CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 7: The Interview NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This chapter delves into the multifaceted nature of interviews, exploring both their positive contributions and the criticisms they face. It examines the interview as a significant tool in journalism and a source of information about prominent personalities. The solutions discuss the perspectives of celebrity writers who often feel their privacy is invaded and their essence diminished by the process. It also touches upon the historical and cultural beliefs associated with capturing someone's likeness. These NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo, Chapter 7, 'The Interview', provide clear explanations and detailed answers to help students grasp the nuances of the topic and prepare effectively for their exams.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 12
SubjectEnglish Flamingo
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 7

Chapter summary

Chapter 7 of the CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo textbook, 'The Interview', is explored through these NCERT Solutions. The solutions cover the positive aspects of interviews in journalism, the negative perceptions held by many writers and celebrities who feel their privacy is intruded upon, and the symbolic meaning behind certain expressions related to the interview experience. Key concepts discussed include the interview as an art form, its role in understanding personalities, and the psychological impact on those being interviewed.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the positive contributions of interviews to journalism.
  • Analyze the negative views and criticisms of interviews by celebrity writers.
  • Explain the cultural beliefs associated with photography and interviews.
  • Interpret figurative language used to describe the experience of being interviewed.
  • Identify the role of the interviewer in modern media.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • The Interview as a journalistic tool
  • Positive views on interviews
  • Criticisms of interviews by celebrities
  • The concept of 'diminishing' a person through interviews
  • Cultural beliefs about portraits and souls
  • Figurative language in interviews
  • The role of the interviewer
  • Understanding personalities through interviews

Important topics

  • The dual nature of interviews: art vs. intrusion
  • Celebrity perspectives on privacy
  • Symbolic meanings of interview experiences
  • The interviewer's power and influence

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Solution: Interviews are viewed positively as an integral and artful component of modern journalism. Over its 130-year history, the interview has become a vital communication tool. It serves as a significant source for uncovering truths and understanding contemporary figures. As Denis Brian noted, interviews allow us to connect with and learn about the people of our time through their own words and perspectives.

Question 2

Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed?
Solution: Many celebrity writers hold a negative view of interviews, often despising them because they feel these sessions represent an invasion of their personal lives. They perceive interviews as an act that diminishes their individuality or essence, drawing parallels to ancient beliefs that a person's soul could be captured through a portrait. Some, like V.S. Naipaul, have described the experience as emotionally wounding, while others, such as Rudyard Kipling, have condemned it as a morally objectionable act.

Question 3

What is the belief in some primitive cultures about being photographed?
Solution: In certain primitive cultures, there existed a belief that the act of being photographed was akin to a form of theft. It was thought that a photograph could capture and remove a person's soul from their body, leaving them incomplete, diminished, or spiritually harmed.

Question 4

What do you understand by the expression "thumbprints on his windpipe"?
Solution: The expression "thumbprints on his windpipe" is a powerful metaphor used to describe the intense feeling of suffocation or strangulation that an interviewee might experience. It suggests that the interview process can be so invasive and stressful that it feels like a physical assault, leaving the person feeling choked and unable to breathe freely.

Question 5

Who, in today's world, is our chief source of information about personalities?
Solution: In the contemporary world, the interviewer is considered the primary source through which we gain information about notable personalities. Through their skill in questioning and their influence, interviewers are able to extract significant details and insights from individuals, presenting them to the public and shaping our understanding of these personalities.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the interviewer's role with the interviewee's experience.
  • Underestimating the psychological impact of interviews on subjects.
  • Not fully grasping the symbolic meanings of expressions like 'thumbprints on his windpipe'.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the contrasting viewpoints presented regarding interviews.
  • Pay attention to the specific examples of writers and their opinions.
  • Understand the cultural context mentioned regarding photography and its perceived effects.
  • Practice explaining the figurative language used in the text.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is considered an inherent part of journalism in its 130 years of existence?

Q2. Why do some celebrity writers dislike interviews?

Q3. What ancient belief is compared to the effect of interviews on celebrities?

Q4. What does the expression "thumbprints on his windpipe" metaphorically suggest about an interview?

Q5. According to the text, who is the chief source of information about personalities in the modern world?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 7, 'The Interview', in CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo?

Chapter 7, 'The Interview', explores the significance and controversies surrounding interviews, examining both their positive role in journalism and the negative experiences of those being interviewed, particularly celebrities.

What are the positive aspects of interviews discussed in these NCERT Solutions?

The solutions highlight that interviews are an inherent part of journalism, serving as a useful means of communication and an art form that helps us understand our contemporaries and extract significant information about personalities.

Why do some writers and celebrities dislike being interviewed?

Many celebrity writers feel that interviews unduly interfere with their private lives, diminish their essence, and can be a painful or even 'immoral' experience, akin to ancient beliefs about portraits stealing souls.

What does the phrase 'thumbprints on his windpipe' mean in the context of an interview?

This expression metaphorically describes the intense tension and feeling of suffocation or strangulation that a person might experience during a difficult or intrusive interview.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 12 students?

These solutions offer clear, rewritten answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand the nuances of the topic, interpret figurative language, and prepare effectively for their English exams.

Important links

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