The Address Questions Answers Class 11 NCERT English Snapshot (2025–2026) are explained in simple, easy-to-understand language. These answers cover all important themes, values, and character insights from the chapter. Ideal for CBSE Class 11 students, these solutions help in revision, exam preparation, and gaining a deeper understanding of the story as per the latest syllabus and marking scheme. Perfect resource for quick learning and scoring better in English exams.
About the Author:
Marga Minco was a renowned Dutch writer, born in 1920 in the Netherlands, into a Jewish family. She survived the horrors of World War II by going into hiding, while many of her family members perished. Minco’s works often focus on themes like war, memory, loss, and the silent emotional struggles of survivors. Her most famous work, The Address, is widely appreciated for its simple yet powerful portrayal of post-war trauma. She was one of the last surviving Dutch authors who personally experienced the trauma of World War II. Marga Minco passed away on July 10, 2023, at the age of 103.
Hornbill & Snaoshot Class 11 English Solutions NCERT
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Summary of “The Address”
“The Address” by Marga Minco is a touching story about the effects of war, loss, and the emotional journey of reclaiming the past. The narrator, a young girl, visits a house in Marconi Street after the war in search of her mother’s belongings. Her mother had once told her to remember this address because Mrs Dorling, an old acquaintance, had taken their valuables to keep them safe during the war.
The narrator arrives at Number 46, Marconi Street, and is greeted by a young girl (Mrs Dorling’s daughter). The narrator enters the house and observes many familiar items—tablecloths, silver cutlery, antique plates, and other household objects. These things used to belong to her and her mother before the war. She remembers the warmth of their home and how her mother took pride in those items. Every piece brings back memories of her past life—a life full of love and security that was destroyed during the war.
As the narrator sits and observes, she realizes that the objects no longer hold the same value. They now seem lifeless in this new house. The warmth and comfort that once surrounded them are gone. She suddenly decides to leave. When the girl asks her to wait for her mother, the narrator declines and walks away, feeling the burden of the past.
At the corner of the street, she looks at the nameplate again—Marconi Street—and confirms that the address was correct. But she decides she no longer wants to remember it. She realizes that the things once connected to her past have lost meaning because they are now in a strange place. Those items, without the people and emotions that once surrounded them, are just empty objects.
In the end, she makes peace with her memories and chooses to forget the address. She understands that holding on to those things would only bring pain. Letting go is the easiest and perhaps the most healing choice.
Theme: The story highlights the trauma of war, displacement, memory, and how physical belongings cannot replace lost relationships or emotions. Letting go of the past is sometimes necessary to move forward.
Word Notes:
- searchingly → inquisitively → खोजपूर्ण तरीके से
- chink → slit/gap → छोटा सा दरार/फाँक
- step → stair/platform → सीढ़ी / पायदान
- recognition → identification → पहचान
- staring → gazing → टकटकी लगाकर देखना
- mistaken → wrong/incorrect → गलत
- fleetingly → briefly/momentarily → थोड़े समय के लिए
- probable → likely → संभावित
- cardigan → sweater → ऊन का बुना स्वेटर
- pale → faded/light → फीका
- hid → concealed → छिपा दिया
- right → correct → सही
- thought → assumed/believed → सोचा था
- returned → come back → वापस आया
- regret → apologize/remorse → पछतावा
- convenient → suitable/appropriate → सुविधाजनक
- cautiously → carefully → सावधानी से
- bay window → projecting window → बाहर निकली खिड़की
- enameled → glazed/polished → चमकदार / एनामेल किया हुआ
- acquaintance → known person → परिचित व्यक्ति
- antique → old/valuable → पुराना और मूल्यवान
- lugging → dragging/carrying → घसीटना / ढोना
- crick → strain/pain → ऐंठन / दर्द
- crockery → ceramic utensils → चीनी मिट्टी के बर्तन
- insult → offense/disrespect → अपमान
- reprovingly → disapprovingly → डाँटते हुए
- upset → disturb/hurt emotionally → दुखी करना
