NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 6 — Woven Words
This chapter, "The Third and Final Continent" by Jhumpa Lahiri, chronicles the narrator's journey from India to England and then to America in pursuit of education and establishment. It details his early struggles in London, sharing cramped living spaces with other Bengali bachelors, and his eventual arranged marriage. The narrative shifts to his move to America for a job at MIT, highlighting the cultural and environmental differences he encounters, from driving on the right side of the road to the constant noise of city life. The chapter captures the immigrant experience, the challenges of adapting to a new country, and the search for a sense of belonging. It concludes with the narrator's arrival in America, marking a significant transition in his life.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Woven Words |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 681 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the challenges and experiences of immigrants.
- Analyze the cultural differences between countries.
- Appreciate the narrative style of Jhumpa Lahiri.
- Develop vocabulary related to travel and adaptation.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hollered | shouted loudly |
| heralded | announced or publicized the arrival or completion of |
| clamorous | full of or characterized by loud and confused noise |
| stucco | a decorative plaster applied to walls |
| foyer | an entrance hall or lobby |
| mortified | extremely embarrassed or humiliated |
| reel-to-reel | a type of tape recorder using reels of magnetic tape |
| forsythia bushes | a type of flowering shrub with bright yellow flowers |
| ruffles | strips of fabric gathered or pleated along one edge |
| chapped | having the skin cracked or sore, especially from cold or dryness |
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Practice questions
- What was the narrator's initial financial situation when he left India? Answer: He left with a commerce certificate and the equivalent of ten dollars.
- Where did the narrator live in London? Answer: He lived in Finsbury Park in a house occupied by Bengali bachelors.
- What was the narrator's job at MIT? Answer: He worked in the processing department of the library.
- What significant event was announced during the narrator's flight to Boston? Answer: President Nixon had declared a national holiday because two American men had landed on the moon.
- Describe the narrator's first night's accommodation in Cambridge. Answer: He stayed at the YMCA, which was inexpensive, had a cot, desk, and a small wooden cross, with cooking strictly forbidden.
Practice MCQs
Q1. In which year did the narrator leave India?
Explanation: The narrator explicitly states, 'I left India in 1964'.
Q2. What was the name of the Italian cargo vessel the narrator sailed on?
Explanation: The text mentions, 'I sailed on the SS Roma, an Italian cargo vessel'.
Q3. Where did the narrator attend lectures in London?
Explanation: The narrator states, 'I attended lectures at the LSE'.
Q4. What did the narrator learn about American driving from the guidebook?
Explanation: The guidebook informed him, 'Americans drove on the right side of the road, not the left'.
Q5. What was the name of the supermarket near the narrator's YMCA in Cambridge?
Explanation: The text mentions 'a supermarket called Purity Supreme'.
Q6. What was the narrator's age when his marriage was arranged?
Explanation: The narrator states, 'In 1969, when I was thirty-six years old, my own marriage was arranged'.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of "The Third and Final Continent"?
The author is Jhumpa Lahiri.
What is the main theme of the chapter?
The chapter explores the immigrant experience, cultural adaptation, and the search for a new home.
Where did the narrator initially settle after leaving India?
He initially settled in north London, in Finsbury Park.
What significant event occurred during the narrator's flight to Boston?
The pilot announced that two American men had landed on the moon, and President Nixon declared a national holiday.
What was the narrator's profession or field of study?
He had a certificate in commerce and later worked in the processing department of a library at MIT.
What are some of the sensory details used to describe life in America?
The text describes the constant noise of car horns, sirens, and buses, which the narrator found distracting and suffocating.
Related resources
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 6 — Woven Words. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.