Chapter 1 – The Garden Party Questions and Answers

Content structure

  • A. Short questions & answers
  • B. Long questions & answers

A. Short Answer-Type Questions and Answers

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The Garden Party Solutions

1. How did Laura feel when she met the workmen?  (2)
Ans: Laura felt shy and awkward when she met the workmen because she was holding bread and butter, but their kind and friendly behavior, along with their warm smiles, made her feel comfortable and happy to talk to them as equals. 

2. What did Laura feel about class differences after meeting the workmen?  (2)
Ans: Laura felt that class differences were silly after meeting the workmen, as she believed she could be friends with people like them and did not see them as beneath her, disliking the idea that people are judged based on their social class. 

3. How did Laura feel about the pink lilies delivered for the party?  (2)
Ans: Laura was surprised to see so many pink lilies and even thought it was a mistake, as the flowers were so bright and beautiful that they almost felt alive, and she couldn’t take her eyes off their strong colors and beauty. 

4. What happened when Jose couldn’t find the sandwich flags?  (2)
Ans: Jose said she didn’t know where the sandwich flags were, so Mrs. Sheridan told Sadie to inform the cook that she would send them in ten minutes, which showed that although everything appeared perfect, some small details were still missing. 

5. What news did the cook and others hear in the kitchen?  (2)
Ans: The cook and others heard in the kitchen that a man had died nearby in an accident, as Godber’s man explained that the man’s horse got scared and threw him off, causing him to hit his head, which made the sudden and tragic event shocking for everyone. 

6. How did Laura feel after hearing about Mr. Scott’s death?  (2)
Ans: Laura felt shocked and upset after hearing about Mr. Scott’s death, and she believed it was wrong to have a garden party while someone nearby had just died so out of respect for the dead man and his family, she wanted to cancel the party. 

7. How did Laura feel when she saw herself in the mirror?  (2)
Ans: Laura looked at herself in the mirror and was surprised by how pretty she looked in the new black hat, but she also felt confused because she was sad about the dead man while feeling proud of how she looked, which made her feel strange and guilty. 

8. What was the mood like during the garden party?  (2)
Ans: The mood during the garden party was full of joy, as guests laughed, walked around the garden, and said nice things to Laura about how she looked, and everything looked bright and beautiful, which made the party feel cheerful and happy. 

9. How did Laura feel walking to the poor cottages?  (2)
Ans: Laura felt nervous and out of place as she walked to the poor cottages, wearing a pretty dress and fancy hat, and she was afraid the poor people might judge her. 

10. Who are the members of the Sheridan family?  (2)
Ans: The members of the Sheridan family include Mr. Sheridan, Mrs. Sheridan, Laura, Laurie, Meg and Jose. 

11. What did Mrs. Sheridan send to the widow’s house?  (2)
Ans: Mrs. Sheridan sent a large basket of leftover food from the party to the widow’s house. 

12. What did Laura say to Laurie at the end of the story?  (2)
Ans: Laura said, “Isn’t life—” and could not finish the sentence, showing her deep emotions. 

13. What arrangement of the garden was going on for the garden party? (2)
Ans: The gardener had been cutting the grass since early morning. The lawns were swept until they looked clean and shiny. A big tent called a marquee was also being put up for the party.

14. Describe Jose according to the narrator in “The Garden Party.” (2)
Ans: Jose was like a butterfly who loved wearing bright and fancy clothes. She liked giving orders to the servants, and they happily followed her. She behaved like a dramatic way that everyone felt they were acting in a play.

15. Who had bowed down their heads and why? (2)
Ans: The rose bushes in the Sheridans’ garden had bowed down because hundreds of roses had bloomed at once, and their weight made the bushes bend.

16. Why was it useless to ask Mrs. Sheridan where to put up the marquee? (2)
Ans: It was useless because that year Mrs. Sheridan left all the garden party work to her children. She wanted to rest and enjoy the party like a guest.

17. Describe the Karaka-trees. (2)
Ans: The Karaka trees were tall and lovely, with shiny green leaves and yellow fruits. They looked proud and peaceful, standing in the garden like trees on a sunny island.

18. Who is the protagonist of the short story? Name her siblings. (2)
Ans: The main character of the story is LauraSheridan. Her sisters are Meg and Jose, and her brother is Laurie.

