Chapter 1

The Fun they had

Question 1.
How old are Margie and Tommy?
Answer: Margie is eleven and Tommy is thirteen years old.

Question 2.
What did Margie write in her diary? Answer:
Margie wrote in her diary. “Today, 17 May, 2157, Tommy found a real
book.”

Question 3.
Had Margie ever seen a book before? Answer:
No, Margie had never seen a book before.

Question 4.
What things about the book did she find strange? Answer:
The book had yellow and wrinkled pages.
The words of the book were still. They did not move as the words move on the
computer screen. She found these things strange.

Question 5.
What do you think a telebook is? Answer:
A telebook is displayed on the television screen and the text of a telebook is
similar to a book.
Question 6.
Where was Margie’s school? Did she have any classmates?
Answer:
Margie’s school was near her own bedroom. She did not have any
classmate.

Question 7.
What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn? Answer:
Margie learnt Geography and Mathematics. Tommy learnt History and
Mathematics.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

Question 1.
What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have?
Answer:
Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers. They were taught on computers
and television screens. They didn’t have a living person as a teacher who would
teach the pupils in a classroom.

Question 2.
Why did Margie’s mother send for the County Inspector?
Answer:
Margie’s mother sent for the County Inspector because the mechanical
teacher was not functioning efficiently. It had been giving her test after test in
geography and she had been doing worse and worse.

Question 3. What
did he do?

Answer: He slowed down the mechanical teacher’s speed upto an average

ten-year level. The mechanical teacher’s speed was controlled and adjusted
according to the IQ level of Margie.
Question 4.
Why was Margie doing badly in geography? What did the County Inspector do to
help her?
Answer:
Margie had been doing badly in geography. This was because the mechanical
teacher was very fast in displaying the questionnaire. The County Inspector
adjusted its speed upto an average ten-year level.
Thus, the mechanical teacher’s speed was controlled appropriately. The County
Inspector assured that the overall pattern of Margie’s progress was quite
satisfactory.

Question 5.
What had once happened to Tommy’s teacher?
Answer:
Tommy’s teacher was taken away for nearly a month because the history
sector had blanked out completely. So, Tommy had nothing to do during
that period. He only relaxed and enjoyed.

Question 6.
Did Margie have regular days and hours for school? If so, why? Answer:
Yes, Margie had regular days and hours for school because her mother said
little girls learned better if they learned at regular hours.

Question 7.
How does Tommy describe the old kind of school? Answer:
Tommy says that the old schools were different. They had a special building and
all the kids went there to study. They laughed a
shouted in the schoolyard. They enjoyed time together and learned lessons
together in a classroom.

Question 8.
How does he describe the old kind of teachers? Answer:
He says that the old teachers did not live in the house. They had a special
building and all the kids went there. They gave homework to students.
They were not mechanical teachers, but living human beings.

Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs. (100- 150

words).

Question 1.
What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms
that Margie and Tommy have in the story?
Answer:
Margie and Tommy have mechanical teachers. They need not go to school for
getting a formal education. The mechanical teacher is placed in one of the
rooms of the house and they can get the knowledge of various subjects of
individually from the mechanical teacher. They don’t have such classrooms
where students sit
together. They study from the telebooks. So they don’t require books and
exercise books. The examination system is very different. They do
homework in a different way. Margie has to write them out in a punch code.
She leamt it when she was six years old. So the system of their education is
technologically advanced and not based on printed books.

Question 2.
Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school
must have been fun?
Answer:
Margie hated her school because she had a mechanical teacher. It was in her
house. She was supposed to sit in that room alone to complete her hometask
or assignments. The part Margie hated most was the slot where she had to put
homework and test papers. She thought that the old schools must have been
fun because the students used to sit together in the classroom. They enjoyed,
laughed and shouted in the schoolyard. Children needed company to enhance
their skills. If they are isolated, they get depressed and dejected.

Question 3.
Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in
the story? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:
There is no doubt that today’s schools are more funny than the future school
discussed in the story. This school has nothing but a mechanical teacher
with no emotions and sentiments. It does not have the ability to understand
the psychology of a child. Moreover, it guides a pupil according to its
adjusted modes. But today’s schools work for the overall development of a
child. They learn the same thing. The teaches are real human beings. They
leam how to adapt themselves to the new surroundings and cope with the
strangers.
The students sit and leam together. These activities don’t give vent
to the feelings of depression, alienation and segregation.
 Chapter 2
The Sound of music

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

Question 1.
How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music? Answer:
Evelyn was not even seventeen when she went to the Royal Academy of
Music.

Question 2.
When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed? Answer:
Her deafness was noticed when she was eight-year-old. It was confirmed by the
time she was eleven.

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30- 40

words).

Question 1.
Who helped her to continue with music? What did he do and say?
Answer:
Ron Forbes helped her to continue with music. He spotted her potential
and said, “Don’t listen through your ears, try to sense it some other
way.” He began by tuning two large drums to different notes.

Question 2.
Name the various places and causes for which Evelvn nerforms.
Answer:
Evelyn performed free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She made music
her life and performed many regular concerts.
Question 3.
Where was the shehnai played traditionally? How did Bismillah Khan
change this?
Answer:
The shehnai was played traditionally in the temple at the royal courts
and on the occasion of weddings. The credit must go to Bismillah Khan
to take this instrument onto the classical stage.

Question 4.
When and how did Bismillah Khan get his big break? Answer:
Bismillah Khan got his big break with the opening of the All India
Radio in Lucknow in 1938.

Question 5.
Where did Bismillah Khan play the shehnai on 15 August 1947? Why
was the event historic?
Answer:
Bismillah Khan played the shehnai on 15 August 1947 at the Red Fort.
He was the first Indian to greet the nation with his musical instrument.
This event was historic because We got independence on that day. He
poured his heart out in the presence of a large number of people
including Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru.

Question 6.
Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?
Answer:
He refused to start a shehnai school in the USA because he never
wanted to leave India. He loved India so much and he did not want to
settle anywhere except India. That is why whenever he was in a foreign
country, he kept yearning to see Hindustan.
Question 7.
Find at least two instances in the text which tell you that Bismillah
Khan loves India and Benaras.
Answer:
Bismillah Khan loves India and Banaras The sound of Music 197 from
the bottom of his heart. He says that he misses the holy Ganga and
India when he goes abroad. While in Mumbai, he thinks of only Benaras
and the holy river. And when he is in Benaras, he remembers the unique
mattha of Dumraon.

Answer the question in two or three paragraphs (100-150 words).

Question 1.
How does Evelyn hear music? Answer:
Evelyn became deaf by the time she was eleven. But she did not give
up. She was determined to lead a normal life and pursue her interest in
music. Ron Forbes, a percussionist spotted her potential. He asked her
not to listen through ears but try to sense it some other way. She
realized she could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower
one from the waist down. Forbes repeated the exercise and soon Evelyn
discovered that she could sense certain notes in different parts of her
body. She learnt to open her body and mind to sounds and vibrations.
She herself explained, “It pours in through every part of my body. It
tingles in the skin, my cheekbones and even in my hair.” When she
played on the xylophone, she could sense the sound passing up the
stick into her fingertips. By leaning against the drums, she could feel the
resonances flowing into her body. On the wooden floor she used to
remove her shoes so that the vibrations may pass through her bare feet
and up her legs.
 Chapter 3
The Little Girl

Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

Question 1.
Why was Kezia afraid of her father? Answer:
Kezia was afraid of her father because he used to talk to her harshly. He was in a
habit of finding out her mistakes.

