This page offers The Third Level Short answer type question for Class 12  from the book Vistas.   We’ve put together a bunch of Short answer type question based on assumption, creativity, extrapolation and critical thinking. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. So, practice to understand The Third Level Short answer type question

The Third Level Short Answer Type Question

1. Why does Charley visit the third level, and what does it symbolize for him?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley visits the third level by accident, but it becomes a symbol of escape from the stress and anxiety of modern life. He views it as a peaceful place where he can escape the worries of the present by living in the simpler time of 1894.

2. In the chapter “The Third Level”, how does Charley’s wife, Louisa, react to his story about the third level?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Louisa becomes concerned when Charley tells her about the third level. She finds it strange and worries about his passion. However, over time, both of them begin searching for the third level together. This shows Louisa’s support and belief in Charley. In the end, her love outweighs her doubts.

3. What role does stamp collecting play in Charley’s life in “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Stamp collecting gives Charley a “temporary escape from reality.” It’s a hobby passed down from his grandfather. This link to the past makes Charley want to escape modern life even more. The hobby gives him comfort and makes him wish for a simpler time. It acts as a peaceful distraction.

4. Why do you think Charley wanted to buy tickets to Galesburg, Illinois, in 1894 in “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley wanted a simpler and more peaceful time. Galesburg in 1894 seemed like the perfect escape for him. He imagined it as a calm place. People lived happily there without the worries of modern life. For Charley, Galesburg was the perfect place to find peace and happiness away from stress.

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5. In the chapter “The Third Level”, how does the psychiatrist explain Charley’s experience at the third level?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The psychiatrist describes Charley’s experience as “waking-dream wish fulfillment.” This means Charley wanted to escape from his stressful, insecure life. His need to get away made him imagine the third level as a way out. The third level became a place of escape in Charley’s mind.

6. What do you think is the significance of Sam Weiner’s disappearance in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Sam Weiner’s disappearance into the past shows that even a psychiatrist, who helps others, wanted to escape. Sam also wanted peace and safety in the simpler time of 1894. This shows that anyone, even those who understand reality better, can feel the need to escape from modern life’s stress.

7. What does the letter from Sam tell us about his life in 1894 in the chapter  “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The letter from Sam shows that he is happy living in 1894. He talks about people gathering, playing music, and living peacefully. This makes the past seem like a calm place for those tired of modern life. It shows that Sam found peace there, away from stress. 

8. Why does Charley think Grand Central Station is “growing like a tree” in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley imagines Grand Central Station growing like a tree because he keeps discovering new doorways, tunnels, and corridors. This metaphor reflects his belief that the station has hidden layers and that one of them leads to the past.

Also Read

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9. What could be the reason Charley could never find the third level again in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The third level might be more of a psychological escape for Charley rather than a real place. The fact that he can’t find it again shows that his wish to escape was brief. It also raises the question of whether the third level ever really existed at all.

10. How does Charley feel about modern life, according to the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley feels enormous and unhappy with modern life. He thinks it is full of insecurity, fear, and stress. This makes him want to escape to a peaceful and slower-paced time in the past. The simple life of the past seems like the perfect solution to his problems.

11. In the chapter “The Third Level”, how does Charley’s experience at the third level reflect human desires for escape?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley’s experience shows the common human need to escape from stress. People often dream of simpler times or places where life was peaceful and free of worries. Just like Charley, many wish to go back to a time like 1894, where life seemed easier and less complicated.

12. What do you think is the connection between time and space in the story “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: In the story, time and space mix at Grand Central Station. The third level acts like a doorway to the past. This shows that time is not always straightforward. The past and present can exist together in surprising ways. It makes the idea of moving between different times feel possible in the story.

13. What does Charley’s description of Galesburg in 1894 reveal about his view of the past in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley describes Galesburg in 1894 as a peaceful and calm place. People lived simple, happy lives there. This shows that he imagines the past as perfect and free from modern life problems. For Charley, the past feels like an escape from the stress and difficulties of the present.

14. How does the story “The Third Level” challenge the boundaries between fantasy and reality?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The story mixes fantasy and reality by showing the third level as real in Charley’s mind. It makes us wonder if Charley’s experience is real or just something he imagined because he wanted to escape. This keeps us guessing whether the third level is a real place or simply a product of Charley’s need for relief.

15. Why do you think Charley kept searching for the third level in the chapter “The Third Level” even after not finding it again?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley kept searching because he really wanted to escape from his stressful life. The third level gave him hope, offering a chance to live in a peaceful past. His strong wish made him believe it was real. He continued to search, driven by the hope of finding a better place.

16. What could be the reason Sam chose to disappear into the past instead of staying in the present in “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Sam might have felt the same pressures of modern life that Charley did. As a psychiatrist, he helped others with their stress, but maybe he also wanted a simpler life. The peaceful world of 1894 seemed very attractive to him. He may have longed for an escape from the modern world’s worries.

17. Why didn’t Charley tell his psychiatrist friend about the third level’s tunnels growing like roots in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley might have felt that his psychiatrist would dismiss this idea as more proof of his want to escape reality. He feared being labeled as even more out of touch with reality, so he kept it to himself to avoid further judgment.

18. In the chapter “The Third Level”, what do you think made Charley believe the third level was real even though it sounded impossible?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley’s belief in the third level probably came from his deep wish to escape the stresses of his life. When people feel immense, they often hold on to ideas that offer hope. For Charley, the third level became that hope, a way to escape his problems.

