A Cup of Tea Question Answer
A. State whether these sentences are True or False
1. Miss Smith was a very rich girl.
Ans: False
2. Rosemary was a very compassionate woman.
Ans: True
3. Philip did not want Miss Smith to dine with them.
Ans: True
4. Rosemary had been married for a couple of years.
Ans: True
B. Answer these questions in one or two words
1. Which Russian author influenced Katherine Mansfield?
Ans: Anton Chekhov
2. In which street was Rosemary shopping when she met Miss Smith?
Ans: Curzon Street
3. How many pounds did Rosemary give to Miss Smith?
Ans: Three pounds
4. What is the cost of the enamel box that Rosemary wanted to buy?
Ans: Twenty-eight guineas
5. What is the name of the main character of ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans: Rosemary Fell
C. Answer these questions in a few words
1. What are the names of the two women characters in the story ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Ans: Rosemary Fell and Miss Smith
2. What kind of a relationship do Rosemary and Philip share?
Ans: They are husband and wife
3. How does Philip react towards Miss Smith?
Ans: Philip dislikes her presence and wants her to leave, as he is uncomfortable with her staying in their house
4. Who was Miss Smith? Why did Rosemary send her back?
Ans: Miss Smith was a poor girl. Rosemary sent her away out of jealousy after Philip admired her beauty
5. Why did Philip disapprove of Rosemary’s decision?
Ans: Because Miss Smith was very pretty, which made him uncomfortable
D. Answer these questions briefly
1. Write a brief character sketch of Rosemary Fell.
Ans: Rosemary Fell is a wealthy, fashionable, and imaginative young woman. She enjoys luxury and wants to appear kind and generous. However, her compassion is often superficial and driven by a desire for excitement. When her pride and jealousy are challenged, her true nature is revealed, showing that she is influenced by social status and appearance.
2. Describe Rosemary’s encounter with Miss Smith.
Ans: Rosemary meets Miss Smith on a cold street where the poor girl asks for money. Feeling a sudden impulse of kindness and curiosity, Rosemary invites her home for tea. This act seems generous but is partly driven by her desire for a dramatic experience.
3. How does Katherine Mansfield explore ‘class difference’ in the story?
Ans: The story contrasts Rosemary’s rich, luxurious life with Miss Smith’s poverty. It shows how the upper class often misunderstands or romanticizes the struggles of the poor. Mansfield highlights the gap between genuine need and superficial sympathy.
4. Why did Rosemary take Miss Smith home?
Ans: Rosemary took her home out of curiosity and a desire to act generously. She wanted to experience something unusual and prove her kindness, rather than purely helping the girl.
E. Answer these questions in detail
1. Examine the themes in ‘A Cup of Tea’.
Ans: Katherine Mansfield explores several important themes in the story. The most significant is class difference, shown through the contrast between Rosemary’s wealth and Miss Smith’s poverty. The story reveals how the rich often fail to truly understand the hardships of the poor.
Another theme is superficial compassion. Rosemary appears kind, but her actions are influenced by self-interest and a desire for excitement. Her kindness disappears when she feels threatened.
The theme of jealousy and insecurity is also important. When Philip praises Miss Smith’s beauty, Rosemary becomes jealous and quickly changes her behaviour.
Finally, the story explores identity and self-image. Rosemary wants to see herself as generous and kind, but her actions reveal her shallow and self-centered nature.
2. Comment on the significance of the title ‘A Cup of Tea’.
Ans: The title ‘A Cup of Tea’ symbolizes a simple act of kindness that begins the story. It represents comfort, warmth, and hospitality. However, it also highlights the difference between the rich and the poor, as such small luxuries are ordinary for Rosemary but rare for Miss Smith.
The title also suggests the temporary nature of Rosemary’s kindness. Just like a cup of tea is short-lived, her compassion is also brief and superficial. Thus, the title reflects both the central event and the deeper themes of the story.