- beckoned → gestured → इशारा किया
- shapeless → formless/undefined → निराकार
- initially → at first → शुरुआत में
- Liberation → freedom/release → स्वतंत्रता
- confronted → faced/encountered → सामना किया
- endured → lasted/survived → सहा / झेला
- possessions → belongings/assets → संपत्ति / सामान
- in vain → unsuccessfully → व्यर्थ में
- errand → short task/mission → छोटा काम
- cumbersome → unwieldy/heavy → भारी और झंझटपूर्ण
- Hanukkah → Jewish festival → यहूदी पर्व (हनुक्का)
- horrified → terrified/shocked → भयभीत
- oppressed → weighed down → दबा हुआ / पीड़ित
- tasteless → lacking beauty/ugly → बेस्वाद / भद्दा
- muggy → stuffy/humid → उमस भरा
- woollen → made of wool → ऊन का बना
- rubbed → pressed/massaged → रगड़ा / दबाया
- pattern → design → नमूना / डिज़ाइन
- burn mark → scorch/stain → जलने का निशान
- broad → wide → चौड़ा
- antique → old/valuable → पुराना और कीमती
- fancied → liked/admired → पसंद किया
- pewter → alloy metal → धातु मिश्रण (प्यूटर)
- cutlery → utensils → खाने के बर्तन (चम्मच, काँटा, चाकू)
- polish → shine/clean → चमकाना / साफ़ करना
- unnatural → odd/strange → अप्राकृतिक / अजीब
- hesitated → paused/was unsure → झिझका
- sideboard → cupboard → अलमारी (साइडबोर्ड)
- drawer → sliding box → दराज
- jumped up → stood quickly → अचानक खड़ा हो गया
- forgetting → failing to remember → भूल जाना
- catch → board/get on → पकड़ना (ट्रेन/बस चढ़ना)
- drawer → compartment → दराज / खांचा
- jingling → clinking/rattling → झनझनाहट की आवाज़
- name-plate → signboard → नेमप्लेट
- correct → accurate → सही
- objects → things/items → वस्तुएँ
- linked → connected/attached → जुड़ा हुआ
- memory → recollection → स्मृति
- familiar → known/recognizable → परिचित
- severed → disconnected/cut off → कटा हुआ / अलग
- surroundings → environment/setting → परिवेश
- rented → leased → किराए पर लिया हुआ
- shreds → pieces/scraps → टुकड़े
- black-out paper → darkening sheet (used in wartime) → अंधेरा करने वाला कागज़
- handful → small quantity → एक मुट्ठी / थोड़ी मात्रा
- cutlery → utensils (spoons, forks, knives) → खाने के बर्तन
- resolved → decided/determined → निश्चय किया
- easiest → simplest/least difficult → सबसे आसान
NCERT Snapshots Textual Questions Answers Class 11 [Page No 13]
“The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse” NCERT Snapshots Textual Questions Answers for Class 11 CBSE are written in a clear and easy-to-understand way. These answers help students learn about the story’s main ideas, characters, and writing style. They are great for quick revision, exam preparation, and for building a strong understanding of the lesson.
1. ‘Have you come back?’ said the woman. ‘I thought that no one had come back.’ Does this statement give some clue about the story? If yes, what is it?
Ans: Yes, this line gives an important clue about the story. When Mrs. Dorling says this, we understand that the narrator and her family had gone through a war, and many people did not survive. Mrs. Dorling had taken the narrator’s family’s valuable things for safekeeping during the war. But she did not expect anyone to return and claim them. This shows the pain and loss caused by the war. It also tells us that Mrs. Dorling may have started using those things as her own. The line gives us an idea of the main problem in the story—that the narrator is trying to find a part of her past in a world that has changed completely after the war. It is a sign of the broken lives and relationships due to war.
2. The story is divided into pre-War and post-War times. What hardships do you think the girl underwent during these times?
Ans: In the pre-war time, the narrator lived a normal and happy life with her mother. Their house was full of beautiful things like silverware, antique plates, and soft tablecloths. These were part of her warm family life. But when the war came, everything changed. Her family had to leave their home, and Mrs. Dorling took their valuable things for safekeeping. During the war, the narrator probably went into hiding and lost family members. In the post-war time, she returned alone and had to live in a small rented room. She went to Number 46, Marconi Street, to see if she could find her past. But she felt like a stranger. Her old things were there, but they looked strange and lifeless. The narrator realized that her old life was gone, and the past could not come back. She had to deal with sadness, loss, and a broken connection to her memories.
