Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1

Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 – The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse

English is a compulsory linguistic subject for many school students in India. While learning a language, it is important to know the literature written in that language.

Snapshots of English Class 11 has several stories, a poem and a drama by various renowned international and Indian authors. The first chapter is about two poor children and their honesty. The story’s narrator is a young boy who shares his experience with a white horse. Apart from the main theme, the story also expresses the lifestyle of the Garoghlanian family, an Armenian tribe. The story may seem easier to understand, but students must practice question answers from this chapter to score better in English.

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Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 -with Solutions

The experts of Extramarks have collected all these questions from several sources like Class 11 English Snapshots, CBSE sample papers, CBSE past years’ question papers and important reference books. They also have written the answers following the CBSE exam pattern. Students will get a good list of questions and standard answers if they follow the Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1. 

Few questions and answers from our question bank of Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 are given below.

Question 1. How old were Aram and Mourad in the story?

Answer 1: In the story, Aram was nine years old, whereas Mourad was thirteen years old.

Question 2. In which country was the plot of the story set in?

Answer 2: The story’s plot was set in San Joaquin County of California, United States.

Question 3. Which tribe does the narrator belong to?

Answer 3: The narrator belongs to a poor Armenian tribe called Garoghlanian.

Question 4. What is the name of Khosrove’s son?

Answer 4: The name of Khosrove’s son is Arak.

Question 5. Why did the narrator believe Mourad stole the horse?

Answer 5: The narrator believed Mourad stole the horse because they belonged to a poor family, and Mourad couldn’t buy such a horse.

Question 6. Where did the narrator and his cousin hide the horse?

Answer 6: The narrator and his cousin hid the horse in a deserted vineyard owned by a farmer named Fetvajian.

Question 7. What is the meaning of vazire?

Answer 7: Vazire means ‘My heart’ in the Armenian language.

Question 8. Write a synonym for surrey.

Answer 8: Carriage is a synonym for surrey.

Question 9. Who was Mourad’s father? What do we know about him from this story?

Answer 9: Mourad’s father was Zorab. The narrator states that though Mourad had inherent craziness, his father was very practical. 

Question 10. Why did Mourad bring the white horse near Aram’s house?

Answer 10:  Mourad brought the white horse near Aram’s house because he knew Aram longed to ride on horses. He wanted Aram to ride that horse.

Question 11. Describe the narrator’s first encounter with the white horse.

Answer 11: One day, the narrator was called by his cousin, Mourad, at four o’clock in the morning. Waking up, he found that Mourad was outside the window of his room, riding on a beautiful white horse. The narrator first thought it was a dream because they were too poor to have a horse. Soon, he realised it was a real one because he could hear its breaths and feel its smell. He always wanted to ride a horse. So, he opened the window and joined his cousin to take a ride on this horse.

Question 12. Write a short note about the character Khosrove.

Answer 12: Khosrove is a side character in the story and an uncle of our narrator, Aram. Khosrove has been portrayed as a severely impatient and short-tempered person. According to the story, He used to shut up everyone with a roar. He also had the largest moustache in the San Joaquin Valley. Aram believed that his uncle carried the streak of madness in their clan.

Question 13. How did Aram know that the horse belonged to John Byro?

Answer 13: Aram suspected that Mourad stole the horse because they were too poor to afford it. But Mourad didn’t say how he got that horse. That afternoon, a farmer named John Byro visited Aram’s house. While having coffee, he stated that his white horse had been stolen and still was missing. After this, Aram understood it was the same white horse that Mourad had brought. 

Question 14. What happened after Aram rode the horse alone?

Answer 14: Aram had no experience of riding a horse by himself. After getting on the horse, he started to kick it in the muscles. That made the horse run. It jumped into a vineyard and continued to leap over the vines. It jumped over seven vines before Aram fell from the horse. After that, it continued running and went far from his sight.

Question 15. What do we know about John Byro?

Answer 15: John Byro was an Assyrian farmer who learnt Armenian to communicate with the local people. He also had a carriage. He visited the narrator’s house and stated how his stolen white horse was still missing. That suggested that he was the owner of the horse. Towards the end of the story, he saw Mourad with his horse, but didn’t accuse him of stealing. He knew the reputation of the tribe for honesty. At the end of the story, he got back his horse.

Question 16. Give a brief description of the place where the narrator used to live.

Answer 16: The narrator used to live in the San Joaquin Valley of California. He used to live on the edge of a town on Walnut Avenue. Behind his home was the countryside. The countryside had many vineyards, orchards and farms. The air was fresh and pure, and nature was beautiful there. 

Question 17. How did the two boys build a connection with the white horse in those few days?

