Important Questions for Class 11 Snapshots Chapter 1 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
Table of Contents
Stanza
Question 1:
Read the given extract and answer the questions:
One day back there in the good old days when I was nine and the world was full of every imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream, my cousin Mourad, who was considered crazy by everybody who knew him except me, came to my house at four in the morning and woke me up tapping on the window of my room.
Aram, he said. I jumped out of bed and looked out of the window. I couldn’t believe what I saw.
(1) What was Aram’s immediate reaction upon seeing Mourad with the white horse?
(a) He was excited and ran to join Mourad.
(b) He was shocked and couldn’t believe his eyes.
(c) He was angry and demadned to know where Mourad got the horse.
(d) He was indifferent and continued with his daily activities.
Answer
(b) He was shocked and couldn’t believe his eyes.
(2) What does the narrator’s description of life as a “delightful and mysterious dream” suggest about their perspective at that time?
(a) They were skeptical of everything
(b) They viewed the world with wonder and innocence.
(c) They were afraid of the unkonwn.
(d) They were eager to grow up.
Answer
(b) They viewed the world with wonder and innocence.
(3) What does the early morning visit from Mourad indicate about his relationship with the narrator?
Answer
It shows that Mourad and Aram shared a close and friendly relationship. Mourad trusted Aram and wanted to share his exciting secret with him, which shows their bond and mutual understanding.
(4) Why might the narrator be the only one who doesn’t consider Mourad crazy?
(a) Mourad behaves normally around the narrator
(b) The narrator is unaware of Mourad’s actions
(c) The narrator admires Mourad’s adventurous spirit
(d) The narrator doesn’t interact with Mourad often
Answer
(c) The narrator admires Mourad’s adventurous spirit
Question 2:
The farmer went away and I ran over to my cousin Mourad’s house. He was sitting under a peach tree, trying to repair the hurt wing of a young robin which could not fly. He was talking to the bird. What is it? he said. The farmer, John Byro, I said. He visited our house. He wants his horse. You’ve had it a month. I want you to promise not to take it back until I learn to ride. It will take you a year to learn to ride, my cousin Mourad said. We could keep the horse a year, I said.
(i) Who is I in the above passage?
(a) Uncle Khosrove
(b) John Byro
(c) Mourad
(d) Aram
Answer
(d) Aram
(ii) What was Murad doing when the narrator arrived?
(a) Feeding a horse
(b) Writing in a notebook
(c) Fixing a bird’s wing
(d) Talking to the farmer
Answer
(c) Fixing a bird’s wing
(iii) Who came to visit the narrator’s house talking about his horse?
(a) John Byro
(b) Aram’s father
(c) A police officer
(d) Uncle Khosrove
Answer
(a) John Byro
(iv) Why did the narrator ask Mourad not to return the horse yet?
(a) He wanted to win a race
(b) He hadn’t fed the horse
(c) He wanted to learn to ride first
(d) The horse was still injured
Answer
(c) He wanted to learn to ride first
Important Questions for Class 11 Snapshots Chapter 1 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
Short-Questions (40-50 words)
Question 1:
Describe the narrator’s first encounter with the white horse in the lesson “The Summer of a Beautiful White Horse.”
Answer
The narrator’s first encounter with the white horse was one of complete shock and disbelief. When he saw Mourad riding the beautiful white horse early in the morning, he could not trust his eyes and felt amazed, excited, and confused at the same time.
Question 2:
What impression do you form about Uncle Khosrove?
Answer
Uncle Khosrove appears to be loud, short-tempered, and comically stubborn. He dominates conversations, refuses to listen to others, and reacts dramatically to problems. However, beneath his bluster, he is harmless and represents the humorous side of the Garoghlanian family.
Question 3:
What do we know about John Byro?
Answer
John Byro was a wealthy farmer whose white horse was stolen by Mourad and Aram. He was an honest, kind, and trusting man. Despite suspecting the boys, he did not accuse them because he believed the Garoghlanian family was incapable of theft.
Question 4:
Why did Aram find it hard to believe that Mourad had stolen the white horse?
Answer:
Aram found it hard to believe because stealing was against the values of the Garoghlanian family, known for honesty. Mourad was also known for his crazy but innocent nature. Aram believed Mourad was incapable of committing such a dishonest act.
Important Questions for Class 11 Snapshots Chapter 1 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
Long-Questions (120-150 words)
Question 1:
The story highlights the conflict between personal desires and family values. If you were in Aram’s place, how would you have handled the situation differently when you found out that Mourad had taken the horse without the owner’s permission? Support your response with reasons and what you have learned from the story. (The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)
Answer
If I were in Aram’s place, I would have enjoyed riding the horse, but I would also have felt responsible to uphold my family’s values. Once I learned that Mourad had taken the horse without permission, I would have tried to persuade him to return it sooner, even if I had not fully learned to ride. The Garoghlanian family is known for honesty, and keeping the horse for long could damage that reputation. I would explain to Mourad that personal happiness should not come at the cost of someone else’s trust. The story teaches us that integrity matters more than temporary pleasure. Although Mourad eventually returns the horse, the experience shows that true pride comes from doing what is right, even when no one is watching. Balancing desire with moral values is an important lesson I would choose to follow.
Question 2:
Imagine yourself as Aram. Today was an extraordinary day, you had a secret horse ride, you feel both thrilled and a little guilty. Write a diary entry describing your mixed emotions. (The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)
Answer
Today was one of the most extraordinary days of my life. Riding the beautiful white horse felt like a dream come true. As the wind rushed past me and the horse moved freely, I felt excited, proud, and alive. For a while, I forgot everything else and just enjoyed the moment.
But along with the thrill came a strange feeling of guilt. Deep down, I know the horse doesn’t belong to us. Our family is known for honesty, and keeping the horse—even for joy—feels wrong. Every time I laughed, a quiet voice inside reminded me of John Byro and his trust.
Still, this secret ride has taught me something important. Happiness feels incomplete when it is mixed with dishonesty. I know we cannot keep the horse forever. Tomorrow, I must think about doing the right thing, no matter how hard it feels.
Question 3:
Imagine yourself as Aram, the narrator of the story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’. Write a diary entry sharing your experience and events surrounding the horse. You may write about the significance of the horse in your life and how it impacted your personality.
Answer
Date: ———
Dear Diary,
This summer has been unforgettable because of the beautiful white horse. When Mourad brought the horse home, I was excited yet afraid, knowing our family’s honesty. Riding the horse gave me joy, freedom, and confidence. It taught me courage and responsibility. However, meeting John Byro made me realize the importance of truth and moral values. Returning the horse was difficult, but it strengthened my belief in honesty, which is the pride of the Garoghlanian family. This experience helped me understand that happiness should never come at the cost of integrity. The horse was not just an animal; it shaped my character and taught me an important lesson about right and wrong. I will always cherish this summer as a turning point in my life.
Question 4:
Bring out the humour in Uncle Khosrove’s and John Byro’s meeting at Aram’s house in “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse”.
Answer
The meeting between Uncle Khosrove and John Byro at Aram’s house is highly humorous. John Byro calmly mentions that his white horse has been missing, indirectly suggesting that Mourad may have taken it. Uncle Khosrove, however, reacts loudly and dramatically, repeatedly saying, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it.” He refuses to listen to any explanation and silences John Byro with his booming voice. His exaggerated confidence and stubborn denial create a comic situation. John Byro leaves confused but amused, while Uncle Khosrove remains proud and unaware of the truth. The humour lies in Uncle Khosrove’s overreaction and his refusal to accept reality.
Important Questions for Class 11 Snapshots Chapter 1 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