3. Why did the narrator of the story want to forget the address?
Ans: The narrator went to Marconi Street to find her past, especially the things that belonged to her and her mother before the war. When she entered the house, she saw their old items—plates, cutlery, and tablecloths. But they looked different in this new place. They had lost their meaning. They no longer gave her comfort. She remembered how her mother used to care for these things, but now they were just objects. The narrator felt that these items did not belong to her anymore. The connection was broken. She lived in a small rented room where she had no space or reason to keep these things. That is why she decided to forget the address. She understood that holding on to these things would only bring more pain. Forgetting the address was a way to forget the sad memories and move on with her life.
4. ‘The Address’ is a story of human predicament that follows war. Comment.
Ans: Yes, The Address clearly shows the human suffering that comes after war. The story is about a girl who lost her family, her home, and her past during the war. After the war, she goes to a house where her mother’s belongings were kept. She sees the items but feels no happiness. The things are the same, but the people, the love, and the warmth are gone. This shows that even when physical things survive, the real loss is emotional. The story tells us how war breaks homes, relationships, and memories. It also shows how people change—Mrs. Dorling, who once knew her mother, becomes cold and unkind. The narrator’s pain is silent but deep. She chooses to forget the past rather than suffer more. The story makes us think about how war hurts not only the body but also the heart and mind. It’s a story of loss, pain, and the struggle to move on.
Exam Pattern-Based Questions Answers
Exam Pattern-Based Question Answers are made as per the latest CBSE rules to help students score higher. They include MCQs, short and long answers, and competency-based questions. These help students practice well and understand the exam format clearly.
Extract-Based Questions: The Address Questions Answers
One prose extract out of two, from the book Snapshots, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. 4×1=4 Marks
The Address Questions Answers Set 1
1. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I was home for a few days and it struck me immediately that something or other about the rooms had changed. I missed various things. My mother was surprised I should have noticed so quickly. Then she told me about Mrs. Dorling. I had never heard of her but apparently she was an old acquaintance of my mother, whom she hadn’t seen for years. She had suddenly turned up and renewed their contact. Since, then she had come regularly.
(i) Which of the following aspects was noticed by the narrator?
Ⓐ Her mother was surprised
Ⓑ Various things were missing
Ⓒ Room has changed with different items
Ⓓ Didn’t witness anything different
Answer: (B) Various things were missing
(ii) Why would the narrator’s mother have been surprised?
Answer: The narrator’s mother was surprised because her daughter noticed that many familiar household items were missing very quickly after returning home.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately:
Since Mrs. Dorling suddenly turned up and renewed the contact with the narrator’s mother, she had come ________.
Answer: regularly
(iv) Who was Mrs. Dorling?
Answer: Mrs. Dorling was an old acquaintance of the narrator’s mother, who had reappeared after many years and began taking away valuable belongings to “keep them safe” during the war.
The Address Questions Answers Set 2
2. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
And one day I noticed I was curious about all the possessions that must still be at that address. I wanted to see them, touch, remember. After my first visit in vain to Mrs. Dorling’s house I decided to try a second time. Now a girl of about fifteen opened the door to me. I asked if her mother was at home.
(i) Here, which possessions are discussed by the author?
Ⓐ Those things which are earned by the author
Ⓑ Things taken away by Mrs. Dorling
Ⓒ Things which were important to her mother
Ⓓ Things which were stolen from the author
Answer: (B) Things taken away by Mrs. Dorling
(ii) Why did the author feel curious about the possessions?
Answer: The author was curious about the possessions because they were a part of her family’s past and reminded her of her mother and the pre-war life. She wanted to see and touch them to recall her memories.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately:
When the narrator visited Mrs. Dorling’s house the second time, the door was opened by _______.
Answer: Mrs. Dorling’s daughter
(iv) Why is the first meeting described by the author as ‘in vain’?
Answer: The first meeting is called ‘in vain’ because Mrs. Dorling pretended not to recognize the narrator and refused to let her in or return any of the items.
The Address Questions Answers Set 3
3. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I looked up. The girl put cups ready on the tea-table. She had a broad back. Just like her mother. She poured tea from a white pot. All it had was a gold border on the lid. I remembered. She opened a box and took some spoons out.
“That’s a nice box.” I heard my own voice. It was a strange voice. As though each sound was different in this room.
“Oh, you know about them?” She had turned round and brought me my tea. She laughed. “My mother says it is antique. We’ve got lots more.” She pointed round the room. “See for yourself.”
(i) What similarity did the author notice about the daughter of Mrs. Dorling?
Ⓐ Voice like her mother
Ⓑ Attitude like her mother
Ⓒ Broad back like her mother
Ⓓ Walking style like her mother
Answer: (C) Broad back like her mother
(ii) Why was it a ‘strange voice’?