19. Why did Charley stop looking for the third level after a while, but then resume the search with Louisa in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley may have stopped looking for the third level because he doubted himself or didn’t want to worry Louisa. But after finding Sam’s letter, he had a new reason to believe the third level was real. The letter gave him hope and encouraged both Charley and Louisa to search for it together.

20. Why did Charley feel drawn to Galesburg, Illinois, as the place he wanted to escape to in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley likely felt drawn to Galesburg because it symbolized everything he wanted – a peaceful, slower-paced life away from modern worries. His memories or imagination of Galesburg made it seem like the perfect refuge from the stress of his current life.

21. What does the third level represent about Charley’s view of the present world in “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The third level represents Charley’s anger with the present world. It shows that he views modern life as full of insecurity and stress. He wants simplicity, calm, and security that he believes existed in the past.

22. Why did the clerk find Charley’s money suspicious in “The Third Level”, and what could this imply about Charley’s experience?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The clerk found Charley’s money strange because it didn’t match the old-style currency of 1894. This suggests that Charley’s experience, whether real or imagined, was truly out of place, showing the blurry line between time periods in the story.

23. Why do you think Charley found the letter from Sam hidden among his old stamps in the chapter “The Third Level”? (40-50 words)  

Answer: The letter could have been a product of Charley’s subconscious, as he deeply wanted proof that the third level was real. It might also suggest that Charley’s mind found a way to give him the validation he needed to continue believing in the third level.

24. In the chapter “The Third Level”, what value does Charley’s constant search for the third level teach us about human perseverance? (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley’s search for the third level shows the importance of perseverance. Even though he couldn’t find it again, he didn’t give up. His story teaches us that hope and determination can keep us moving forward. Charley’s continued search shows the power of believing in something better.

25. In the chapter “The Third Level”, how does Charley’s desire to live in the past reflect on the value of contentment in the present?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley’s desire for the past shows the importance of finding content in the present. It reminds us that while it’s natural to want to escape, true happiness comes from accepting and being at peace with our current reality. Focusing on the present is more rewarding than always looking back to the past.

26. What can we learn about dealing with stress from Charley’s experience of searching for the third level in the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley’s experience teaches us that instead of running from stress or difficult situations, it’s important to find healthy ways to manage. Escaping into fantasy or idealizing the past might offer temporary relief, but facing our problems is the key to long-term peace.

27. How does Sam’s decision to escape to the past in “The Third Level” reflect on the value of making life choices based on true desires?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Sam’s decision to live in the past shows that it’s important to follow what truly makes us happy. He left behind his stressful life as a psychiatrist to pursue a simpler, more fulfilling life, reminding us to prioritize our happiness over societal expectations.

28. What does “The Third Level” teach us about the value of imagination in dealing with life’s challenges?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The story shows that imagination can be a powerful tool in dealing with stress. Charley’s discovery of the third level allowed him to briefly escape the pressures of modern life, teaching us that imagination can help us find mental relief when things get huge.

29. In “The Third Level”, do you think Charley was running away from his problems by looking for the third level, or was he seeking something deeper?  (40-50 words)

Answer: Charley wasn’t just running from his problems. He was looking for peace and security missing in modern life. His search for the third level shows a deeper need for a simpler life. Charley wanted a world free from stress and worries, something he couldn’t find in the present.

30. In the chapter “The Third Level”, how does the concept of the third level challenge our understanding of reality and fantasy?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The third level blurs the line between reality and fantasy. It makes us question what is truly real. The story shows that our view of reality can be shaped by our desires and emotions. It challenges us to think about how much of our reality is influenced by our imagination.

31. Do you think Sam was happier living in the past, or could his decision to stay in 1894 in “The Third Level” have its own challenges?  (40-50 words)

Answer: While Sam may have felt happy in the peacefulness of 1894, living in the past could bring challenges. The simplicity of the past might also come with limitations. His choice to stay there may lead to other problems, like adjusting to a completely different way of life.

32. What do you think “The Third Level” says about the human tendency to idealize the past? Is the past always as perfect as we imagine? (40-50 words) 

Answer: The story shows that people often see the past as peaceful and simple. However, the past may not be as perfect as we think. It’s often a glamorized version. Escaping to it might not solve the problems we face in the present.

33. If Charley had found a way to stay in the past, do you think he would have truly been happy, or would he have missed aspects of the modern world according to the chapter “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: While Charley might have found temporary happiness in the past, over time, he may have missed the conveniences and advancements of the modern world. Human nature often makes us desire what we don’t have, so he might have eventually longed for parts of the life he left behind.

34. How does the metaphor “Grand Central is growing like a tree” in “The Third Level” enhance the meaning of Charley’s experience in the station?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The metaphor compares Grand Central to a tree with expanding roots. It emphasizes Charley’s feeling that the station is mysterious and ever-growing, suggesting that it has endless hidden pathways and layers, just like the expanding roots of a tree, leading him to unexpected places.

35. How does the phrase “waking-dream wish fulfillment” reflect the theme of the story “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The phrase “waking-dream wish fulfillment” is a metaphor for Charley’s experience. It shows that his discovery of the third level isn’t just a dream. It reflects his deepest desires, mixing fantasy and reality. This shows Charley’s need to escape the stress of modern life.

36. What effect does the use of symbolism, like the third level itself,  have on the reader’s understanding of the story “The Third Level”?  (40-50 words)

Answer: The third level is a symbol of escapism, representing Charley’s longing for a simpler and more peaceful life. It helps the reader understand that the story is not just about finding a hidden place in a train station, but about the human desire to retreat from overcoming realities.