Class 12 Alternative English
A Cup of Tea

1. Write true or false
   (i) Miss Smith was a very rich girl.
   Ans:- false.

(ii) Rosemary was a very compassionate woman.
Ans:- false.

(iii) Philip did not want Miss Smith to dive with them.
Ans:- True.

(iv) Rosemary had been married for a couple of years.
Ans:- True.

2. which Russian author influenced Katherine Mansfield?
   Ans:- Dostoevisky
3. In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss

Smith?
Ans:- Curzon streeet.

4. How many pounds did Rosemary give to miss Smith?
   Ans:- Three pounds.
5. What is the cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to

buy?
Ans:- Twenty eight guineas.

6. What is the name of the main charactere of ‘A cup of Tea’?
   Ans:- Rosemary Fell.
7. What are the names of the too women characters in the story

‘A cup of Tea”?
Ans:- Rosemary and Smith.

8. What kind of relationship do Rosemary and Philip share in ‘A

cup of Tea’?
Ans:- Rosemary and Philip have a husband and wife relationship

in ‘A cup of Tea’.

9. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?
   Ans:- Philip reacts with disapproval towards Miss Smith. He

wants to send Miss Smith out as she belongs to a poor class.

10. Who was Miss Smith? why did Rosemary send her back?
    Ans:- Miss Smith was a poor girl whom Rosemary encountered

on the street.
Rosemary send her back because she realised that the

girl’s present is disturbing their comfortable lifestyle.

11. Why did Philip disapprove of Rosemary’s decision to keep

Miss Smith with them?
Ans:- Philip disapproved Rosemary’s decision to keep Miss

Smith with them because he believed it would disturb their social

status. and bring unwanted attention to their lifestyle.

12. Write a brief character sketch of Rosemary fell?
    Ans:- Rosemary fell is a wealthy and privileged woman who

enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. She is described as attractive and

fashionable with a test for luxury. Rosemary is indeed not

beautiful but she has everything she wanted in her life.

Howevershe is also portrayed as impulsive and easily influenced

by her emotions. Rosemary fell is featured as a selfish, jealous

and complex woman although she indulge herself in charity and

kindness.

13. Describe Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith.
    Ans:- One winter while leaving an antique shope Rosemary

unexpectedly meets a poor young girl named Miss Smith who is

starving and begging for the price of a cup of tea to keep her

warm. Overwhelmed by a certain impulse of compassion

Rosemary invite Miss Smith to join her for tea. This unexpected

act of kindness leads to a series of events that disturbed

Rosemary’s life.

14. How does Katherine Mansfield explore the theme of ‘class

difference’ in ‘A Cup of Tea’.
Ans:- Katherin mansfield explors the theme of class difference in

A cup of Tea’ by highlighting the stark contrast between

Rosemary’s wealthy lifestyle and Miss Smith’s poverty. The

encounter between the two women exposes the vast division

between their social status showcasing the insensivity and

ignorance of the upper class towards the struggles faced by the

lower class.

15. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home?
    Ans:- Rosemary takes Miss Smith home initially out of a desire

to help someone in need. However as the story progress it

becomes evident that Rosemary’s motivation are more complex.

Rosemary was struck by the chance encounter with the poor girl

and it appears to her as something out of a ‘dostoevsky’ novel.

She takes her home with the intention of offering Miss Smith a

better life and proving that miracles can also happen in real life.

However Rosemary’s actions are motivated more by a desire to

show off her generocity and gain recognition from her upper

class friends rather than genuine kindness.

l6. Examine in detail the various themes explored by Katherine

Mansfield in her story ‘A cup of Tea’.
Ans:- ‘A Cup of Tea’ explores several themes throughout the

story. One prominant theme is the concept of social class and its

impact on human relationships. Mansfield highlights the stark

division between the upper class represented by the characters

like Rosemary Fell and her husband Philip. And the lower class

was symbolised by Miss Smith. The story throws light on the

behaviour of previleged individuals who tried to appear

genorosus in order to recceive gratitude, admiration and respect

from those whom they consider infererior to them in the society.

Mansfield also explores the theme of appearence v/s reality as a

Rosemary’s initial act of kindness towards Miss Smith is driven

by her desire to feel superior. However as the story progress,

Rosemary begins to question her own motives and realises the

shallowness of her intension. Additionally the theme of self-

discovery and self awareness is evidant through Rosemary’s

character.

18. comment on the significance of the title of the story ‘A Cup of

Tea’?
Ans:- The title ‘A Cup of Tea’ holds significance symbolism

within the story. On the surface, it represents a simple act of

hospitality and kindness. However as the narrative unfolds the

title takes on a deeper meaning. The cup of tea becomes a

metaphorical reopresentation of the social and emotional barriers

that exist between people of different classes. The title also

highlights the contrast between the materialistic desires and

self-centeredness of the uper class as seen in Rosemary’s initial

desire to buy herself a luxurious item. Ultimately the title

sumarised the larger themes of the story including compassion,

self-reflection and the complexities of human relationships.