Answer: The narrator’s voice felt strange to her because she was emotionally disturbed and disconnected in that unfamiliar environment filled with her old possessions, now placed in someone else’s house.
(iii) Complete the following suitably:
The narrator said, “that’s a nice box” because _______.
Answer: she had recognised it as one of the valuable items from her own home, associated with her past and her mother.
(iv) What is the significance of the given lines?
Answer: The lines show how the narrator realises that even though the objects belonged to her past, they had lost their emotional value in this strange setting. The possessions no longer felt like hers, symbolizing how war had broken emotional connections.
The Address Questions Answers Set 4
4. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I sat down. My fingers tightened on the knob of the door. I had come especially to see the things, to touch them and remember. But I did not want to sit down. I wanted to hear the sound of my voice again. It was the only thing that sounded familiar in the strange room. But soon I would have to leave.
(i) What was the narrator’s intention for coming to the house?
Ⓐ To talk to Mrs. Dorling
Ⓑ To get her things back
Ⓒ To see and touch the things to remember her past
Ⓓ To live in the house again
Answer: (C) To see and touch the things to remember her past
(ii) Why did the narrator tighten her fingers on the knob of the door?
Answer: The narrator felt nervous and uncomfortable. She didn’t feel at home in that room, even though it had her family’s things. Holding the doorknob showed her inner urge to leave the place.
(iii) Complete the sentence:
The narrator did not want to sit down because _______.
Answer: she felt like a stranger in the room and wanted to leave soon.
(iv) Why did she say her voice was the only familiar thing?
Answer: Everything around her seemed strange, even though the furniture and objects were once hers. Her own voice was the only thing that still felt like her past life.
The Address Questions Answers Set 5
5. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I was in a room I knew and did not know. I found myself among things I wanted to see again but which lost their value because they were in a strange atmosphere. The tea-table, the spoons, the tablecloth, had all been ours. I wanted to remember them. But I couldn’t.
(i) What does the narrator mean by “a room I knew and did not know”?
Ⓐ It was similar to her childhood room
Ⓑ She had seen it in a dream
Ⓒ It had her things but felt unfamiliar
Ⓓ It reminded her of someone
Answer: (C) It had her things but felt unfamiliar
(ii) Why had the things lost their value for the narrator?
Answer: The things were no longer in their original place or with her family. They had become lifeless in that strange house. Without the people and memories connected to them, they felt meaningless.
(iii) Complete the sentence:
Even though the narrator saw the familiar objects, she could not _______.
Answer: remember them emotionally or feel connected to them.
(iv) What feeling does the narrator express in these lines?
Answer: She feels sad, empty, and disappointed. She hoped to reconnect with her past through the objects, but they only reminded her that everything had changed.
The Address Questions Answers Set 6
6. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I was about to ring the bell again when the door opened and a woman stepped through. It was Mrs. Dorling. She wore my mother’s green knitted cardigan. The wooden buttons were rather pale from washing. She looked at me, gave no sign of recognition. She kept staring at me in silence.
(i) Who opened the door for the narrator?
Ⓐ A stranger
Ⓑ Mrs. Dorling
Ⓒ Her mother
Ⓓ The maid
Answer: (B) Mrs. Dorling
(ii) What was special about the cardigan Mrs. Dorling wore?
Answer: It belonged to the narrator’s mother. It was a green knitted cardigan with pale buttons.
(iii) How did Mrs. Dorling behave when she saw the narrator?
Answer: She looked at the narrator silently but didn’t show any sign that she recognized her.
(iv) What emotion did the narrator likely feel at this moment?
Answer: She probably felt shocked and hurt because Mrs. Dorling acted like a stranger and was wearing her mother’s cardigan.
The Address Questions Answers Set 7
7. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
She held the door in such a way that I could not see the hall very well. I noticed that she wore the coat with the fur collar, used to be my mother’s. It was a bit too long for her.
(i) What was Mrs. Dorling trying to do by standing at the door like that?
Ⓐ Welcome the narrator warmly
Ⓑ Show her the house
Ⓒ Hide the inside of the house
Ⓓ Look outside
Answer: (C) Hide the inside of the house
(ii) What does the narrator observe about the coat?
Answer: She noticed it was her mother’s coat with a fur collar, and it was too big for Mrs. Dorling.
