THE INTERVIEW

A. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Since its invention a little over 130 years ago, the interview has become a commonplace of journalism.
Today, almost everybody who is literate will have read an interview at some point in their lives, while from
the other point of view, several thousand celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them
repeatedly. So it is hard to supervise the opinions of the interview of its functions, methods and merits very
considerably.
1. What is an interview? What’s its place in journalism?
Ans. An interview is a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. It is
commonplace in journalism.
2. What is the relation of an interview with a celebrity?
Ans. Though, according to the text, most of the celebrities despise interviews but several thousand times,
celebrities have been interviewed over the years, some of them repeatedly.
3. What is an interview for a literate person?
Ans. For a literate person, an interview is an exciting content through which he comes to know about their
idols.
4. Name the chapter and the writer.
Ans. The chapter is ‘The Interview’ by Christopher Silvester.

B Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Yet despite the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. “These
days, more than at any other time, our most vivid impressions of our contemporaries are through
interviews, Denis Brian has written. “Almost everything in a moment reaches us through one man asking
questions of another.” Because of this, the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and
influence.

1. Despite the drawbacks, what is an interview?

Ans. Despite the drawbacks, an interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication.
2. Through which medium do we get the most vivid impressions of our contemporaries?
Ans. Through interviews, we get the most vivid impressions of our contemporaries.
3. How, according to Denis Brian, almost everything in a moment reaches us?
Ans. According to Denis Brian, almost everything in a moment reaches us through one man asking
questions to another.
4. Because of interviews, what position does the interviewer hold?
Ans. Because of interviews the interviewer holds a position of unprecedented power and influence.

C Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
That’s possible. But let me tell you another story, because I often tell stories like a Chinese wise man. My
American publisher said while she loved my book, she didn’t expect to sell more than 3,000 copies in a
country where nobody has seen a cathedral or studied Latin. So I was given an advance for 3,000 copies.
but in the end it sold two or three million in the US. A lot of books have been written about the medieval
past before mine. I think the success of the book is a mystery. Nobody can predict it. 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. Why it worked
at that time is a mystery.
1. What does the American publisher say to Umberto Eco?
Ans. The American publisher says that in a country where nobody has seen a cathedral or studies Latin,
sales of the book will not exceed 3,000 copies.
2. How many copies of that book were sold?
Ans. Two or three million copies of that book were sold.
3. What does Umberto Eco say about the success of the book?
Ans. Umberto Eco says that the success of the book is a mystery.
4. What is a mystery according to Umberto Eco?
Ans. According to Umberto Eco, why the book worked at that time is a mystery. The sale and success of the
book was a mystery.

D Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
So it is hardly surprising that opinions of the interview — of its functions, methods and merits — vary
considerably. Some might make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a source of
truth, and, in its practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities who see themselves as its victims, might despise
the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel that it somehow diminishes them, just as
in some primitive cultures it is believed that if one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then one is
stealing that person’s soul. V. S. Naipaul ‘feels that some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part
of themselves.’

1. Why do celebrities despise interviews?

Ans. Celebrities despise the interview as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel that it somehow
diminishes them.
2. What is the belief in some cultures about photography?
Ans. In some primitive cultures it is believed that if one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then
one is stealing that person’s soul.
3. What are V. S. Naipaul’s feelings about interviews?
Ans. V. S. Naipaul feels that some people are wounded by interviews and lose a part of themselves.
4. What do most people think about interviews?
Ans. Other than celebrities, mostly common persons think that an interview is the only and best source of
truth. It, according to them, is an art.

E Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
The interviewer is Mukund Padmanabhan from The Hindu. Umberto Eco, a professor at the University of
Bologna in Italy had already acquired a formidable reputation as a scholar for his ideas on semiotics (the
study of signs), literary interpretation, and medieval aesthetics before he turned to writing fiction. Literary
fiction, academic texts, essays, children’s books, newspaper articles— his written output is staggeringly
large and wide-ranging. In 1980, he acquired the equivalent of intellectual superstardom with the
publication of The Name of the Rose, which sold more than 10 million copies.

1. What newspaper is Mukund Padmanabhan from?

Ans. Mukund Padmanabhan is from The Hindu.
2. Why was Umberto Eco reputed?
Ans. Umberto Eco was a professor at the University of Bologna in Italy who had already acquired a
 formidable reputation as a scholar for his ideas on semiotics (the study of signs), literary interpretation,
and medieval aesthetics before he turned to writing fiction.
3. Which book did Umberto Eco write?
Ans. Umberto Eco published the book- The Name of the Rose.
4. How many copies were sold of Umberto Eco’s book?
Ans. The Name of the Rose sold more than 10 million copies.

F Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow: (CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER 2022-
23)
Some might make quite extravagant claims for it as being, in its highest form, a source of truth, and, in its
practice, an art. Others, usually celebrities who see themselves as its victims, might despise the interview as
an unwarranted intrusion into their lives, or feel that it somehow diminishes them, just as in some primitive
cultures it is believed that if one takes a photographic portrait of somebody then one is stealing that
person’s soul.
1. What is the most likely reason some people consider the practice of interviews to be an art? This
could be because it requires
A fluency of words.
B sensitive and careful handling.
C creativity and imagination.
D probing and focusing on details.
Ans. C creativity and imagination.
2. Rewrite the sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with its inference. Celebrities feel that an
interview diminishes them.
Ans. Celebrities feel that interviews make them look like common people.

3. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given
below.
(1) Celebrities don’t consent to be interviewed.
(2) Interviews intrude on the privacy of celebrities.
A (1) Can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.
B (1) cannot be inferred from the extract but (2) can.
C (1) is true but (2) is false.
D (2) is the reason for (1).
Ans. D (2) is the reason for (1).
4. Rationalise, to support the given opinion: To say that an interview, in its highest form, is a source of
truth, is an extravagant claim.
Ans. It is an extravagant claim as an interview cannot be a source of truth due to the following- Interview may be
scripted OR People may make false statements OR Certain questions may be left unanswered.
5. Replace the underlined word with its antonym from the extract. Some celebrities hate the idea of
having to give an interview because it makes them feel like supporters.
Ans. victims

SHORT QUESTION ANSWERS

Q1 Other than celebrities, what do some people think about an interview?

Ans. Other than celebrities, mostly common persons think that an interview is the only and best source of truth.
It, according to them, is an art.
Q2 In which way do the celebrities take an interview?
Ans. Celebrities find themselves as victims, they take interviews as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives
which somehow diminishes them.
Q3 How can we say that Umberto Eco had a wide range of writing?
Ans. Umberto Eco had an expertise in semiotics and other than this he started to write fiction, literary fiction,
academic texts, essays, children’s books, newspaper articles etc. So his versatility in writing can be easily
understood.
Q4 What made ‘The Name of the Rose’ a highly successful novel?
Ans. According to Umberto Eco, the most possible reason for the success of the novel was a mystery and
actually nobody could predict the exact reason for it.
Q5 What is Umberto Eco’s theory of interstices?
Ans. Umberto Eco says that if we eliminate the empty spaces from the universe, then the universe would
become as big as his fist. He stresses on the importance of the empty spaces of time.
Q6 Umberto Eco does many things, but says, ‘I am always doing the same thing but that is more difficult
to explain.’ What does he mean to say?
Ans. Umberto Eco says that he has philosophical interests which reflect in all his writings, fiction and nonfiction.
In this way, he does the same thing, though he seems to pursue various activities: writing notes for newspapers,
teaching novels, writing essays, children’s books etc.
Q7 Despite the drawbacks, the interview is a supremely serviceable medium of communication. Explain.
Ans. Though an interview is an intrusion into the personal life of the interviewee, it is always a supremely
serviceable medium of communication. Through the interviews only we get vivid impressions of our
contemporary celebrities. We get a glance of their way of working, their personal life and experiences.
Q8 What are some of the positive views on interviews?
Ans. Interview is considered as a reliable source of truth. Contemporaries and their success can be read
through the interviews. Nowadays, a very important part of journalism is interviews.
Q9 Why do most celebrity writers despise being interviewed? (CBSE 2003, 2005, 2010)
Ans. Most celebrity writers despise being interviewed because they have faced the fright of interview. Among
them, the interview is regarded as an unwarranted entrance into their privacy.
Q10 What do you understand by the expression “thumbprints on his windpipe”?
Ans. Thumbprints on his windpipe expresses the blockage to any person’s freedom and privacy. It can be
considered as a suffocation felt by the interviewees.
Q11 Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give reasons for your opinion.
Ans. Umberto Eco surely likes being interviewed as a part of his interview is presented in this chapter. He
answers every question asked by Mukund and never frustrates or criticizes the interview like many other
celebrity writers do.
Q12 How does Eco find the time to write so much?
Ans. Umberto Eco uses each and every moment of time. He is capable of utilizing the little space of free time
between different activities. So he calls it the usage of interstices, the management of time.
Q13 What was distinctive about Eco’s academic writing style? (CBSE 2004)
Ans. Eco’s academic writing style can be said as a narrative which is personalised and interesting. Eco’s writing
style is not dull and boring like the others.
Q14 Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
Ans. Umberto Eco firstly considered himself as an academic scholar because he was a professor and wrote
many academic texts while he wrote his first novel at the age of 50, that too, accidentally.
Q15 What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose? (CBSE 2008)
Ans. ‘The Name of the Rose’ is a serious detective story but it delved into metaphysics, theology and medieval
history. The novel got huge success and the reason for its success is perhaps, the favourable time of its
publication.