Question 2.
Who were the people in Kezia’s family?
Answer:
Kezia’s family had her grandmother, mother and father.

Question 3.
What was Kezia’s father’s routine?

1. before going to his office?

2. after coming back from his office?
3. on Sundays?

Answer:

1. He used to kiss Kezia casually before going to his office.

2. He would ask for the newspaper and tea after coming back from his office.
3. On Sundays, he would take rest. He would enjoy sound sleep on the
sofa.

Question 4.
In what ways did Kezia’s grandmother encourage her to get to know her
father better?
Answer:
Kezia’s grandmother sent her to her father’s room to have a nice talk with him.
Besides, she asked her to make a gift of a pin-cushion on her father’s
birthday.

Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your
answers in two or three paragraphs each.

Question 1.
Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very
much. How did this happen? Answer:
Kezia used to be afraid of her father because her father talked to her
harshly. One day her grandmother told her to make a pin-cushion to gift him
on his birthday which was approaching. Kezia took it an opportunity to
please him. So, she stitched cotton cloth three sides and looked for the
things that could be stuffed into the stitched cloth. Soon she found out many
sheets of paper. Actually they
contained her father’s speech for the Port Authority. She tore them
into pieces and stuffed her case.

One day when her father looked for the papers, he did not find them. After
some time, he came to know that Kezia had tom them into pieces to
make a pin-cushion. He got infuriated and beat her with a ruler. Thus, her
efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much.

Question 2.
Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father
was Mr Macdonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Answer:
In Kezia’s opinion, her father was very harsh. He did not talk to her
affectionately but rather he used to speak to her stringently. So she avoided
him. She did not want to be in front of him because she was afraid of him.
Moreover, her father never spent time with her.
Macdonald family lived next door to her house. One evening she saw him
playing tag with his children. A baby was on his shoulders and two little girls
were hanging on to his coat pockets. They were laughing. Also, she saw
some boys turn the hose on Macdonald and he tried to catch them laughing
all the time. She found them feel friendly with their father. So, she wished if
her father were like them.

Question 3.
How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who needs her
sympathy?
Answer:
One night Kezia had a nightmare which made her too terrified. She was crying
out of fear. When she woke up, she found her father beside her bed with a
candle in his hand. He asked her what the matter was. When he came to
know about her nightmare, he blew out the candle, bent down and caught up
the child in his arms. He carried her to the big bedroom. He laid her on the
bed and pulled the covers up around her. Apart from this, he lay down beside
her.

After some time, still half asleep, she crept close to him, snuggled her
head under his arm and held tightly to his shirt. Now she felt comfortable.

Her father told her to rub her feet against his legs and get them warm.

Now, Kezia realised that her father was not as harsh as she thought. She
realised that her father had to work all day long and got so tired that he could
not play with her. She realised that her father wanted her to understand his
compulsion. At bottom, he was a very good person.
 Chapter 4
A Truly beautiful mind

Short Answer Type Questions (2 marks each) (About 30-40

words each)

Question 1:
Why did the people call Einstein a world citizen ?

Answer:
People called Einstein a world citizen because he campaigned for peace
and democracy and was agitated against arms and bombs especially after
the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Question 2:
Why did Albert Einstein leave his school ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 015)
Answer:
Albert Einstein left his school because he was not happy with the
education system. He was not at
ease with the strict regimentation of the school. He felt suffocated because of
which he had to leave school.

Question 3:
Why did Einstein hate school ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-018)
Answer:
He hated school regimentation because of its extreme sense of discipline. He felt
tired and suffocated
with this atmosphere. He often clashed with his teacher.

Question 4:
Why does the world remember Einstein as a world citizen ? (Board Term 1,2012,
ELI-019)
Answer:
The world remembers Einstein as a world citizen as he was deeply hurt by
the mass destruction in
Japan and campaigned for peace and democracy – worked for humanity.

Question 5:
Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-
020)
Or
Why did Einstein write a letter to the American President Roosevelt
?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-042)
Answer:
Einstein wrote a letter to Franklin Roosevelt when the Nazis were in Germany
and he had to migrate
from there. The discovery of Nuclear fission in Germany made the American
physicists upset that the Nazis could use an atom bomb.

Question 6:
What is Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-021)
Answer:
According to Einstein’s special theory of relativity, time and distance are not
absolute. From this followed the world’s most famous formula which
describes the relationship between mass and energy i.e., E = me2.

Question 7:
Why did Einstein’s play mates call him “Brother Boring” ? (Board Term
1,2012, ELI-023)
Answer:
Einstein could not mix up with other children. He did not find their games
interesting. He often uttered every word twice. He was often teased for his
abnormally huge head. And so his friends nicknamed him “Brother Boring.”
Question 8:
How was Einstein’s private life unraveling after he finished his
studies ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-026)
Answer:
He had wanted to marry Mileva but his mother was against it. She
thought Mileva was three years older than her son and toq intelligent for
him.

Question 9:
What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office and why
?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 028)
Answer:
Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the “bureau of theoretical
physics” because he was working as a technical expert in the patent office in
Bern where he was supposed to be assessing other peoples’ inventions.

Question 10:
How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-034)
Answer:
Einstein was shocked at the extent of destruction caused by the bombing. He
wrote a long letter to the United Nations and suggested that there should be a
World Government.

Long Answer Type Questions (4 marks each) (About 80-

100 words each)

Question 1:
Write down the achievements of Albert Einstein. (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-
022)
Answer:
Albert Einstein was really a scientific genius. He felt at home in Mathematics
but he showed keen interest in physics. After graduating from the university in
Zurich he started working
vigorously. With his university education he was working on relativity. After
his graduation, he remained jobless. So, he gave private lessons. In 1902, he
secured a job as a technical expert in the patent office in Bera. But he went on
developing his own ideas. The world showered on him honors invitations. He
was honored with Noble prize in 1921.

Question 2:
Einstein was an unusual child with no indication of his potential greatness.
Comment.(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-039)
Answer:
Einstein’s head was larger than the usual head. He was called
“Brother Boring” because he never mixed up with his classmates. He left
school because he was not happy with the strict regimentation. He loved
mechanical toys and thought his sister to be a toy. The head master thought him
to be stupid and good for nothing and that he
would never succeed in life. He also told Einstein’s father that
whatever profession he chose would not matter, because “he will never make
a success at anything”. This proves that Einstein was an unusual child with no
indication of his potential greatness.

Question 3:
What was the outcome of Einstein’s letter which he wrote to the American
President, Roosevelt ? Did his warning have any impact on America ?(Board
Term 1,2012, ELI-051)
Answer:
On his colleague’s insistence, Einstein wrote a letter to the American President,
Roosevelt when the Nazis were in Germany and he had to migrate from there.
The discovery of Nuclear fission in Germany made the American physicists
upset that the Nazis could use the bomb. He warned him of the
consequences of the atomic bomb. His words had a great impact. The
Americans developed the atomic bomb secretly. They dropped it on the
Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki irf August 1945. Einstein was
greatly moved by the destruction. He wrote a long letter to the United Nations
and
suggested that there should be a world government. This definitely helped
ending the world war.

