NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 23 — 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 stark contrasts between his previous life and the new environment in Boston, focusing on cultural differences, the pace of life, and sensory experiences like the constant noise. The chapter explores themes of migration, adaptation, and the search for a new beginning in a foreign land, offering insights into the immigrant experience.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 23 — 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 migration.
- Analyze cultural differences and adaptation processes.
- Identify themes of identity and belonging in a new country.
- Appreciate literary narrative techniques used by Jhumpa Lahiri.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hollered | shouted loudly |
| heralded | announced or publicized the arrival or coming of |
| clamorous | full of or characterized by loud and confused noise |
| stucco | a sandy plaster used as an exterior coating for buildings |
| foyer | an entrance hall or lobby |
| mortified | extremely embarrassed or humiliated |
| reel-to-reel | a type of magnetic tape sound recording device |
| forsythia bushes | a type of flowering shrub known for its bright yellow flowers |
| ruffles | strips of fabric gathered or pleated along one edge |
| chapped | having the skin cracked and 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 had a certificate in commerce and the equivalent of ten dollars.
- Where did the narrator live in London and with whom? Answer: He lived in Finsbury Park in a house occupied by penniless Bengali bachelors.
- What significant event was announced as the plane descended over Boston Harbour? Answer: President Nixon had declared a national holiday because two American men had landed on the moon.
- Describe the narrator's accommodation at the YMCA in Cambridge. Answer: It was an inexpensive room with a cot, a desk, a small wooden cross, and a sign forbidding cooking. It overlooked Massachusetts Avenue.
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 work in London to support himself?
Explanation: The narrator states, 'I attended lectures at the LSE and worked at the university library to get by'.
Q4. 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'.
Q5. What was the name of the supermarket mentioned near the narrator's YMCA?
Explanation: The text mentions, 'a supermarket called Purity Supreme'.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Third and Final Continent'?
The author is Jhumpa Lahiri.
When did the narrator leave India?
The narrator left India in 1964.
What was the narrator's initial destination after leaving India?
He sailed to England, specifically north London.
What job did the narrator take in America?
He was offered a full-time job in the processing department of a library at MIT.
What major event coincided with the narrator's plane descending over Boston Harbour?
President Nixon declared a national holiday because two American men had landed on the moon.
Where did the narrator stay on his first night in Cambridge, USA?
He stayed at the YMCA in Central Square, Cambridge.
Related resources
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 23 — Woven Words. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.