(iii) What do these details reveal about Mrs. Dorling?
Answer: Mrs. Dorling was using the narrator’s mother’s clothes, pretending they were hers, and did not want the narrator to see more.
(iv) What is the narrator’s reaction to seeing her mother’s things with Mrs. Dorling?
Answer: She feels uncomfortable, surprised, and perhaps betrayed, seeing personal family items being used casually.
The Address Questions Answers Set 8
8. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
The girl walked ahead of me through the passage. There was a sideboard with a dull mirror above it. In it I saw myself: my reflection seemed strange to me. I looked at the girl who was walking in front of me. She was wearing one of my mother’s old coats.
(i) Who is “the girl” mentioned here?
Ⓐ The narrator’s cousin
Ⓑ A stranger
Ⓒ Mrs. Dorling’s daughter
Ⓓ A housemaid
Answer: (C) Mrs. Dorling’s daughter
(ii) What emotion did the narrator feel when she saw her reflection?
Answer: She felt like a stranger to herself. The reflection didn’t feel familiar, just like the house.
(iii) What was the girl wearing?
Answer: She was wearing one of the narrator’s mother’s old coats.
(iv) What does this moment tell us about the narrator’s visit?
Answer: It shows that the narrator feels like an outsider. Her past is now being lived by someone else.
The Address Questions Answers Set 9
9. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I was silent. I followed the child up the stairs. My feet moved slowly. I had come here for the things, but I had decided to leave them where they were. I did not want to touch them anymore.
(i) What decision does the narrator make?
Ⓐ To take back her things
Ⓑ To search the house
Ⓒ To leave the things behind
Ⓓ To argue with the child
Answer: (C) To leave the things behind
(ii) Why does the narrator no longer want the things?
Answer: She realizes that the things had lost their emotional meaning. They didn’t feel like they belonged to her anymore.
(iii) What does this tell us about the narrator’s growth?
Answer: It shows she has accepted that her past is gone and doesn’t want to cling to the objects anymore.
(iv) What is the tone of this passage?
Answer: The tone is sad, quiet, and full of acceptance.
The Address Questions Answers Set 10
10. Read the given extracts carefully and answer the following questions. (1X3=3marks)
I looked at the silver cutlery and the pewter plate. The tablecloth had a burn mark in it which my mother had never wanted to repair. Everything was there. But I no longer had any desire to possess it. I had found my mother in all these things. But I would never see her again.
(i) What did the narrator see on the tablecloth?
Ⓐ A new stain
Ⓑ A flower design
Ⓒ A burn mark
Ⓓ A hole
Answer: (C) A burn mark
(ii) Why had her mother not repaired the mark?
Answer: The text says her mother never wanted to repair it, possibly because it reminded her of something or didn’t bother her.
(iii) Why does the narrator say, “I would never see her again”?
Answer: Her mother had died during the war, and the narrator knows she can never get her or her old life back.
(iv) What decision does the narrator finally make?
Answer: She chooses not to take anything and to leave the past behind forever.
Short Answer Type Questions: The Address Questions Answers
One Short answer type question, from the book Snapshots, to be answered in 40- 50 words. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. One out of two questions to be done. 3×1=3 Marks
The Address Questions Answers Set 1
1. Describe the events of the narrator’s first visit.
Ans: The narrator went to Mrs. Dorling’s house after the war. Mrs. Dorling acted cold and said she didn’t know her. She didn’t allow her to enter and closed the door quickly. The narrator felt unwelcome and disappointed as Mrs. Dorling showed no interest in returning her mother’s belongings.
2. Explain how the narrator became sure of the address.
Ans: The narrator became sure she was at the right address when she saw Mrs. Dorling wearing her mother’s green cardigan. The cardigan had wooden buttons that had faded after many washes. This familiar item confirmed to her that she had come to the correct house, Number 46, Marconi Street.
3. How does the woman at the door react when the protagonist identifies herself?
Ans: When the narrator told the woman who she was, Mrs. Dorling became uncomfortable. She pretended not to recognise her and acted in a very distant way. She avoided any proper conversation and quickly shut the door. Her behavior clearly showed she didn’t want to face the truth or help.
The Address Questions Answers Set 2
4. What specific item of clothing confirms to the protagonist that she is at the right house?
Ans: The green cardigan worn by Mrs. Dorling confirmed to the narrator she had come to the right place. It belonged to her mother and had faded wooden buttons. This familiar piece of clothing reminded her of home and proved that her mother’s things were inside the house.
