The ‘The Interview’ chapter from the Class 12 English NCERT textbook ‘Flamingo’, including PYQs (Previous Year Questions) and CFQs (Competency Focused Questions), is provided here to assist students in evaluating question types and preparing accordingly. For additional resources, click here.
PYQs (Previous Years’ Questions)
- What do you understand by ‘‘interstices’’? How does Umberto Eco utilise his interstices? (CBSE 2024) Short
- What evidence from the text reveals that Rudyard Kipling did not walk the talk? (CBSE 2024) Short
- Umberto Eco has a talk with Danny Casey from the story ‘‘Going Places’’. Danny, being a football prodigy, feels his popularity may affect his game as he can’t devote much time to it. What advice will Umberto Eco give Danny about time management? Write a paragraph on the interaction between the two and the advice given by Umberto Eco. (CBSE 2024) Long
- What are some of the positive views on interviews? [Delhi 2020] Short
- Why did Rudyard Kipling dislike being interviewed? Give two reasons. [Outside Delhi 2020] Short
- What impressions do you form of Umberto Eco as a scholar and writer on the basis of your study of ‘The Interview’? (CBSE 2020) Long
ANSWERS with Questions:
Q 1. What do you understand by ‘‘interstices’’? How does Umberto Eco utilise his interstices? (CBSE 2024)
Answer: “Interstices” are the small gaps or moments of free time between activities. Umberto Eco uses these short intervals, like waiting for an elevator or travelling between places, to work productively. During these moments, he writes articles or makes notes, maximising every available moment.
Q 2. What evidence from the text reveals that Rudyard Kipling did not walk the talk? (2024)
Answer: Rudyard Kipling spoke strongly against interviews, calling them “immoral” and an invasion of privacy. However, despite this belief, he conducted an interview with Mark Twain a few years earlier, showing a contradiction between his words and actions.
Q 3. Umberto Eco has a talk with Danny Casey from the story ‘‘Going Places’’. Danny, being a football prodigy, feels his popularity may affect his game as he can’t devote much time to it. What advice will Umberto Eco give Danny about time management? Write a paragraph on the interaction between the two and the advice given by Umberto Eco. (2024)
Answer: In their conversation, Umberto Eco would likely advise Danny Casey on using his time wisely by making use of “interstices,” or the small breaks between his activities, just as Eco does. Eco would explain to Danny how he writes articles or jots down ideas even in the briefest free moments, like while waiting for an elevator or sitting between classes. Eco would remind Danny that, although his fame and responsibilities may take up much of his schedule, he could still manage his practice by filling these little gaps with focused efforts. Eco’s advice would emphasise how balancing short, productive moments with rest can help Danny devote time to both his game and his commitments, preserving his passion without feeling overwhelmed by his popularity.
Q 4. What are some of the positive views on interviews? (Delhi 2020)
Answer: Positive views on interviews include seeing them as a valuable way to learn about people and understand their ideas. Interviews are thought to reveal truths about individuals and serve as an art form that shares insights with the public. They help in building connections between famous people and their audiences.
Q 5. Why did Rudyard Kipling dislike being interviewed? Give two reasons. (Delhi 2020)
Answer: Rudyard Kipling disliked interviews because he saw them as an invasion of privacy and a violation of his personal space, which he considered “immoral.” Additionally, he felt that interviews diminished his dignity, similar to a physical assault, and believed they disrespected his personal boundaries.
Q 6. What impressions do you form of Umberto Eco as a scholar and writer on the basis of your study of ‘The Interview’? (2020)
Answer: Umberto Eco emerges as a dedicated scholar and versatile writer with a keen intellectual curiosity. As a professor and expert in semiotics, Eco is deeply connected to academia, yet he effortlessly transitions into fiction writing. His wide-ranging work—spanning scholarly essays, novels, children’s books, and journalistic pieces—reflects his commitment to exploring philosophical and ethical themes. Eco values time management, utilising even the smallest moments, or “interstices,” to stay productive. His academic writing is unique, adopting a personal, narrative style that engages readers rather than following a traditional academic approach. Despite his fame as a novelist, he considers himself a professor first, showing his humility and dedication to scholarship. Eco’s approach to balancing rigorous academic work with creativity reveals his disciplined yet passionate nature as a thinker and writer.