Answer 17: One early morning, the narrator was called by his cousin Mourad, riding a white horse. The narrator always longed to ride a horse. So, without telling anyone, he joined his cousin. They both took a ride in the countryside. Though the narrator understood it was a stolen horse, he still asked his brother to keep it until he knew horse riding. Thus, the boys shared a very exciting and eager relationship with the white horse. 

Question 18. You will probably agree that this story does not have a breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what, in your opinion, makes it interesting?

Answer 18: A story can be interesting in many ways. It may have tight suspense throughout the reading or a plot twist that will surprise us. Apart from this, a story’s theme and writing style can also make it enjoyable. ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ is one such story. It has a linear plot involving two poor boys and a white horse. It depicts two boys’ longing for a horse they can’t afford and how they build a strong connection with a stolen horse. But when they understand their mistake, they return it to the owner. The boys belong to a tribe known for honesty and trust and continue that legacy. Apart from this, the story also has a funny character, uncle Khosrove whose acts make us laugh. Altogether, the story takes us to our childhood memories with its simplicity and innocence and becomes an interesting piece of reading.

Question 19. How does the author describe the character of Mourad?

Answer 19: Mourad is one of the main characters of the story, ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ by William Saroyan. He is thirteen years old and the narrator’s cousin. The story evolves with a white horse brought by Mourad. The author has portrayed the character as a lively, free-spirited and a little crazy person. Besides being too enthusiastic, he has a kind heart too. He can build great bonding with animals, birds and people. As an innocent boy, he took the white horse only to ride it. He didn’t consider it as stealing but later felt guilty and returned it to its owner. Thus, he carried on the reputation of trust and honesty of his clan. Murad is a unique character and plays an important role in the story.

Question 20. Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or afraid?

Answer 20: The boys returned the horse because they were conscience-stricken. Aram and Mourad are the two main characters of the story who are two young boys from an Armenian tribe known for their honesty and trust. Mourad stole a white horse from a farmer named John Byro to ride on it. The boys decided to return it after Aram learned how to ride a horse. When they were with the horse, they came across John Byro. He recognised his horse. But he was close to the tribe and knew their reputation for honesty. So, he didn’t charge them but tried to awaken their consciences. He stated that if that had been someone else, he thought it to be his horse, but, as it was them, it must be a twin of his horse. His act made the boys guilty. They understood their mistake and returned it the very next day. They could have the horse but they didn’t for their honesty.

Question 21. The story revolves around characters who belong to a tribe in Armenia. Mourad and Aram are members of the Garoghlanian family. Now prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian tribes. As suggested in the story, you may write about people, their names, traits, and geographical and economic features.

Answer 21: From the story, we come to know about the Garoghlanian family which is said to be an imaginary tribe in William Saroyan’s book “My name is Aram”. The tribe is Armenian and known for their honesty and trust. They are very proud of it as it has been a hallmark of their family for centuries. After honesty, they believe in right and wrong. They are also a hospitable community. From the story, it is learned that the family used to be extremely wealthy, but they have become very poor with time. Their social get-together takes place in the form of a large dinner with lots of food. From this story, we can further know the family has a streak of madness. A single person from each generation is said to have little craziness in their spirits. The narrator believes his cousin Mourad is the carrier of this craziness. 

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Q.1 “This was that part that wouldn’t permit me to believe what saw”. What part does the narrator mean?

Ans

Aram refers to their poverty. They lived in extreme poverty and it was difficult to understand how they got food to satisfy their hunger. He frankly admits that every branch of the family was living in the most amazing and comical poverty in the world.

Q.2 What conflicting thoughts passed through the narrator’s mind on seeing Mourad on a beautiful white horse early one morning?

Ans

The narrator was surprised. He knew that his cousin Mourad couldn’t have bought the horse. He obviously must have stolen it. However, family pride came in the way. He refused to believe that Mourad was a thief.

Q.3 How did Aram define stealing when he had to decide whether or not to ride the horse?

Ans

It seemed to him that stealing a horse for a ride was not the same thing as stealing something else such as money. Since he and Mourad were quite crazy about horses it wasn’t stealing. He convinced himself with the thought that it would become stealing only when they offered to sell it.

Q.4 What traits of the Garoghlanian family are highlighted in the story?

Ans

The Garoghlanian family though now poor was famous for their honesty even when they were wealthy. They were proud first, honest next and after that they believed in right and wrong. None of them would take advantage of anybody in the world. They would not steal. No member of this family could be a thief.

Q.5 Why could little Aram not believe his eyes when his cousin Mourad called him early one summer morning?

Ans

Little Aram thought that he was dreaming when he saw his cousin Mourad sitting on a magnificent white horse. It was an unbelievable sight because they belonged to the poor families and buying such a beautiful horse was beyond their means.

Q.6 What two character traits of Mourad are mentioned by the narrator in the initial part of the story?