Value Based Question (4 marks)

Question 1:
Do you think that in today’s context national boundaries are
overcome by global issued ? Answer:
The world is undoubtedly a global village. Any issue cannot be resolved at
the national level alone. This has been reflected in die case of Albert
Einstein. He wrote to the President of the U.S.A. about the evils of a nuclear
war, requesting him to take some measures. It is definitely the responsibility
of each one of us to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the world.
 Chapter 5
The Snake and the mirror

Short Answer Type Questions (2 marks each) (About 30-40

words each)

Question 1:
What was the doctor thinking while he was seated before the mirror
? (SA-1,2014-15)
Answer:
The doctor thought of various medicine he had and if any medicine was good
enough to save him if the snake did bite him. He also realized that God had
punished him for being so proud and arrogant.

Question 2:
Why did the doctor run from his house ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 014)
Or
Why did the doctor run away to his friend’s house ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-
052)
Answer:
From writer’s arm the snake slithered into his lap, crept onto the table and
then moved towards the mirror. The writer revived, got up from the chair and
leapt into the yard and ran to his friend’s house to save his life.

Question 3:
How did the doctor show the presence of mind when he encountered the
snake ?
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-021)
Answer:
The doctor showed great presence of mind on seeing the snake: He neither
jumped nor cried out.
He sat on the chair holding his breath. His body was still but his mind
remained very active.

Question 4:
How did the snake change the writer’s opinion about himself
? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-025)
Answer:
The writer was proud of being a doctor. Coming face-to-face with the snake
made him humble. He
thought he was only a poor and stupid doctor who should not be proud of
his profession.

Question 5:
While looking into the mirror, what important and earth-shaking
decisions did the doctor make ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-027) Or
What were the two important decisions taken by the doctor while looking into
the mirror ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-039)
Answer:
The important decision m^de by the doctor was that he would shave daily
and grow a thin moustache, to look more handsome.
The earth-shaking decision made by the doctor was that he would always keep
that attractive smile on his face.

Question 6:
What did the doctor do on seeing the snake ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-029)
Answer:
The doctor saw the snake’s reflection in the mirror. He, then, went to have a
closer look. He got up from the chair and ran away from the house.

Question 7:
What type of woman did the doctor in the story “The Snake and the Mirror”,
want to get married to and why? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-
031)
Answer:
The doctor, who had plenty of money and good medical practice, wanted to
get married to a woman who was fat. The reason he gave was that if he, the
doctor husband ever made any mistake, and tried to run away, she would
not be able to catch him and stop him from escaping.

Question 8:
Why did the author of “The Snake and the Mirror” fantasize a fat
woman as his wife ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-037)
Answer:
The author of “The Snake and the Mirror’ fantasizes a fat woman as his wife
since she would never be able to catch the doctor on his mistakes. She
would not be able to run after him and he would be saved of all kinds of
punishments. Thus, the author fantasizes a fat woman as his wife.

Question 9:
Why did the snake leave the doctor’s arm? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 040)
Answer:
The snake left the doctor’s arm because it saw its reflection in the mirror
and was fascinated by it and so wanted to enjoy its own reflection by having
a closer look. Like his parents even he respects all religions.

Question 10:
What made the doctor utter “Death lurked four inches away”
? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 048)
Answer:
The doctor was under the grip of the snake, and sat motionless as a statue, his
body was inactive but mind was completely active. He knew very well that the
snake would bite him at the slightest movement. This is what made his utter
these words.
Long Answer Type Questions (4 marks each) (About 80-
100 words each)

Question 1:
“Birds of the same feathers flock together” goes the saying. Does the
encounter between the snake and the doctor in the story “The Snake and
the Mirror” support the saying? Why or why not ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-
016)
Answer:
Yes, the story supports the saying which means that the people of similar
habits and tastes find each other. The doctor enjoyed self- appreciation and
could not resist the temptation of looking at his reflection in the mirror. He
also takes a number of decisions, so as to improve his looks. The snake that
coiled itself on the doctor’s arm, kept staring at its reflection in the mirror for
a long time, enjoying its beauty and appreciating its form. The snake was so
much engrossed in its beauty that it forgot as to why it had come to the
author’s house.

Question 2:
Without mirror, the story will lose its charm and reality. Justify.
(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-018)
Answer:
The story would lose its charm and reality without the mirror because it
fascinates both the characters i.e., doctor and the snake. The doctor makes
two important decisions – saving daily and growing thin moustaches to make
himself more handsome and keeping a smile on the face all the time while
looking at himself in the mirror. The snake also feels attracted to look at his
face in the mirror and leaves the doctor’s arm. It sits on the table in front of
mirror and the doctor finds an opportunity to move away to save himself.
Thus, the story does revolve around the mirror and therefore its important.
Question 3:
What are the similarities between the doctor and the snake ? (Board Term
1,2012, ELI-019)
Answer:
The doctor and the snake had striking similarities. Both were victims of self-
adoration. This is clearly visible in two decisions of the doctor- to shave daily
and a grow moustache and also to wear an attractive smile on his face to look
handsome. While the snake enjoyed looking at his reflection at closer quarters.
It did not move the doctor’s arm and later crept into the table and moved
towards the mirror. ,

Question 4:
Justify the title of the story ‘The Snake and the Mirror’. (Board Term 1,2012,
ELI-020)
Answer:
The story revolves round th#narrator, the snake, and the mirror. The narrator
hears some fanjiliar sounds – a dull thud and a snake lands on his shoulder.
The doctor is terrified and sits there like a stone. He suddenly feels the
presence of the cfeator of the world and death 4- inches away. He forgets
danger and smiles feebly. The snake looks into the mirror, moves towards the
mirror and wants to enjoy a close reflection in the mirror. Thus the title is
justified as the story revolves around the snake and the mirror.

Question 5:
Describe in detail the doctor’s feelings when he saw the snake coiled
around his arm ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-043)
Answer:
The doctor was so engrossed in his day dreaming that he did not realize that
a snake had wriggled
over the back of the chair and landed on his shoulders and could round his
left arm with its hood spread out. The doctor sat there without moving an
inch, he was afraid lest the snake might strike. He thought of various
medicines he had and if any one of them was good enough to save him if
the * snake struck him. He realized the
presence of God and felt that it was a punishment for being proud and
arrogant.

Value Based Question (4 marks)

Question 1:
God has a lot of ways of controlling Our lines. Discuss this in the light
of the story ‘The Snake and the Mirror’. .
Answer:
Our life is definitely in the hands of God. He is fire supreme power in control
of our lives. At times we forget this like the young doctor. He was under the
false belief that he was the one who would decide what was going to happen
in his life. He was standing in front of the mirror with a lot of pride thinking
about his future. The snake was a symbol of God’s control over him. It made
him realize that he was close to death and not to life. He was not the master
of his life.
 Chapter 6
My Childhood

Short Answer Type Questions (2 marks each) (About 30-40

words each)

Question 1:
Why did A.P.J. Abdul Kalam call his childhood a secure childhood
?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-015)
Or
“Kalam’s childhood was a secure one, both materially and
emotionally”. Illustrate the fact.(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-042)
Answer:
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam called his childhood a secure one because he had loving
and caring parents.-He had all necessary things which included food, clothes,
medicine, etc.