SQPs & CBSE Question Bank (QB)
- Umberto Eco, with reference to “The Name of the Rose” says, “I think if I had written The Name of the Rose ten years earlier or ten years later, it wouldn’t have been the same.” What could he have meant? (CBSE SQP 2024) Short
- Why do you think Christopher Silvester describes the viewpoints of other writers and authors when discussing the concept of an interview? Support your opinion with reference to any one writer cited. (CBSE QB, 2021) Short
- How would you evaluate Mukund Padmanabhan as an interviewer? Mention at least two qualities he displays in his interview, supported by textual evidence. (CBSE QB) Short
- Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them repeatedly. But still many of them ‘despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion in their lives’. Describe opinions for and against the interview as mentioned in the lesson. (Constructed Response Question) Long
- Imagine you are Christopher Silvester. You have been invited to a seminar series titled – ‘Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing’. The organisers would like you to speak about the challenges of conducting interviews, and skills interviewers must have in order to conduct good and ethical interviews. Based on your reading of The Interview, Part I and II, draft your speech. Include relevant details from the text in support of your answer. (Constructed Response Question) (CBSE QB) Long
- Mukund Padmanabhan was gifted the ‘Penguin Book of Interviews – An Anthology from 1859 to the Present Day’ edited by Christopher Silvester, after interviewing Eco. He shared his thoughts on his personal blog exploring his own concerns about interviewing a distinguished writer like Eco, followed by an evaluation of the interview in light of his reading. As Mukund Padmanabhan, write the blog post. [CBSE QB] Long
- Part I of ‘The Interview’ is an excerpt from the Penguin Book of Interviews. Do you think that the extract fails to present a balanced perspective about interviews? Substantiate your answer with relevant textual details. If this were the entire introduction, what would your expectation from the book be? [CBSE QB] Long
- Christopher Silvester shares authors’ reservations about interviewing. Bearing that in mind, would you interview a writer of your choice? If so, what would you pay particular attention to in interviewing the said writer? [CBSE Question Bank] Long
ANSWERS with Questions:
Q1. Umberto Eco, with reference to “The Name of the Rose” says, “I think if I had written The Name of the Rose ten years earlier or ten years later, it wouldn’t have been the same.” What could he have meant [CBSE SQP 2024]
Answer: Eco likely meant that the success of The Name of the Rose was influenced by timing. The book’s appeal came at a moment when readers were ready for a complex novel that combined detective fiction with philosophy, history, and theology. If he had written it earlier or later, readers’ interests might have shifted, affecting its impact and popularity.
Q 2. Why do you think Christopher Silvester describes the viewpoints of other writers and authors when discussing the concept of an interview? Support your opinion with reference to any one writer cited. (QB)
Answer: Silvester presents diverse opinions on interviews to show the complex feelings authors have toward them. For example, Rudyard Kipling viewed interviews as “immoral” and compared them to personal assaults, emphasising how intrusive they felt to him. By citing different authors, Silvester illustrates that interviews can be both revealing and invasive, depending on the perspective.
Q 3. How would you evaluate Mukund Padmanabhan as an interviewer? Mention at least two qualities he displays in his interview, supported by textual evidence. (QB)
Answer: Mukund Padmanabhan is thoughtful and respectful. He asks Eco meaningful questions that explore his writing process and personal identity, showing his curiosity about Eco’s perspective. For instance, he probes into Eco’s time management and academic style, which helps readers understand Eco’s approach to balancing different fields. His respectful tone also makes Eco comfortable, allowing him to share insights openly.
Q 4. Several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them repeatedly. But still many of them ‘despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion in their lives’. Describe opinions for and against the interview as mentioned in the lesson. (QB)
Answer: In the lesson, interviews are viewed both positively and negatively.
For Interviews: Some people see interviews as a way to uncover the truth about public figures, considering it an art that helps the audience understand celebrities’ lives and thoughts. Interviews are viewed as a powerful communication tool, allowing people to connect with famous personalities on a personal level. Denis Brian, for example, believes that interviews provide vivid impressions and are a primary source of information about personalities.
Against Interviews: Conversely, many celebrities view interviews as intrusive. They feel interviews invade their privacy and diminish their dignity. Rudyard Kipling calls interviews “immoral,” equating them to a personal assault that should be punished. V. S. Naipaul also finds interviews harmful, believing they can “wound” a person, taking away a part of their identity. This divided opinion reflects the complexity of interviews as both a revealing and intrusive process.
Q 5. Imagine you are Christopher Silvester. You have been invited to a seminar series titled – ‘Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing’. The organisers would like you to speak about the challenges of conducting interviews, and skills interviewers must have in order to conduct good and ethical interviews. Based on your reading of The Interview, Part I and II, draft your speech. Include relevant details from the text in support of your answer. (QB)
Answer: A sample draft of speech is given below:
Speech: Ladies and gentlemen,
I’m honored to speak on “Ethics and Techniques of Interviewing.” Interviews play a powerful role in journalism, giving the public insight into the minds of influential figures. However, interviewing can be challenging and requires both skill and ethical consideration.