19. Why was Meg unable to supervise the marquee men? (2)
Ans: Meg had just washed her hair and was drinking coffee with a green towel wrapped around her head. So, she couldn’t go out to guide the workmen.

20. Who were brushing hats and why? (2)
Ans: Mr. Sheridan and Laurie were brushing their hats in the hall because they were getting ready to go to the office.

21. Which gesture of the tall marquee man amazed Laura? (2)
Ans: The tall man picked a sprig of lavender, smelled it with his fingers, and smiled. This simple and gentle action amazed Laura.

22. What song did Jose try to sing? Who helped her? (2)
Ans: Jose sang the song “This Life is Weary.” Her sister Meg helped her by playing the piano.

23. Who is Mr. Scott? (2)
Ans: Mr. Scott was a poor cart driver who lived near the Sheridans. He died in an accident on the morning of the garden party.

24. Where was the house of the Scotts located? (2)
Ans: The Scotts lived in a small cottage at the bottom of the hill, separated from the Sheridans’ house by a broad road.

25. Describe the dwelling places of the Scotts. (2)
Ans: The Scotts’ houses were small and shabby. Their gardens had cabbage stalks, sick hens, and old tomato cans. Even the smoke from their chimneys looked poor and thin.

26. Why were the Sheridan children forbidden to visit the Scotts’ area? (2)
Ans: They were not allowed to go there because their mother thought the people there used bad and rough language.

27. What behaviour of her mother surprised Laura? (2)
Ans: Laura was surprised that her mother behaved just like Jose. Both didn’t care that having a party while a man had just died was heartless.

28. Describe Laura’s hat. (2)
Ans: Laura’s hat, given by her mother, was black with gold daisies on it. It also had a long black velvet ribbon.

29. How did the band party look? Where did they settle? (2)
Ans: The band members wore green coats, and Kitty Maitland said they looked like frogs. They settled in a corner of the tennis court.

30. “But, mother, do you really think it’s a good idea?” – Who said this and why? (2)
Ans: Laura said this to her mother when Mrs. Sheridan wanted her to take leftover food to the Scotts’ house. Laura felt it was not a good idea because the family was mourning a death.

31. “Forgive my hat” – Who said this and why? (2)
Ans: Laura said this when she saw Mr. Scott’s dead body. She felt ashamed that her fancy hat was unsuitable in a poor house full of sorrow.

32. How did Laura explain life at the end of the story? (2)
Ans: The ending is open and not clear. Laura feels deeply moved by seeing death and begins to understand the real meaning of life, but it is not said what she will do next.

33. Describe the role of Laura’s mother in shaping her thoughts. (2)
Ans: Mrs. Sheridan influenced Laura’s thinking about class and society. At first, Laura copied her mother’s manners. Later, when Laura felt sorry for the poor, her mother distracted her by giving her a hat. But this only delayed Laura’s realisation that class difference is wrong.

34. How did the dead body of Mr. Scott look? (2)
Ans: Mr. Scott’s body looked peaceful, as if he were sleeping. His calm face seemed to tell Laura that death makes all people equal, beyond class and money.

35. Why did Mrs. Sheridan want to send arum lilies to the Scotts’ house? (2)
Ans: Mrs. Sheridan thought poor people liked arum lilies. She also wanted to show off by sending them with Laura when she went to visit the family.

36. What did Laurie understand from Laura’s words about life? (2)
Ans: Laurie didn’t fully understand Laura’s deep feelings, but he agreed with her kindly to comfort her because he saw she was upset after seeing death.

B. Long- Type Questions and Answers

1. What is the importance of the garden party in the story?  (6)
Ans: The garden party is important in the story because it represents the rich and carefree life of the Sheridan family, where everything is beautiful, joyful, and full of excitement, but it also highlights how unaware the rich are of the suffering around them. While the party continues, a poor man has died nearby, and Laura begins to question whether such celebrations are right when others are facing hardship. Through this contrast, the garden party gently but powerfully shows the gap between wealth and poverty. 