Question 2:
Do you think the new teacher deserved the treatment meted out to him ?
Why/why not ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-016)
Answer:
Yes, he deserved the treatment meted out to him. He was spreading the
poison of communal intolerance among the young minds which was a serious
crime. If a teacher indulges in such a mean act he deserves no sympathy.

Question 3:
What was the difference in the attitudes of the science teacher and his wife
towards A.P.J. Abdul Kalam ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-029) Answer:
Though his science teacher was an orthodox Hindu, he broke the social
barriers, and mixed with other religions and commjmities. He invited Abdul
home and served him meals and even sat and ate with
him. On the contrary, his wife was conservative and refused to serve Abdul.

Question 4:
How did Second World War give opportunity to Kalam to earn his first
wages ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-030)
Answer:
Kalam’s cousin was a news agent. Train halt at Rameshwaram station was
suspended. So, the newspapers were bundled up and thrown out from a
moving train. Kalam helped his cousin to catch the bundles. He was given
money for it.

Question 5:
How does Abdul Kalam describe his mother ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-035)
Answer:
Abdul Kalam describes his mother by saying that she was an ideal wife and
a gentle lady. He learnt from his mother to be gentle and kind. She even
used to feed a lot of outsiders every day.

Question 6:
What did Abdul Kalam’s family do during the annual Shri Sita Ram
Kalayanam Ceremony ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-038)
Answer:
Abdul Kalam’s family arranged for a boat with a special platform for carrying
the idols of Lord Shri Sita Ram from the temple to the marriage sites situated in
the middle of a pond called as Rama Tirtha. His parents even told him stories
from the Ramayana.

Question 7:
What characteristics did Abdul Kalam inherited from his parents
? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-043)
Answer:
Abdul Kalam inherited honesty and self discipline from his father and
faith in goodness and kindness from his mother. Like his parents even he
respected all religions.

Long Answer Type Questions (4 marks each) (About 80-

100 words each)

Question 1:
What do you know about A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s family after reading the
lesson “My childhood”? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-013) Answer:
A.PJ. Abdul Kalam tells us that his family was a Tamil middle class family from
Rameshwaram. His father Jainulabdeen was not much educated, wasn’t rich but
was generous, wise, simple man
but very strict and severe. His mother Ashiamma was a generous lady,
and used to feed unlimited numbers of people in their home. Kalam’s
family respected all religions. They took part in Hindu festivals. His mother
and grandmother told him stories from Ramayana. They always showered
their love on their children and never forced their thoughts on them.

Question 2:
What incident took place at the Rameshwaram Elementry School when a
new teacher came to the class ? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI- 023)
Answer:
Kalam used to wear a cap and Ramanandha Sastry wore a sacred thread which
marked him to be a Brahmin. When the new teacher
came he could not tolerate a Hindu priest’s son sitting with a Muslim boy. He
ordered Kalam to go and sit on the back bench. This made Ramanandha sad.
Abdul started to sit in the last row but it left a bad impression on Abdul. Both
the kids narrated the incident to their parents. As a result the teacher was
rebuked and reprimanded for spreading communalism and hatred among
children.
Question 3:
How did Abdul Kalam earn his “first wages” ? How did he feel at that
time ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-024)
Answer:
Kalam was only 8 years old when the second world war broke out in 1939.
Then there was a great demand for tamarind seeds. Abdul used to collect
those seeds and sell them in the market. His cousin Shamsuddin distributed
newspapers. The train would not stop at Rameshwaram and the bundles of
newspapers were thrown from the running train. Abdul was employed by his
cousin to collect them. This way he earned his first wages. He felt very proud
on earning his first wage.

Question 4:
“Once you decide to change the system, such problems have to be confronted.”
What system is being refer in the sentence from the chapter “My Childhood”?
What are such problems ?(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-025)
Answer:
System means system of discrimination on the basis of religion. The system
includes the narrow-mindedness and poison of social inequality and
communal intolerance. The Brahmins did not allow Muslims to enter their
kitchen. The science teacher – a rebel by nature, invited Kalam to his home
and proved that if one is determined to face problems and change the
system, he will definitely succeed. Though, such indifferences come in
everybody’s life but a person should have a broader outlook and overcome
the obstacles.

Question 5:
How was the Science teacher Siva Subramaniam Iyer, though an orthodox.
Brahmin with a very conservative wife, a friend of Abdul Kalam. Give
incidents to support your answer.(Board Term 1,2012, ELI-025)
Answer:
The Science teacher, Siva Subramaniam Iyer, wanted to break the social
barriers between the Hindus and the Muslims. He wanted Kalam to be very
highly educated as he recognized his intelligence. One day, he invited him
over to a meal. His orthodox wife was totally horrified at the idea of a Muslim
boy dining in her ritually pure kitchen. He did not mind anything said by his
very conservative wife. He rather served the food to Abdul by his own hands.
He also sat with him and dined together as well as invited him over again for
another meal the coming weekend. Thus, this shows that he was a friend of
Abdul Kalam even though Kalam was a Muslim and he himself was an
orthodox Brahmin.

Value Based Question (4 marks)

Question 1:
‘Childhood’ is the formative period of a child’s life. The lessons learnt here
always stays with a person. Comment on it in the light of the lesson A.P.J.
Abdul Kalam.
Answer:
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is one of the finest scientists in our country and was also
our eleventh President. From his autobiography “Wings of Fire” it is amply clear
that lessons learnt in our childhood not only
shape our personality but also decide the kind of person we become. He
learnt the lessons of religious tolerance, honesty and self- discipline early in
his life. These qualities stayed with him throughout his life and have helped
to make him one of the finest President of our country with so many diverse
cultures.
 Chapter 7
Packing

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph.

(30-40 words)

Question 1.
How many characters are there in the narrative? Name them. (Don’t
forget the dog!).
Answer:
There are four characters in the narrative including the dog. They are the
narrator, George, Harris and the fourth is the dog named Montmorency.

Question 2.
Why did the narrator (Jerome) volunteer to do the packing?
Answer:
The narrator felt that he knew more about packing than any other person
living. Moreover, he would get an opportunity to boss the job and George
and Harris would do the job under his directions.
Question 3.
How did George and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their reaction?
Answer:
George and Harris accepted the narrator’s suggestion readily. But
Jerome did not like it.

Question 4.
What was Jerome’s real intention when he offered to pack?
Answer:
Jerome’s real intention was to boss the job. He wanted that Harris and
George should work under his guidance and instructions. But they
accepted the proposal and sat idle on the chairs comfortably.
Question 5.
What did Harris say after the bag was shut and strapped? Why do you think
he waited till then to ask?
Answer:
Harris asked the narrator to put the boots in the bag after strapping the bag.
He did it with an intention to irritate the narrator.