Ans

Mourad was considered crazy by everybody who knew him except the narrator. He was impulsive, daring and reckless. He followed his heart more than his mind. He was quite crazy about horses and had a way with animals. Secondly, he enjoyed being alive more than anybody else.

Q.7 What were the peculiarities in uncle?

Ans

Uncle Khosrove’s crazy streak was famous. He was a big man with a powerful head of black hair and very large moustache. He was quite furious in temper, very irritable and impatient. He would stop anyone from talking by roaring his pet phrase. “It is no harm; pay no attention to it”.

Q.8 “I have a way with a horse”. How do you think had Mourad developed an understanding with the horse?

Ans

Mourad had been quite sensitive, tender and affectionate towards the horse. He would put his arms around it, press his nose into the horse’s nose and pat it. It was not easy to tame a strange horse and get it to behave nicely. Even John Byro, the rightful owner admitted that the horse had become better tempered, stronger and well-mannered.

Q.9 What do you think induced the voice to return the horse to its owner?

Ans

The boys were impressed by John Byro’s attitude towards their parents and families. He knew their parents very well and so believed whatever the boys said. Secondly the fame of their family for honesty was well-known to him. The boys returned the horse to him for the sake of family’s pride and dignity. Their conscience did not allow them to keep the horse any longer. They were afraid to lose a family reputation which was known for honesty and integrity.

Q.10 Why had Mourad and Aram taken the horse? Why did they return it?

Ans

They had taken the horse with the intention of riding it and also they were too poor to buy it. They loved riding but since they were not thieves, they had no desire to sell it. They returned the horse because they became conscious of their reputation of honesty and realised their mistake.

Q.11 Do you think John Byro recognized his horse? Why did he not accuse the boys of stealing the horse?

Ans

Yes, John Byro did recognize his horse. He examined his teeth and knew for sure that the horse was his own. He did not accuse the boys and indirectly told them that it was wrong to steal. He talked about the family’s reputation for honesty and said that he would never suspect them of stealing.

Q.12 “We had been famous for our honesty for something like eleven centuries”. The narrator describes his family in these words. Do you think Mourad and Aram were honest too? Give examples to prove your point.

Ans

Mourad and Aram were also very honest. They took the horse with the sole intention of riding it and could not afford to buy one of their own. Their intention was to return the horse. Mourad was only thirteen years old and was not mature enough to resist the temptation. The talk with John Byro and the need to safeguard the family’s reputation made them return the horse.

Q.13 Mourad had the ‘crazy streak’ of the family in him. What do you learn about him in the story?

Ans

Mourad, a thirteen year old boy, fond of riding to the point of looking crazy- sang joyfully as he rode the stolen horse. He was considered the natural descendent of a crazy uncle Khosrove. He said he had a way with horses and farmers.

Q.14 Which other characters of Mourad’s family had the crazy streak in them? Write briefly about their behaviour.

Ans

Mourad and Uncle Khosrove both were crazy persons. Mourad was a young boy, fond of horses and riding while Uncle Khosrove was furious, impatient, and irritable. He would roar and stop everyone from talking and say “It is no harm, pay no attention to it”. When his son came and told them that the house was on fire, he silenced him by saying ‘enough’. It is no harm.

Q.15 How can we say that Aram and Mourad were very fond of riding?

Ans

Mourad had brought a horse which did not belong to him. He would wake up at 4:00 am and ride the horse when it was still very dark. He used to race the horse across the fields and vineyards.

Q.16 What did John Byro say to the boys when he found them walking with it one morning?

Ans

John Byro met the boys walking with the horse which they had stolen. He studied the horse carefully and examined its teeth and was certain that the horse was his own horse. Yet he said that if he did not know their parents’ honesty, he would swear that it was his horse. He only called it his horse’s twin.

Q.17 The story explores the theme of adventure and exploration. Do you think the story appeals for responsible adventurism?

Ans

Humans are driven by a desire for adventure and exploration. While exploration helps open new horizons and pushes humans to newer landscapes, adventurism makes a person self-confident, positive and open to risk taking. An adventurous person faces every challenge in life, confidently. He realises that there is much more for him to see, do and learn. However, excess of an adventurous spirit may also be fatal, both to the individual and the community. Hence, there is a need for responsible adventurism.

The story, The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan, is about two young boys, Aram and Mourad who belonged to the Garoghlanian family, which was a part of an Armenian tribe. Though, their tribe always faced a dearth of food, they were proud of the reputation of honesty and integrity for more than hundred years. Mourad was considered the most adventurous member of the family and a natural descendant of Uncle Khosrove. His passion for horse riding made him steal a white horse keeping his family reputation at stake. He fulfilled his desire of horse riding and invited Aram to join him. Aram was spellbound to see Mourad riding on a beautiful white horse. His eyes gleamed with joy. He could not believe that Mourad had stolen a horse. He justified his act by thinking that stealing a horse for fun and riding was not the same as stealing and selling it for money. Later, he too joins Mourad and both of them enjoy the ride.

