UNIT-2C- IF

A. Choose the right options to answer these questions.

1. What do you think it means to 'walk with Kings'?

a. actually, walks down the street with some kings

b. be friends with people who are successful and have everything

c. carry a king from a chess set in your pocket

d. be friends with people who think you are a king

2. What does the poet mean by 'Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it'?

a. You become the ruler of Earth and literally own everything in it.

b. You will be a failure on Earth and never get anywhere in life.

c. You will be successful and have everything you want.

d. You might be successful, but you won't get everything you want.

Ans- 1. b 2.c.

B. Answer these questions.

1. What does 'keep your head' mean?

Ans- 1. ‘Keep your head’ means to maintain our composure when everything around us is falling apart.

2. Why should we not make dreams our master?

Ans- If we make dreams our masters then we will get detached from reality and will never be able to achieve our
goals.

3. Why are triumph and disaster called impostors?

Ans- Triumph and Disaster are called impostors because they are not real or final: Triumph can easily lead to
disaster after it, and what looks like disaster can lead to triumph.

4. Why is it important to hold on to one's will?

Ans- Holding onto one’s will is important because it acts as a driving force and leads us to our goals.

5. Why does the poet call the minute 'unforgiving'?

Ans- The minute is called ‘unforgiving’ by the poet because it waits for no one. It does not care who you are and
moves forward without stopping.

Read these lines from the poem and answer the questions that follow.

1. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;
a. What does 'trust yourself' mean?

Ans- ‘Trust yourself’ means to believe in one’s abilities.

b. What does 'make allowance' imply?

Ans- ‘Make allowance’ implies that we should also take into consideration the criticism made by others about us.

2. If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

a. What does the speaker mean by 'heart and nerve and sinew'?

Ans- a. By this the poet refers to each and every ounce of energy that one possesses.

b. How can you make them 'serve your turn long after they are gone'?

Ans- By working hard when we have the capacity to do so, we can make our energy serve us long after it has gone.

D. Think and answer.

List the qualities that make one a Man (a 'Man' here means a 'good human being'), according to Kipling.

Ans- According to Kipling, the qualities that make one a ‘man’ are:

1. Trust in one’s capabilities. 2. Maintain composure. 3. Always stay grounded. 4. Accept criticism.

5. Do not get swayed away by temporary triumph. 6. Do not get bogged down by disaster. 7. Give your all.

8. Don’t lose your will.

E. Discuss in class.

Do you agree with Kipling's list of qualities? Say why.

Ans- Yes, I agree with Kipling’s list of qualities as they are all essential for being successful in life. If a person possesses
these qualities, nothing can stop him from becoming successful.

APPRECIATION OF THE POEM

A. When abstract qualities are given a personality, it is called personification. The poet calls triumph and disaster
impostors. An impostor is a person who pretends to be someone else. Why does the poet do so? Can you find
another example of personification the poem?

Ans- The narrator calls ‘Triumph’ and ‘Disaster’ impostors because these two are never what they seem to be.
Triumph can be a temporary result which might lead to our downfall. Similarly, disaster might not always be
negative. It might open up new and better opportunities for us. Another example of personification: ‘the
unforgiving minute’.

B. Match the symbols to the right meanings. Refer to the poem to check answers you have got.

1. knaves a. the important people in society

2. crowds b. liars or conmen

3. kings c. humility

4. common touch d. common folk/ people

Ans- 1. b, 2. d 3. a 4.c