NCERT Class 11 English Snapshots Suppl.Reader English: Chapter 2 — The Address
NCERT Class 11 English Snapshots Suppl.Reader English Chapter 2, "The Address," by Marga Minco, is a poignant story about a daughter's search for her mother's belongings after the war in Holland. Upon finding them at Mrs. Dorling's address, the narrator is met with a lack of recognition and a cold reception. The story reveals how Mrs. Dorling had taken many of the narrator's mother's valuable possessions during the war, ostensibly for safekeeping. The narrator's visit, however, highlights the emotional burden of these objects and her eventual decision to leave them behind, symbolizing a resolve to move forward from the past. This chapter explores themes of loss, memory, and the impact of war on personal lives, offering valuable insights for CBSE students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Snapshots Suppl.Reader English |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — The Address |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 691 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the emotional impact of war and loss.
- Analyze the significance of objects in evoking memories.
- Explore themes of identity and belonging.
- Develop critical thinking skills through literary analysis.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| poignant | evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret |
| evoke | bring or recall to the conscious mind |
| resolves | firmly decide to do something |
| searchingly | in a way that examines or probes deeply |
| fleetingly | for a very short time |
| knitted | made of yarn or thread in a looped pattern |
| cardigan | a knitted sweater that opens at the front |
| recognition | the action or process of identifying someone or something |
| musty | having a stale, moldy, or damp smell |
| convenient | fitting in well with a person's needs, activities, and circumstances |
| cautiously | in a way that avoids potential problems or dangers |
| acquaintance | a person one knows slightly |
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Practice questions
- Who is the narrator in the story 'The Address'? Answer: The narrator is the daughter of Mrs. S.
- Where does the narrator go in search of her mother's belongings? Answer: She goes to Holland, to Mrs. Dorling's address.
- What does the narrator recognize on Mrs. Dorling? Answer: She recognizes her mother's green knitted cardigan.
- Why did Mrs. Dorling take the narrator's mother's belongings? Answer: She claimed she wanted to save them, as they might lose everything if they had to leave their home.
- What is the narrator's final decision regarding the belongings? Answer: She decides to leave them all behind and move on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the NCERT Class 11 English chapter 'The Address'?
The main themes are the impact of war, loss, memory, and the complex relationship between people and their possessions.
Who wrote the story 'The Address'?
The story 'The Address' is written by Marga Minco.
What does the narrator find when she visits Mrs. Dorling?
She finds many of her mother's belongings, including a green knitted cardigan, which confirms her identity.
Why does the narrator decide to leave the belongings behind?
She realizes that the objects are tied to painful memories and that holding onto them prevents her from moving forward.
What does the story suggest about human nature in times of crisis?
It suggests that crisis can reveal different aspects of human nature, including selfishness and opportunism, as seen in Mrs. Dorling's actions.
What is the significance of the title 'The Address'?
The title refers to the physical address where the mother's belongings are kept, but it also symbolizes the narrator's search for her past and identity.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Snapshots Suppl.Reader English — Chapter 2 — The Address. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.