English Class 12

Vistas( Supplementary)
Chapter 1 The Third Level
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
Anyway, here’s what happened at Grand Central. One night last summer I worked late at the office. I
was in a hurry to get uptown to my apartment so I decided to take the subway from Grand Central
because it’s faster than the bus.
Now, I don’t know why this should have happened to me. I’m just an ordinary guy named Charley,
thirty-one years old, and I was wearing a tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band; I
passed a dozen men who looked just like me.
(i) List any two details about how Charley was dressed up.
Ans. Charley was wearing a tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band.
(ii) Charley decided to use the subway because it was :
(A) quicker. (B) cheaper. . (C) more fashionable. . (D) safer.
Ans. (A) quicker.
(iii) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
Landing at the third level was due to Charley’s flight of ______.
Ans. imagination.
(iv) Which time frame is represented through the kind of outfit mentioned in the
extract? .
(A) pre world war era . (B) the present times . (C) the eighteenth century . (D) in the future
Ans. (B) the present times

Q2. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :

To make sure, I walked over to a newsboy and glanced at the stack of papers at his feet. It was The
World; and The World hasn’t been published for years. The lead story said something about President
Cleveland. I’ve found that front page since, in the Public Library files, and it was printed June 11,
1894. I turned toward the ticket window knowing that here — on the third level at Grand Central — I
could buy tickets that would take Louisa and me anywhere in the United States we wanted to go.
(i) Why does the narrator resort to wishful day-dreaming and want to travel back in
time?
Ans. The narrator resorts to wishful daydreaming and wants to travel back in time to escape
the stress and chaos of his present life, finding solace in the simplicity and tranquillity of the
past.
(ii) The year 1894 holds so much importance because _____.
Ans. It represents a time before the two World Wars, a period of peace and stability that the
narrator longs for.
(iii) The World, the news about President Cleveland — what do they hint at?
(A) The narrator used to like reading the newspaper.
(B) The narrator fantasises about past events.
(C) The narrator wants to escape to a world that was unaffected by the two World Wars.
(D) The narrator tends to forget things.
Ans. (C) The narrator wants to escape to a world that was unaffected by the two World Wars.
(iv) Give one reason why the writing style of the extract can be called autobiographical.
Ans. The writing style can be called autobiographical because it reflects the narrator’s personal
thoughts, feelings, and experiences, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.

Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.
To make sure, I walked over the newsboy and glanced at the stack of papers at his feet. It was The
World and The World hasn’t been published for years. The lead story said something about President
Cleveland. I’ve found that front page since, in the Public library files, and it was printed June 11, 1894.
I turned toward the ticket windows knowing that here — on the third level at Grand Central — I could
buy tickets that would take Louisa and me anywhere in the United States we wanted to go. In the year
1894. And I wanted two tickets to Galesburg, Illinois.
(i) The newspaper that covered the lead story about President Cleveland was
(a) The Pioneer . (b) The New York Times . (c) The World . (d) The Times
Ans. (c) The World
(ii) The narrator wanted to buy tickets to __________.
Ans. Galesburg, Illinois
(iii) Which of the following in the extract most nearly means the opposite of ‘stare’?
(a) glance . (b) peek . (c) ignore . (d) examine
Ans. (c) ignore
(iv) Charley wanted two tickets because he wanted to go with
(a) Sam . (b) Cleveland . (c) Louisa . (d) the Psychiatrist
Ans. (c) Louisa