5. The narrator noticed a few changes at her house when she visited during the first half of the war. Explain.
Ans: During her visit home in the early part of the war, the narrator saw many things were missing. Items like the tablecloth, silverware, cutlery, vases, and decorative plates were gone. The rooms felt empty and unfamiliar. She realized her mother had already started giving things to Mrs. Dorling.
6. Give the description of Mrs. Dorling as per the narrator’s mother.
Ans: The narrator’s mother described Mrs. Dorling as an old friend who suddenly came back into her life during the war. She started visiting often and offered to keep their things safe. The mother trusted her, thinking she was kind and helpful, though they had not met for years.
The Address Questions Answers Set 3
7. Mrs. Dorling gave a justified explanation for taking the belongings of Mrs. S. Do you agree? If not, what could be the real reason?
Ans: No, Mrs. Dorling’s actions didn’t seem justified. She appeared selfish and greedy. She used the war as a chance to take the narrator’s mother’s precious things. Her sudden kindness was fake, and she likely thought the family wouldn’t return, so she could keep everything for herself without guilt.
8. Did the narrator feel convinced that Mrs. Dorling was the right person to keep all their valuables in safe custody?
Ans: No, the narrator never trusted Mrs. Dorling. She didn’t like how interested Mrs. Dorling was in their valuables. Her strange behavior made the narrator feel something was wrong. She thought her mother had made a mistake by trusting her, especially during such a dangerous and uncertain time.
9. The narrator’s mother allowed for her possessions to be taken away. Analyse.
Ans: The narrator’s mother was Jewish and feared the war would force them to flee. She agreed to let Mrs. Dorling keep their things so they wouldn’t be lost. She believed they could return after the war and take them back. It was a decision made out of fear and hope.
The Address Questions Answers Set 4
10. Explain why the narrator didn’t pay much attention to things on the way.
Ans: On her way back from Mrs. Dorling’s house, the narrator didn’t focus on her surroundings. Though the streets were familiar, she avoided looking closely. She feared the old sights would bring painful memories of her family and past life. She chose not to let herself feel more sadness or loss.
11. Describe the things the narrator found in the living room.
Ans: In the living room, the narrator saw her family’s old things: the wooden table with burn marks, the woollen tablecloth, antique silver candle holders, spoons, and china. Everything was strangely arranged and used differently. She felt that although the things were hers, they no longer belonged to her emotionally.
The Address Questions Answers Set 5
12. Why did the narrator suddenly decide to leave Mrs. Dorling’s house?
Ans: The narrator felt disconnected and uncomfortable in Mrs. Dorling’s house. The things looked familiar but gave her pain. She realised these objects belonged to a lost past. Keeping them wouldn’t bring her peace. So, she quietly left, feeling that her memories were more important than the actual possessions.
13. How does the narrator react when she touches her mother’s things?
Ans: The narrator felt uneasy and sad when she touched her mother’s belongings. They brought back painful memories. Instead of comfort, the familiar things made her feel like a stranger. She realised that the emotional connection was lost, and these objects could not bring back her past or happiness.
14. How did the narrator’s views about her past change by the end of the story?
Ans: At first, the narrator wanted to recover her mother’s things. But by the end, she understood that the past couldn’t return. The war had changed everything. She chose to let go of the physical things and move on, believing memories were more valuable than holding onto the past.
The Address Questions Answers Set 6
15. How did the narrator show great courage by visiting Number 46?
Ans: The narrator showed courage by visiting a house filled with painful memories. She faced Mrs. Dorling’s cold behavior and still returned later. She bravely accepted the truth that her past couldn’t be regained and chose peace over pain, deciding not to reclaim her family’s belongings in the end.
16. What made the narrator feel like a stranger in Mrs. Dorling’s house?
Ans: Though the items in the house were hers, the narrator felt they didn’t belong to her anymore. They looked strange in a different setting. She couldn’t connect with them emotionally. This change, along with Mrs. Dorling’s indifference, made her feel like a complete stranger among her own possessions.
The Address Questions Answers Set 7
17. What emotions does the narrator feel when she leaves the house in silence?
Ans: As the narrator quietly left, she felt calm but deeply sad. There was disappointment, but also relief. She knew she didn’t belong there anymore. Leaving the house without her things gave her freedom from the burden of painful memories. She accepted her loss with quiet strength and dignity.