In order to satiate their desire for adventure and excitement they forget their family reputation and behave unethically. When John Byro notices his missing horse with the two boys, he indirectly reminds them of the honesty and integrity they are known for.

This brings about a transformation in the two young boys. Guilt and self – realization teaches them that one should not fulfill their dreams through unethical means. The act of stealing someone’s horse to fulfill their passion is not justified. They decide to take the horse to John Byro’s vineyard and put it back in the barn.

Towards the end of the story, the two reckless youth become responsible and mature adolescents. Thus, the story teaches that being adventurous with a sense of responsibility is always appreciated.

Q.18 Describe Mourad’s parting from the beautiful white horse?

Ans

Mourad looked at the horse for some time as he had grown fond of him. When he had gone to return it, in John Byro’s vineyard, he had tried to put his arms around his neck, pressed his nose into the horse’s nose and patted him. The horse was stronger now and better behaved after being with Mourad for some days.

Q.19 “What?” he roared. Are you inviting a member of the Garoghlanian family to steal? The horse must go back to its true owner. Who said these words and to whom? What do we learn about the speaker from these lines?

Ans

Mourad said these words to Aram when Aram suggested that they should keep the horse for a year. Mourad was annoyed and said these words. This shows that he was honest and sincere enough to guard the family’s reputation of being honest.

Q.20 The element of ‘honesty’ is integral to the plot. Discuss.

Ans

The lead protagonists of the story Aram and Mourad both belong to a family that was well reputed for its honesty and integrity. When they steal the horse, they break a norm and put their family’s name on stake. However, the reputation of their family is so strong that John Byro, knowing that it is his horse choose to believe his trustful heart rather than his eyes. Next morning, the boys stricken by conscience, return the horse quietly to John Byro.

They realize their mistake and learn trial-by-error the damage they could do to other people and the value of goodness. Hence the story emphasizes the importance of honesty through the dramatization of crime, realization and repentance.

Q.21 Discuss the character sketch of Mourad.

Ans

Mourad, the central character in the story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ is depicted as a young boy, who enjoyed being alive and having fun. He had a crazy streak in him which he had inherited from his family. He belonged to a tribe that was poor, had no money and lived in an acute form of poverty.
As a young lad he upheld the family customs and traditions. He believed in all the values that his tribe and family had tried to inculcate in him. He could not resist the temptation to ride a horse and stole a horse from John Byro, hid it and then went for horse riding early in the morning at 4:00 am along with his nine year old cousin Aram. He justified his act by saying that it wasn’t stealing because they had no intention of selling it for money.
Mourad was crazy and fun loving. While riding the horse, he sang loudly and joyfully. He was confident about his riding abilities and said that he had a way with a horse. It was only when John Byro touched his conscience when he declared that if he had not trusted the honesty of their tribe, he would have sworn that the horse belonged to him. Mourad realised his mistake. His conscience pricked him and he returned the horse. The fun loving boy had had his fun and then his honesty urged him to uphold his family values and traditions.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Chapter 1 of CBSE Class 11 English Snapshots contains a story named ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’. The story is about two poor boys, Aram and Mourad and a white horse. Mourad stole a horse he couldn’t afford to ride and invited Aram to ride. They both had a happy time with the horse. Soon Aram came to know that the horse belonged to a farmer named John Byer. The boys decided to return the horse after six months. However, they came across John Byer suddenly. John recognised his horse but didn’t accuse them of stealing. He knew the boys belonged to a tribe known for honesty and just. So, he woke up their conscience by saying it was a twin of his horse. This act made the lads guilty, and they returned his horse the next day. Thus, the story ends with an innocent ending. You can go through the Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 to read the vital questions from the chapter.

John Byre, a farmer, came across Aram and Mourad with his white horse. He recognised his horse at a glance. But he was familiar with the honesty of the clan the boys belong to. He understood the young boys did not steal the horse for monetary purposes. So, instead of accusing them as thieves, he woke up their consciences. He stated that members of the Garoghlanian clan could never steal. It must be a twin of his horse. That made the boys guilty, and they returned the horse the next morning. Thus, he received his horse, helping the boys to understand their mistakes. You can go through the Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 prepared by our experts for more such questions and answers.

Students must practise many questions to improve their answer writing skills and score better in exams. They can follow the exercise given in the textbook. But the number of questions provided there is limited. So, our experts have prepared the Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 to offer a wide list of questions. The experts of Extramarks have collected these questions from important sources like Class 11 English Snapshots, important reference books, CBSE sample papers and CBSE past years’ question papers. They have provided the answers too. Thus, the Important Questions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 1 will guide students to score better in exams.