Question 6.
What ‘horrible idea’ occurred to Jerome a little later?
Answer:
Jerome was going to close the bag after putting the boots in it. He suddenly
thought of his toothbrush. While travelling, he must needed the toothbrush
which he packed in the bag. Now he had to search for it in the bag.

Question 7.
Where did Jerome finally find the toothbrush? Answer:
Jerome tried his best to find the toothbrush. He unpacked the bag but
could not find it. He put the things back one by one, and held everything
up and shook it. At last, he found it inside a boot.

Question 8.
Why did Jerome have to reopen the packed bag? Answer:
Jerome packed his spectacles in the bag. So he had to reopen the packed bag.

Question 9.
What did George and Harris offer to pack and why?
Answer:
George and Harris offered to pack hamper because they wanted Jerome to take
some rest. They decided to pack the rest of things themselves.
Question 10.
What does Jerome say was Montmorency’s ambition in life? What do
you think of Montmorency and why? Answer:
Montmorency’s ambition in life is to interfere with others and be abused. He
wants to be a perfect nuisance and make people mad. If things are thrown at
his head, he feels his day has not been wasted. To get somebody to stumble
over him, and curse him steadily for an hour is his highest aim and object. He
came and sat on things, just when they were going to be packed. He put his
leg into the jam and worried the teaspoons and pretended that lemons were
rats and got into the hamper and killed three of them.

It is the natural, original sin that is bom in him that makes him do things like
that.

III. Discuss in groups and answer the following questions in two or three
paragraphs.

Question 1.
Of the three, Jerome, George and Harris, who do you think is the best or
worst packer? Support your answer with details from the text.
Answer:
Of the three, Harris is the worst packer in this world. But none of them is the
perfect packer. All of them are confused and do not know what is to be
placed and where. So far as Jerome is concerned he unpacked the bag to
find his toothbrush in a boot. He also packs his spectacles in the bag. Harris
and George start their work in a light hearted spirit. There are piles of plates,
cups, kettles, bottles, jars, pies, stoves, cakes and tomatoes. They break a cup.
Harris packs the strawberry jam on top of a tomato and squashes it. They
have to pick out the tomato with a teaspoon. George treads on the butter. He
gets it off from his slipper and puts it in the kettle. He puts it down
on a chair and Harris sits on it. It sticks to him and then they look for it all
over the room. In this way they created chaos in the room.

Question 2.
How did Montmorency ‘contribute’ to the packing?
Answer:
Montmorency’s contribution to the packing cannot be forgotten. His ambition
in life was to disturb others and be abused by them. He came and sat on
things, just when they were going to be packed and he put his leg into the
jam. He disturbed everything. He pretended the lemons to be rats and got
into the hamper and killed three of them.

Montmorency wanted to be a perfect nuisance and make people mad. If things

are thrown at his head, he feels his day has not been wasted. To get
somebody to stumble over him, and curse him steadily for an hour was his
highest aim and objective. When he got succeeded in accomplishing it, his
conceit became quite unbearable.

Question 3.
Do you find this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it? (Pick
out at least three, think about what happens, as well as how it is described.)
Answer:
The story is really humorous and funny. Jerome’s episode of packing, Harris’s
and George’s way of packing and Montmorency’s contribution have made
the story funny and interesting. Jerome was confused about his toothbrush
and found it in a boot. He also packed his spectacles in the bag. The incident
of butter makes the reader laugh. George treads on the butter and it sticks to
his slipper. Later he puts it on the chair. Harris sits on the chair and it sticks
to his bottom. They squash the tomatoes by putting the strawberry jam on
them.
 Chapter 8
Reach for the top

Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

Question 1.
How did Santosh begin to climb mountains? Answer:
She wished to climb mountains when she watched villagers from her room,
going up the hill and suddenly vanishing after a while. One day, she decided
to check it out herself. She found nobody except a few mountaineers. Later
she saved money and enrolled in a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute of
Mountaineering. Then she began climb mountains every year.

Question 2.
What incidents during the Everest expedition show Santosh’s
concern for her team-mates? Answer:
Santosh Yadav provided special care to a climber who lay dying at the south
pole in 1992 Everest Mission. She saved Mohan Singh, who would have lost
his life had she not shared her oxygen with him.

Question 3.
What shows her concern for the environment? Answer:
Santosh was really concerned for the environment. She collected and brought
down 500 kilograms of garbage from the Himalayas.

Question 4.
How does she describe her feelings at the summit of the Everest? Answer:
She said that it took some time for the enormity of the moment to
sink in. She was delighted at this moment and proudly unfurled the Indian
tricolour.

Question 5.
Santosh Yadav got into the record books both times she scaled Mt. Everest.
What were the reasons for this?
Answer:
She is the youngest woman who scaled the Everest. She is the only woman who
climbed the Everest twice.
 Chapter 9
The Bond of love

Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words each.

Question 1.
On two occasions Bruno ate/drank something that should not be eaten/ drunk.
What happened to him on these occasions?
Answer:
Bruno ate Barium Carbonate which was put to kill the rats and mice. Paralysis
set in to the extent that he could not stand on his feet.
Once he drank one gallon of old engine oil. But it had no ill effects whatever.

Question 2.
Was Bruno a loving and playful pet? Why, then, did he have to be sent
away?
Answer:
Yes, Bruno was a loving and playful pet. But he was mischievous also. The bear
became very attached to the narrator’s two Alsatian dogs and the children of
the tenants. Bruno had grown many times the size he was when he came.
Now her name was changed to Baba.
Now he was getting too big to be kept at home. So he was sent to a zoo.

Question 3.
How was the problem of what to do with Bruno finally solved? Answer:
Bruno was not feeling happy after getting separated from the narrator’s family.
He was getting weak everyday. The narrator’s wife went to Mysore to meet
Bruno. Bruno. After seeing his pitiful condition she decided to get Bruno back
home. The narrator and his wife made special arrangement for Bumo and
created all facility for him. At last Bruno was got back home in a small cage.
 Chapter 10
Kathmandu

Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.

Question 1.
Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu. Answer:
Pashupatinath and Baudhnath Stupa.

Question 2.
The writer says, “All this I wash down with Coca Cola.” What does ‘all this’
refer to?
Answer:
Com-on-the-cob and marzipan.

Question 3.
What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine? Answer:
The flutes tied on the top of the flute seller’s pole.

Question 4.
Name five kinds of flutes.
Answer:
The reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri, the
breathy flutes of South America, the high pitched Chinese flutes.
Answer each question in a short paragraph.

Question 1.
What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other
hawkers?
Answer:
The author finds a difference in selling the articles. The flute seller
does not shout out his wares. He makes a sale in a curiously offhanded way
as if this was incidental to his enterprise.
Question 2.
What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug? Answer:
People believe that when a small shrine emerges fully on Bagwati river, the
goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kalyug will end on
earth.