Q1. How did Charley ‘reach’ the third level of the Grand Central Station? [30-40 words]
Ans. Having worked late at the office Charley decided to take a train back home. So he came to
Grand Central Station and from the second level he got lost while ducking into an arched
doorway and found himself inside a tunnel. This tunnel took him to another light of stairs and
he found himself on the third level of the station.
Q2. Describe Charley’s experiences at the third level of the Grand Central Station.
Ans. When Charley reached on the third level, there were fewer ticket windows. Light was dim.
Rooms were smaller. Everyone in the station dressed like 1890s. A newsboy had copies of a
newspaper (the world) that had not been published for years. It was a June 11, 1894 edition.
Charley go toward the ticket window. He decided to buy two tickets for Galesburg. He wanted
to go there with his wife. But then he found that only old style bills were accepted there. But
Charley had new style dollars.
Q3. Louisa behaves like a perfect wife. Give evidence from The Third Level in support of
the above statement.
Ans. Louisa supports Charley in his quest to find the third level, despite its seeming absurdity.
She listens to him, shares his interest, and even suggests he consult a psychiatrist. Her
understanding and supportive nature show her as a perfect wife.
Q4. Why was Charlie fascinated with Galesburg?
Ans. Charlie was fascinated with Galesburg because it represented an idyllic and peaceful time
in the past. Galesburg was a place where life was simpler and more serene, offering a stark
contrast to the stress and anxiety of his present life.
Q5. Describe briefly the scene at the third level of Grand Central as seen (or seemed to
be seen) by Charley.
Ans. One night Charley worked till late at the office. Then he was in a hurry to get back to his
apartment. So he decided to take the subway from Grand Central. He went down the steps and
came to the first level. Then he walked down to the second level from where the suburban
trains left. He ducked into an arched doorway that headed to the subway. Then he got lost.
Knowing that he was going wrong he continued to walk downward. The tunnel turned a sharp
left and then taking a short flight of stairs he came out on the third level at the Grand Central
Station. Here he saw many unusual things. There were very few ticket windows and train gates
that were old-looking and made of wood. Dim gaslights flickered and men wore derby hats and
four-button suits. It was a rather strange world of sideburns, beards and fancy moustaches.
Q6. In the story ‘The Third Level’, reality and fantasy are interwoven. Justify.
Ans. In Jack Finney’s ‘The Third Level,’ reality and fantasy intertwine seamlessly to create a
narrative that blurs the lines between the two. The protagonist, Charley, discovers a mysterious
third level at Grand Central Station, which transports him to the tranquil world of the
1890s.This serves as an escape from the anxieties and pressures of his contemporary life.
The story uses this fantastical element to reflect Charley’s yearning for a simpler, more peaceful
existence. His wife and friends dismiss his discovery as a figment of his imagination,
highlighting the tension between his desires and the harsh realities of the modern world. The
ambiguity of the third level’s existence keeps readers questioning what is real and what is
imagined, underscoring the theme that sometimes, fantasy offers solace from the burdens of
reality. This interplay between reality and fantasy not only adds depth to the story but also
illustrates the human need for escapism and the enduring hope for a better, more idyllic past.
Q7. Describe briefly the Third Level. How did it differ from the Second Level?
Ans. The Third Level in Jack Finney’s story “The Third Level” is a mysterious and surreal place
located at the Grand Central Station. Unlike the bustling, modern-day Second Level, the Third
Level transports visitors to a bygone era. It is described as having old-fashioned architecture,
dim gaslights, brass spittoons, and a general atmosphere reminiscent of the 1890s. The people
there are dressed in vintage clothing, and the surroundings evoke a sense of nostalgia and
tranquility. The Third Level differs significantly from the Second Level in terms of its ambiance
and the sense of escape it offers. While the Second Level is filled with the hustle and bustle of
contemporary life, the Third Level provides a refuge from the pressures and complexities of the
modern world. It represents a longing for a simpler, more peaceful time. The protagonist,
Charley, discovers this level accidentally and perceives it as an escape from his stressful life.
However, it is ultimately revealed to be a figment of his imagination, symbolizing his desire to
retreat from reality.
Q8. The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress. What are the
ways in which we attempt to overcome them? [120-150 words]
Ans. We can overcome the anxieties and insecurities bred by our inevitable existence in the
modern world by getting involved in some practical and beneficial activities. Cultivating
hobbies, spending time with family and friends, going on trips and excursions, pursuing
meditation and exercises help us live a balanced and healthy life. reading good books is
equivalent to having good friends with great insight. They not only enrich us with the vast store
of knowledge but also help us to learn from other’s experience and stay rooted to some basic
qualities of humanity. Joining hobby classes or gym, attending social events like birthdays and
weddings, going for outdoor games, interacting meaningfully through social networking sites
and writing diaries etc can also help us relieve our worries and stay focussed and disciplined in
life. Simple activities like listening to music, playing with pets, an occasional dinner out,
watching cinema or plays or going to places like parks etc can go a long way in helping us get
rid of stress, boredom and insecurities.

Q1. What does the third level refer to?

Ans The third level refers to the subway of the Grand Central Station that takes
passengers to Galesburg, Illinois. The third level on the station was a medium of
escape for Charley, the narrator from the harsh realities of modern life. It
provided him a base where he could interweave fantasy and reality.
Q2. Would Charley ever go back to the ticket-counter on the third level to
buy tickets to Galesburg for himself and his wife?
Ans No, Charley would never go back to the ticket-counter on the third level to
buy tickets to Galesburg for himself and his wife because third level was his
imagination.
Q. 3.Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
Ans. Yes, I think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley. Life in
modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worries and stress. Man has to
confront them all the times. The harsh realities of life make living quite
unpleasant and even unbearable. So he wants to escape into a wishful world.
Charley talks to his psychiatrist friend about the third level at the Grand Central
Station. His friend calls it “a walking-dream wish fulfillment”. Charley possesses
an escapist tendency. Even his stamp collecting is a ‘temporary refuge from
reality’.
Q.4 What do you infer from Sam’s letter to Charley?
Ans. The way Charley came across Sam’s letter was surrounded in mystery.
Among his oldest first-day covers, he found an envelope. The envelope containing
the letter bore the address of his grandfather. It was written on July 18, 1894. The
postmark showed the Picture of President Garfield. Generally the first day covers
have blank papers in them, but this one contained a letter. The letter was
addressed to Charley. In the letter Sam had informed Charley that he was living
on the third level. He had also told Charley and his wife to keep looking for the
third level. Clearly, the letter was a product of Charley’s imagination.
Q.5 ‘The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress.’ What are the
ways in which we attempt to overcome them?
Ans. We can overcome the anxieties and insecurities bred by our inevitable
existence in the modern world by getting involved in some practical and
beneficial activities. Cultivating hobbies, spending time with family and friends,
going on trips and excursions, pursuing meditation and exercises help us live a
balanced and healthy life. Reading good books is equivalent to having good
friends with great insight. They not only enrich us with the vast store of
knowledge but also help us to learn from other’s experience and stay rooted to
some basic qualities of humanity. Joining hobby classes or gym, attending social
events like birthdays and weddings, going for outdoor games, interacting
meaningfully through social-networking sites and writing diaries etc can also
help us relieve our worries and stay focussed and disciplined in life. Simple
activities like listening to music, playing with pets, an occasional dinner out,
watching cinema or plays or going to places like parks etc can go a long way in
helping us get rid of stress, boredom and insecurities.