LONG QUESTION ANSWERS

Q1 Explain the word Interview and how many writers find favor with it.
OR
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 QUESTION BANK)
Ans. The word ‘interview’ is derived from the French derivative word “entrevue”. It is a conversation between a
journalist or broadcaster and a person of public interest. It is an oral examination of an applicant for a job
through the process of formal questioning. Since the word has wider implications, it duly involves screening,
interaction and introspection. During the process, both the interviewer and the interviewee participate and the
interviewee has to face the horror of the interviewer.
The word interview was inserted 130 years ago. Since then it has become a commonplace in journalism. In this
world, all have to undergo the process of the interview. Thousands of people are interviewed daily for one or the
other kind. Depending on the merit of the interview, people have claimed in its highest form as a source of truth
and in its practice, it is an art. H.G. Wells remained averse to ‘interview’ and in 1894 he referred to it as an
ordeal. But forty years later he himself was found interviewing Joseph Stalin of Russia. People view that almost
everything reaches us through asking the interviewer who holds a position of unprecedented power and
influence.
Q2 Mukund Padmanabhan was a reporter from ‘The Hindu’. In the context of the chapter, reveal his traits
as an interviewer.
OR
How would you evaluate Mukund Padmanabhan as an interviewer? Mention at least two qualities he
displays in his interview, supported by textual evidence. (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans. Mukund Padmanabhan was surely a successful and well thought-out reporter who always used to ask
answerable and dexterous questions to his interviewees. He used to plan and prepare to conduct an interview of
a celebrity. He never asked ugly or embarrassing questions and on the other hand, the celebrity whom he
interviewed always seemed to be comfortable with his questions. Through the interviews, readers not only got
the information about the celebrities but many other important aspects of Mukund’s personality also came in
their knowledge. He asked brief and quality questions to his interviewees scrupulously. He let the interviewees
speak in their own manner and never tried to interrupt or cross-questioned them.
His interviewees used to be free and frank with him. He was always a prepared interviewer. Mukund, in advance
arranged the information and personality traits of his interviewees and then with full preparations started his
sessions. In all we can say that Mukund Padmanabhan was a disciplined and dedicated interviewer.
Q3 Several celebrities despise being interviewed. Is this justified? Why? Why not? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. There are several celebrities mentioned in this chapter like Rudyard Kipling, VS Naipaul, H.G. Wells, Saul
Bellow, etc. who dislike interviews very strongly. They never became ready to be interviewed. Most of them
considered interviews as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives. They did not want to reveal the secrets of their
personal lives.
Even an interview is considered as an immoral activity, as a crime or sometimes as an assault. They feel that
the interviewers waste their precious time which can be used by them for more creativity. On the other hand, the
common mass takes interviews very positively as they come to know about the inner and hidden things of their
ideals. But interviews have their drawbacks also.
Celebrities feel shy and disappointed when they are asked for interviews but they forget that they become
famous and wealthy through the successful interviews General mass become their fan and devotee by knowing
more and more about their ideals. Celebrities are even worshipped. In this regard, it can be said that an
interview cannot be termed as an immoral activity.
Q4 Give a character sketch of Umberto Eco on the basis of the chapter ‘The Interview’.
OR
What do you think about Umberto Eco? Does he like being interviewed? Give reasons in support of your
answer. (CBSE 2008)
OR
What impression do you form about Umberto Eco as a scholar and writer on the basis of ‘The
Interview’? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. Umberto Eco, a university professor at the University of Bologna in Italy, is an academician and a famous
novelist. He, through various interviews, discloses his secret of success in life and never hates the interviewers.
He has his taste in various fields of writings as academic texts. fiction and nonfiction, literary fiction essays,
children’s books, newspaper articles etc.
He always wanted to be called an academician not a novelist. He used to participate in academic conferences,
on the other hand, he avoided the meetings of writers and Pen Club Members. He has written forty scholarly
works and five novels. He used to denote time for writing novels on only Sundays. He discovered a magical trick
of working in interstices.

He used to use even the seconds of his time. He captured the empty spaces for writing notes or any content. He
had an expertise in Semiotics, the study of signs. He never became a slave of pride as he openly admitted that
his novel ‘The Name of the Rose’ got success accidently and the time was in his favour. He didn’t have any
celebrity attitude though his novel was bought by more than 10 million of the readers.