Question 3.
The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples
each of

1. the atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple of

Pashupatinath (for example: some people trying to get the priest’s
attention are elbowed aside…)
2. the things he sees
3. the sounds he hears
Answer:

1. The author describes the monkey’s fight vividly and graphically. A fight
breaks out between two monkeys. One chases the other, who jumps
onto a shivalinga, then runs screaming around the temples and down
to the river.
2. The author observes a princess of the Nepalese royal house.
Everyone bows to her. He sees monkeys. He sees felt bags, Tibetan
prints and silver jewellery. He looks at flute sellers, hawkers of
postcards, shops selling western cosmetics, etc.
3. He hears film songs from the radios, car horns, bicycle bells, stray
cows low and vendors shout out their wares. He also listens to the
various flutes played by the flute seller.
4. Answer the following questions in not more than 100-150 words
each.
5. Question 1.
Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the
Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
Answer:
At Pashupatinath there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’. Priests,
hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam
through the grounds. There are so many
worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are
elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front. At the
Baudhnath stupa, the Buddhist shrine of Kathmandu, there is a sense
of stillness. Its immense white dome is ringed by a road. Small shops
stand on its outer edge. Most of the shops are owned by Tibetan
immigrants. There are no crowds and this is a haven of quietness in
the busy streets around.
6. Question 2.
How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
Answer:
The author says that Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary, religious, with small
shrines to flower-adorned deities along the narrowest and busiest
streets. There are fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards, shops
selling western cosmetics, film rolls and chocolate or copper utensils and
Nepalese antiques. Film songs blare out from the radios, car horns
sound, bicycle bells ring, stray cows low, vendors shout out their
wares. The author buys a com-on- the-cob roasted in a charcoal brazier
on the pavement. He also buys coca cola and orange drink.
7. Question 3.
“To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all
mankind.” Why does the author say this?
Answer:
The author says this because he is aware of the fact that music appeals to
senses. It gives pleasure to every listener. The flute seller does not sell
only one kind of flute. He has various types
of flutes that represent different customs and culture. The flute seller is
a wise sales person. He does not shout out his wares.
He plays melodious tunes which fascinate others. Mankind does not
have multiple appearances and shapes. It is universal and
cosmopolitan. Music soothes everyone’s heart irrespective of their caste,
colour and creed. So the author says that to hear any flute is to be
drawn into the commonality of all mankind.
 If I Were You

Question 1.
“At last a sympathetic audience.”

1. Who says this?

2. Why does he say it?
3. is he sarcastic or serious?

Answer:

1. Gerrard says this.

2. He says this because the intruder becomes sympathetic
towards him.
3. He is, no doubt, sarcastic.

Question 2.
Why does the intruder choose Gerrard as the man whose identity he
wants to take on?
Answer:
The intruder chose Gerrard as the man whose identity he wants to take on
because he is a kind of a mystery man. He phones his orders and
sometimes goes away suddenly and come back just the same.

Question 3.
“I said it with bullets.”

1. Who says this?

2. What does it mean?
3. Is it the truth? What is the speaker’s reason for saying this?

Answers:.

1. Gerrard says this.

2. It means that he is not an ordinary person. He is very
dangerous.
3. NO, he wants that the intruder should change his idea of killing
him.

Question 4.
What is Gerrard’s profession? Quote the parts of the play that support
your answer.
Answer:
Gerrard is a dramatist. He says, “Sorry I can’t let you have the props in
time for rehearsal…

Question 5.
“You’ll soon stop being smart.”

1. Who says this?

2. Why does the speaker say it?
3. What according to the speaker will stop Gerrard from being
smart?

Answers:

1. The intruder says this.

2. He says it because Gerrard does not seem afraid of his gun
even.
3. According to the speaker, the bullet will stop Gerrard from being
smart.

Question 6.
“They can’t hang me twice.”

1. Who says this?

2. Why does the speaker say it?

Answer:

1. The intruder says this.

2. The speaker says it because he wants to murder Gerrard. And
he has already murdered someone. So the police cannot hang
him twice.

Question 7.
“A mystery I propose to explain.” What is the mystery the speaker
proposes to explain?
Answer:.
The speaker wants that the intruder should explain what mystery is
associated with him. The mystery is about Gerrard’s placing his orders on
telephone. And he goes out suddenly and returns in the same way.

Question 8.
“This is your big surprise.”

1. Where has this been said in the play?

2. What is the surprise?
Answer:

1. Gerrard speaks this line. He tells the intruder that if he is not

hanged for his murder, he will certainly be hanged being
Vincent Charles Gerrard. At this time he utters these words.
2. The big surprise is that Gerrard will not be killed by him. He is
right in saying this.

Thinking about language

(Page 145)

Question 1.
Consult your dictionary and choose the correct word from the pairs given
in brackets.

1. The (site, cite) of the accident was (ghastly/ghostly).

2. Our college (principle/principal) is very strict.
3. I studied (continuously/continually) for eight hours.
4. The fog had an adverse (affect/effect) on the traffic.
5. Cezanne, the famous French painter, was a brilliant
(artist/artiste).
6. The book that you gave me yesterday is an extraordinary
(collage/college) of science fiction and mystery.
7. Our school will (host/hoist) an exhibition on cruelty to animals
and wildlife conservation.
8. Screw the lid tightly onto the top of the bottle and (shake/shape)
well before using the contents.

Answer:

1. site, ghastly
2. principal
3. continuously
4. effect
5. artist
6. collage
7. host
8. shake
English Poem Chapter 1 The Road Not
Taken
Question 1.
Where does the traveller find himself?
What problem does he face?
Answer:
The traveller finds himself at a point where two roads diverge. His problem
is to decide on which road he should walk.

Question 2.
Discuss what these phrases mean to you.

1. a yellow wood
2. it was grassy and wanted wear
3. the passing there
4. leaves no step had trodden black
5. how way leads on to way

Answer:

1. A forest in the autumn season.

2. The road was grassy because it was a less travelled road. It
wanted people to move on it.
3. It implies walking on the road.
4. It means the leaves had not been crushed under the feet of
travellers.
5. How one road leads to another?
6. Question 1: Why will the choice between two roads that seem very
much alike make such a big difference many years later in the life of
the poet?
7. Answer: A choice between two roads that seem very much alike will
make such a big difference many years later in the poet’s life since this
particular decision, this path opened up many different opportunities
for him in future. The decision that he now makes will influence him
and his life and his rest of the decisions since the two roads are same
they still have varied options in them.
8. Question 2: Does the speaker feel that he has made the wrong choice
in taking the road “less travelled by”? If not, why does he “sigh”? What
does he regret?
9. Answer: No, the speaker does not feel that he has made a wrong
decision by taking the road less travelled. The poet wanted to explore
both the roads. He tells himself that he will explore one and then come
 back and explore the other, but he knows that he will probably be
unable to do so.
10.Question 3: And that has made all the difference. What is your opinion
of the difference- was it for the better or the worse? Substantiate your
answer.
11.Answer: The poem does not clearly state whether the choice made by
the poet made him happy or sad. However, if examined the way of the
world, we find that the individuals who have achieved recognition and
fame have always eschewed the beaten track. Hence, we can reason
that the poet-poet-traveller was made happy by choosing the less
travelled path, not the beaten track. The concluding line of the poem
“And that has made all the difference” connotes the poet’s joy.
12.Question 4: After reading the poem can you detail the tone entire
poem.
13.Answer: The overall tone of the poem is one of regret. He believes that
at some time far in the future, he will still be thinking of his two
possible paths “with a sigh”. He does not anticipate being any less
conflicted then or any more satisfied with his choice. He realizes that
his choice will have made “all the difference” in his life, but he is
presently uncertain about what the difference will turn out to be.
14.Question 5: Was the poet doubtful or clear that he would return to
take the other path which he could not do earlier?
15.Answer: Throughout the poem and the poet’s journey he faces an
archetypal dilemma. He doubts if he would ever be able to come back
to take that other road which might have given him some other more
lucrative options in life. The poet believes and we all know that one
road leads to another so going back to the original path is not easy.
16.Long Answer Type Questions
17.Question 1: Does the poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’, symbolizes or
reveals a meaning or aspect of freedom or responsibility?
18.Answer: The poem reveals the complex nature of a seemingly simple
decision. The narrator is conflicted as he thinks about which road to
take. Even after some deliberation and the fact that usage “Had worn
them really about the same,” he cannot help wondering, but then
doubting “if I should ever come back”. He is even trying to convince
himself that he has made the best choice as, when he looks back
“Somewhere ages and ages hence”, he is sure that he will be able to
say that he made the best choice and that it “has made all the
difference”.
19.This poem highlights the fact that freedom (of choice in this instance)
brings with it its own set of responsibilities. Hie poem also, perhaps,
indicates the futility of over-thinking some situations. If, even trivial
 decisions require so much thought, how can anyone ever make life-
changing decisions. Apparently for the narrator, this is life-changing. At
least the choice is his to make.
20.Question 2: What do the two roads symbolize in the passage 1? What
is the significance of choosing a road?
21.Answer: The two roads that the poet-traveller faces in his walk or
journey are symbolic of the choices that we have to encounter in our
life. The journey or a simple walk itself is a metaphor for the great
journey of life. In the poem the poet, after prolonged thought, decides
to take the road less travelled, accepting its challenges and
uncertainties. The decision is final and irreversible and it has its own
consequences, may be positive or negative. In real life also we confront
such critical situations where we face life-altering options. The decision
we make is crucial. We should contemplate over the choices before and
then decide our priorities. Once we make the decision and proceed
accordingly, we can never reverse it. The life takes its own course, and it
does not give a second chance to alter our decision and change our
course of life. Hence, decide wisely.
22.Question 3: What is the theme of the poem “The Road Not Taken’?
23.Answer: The poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ offers a profound perception
into the process of decision making. The traveller at the crossroads of
the diverging roads is symbolic of an individual at a decisive moment in
his life’s journey. His decision or choice of future action is of utmost
significance since the decision decides his destiny. The poet, Robert
Frost, through this poem asserts the importance of the right decision at
the right time. In life we have to make our choices; sometimes we have
to make these choices without the full understanding of the state of
affairs. Even then, we should arrive at decision only after carefully
considering all the available options. We may regret our choice or we
may be excited about our choice, but the choice at the crucial moment
will determine and change the path of our life. Hence, the poem
stresses the need for deep and critical analysis of the situation before
we arrive at a life-transforming decision.
24.Question 4: Discuss the anticipation or remorse in The Road Not
Taken’.
25.Answer: There is a fair amount of irony to be found here in the poem
but this is also a poem infused with the anticipation of remorse. Its title
is not ‘The Road Less Travelled’ but “The Road Not Taken”. Even as he
makes a choice (a choice he is forced to make if he does not want to
stand forever in the woods, one for which he has no real guide or
definitive basis for decision-making), the speaker knows that he will
second-guess himself somewhere down the line— or at the very least
he will wonder at what is irrevocably lost: the impossible, unknowable
Other Path. But the nature of the decision is such that there is no Right
Path— just the chosen path and the other path. The Road Less
Travelled is a fiction the speaker will later invent, an attempt to polarize
his past and give himself, retroactively, more agency than he really had.
What are sighed for ages and ages hence are not so much the wrong
decisions as the moments of decision themselves— moments that, one
atop the other, mark the passing of a life. This is the more primal strain
of remorse.
Wind

Question 1: Describe the central idea of the poem.

Answer: The poem “Wind” inspires us to face the challenges thrown at us

with grit and firm determination. We should be strong enough to face all the
hardships of life with courage. Wind symbolizes problems and obstacles that
we all face and go through at some point time in our lives.

Question 2: Is wind regarded as a symbol of destruction in the poem?

Explain.

Answer: In the poem, first stanza depicts the destruction caused by wind. The
wind tears the pages of the books, brings rain again, and destroys the daily
life of the weaker section of the world. The strong or gusty winds represent
turmoil and trouble in our life. These troubles are to be ignored.

Question 3: What are the figures of speech in the poem ‘Wind’?

Answer: The most common figure of speech in the poem is ‘Anaphora’ which
means repeating of certain words. The repetition of the word ‘don’t’ in the
first three lines of the poem is an example of Anaphora. Also, the entire poem
is a metaphor as it ends on a note of application to humanity to stand
against all ravages, natural or man-made.

Question 4: Can wind ever be friends with us?

Answer: Wind, literally, can be our friend. Wind is a phenomenon which

teaches us to be strong. Our friends always teach us to be strong and
determined. In times of need, wind wants us to bravely face our obstacles.
Hence, we have to be strong when there are obstacles in our life so that we
don’t get beaten up by them.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: What challenges are posed by wind in the life of the poet and
the common man?
Answer: In our lives, wind destructs our daily routine. It hampers and
dampens the spirit of life around. According to the poet, rain and wind were
deeds of nature that are perceived as the tempest forces which destroy the
old and evil inside a man in order to create joy and liberty in his mind. Wind
is that difficult natural phenomenon which is very difficult to be predicted
accurately just as our problems which can arise from nowhere. It can hit us at
any time of our life. It mocks the very being of being alive. For frail people,
literally and metaphorically, wind creates barriers. Winds do not let a frail
body or a frail mind survive but on the other hand if you are strong, you have
the power and the will to survive and fight back, wind can never be a threat
to your living being.

Question 2: Does the poem reflect the human suffering being initiated by
wind? Explain with examples.

Answer: I believe that wind is a poignant example of the metaphor of God’s

will for a variety of reasons. First wind is invisible, but the effects it has on
other aspects of this world are clear and evident. Our poem reflects upon
both the constructive and destructive paths taken by the wind. Wind is
extreme and violent, but not necessarily legitimately with anger and
emotions. Wind creates compassion, but apathy at the same time in human
life. Winds emphasize the passionate, intense nature of the poet, while the
decay and death inherent in the metaphor suggest the sacrifice and suffering
of humans. We also see that wind is a metaphor for the god’s will because its
effects in this world can be both beneficial or ostensibly destructive.
Rain on the Roof

Question 1: How does the poet describe the sky before the rain falls?

Answer: There were dark clouds hovering around in the sky. They hid the
stars with darkness all around. The poet compares the darkness with sadness,
as these humid shadows gently weep which pours down rainy tears.

Question 2: Do you think that the poem, Rain on the Roof, is lauding the
healing power of nature’s rain?