One challenge is balancing respect with curiosity. Interviewers must ask meaningful questions that provide depth without invading the interviewee’s privacy. As we see from Rudyard Kipling’s perspective, interviews can feel like an assault when too intrusive. It’s essential for interviewers to recognize boundaries and refrain from overly personal questions that may disrespect the subject’s comfort and dignity.
Listening actively is another crucial skill. Mukund Padmanabhan, who interviewed Umberto Eco, demonstrated this well. His thoughtful questions reflected genuine curiosity and understanding of Eco’s work. This approach made Eco comfortable enough to share his insights openly.
Finally, an ethical interviewer must respect the uniqueness of the interviewee. Each individual has a story, and it’s our responsibility to handle it with sensitivity. Denis Brian highlights that interviews help the public connect with personalities in profound ways, making it necessary to conduct interviews thoughtfully and respectfully.
Thank you.
Q 6. Mukund Padmanabhan was gifted the ‘Penguin Book of Interviews – An Anthology from 1859 to the Present Day’ edited by Christopher Silvester, after interviewing Eco. He shared his thoughts on his personal blog exploring his own concerns about interviewing a distinguished writer like Eco, followed by an evaluation of the interview in light of his reading. As Mukund Padmanabhan, write the blog post. (QB)
Answer: A sample draft of speech is given below:
Blog Post:
Title: Reflections on Interviewing Umberto Eco
Interviewing someone like Umberto Eco was both thrilling and intimidating. Being a celebrated scholar and novelist, Eco has a wealth of experience and wisdom, and I wanted to do justice to his insights while respecting his space.
Reading The Penguin Book of Interviews, I learned that interviews often require a delicate balance. Rudyard Kipling, for instance, viewed interviews as invasive, likening them to a personal offence. I understood his perspective because asking personal questions can sometimes feel intrusive. In preparing for Eco, I wanted to ensure that my questions were thoughtful and focused on his work rather than his private life.
During the interview, I noticed that Eco was open to discussing his approach to time management and his narrative style in academic writing. My efforts to keep the conversation relevant and insightful seemed to put him at ease. Eco’s humorous remark on writing in “interstices” inspired me; it taught me how he maximises every free moment productively.
In evaluating the interview, I feel I achieved a respectful dialogue that revealed Eco’s intellectual and creative sides without crossing personal boundaries. It was an unforgettable experience that affirmed the importance of respectful curiosity and ethical interviewing.
Q 7. Part I of ‘The Interview’ is an excerpt from the Penguin Book of Interviews. Do you think that the extract fails to present a balanced perspective about interviews? Substantiate your answer with relevant textual details. If this were the entire introduction, what would your expectation from the book be? (QB)
Answer: Part I of The Interview mainly presents the negative views of prominent figures on interviews, giving a somewhat unbalanced perspective. Many writers, such as Rudyard Kipling and V. S. Naipaul, express discomfort with interviews, considering them invasive or harmful. Kipling goes as far as to label interviews as “immoral,” while Naipaul suggests that they can “wound” and take away part of a person’s identity. These strong opinions dominate the excerpt, suggesting that interviews are largely unwelcome and problematic for the individuals involved.
However, there are also positive views mentioned, such as Denis Brian’s perspective that interviews are a powerful way to connect the public with notable personalities. This positive angle, though present, is brief and doesn’t offer as much detail, creating an impression that negative views are more common.
If this were the entire introduction, I would expect the book to explore interviews with a focus on their challenges, ethical concerns, and the mixed reactions they evoke, especially among writers and intellectuals. The book would likely discuss interviews more as a complex art form that requires a balanced, respectful approach to be truly effective and ethical.
Q 8. Christopher Silvester shares authors’ reservations about interviewing. Bearing that in mind, would you interview a writer of your choice? If so, what would you pay particular attention to in interviewing the said writer? (QB)
Answer: Yes, I would still choose to interview a writer, but with a respectful and considerate approach. Keeping in mind the reservations shared by writers like V. S. Naipaul and Kipling, who view interviews as intrusive, I would be careful to avoid questions that might invade their privacy.
My focus would be on their work, inspirations, and thoughts on literature rather than personal life details. For instance, I would prepare questions that allow the writer to discuss their creative process, sources of inspiration, and views on current literary trends. This approach ensures that the writer feels valued for their work rather than scrutinised for their private life.
I would also focus on active listening to respect their answers and guide the conversation thoughtfully. By creating an open and comfortable space, I hope to give the writer the freedom to share their insights, making the interview both respectful and enriching for the audience.