2. What is the main message of “The Garden Party”?  (6)
Ans: The main message of The Garden Party is the clear difference between the lives of the rich and the poor, showing how people often forget about the pain of others while enjoying their own comfort, and through Laura’s experiences, we learn about kindness, understanding, and the deeper truths of life and death. The story suggests that growing up means learning to care, to think deeply, and to recognise what truly matters, as Laura moves from a world of parties to a world filled with feeling and meaning. 

3. What is the significance of the ending of The Garden Party?  (6)
Ans: The ending shows Laura thinking deeply after seeing Mr. Scott’s death. She can’t fully explain her feelings, saying, “Isn’t life—” and stopping. This shows her struggle to understand life and death. It also shows her growth because she now sees more than the party and wealth. The ending reminds readers that life is serious and full of contrasts. It shows Laura’s new understanding of compassion, mortality, and the difference between her world and the world of ordinary people. 

4. Discuss the role of Mrs. Sheridan in the story.  (6)
Ans: Mrs. Sheridan cares about appearances and parties more than people’s feelings. She does not want to stop the garden party even after learning about Mr. Scott’s death. She shows the attitude of the upper class, focused on wealth and status. Her behavior contrasts with Laura’s sensitivity and empathy. Mrs. Sheridan’s character helps readers understand the selfishness and carelessness of some rich people, making Laura’s compassion stand out more. She represents the world of privilege and social expectations in the story. 

5. How does Laura’s relationship with her brother Laurie influence her actions?  (6)
Ans: Laurie is kind and understanding toward Laura. He supports her decision to visit the Scotts’ house and helps her deal with her feelings. Laurie shows empathy, unlike their mother, and listens to Laura’s worries. His support makes Laura more confident in acting on her compassion. Their relationship shows that caring family members can guide and support each other. Laurie’s kindness helps Laura process her emotions and strengthens her understanding of life, death, and social responsibility. 

6. Justify “The Garden Party” as a short story. (6)
Ans: “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield is a realistic short story. Like a good short story, it shows important themes such as class difference and life’s reality. The whole story happens in one single day — the day of the garden party. The story moves between two places: the rich Sheridans’ house and the poor Scotts’ house. It ends openly, making readers think about the meaning. The simple event of a garden party helps Laura understand life and people around her. So, it is a fine modern short story with deep meaning.

7. Discuss the significance of the title “The Garden Party.” (6)
Ans: The title “The Garden Party” seems simple but has deep meaning. The story starts with the Sheridans preparing for a garden party full of decorations, food, and fun. It shows the rich family’s happy and careless life. But when a poor man dies nearby, Laura feels sorry and confused. The “garden party” becomes a symbol of class difference and false social values. It also shows Laura’s growth and understanding of life and death. Thus, the title fits the story perfectly.

8. Who came to put up the marquee? What did they carry? Who instructed them? (6)
Ans: Four workmen came to set up the marquee. They carried poles, ropes, and tools for fixing it. Laura was sent to guide them. Her sisters Meg and Jose did not go — Meg had washed her hair and Jose was busy getting dressed. The workmen seemed kind and cheerful to Laura. Their friendly nature impressed her, and she liked talking to them.

9. Who were arranging the drawing room and why? (6)
Ans: Meg, Jose, and Hans, the servant, were arranging the drawing room. They moved the piano and other furniture to make space for guests. Jose ordered Hans to move the tables and clean the carpet. The servants liked obeying Jose because she made them feel they were part of something special. Jose was testing the piano sound because she planned to sing during the garden party.

10. “What an absolutely topping hat!” Who said this and what does the hat mean in the story? (6)
Ans: Laura’s brother Laurie said this when he saw her wearing the hat given by their mother. The hat stands for the wealth and showiness of the Sheridans. Mrs. Sheridan gave Laura the hat to distract her when she felt sad about the poor man’s death. For a moment, Laura forgets her sorrow and enjoys the party. The hat shows her inner conflict between her kind heart and her upper-class background.

11. “And just think of what the band would sound like to that poor woman.” – Who said this and why? (6)
Ans: Laura said this to her sister Jose. A man had just brought the news that a poor neighbour, Mr. Scott, had died in an accident. Laura thought it would be wrong to play loud music when his wife was grieving nearby. But Jose did not agree and called it “absurd.” This shows Laura’s sympathy and sensitive nature. She feels for the poor, while her family only thinks about their comfort.

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