NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 13 — Woven Words
This chapter from NCERT's Woven Words for Class 11 English, titled "The Third and Final Continent" by Jhumpa Lahiri, recounts the narrator's initial journey and experiences after leaving India in 1964. It details his passage on the SS Roma, his life as a penniless Bengali bachelor in London, and his eventual move to America in 1969 for a job at MIT. The narrative highlights the cultural adjustments, the stark differences in lifestyle, and the sensory overload of his arrival in Boston. The chapter touches upon themes of immigration, identity, and the pursuit of opportunities abroad, reflecting the challenges and aspirations of individuals seeking a new life in a foreign land. It sets the stage for further exploration of the immigrant experience.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 13 — 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 immigration.
- Analyze the cultural differences between India, London, and America.
- Identify themes of identity, displacement, and the pursuit of opportunity.
- Appreciate the narrative style of Jhumpa Lahiri.
- Expand vocabulary related to travel and new environments.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hollered | shouted loudly |
| heralded | announced or proclaimed the arrival of |
| clamorous | full of noise and shouting |
| stucco | a type of plaster used for coating walls |
| foyer | an entrance hall or lobby |
| mortified | extremely embarrassed or humiliated |
| reel-to-reel | a type of tape recorder |
| forsythia bushes | a type of flowering shrub |
| rumbles | makes a deep, continuous sound |
| penniless | having no money |
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Practice questions
- When did the narrator leave India, and what did he take with him? Answer: The narrator left India in 1964 with a certificate in commerce and about ten dollars.
- Describe the narrator's living conditions in London. Answer: He lived in a house with many other Bengali bachelors, sharing rooms, a single toilet, and taking turns cooking.
- What significant event was announced as the plane descended over Boston? Answer: The pilot announced that President Nixon had declared a national holiday because two American men had landed on the moon.
- What was the narrator's first accommodation in Cambridge, and what was it like? Answer: His first accommodation was the YMCA, which was inexpensive. The room had a cot, a desk, a small cross, and a sign forbidding cooking. It overlooked a noisy street.
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 live in London?
Explanation: The narrator states, 'I lived in north London, in Finsbury Park'.
Q4. What was the narrator's job at MIT?
Explanation: The text says he was 'offered a full-time job in America, in the processing department of a library at MIT'.
Q5. What did the narrator learn about American driving from his guidebook?
Explanation: The guidebook informed him, 'Americans drove on the right side of the road, not the left'.
Q6. What national event coincided with the narrator's arrival in Boston?
Explanation: The pilot announced that President Nixon had declared a national holiday because two American men had landed on the moon.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Third and Final Continent'?
The author is Jhumpa Lahiri.
When did the narrator leave India for the first time?
The narrator left India in 1964.
What was the narrator's initial destination after leaving India?
He first sailed to England, living in London.
Why did the narrator move to America?
He was offered a full-time job in the processing department of a library at MIT.
What significant event occurred in space around the time of the narrator's arrival in Boston?
Two American men had landed on the moon, which was declared a national holiday.
What were some of the sensory experiences the narrator encountered in Boston?
He experienced constant and distracting noise from car horns, sirens, and buses.
Related resources
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 13 — Woven Words. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.