13. How does Rosemary's encounter with Miss Smith challenge her self-perception?
Ans. Rosemary's encounter with Miss Smith forces her to ques-tion her values, priorities and the authenticity of her act of kindness.
14. What does the story 'A cup of Tea' suggest about the limitations of compassion?
Ans. The story 'A cup of Tea' suggests that acts of compassion can be driven by complex motivations and may not always bridge the gap between different social classes.
(C) Long Questions & Answers: Marks: 4
1. Write a brief character sketch of Rosemary Fell.
Ans. Rosemary Fell is the main character in the story 'A cup of Tea'. She is a wealthy and privileged woman who enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. She is described as attractive and fashionable, with a taste for luxury. She is also portrayed as impulsive. She is easily influenced by her emotions. She belongs to the upper strata of society and is well-informed about the latest happenings. Her readings of the great writers have made her an imaginative person with a touch of sensitivity.
2. Describe Rosemary's encounter with Miss Smith.
Ans. One winter afternoon Rosemary Fell was shopping in a little antique shop in Curzon Street. While she was about to go a young, thin, dark and shadowy girl came to her and asked for the price of a cup of tea. Rosemary turned and saw a little battered creature with enormous eyes, quite young, no older than herself clutched at her coat collar with reddened hands and shivered as though she had just come out of the water. Overwhelmed by a sudden impulse of compassion, Rosemary brought Miss Smith to her home for tea.
3. How does Katherine Mansfield explore the theme of 'class difference' in 'A cup of Tea'?
Ans. Katherine Mansfield, in her story A cup of Tea', explores the theme of class difference by high-lighting the stark contrast between Rosemary's affluent lifestyle and Miss Smith's poverty. The encounter between the two women- exposes the vast difference between their social status. This show-cases the intensity and ignorance of the upper class towards the struggles faced by the lower class.
4. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home?
Ans. Rosemary Fell took Miss Smith to her home initially out of a spontaneous desire to help someone in need. But as the story progressed it became evident that Rosemary's motivations regarding Miss Smith were more complex. She became intrigued by Miss Smith's presence. She saw Miss Smith as a way to fulfil her own desire for excitement and a break from her mundane existence.
5. What is the significance of the title of the story 'A Cup of Tea'?
Ans. The title of the story 'A Cup of Tea' symbolizes a seem- ingly simple act of hospitality and kindness. As the story unfolds, the title takes on a deeper meaning. The cup of tea becomes a metaphorical representation of the social and emotional barriers that exist between people of differ- ent classes. It signifies the bridging of these barriers and the crossing of boundaries, as Rosemary invites Miss Smith into her privileged world. Ultimately the title encapsulates the larger themes of story, including compassion, self- reflection and the complexities of human relationships.
6. Examine in detail the various themes explored by Katherine Mansfield in her story 'A Cup of Tea'.
Ans. Katherine Mansfield, in her story A Cup of Tea' explores several themes that shed light on the complexities of human nature and societal dynamics.
One prominent theme is the stark contrast between social classes. Mansfield highlights the indifference and lack of understanding that often exist between people of different social status. The story exposes the superficiality and ignorance of the upper class towards the struggles faced by the lower class.
Another theme is the nature of compassion and its limitations. Rosemary's initial impulse to help Miss Smith is driven by a genuine desire to alleviate suffering, but it is later revealed that her actions are also influenced by a need for excitement and self-gratification.
The theme of identity and self-perception is also preva- lent in the story. Mansfield delves into the internal struggle faced by Rosemary as she grapples with her own sense of self-worth and the desire to be seen as a compassionate and generous person.
7. Write a short note on the character of Miss Smith.
Ans. Miss Smith is relatively a minor character in the story 'A cup of Tea'. She is the girl whom Rosemary Fell treats with affection one moment and dismisses abruptly in an- other moment. Miss Smith is just a means for Rosemary to display her artificial generosity. Miss Smith is absolutely without money when she asks Rosemany the price of a cup of tea. When Rosemary wished to take her home Miss Smith would not believe Rosemary and thought that she was being taken to the police station. At Rosemary's house she was more surprised to see Rosemary taking every care to make her comfortable. Too startled at first.
Miss Smith now begins to shed her shyness and takes the slight meal offered by Rosemary. But Miss Smith was dismissed by Rosemary when she found that her husband Philip was being 'bowled over' by the girl's beauty
8. Analyse the role of Philip in 'A Cup of Tea' and his influence on Rosemary's decision.
Ans. Rosemary's husband Philip plays a significant role in 'A Cup of Tea'. He acts as a contrast to Rosemary's char- acter. He is depicted as practical, sensible and concerned about social conventions. Philip disapproves of Rosemary's decision to bring Miss Smith home, primarily due to his reservations about the class difference. His disapproval challenges Rosemary's initial desire to help Miss Smith purely out of compassion.
Philip's influence on Rosemary is evident in her internal struggle to balance her own desires with societal expecta- tions. While Philip's disapproval creates tension between them it also acts as a catalyst for Rosemary's introspection and personal growth, ultimately, Philip serves as a foil to Rosemary, highlighting the conflict between societal norms and individual compassion.