18. What message does the story give about war and human relationships?
Ans: The story shows how war breaks human trust, relationships, and homes. It turns people selfish, like Mrs. Dorling, who took advantage of fear. The narrator’s painful experience teaches that sometimes we must let go of the past to find peace. True value lies in memories, not just in things.
Long Answer Type Questions: The Address Questions Answers
One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Snapshots, to be answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses, using incidents, events, themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. 1×6=6 Marks
The Address Questions Answers Set 1
1. Betrayal of trust is a timeless evil. Discuss in context of The Address.
Ans: Betrayal of trust is a painful experience that can happen in any time or age. In The Address, Mrs. Dorling pretends to help the narrator’s mother by offering to keep her valuables safe during the war. But her real intention is selfish. She takes advantage of the fear and helplessness of the narrator’s family during the war. After the war ends, she refuses to return the belongings and even denies knowing the narrator. This shows how greed can destroy human values. Mrs. Dorling’s actions reflect betrayal of the faith the narrator’s mother had in her. The story teaches us that trust is fragile and when broken, it causes emotional pain. The narrator’s visit to reclaim her mother’s things becomes a moment of truth. She realises that some losses cannot be recovered, and it is better to move on than be hurt by people who only think of themselves.
2. Imagine you are Mrs. Dorling. Write a letter to a friend expressing guilt and your wish to make amends.
46 Marconi Street, Amsterdam
20th September, 1945
Dear Mrs. Jansen,
Ans: I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to confess something I’ve done and can’t stop thinking about. During the war, I took many valuable items from my old friend, Mrs. S., promising to keep them safe. Last month, her daughter came to ask for them, but I denied knowing her. I can’t explain my behaviour. I feel ashamed and deeply guilty. I betrayed someone who trusted me in a time of fear and pain. I treated her daughter with coldness when I should have helped her. These things do not belong to me. They carry memories that I cannot truly understand. I’ve decided to return everything to her. Please guide me if there’s anything else I should do to fix my mistake. I really want to make peace with my actions.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Dorling
The Address Questions Answers Set 2
3. Write an article on the futility of war based on the story The Address.
Ans:
The Futility of War
By XYZ
Undoubtedly, when war begins, it brings fear, suffering, and destruction. In The Address, we see how war breaks lives and relationships. The narrator loses her family, home, and memories. Even after the war ends, life does not return to normal easily. The pain remains in the hearts of those who survived. People become selfish and distrustful, as shown by Mrs. Dorling’s greedy behaviour. War teaches people to protect themselves, sometimes at the cost of others. Families are broken, possessions are stolen, and human values are forgotten. The narrator, though young, must deal with great loss and sadness. The story shows that no victory in war can match the damage it causes. That is why peace is always better. If people talk and solve problems with love and understanding, the world can be a kinder place. War takes too much; peace gives everything.
The Address Questions Answers Set 3
4. How do belongings and memory shape the narrator’s emotional journey in The Address?
Ans: In The Address, belongings are symbols of the narrator’s lost family and childhood. After the war, she visits Mrs. Dorling’s house to see the items her mother once owned. These things bring back memories, but they also make her feel like a stranger. The familiar objects now look strange and cold. Instead of comfort, they bring her sadness. Through this emotional experience, the narrator realises that real memories live in the heart, not in physical things. Holding on to the past brings pain, not peace. So, she decides to leave everything behind. This choice helps her find emotional strength and move forward. Marga Minco uses belongings to show how memory and healing are connected. The narrator’s journey teaches us that sometimes we must let go of material things to protect our inner peace and identity. Her decision marks the beginning of self-understanding and emotional freedom.
The Address Questions Answers Set 4
5. Compare the narrator’s initial reluctance and later return to Mrs. Dorling’s home.
Ans: In The Address, the narrator first feels unsure and nervous about visiting Mrs. Dorling. She remembers how Mrs. Dorling took her family’s things during the war. The fear of facing the past and the pain of war keep her away. But over time, curiosity and a desire to connect with her lost mother make her return. When she finally sees the familiar objects in Mrs. Dorling’s house, she feels no joy—only discomfort. Everything looks strange in its new setting. This visit helps her understand that her past cannot be relived through objects. Her feelings change from hope to acceptance. The transformation from hesitation to courage shows her emotional growth. In the end, she chooses to leave those things behind and live in the present. Her return and decision mark her journey from grief to healing and from memory to moving on with life.