Answer: The poet is appreciating rain, especially when he hears it from a

cozy bed in a lovely “cottage. This rain and its sound have resurrected the
fondest memory of the poet’s mother in his mind. As the rain continues, the
poet tries to recollect all that caused him pain, yet at the same time lifted his
spirits.

Question 3: What does the each sound of shingle create?

Answer: Every raindrop on the tiles of the roof creates a rhythm with the
poet’s heartbeat. This evokes thousands of dreams making his thoughts busy.
While he focuses on the listening to the pitter- patter on the roof, his mind
starts weaving recollections of fond memories of yesteryears.

Question 4: Who all does the poet remember while listening to the rain?

Answer: The poet remembers his mother who use to put him to bed every
night and then used to look at him lovingly while he slept. He also
remembers his angelic sister who died early. He also remembers the young
girl whom the poet had admired at some point of time in-his life.

Question 5: Is the poet, Coates Kinney, able to enjoy the rain or he

reminiscesat the lost time?

Answer: The general atmosphere of the poem is very somber. There is

darkness around but rain compensates it with the spirit of peace for the
lonely night at hand. The poet realizes how much joy and pleasure of sleep
he can attain when his head presses against his pillow to conclude the long
day into a goodnights rest.
 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: What happens when the poet listens to the patter of the rain?
Do you think that rain is a narrative tool in the poet’s life?

Answer: The raindrops play music on the roof and create a sound of pitter-
patter. To the poet this music is blissful. At die beginning of the poem there
is certain tinge of sadness around which starts to weep away with the coming
of raindrops. Every raindrop on the tiles of the roof creates a rhythm with the
poet’s heartbeat. The poet tries to focus on listening to the pitter-patter on
the roof whereas his mind weaves the recollections of fond memories of
yester years.
Rain bears a subtle link with all aspects of life. It serves as a powerful narrative
tool in the poet’s life. It has added a layer of depth and fullness to the
situation where the poet is concerned. It delivers an effective voice which
communicates the apt moment of time and space as well as the emotions of
the protagonist in a more poignant manner than mere words would do.

Question 2: There is an image of past in the poem, ‘Rain on the Roof’. Is this
imagery similar to ones used in the poem, ‘The Road not Taken’ ? Explain.

Answer: In the poem, ‘Rain on the Roof’, past is being spoken about but not
in terms of regret or sadness whereas in the poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’,
there is sadness and regret as imagery. Rain lulls the poet into dreams which
bring back the memory of his family and the loved ones.
In the poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’, the poet is regretting his decision that he
took years back. There is an imagery of past in both the poem but in the
poem by Coates Kinney, this past imagery is the wonderful thought of a
loving mother whereas, in the poem by Robert Frost, the poem is about
regret. The road not taken symbolizes the choice to enter the unchartered
land. It suggests that in making this choice he is trying to distinguish himself
from the rest of the world by taking the less travelled, less worn road. Both
the poems have the imagery of past. One creates a sense of love and want
and create a somber mood. The other poem delves into the decision making
power of the poet which took him places but could not satisfy him.

Question 3: Dreams hold importance in the poet’s life. Is it true? Explain.

Answer: This poem is depicting the overall mood on a rainy night. During
night the humid cloud full of water creates dark shadows over the star
studded sky. The poet dreams about his mother and the way she used to tuck
him in bed. The poet’s dream of his mother reminds him of his childhood
days. His mother used to tell stories to lull him into sleep full of dreams. The
music being played on the rooftop is like the affectionate look by which his
mother used to see him, while he was a kid. So dreams make him realize the
importance of past and the things that he now misses.
The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Question 1: Describe the person, the place or the thing brought vividly to life
by the poet.

Answer: The Lake Isle of Innisfree by W. B. Yeats vividly describes an island in

the lake of Innisfree. The island is an incredibly peaceful place. The island is
also a place of great natural beauty. Yeats describes many different aspects of
its appeal, from the various birds and insects to the striking light at different
times of day. This is a landscape that has not been damaged or diminished by
human interference.

Question 2: Why does the poet want to go to Innisfree?

Answer: The poet wants to go Innisfree in search of peace. He does not like
the noisy place as London is. He wants to live in a place which. The poet
craves for some peace and hence he wants to go to Innisfree. There he wants
to make a small cabin and grow beans. He wants to live there alone.

Question 3: How is the city life different from the life at the Lake of Innisfree?

Answer: The poet does not like the city life. The pavements are dull and grey.
There is chaos all around. But there is nature’s beauty all around in Innisfree.
It is a dream place for the poet which exists in reality. There is a perfect
harmony on the island between the plants and the weather.

Question 4: Briefly describe one major theme of the poem “The Lake Isle of
Innisfree”.

Answer: A major theme in “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”, is nature versus

civilization. What we value in life is often the exact opposite of what
civilization brings with it. Nature allows us to explore the various forms of life
but civilization has certain set rules with which we have to abide.

Question 5: What is the tone of the poem?

Answer: The poem has a very calm arid relaxing tone. The reader may picture
a person physically going to this place called Innisfree but the narrator of the
poem is visiting this place in his imagination. It helps him to relax and escape
the rush of modem living.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: In the poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree’, what does the poet find
so attractive about ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’.

Answer: The thing that the poet finds so attractive about Lake Isle of
Innisfree is its promise of peace.

The poet, then, long for this place which affords a sense of contentment and
relaxation far from the busy modem life. The poem’s slow and regular meter
helps to convey this languid, dreamy effect. There is also the vivid
impressionistic description of the colours and beauties of this place, and the
soothing stir of nature which is so different from the strident noise of the city
where the poet actually is, as the final stanza makes clear.

The poet, then, is physically trapped in the city, but he can imagine the
beauty of Innisfree and this gives him spiritual sustenance. This is one of
Yeats’s early lyrics, exhibiting a familiar romantic sensibility in its praise of the
deep purity and beauty of nature which is contrasted with the drabness,
shallowness and sterility of modem urban living.

Question 2: In your opinion, what words or phrases used by the poet are the
most effective in bringing the person, place or thing fo life? Give reasons for
your answer.

Answer: Throughout the poem, Yeats uses a variety of imaginative phrases to

capture the essence of the lake Isle. He brings the island to life by referring to
the different birds and insects there. He comments on how “the cricket sings”
and refers to “linnet’s wings”. This gives a sense of energy on the island, and
reminds us of what a natural place it is. The line “and live alone in the bee-
loud glade” correctly captures the point that Yeats is trying to make about
the island. It is an isolated place, where he can enjoy the solitude.

In the second stanza of the poem, Yeats describes how the light changes on
the island throughout the day. He tells us that “noon’s a purple glow”. This
light brings the entire lake Isle to life.
Finally, Yeats manages to capture the sounds of the island. He tells us that he
can hear” water lapping in low sounds by the shore”. Yeats uses alliteration to
recreate the sounds. By repeating the letter “I” so many times, we get a sense
of the slow and gentle movement of the water.

Question 3: Does the poem celebrate the theme of escapism? Explain.

Answer: The poem focuses on Innisfree as a place of escape for the speaker.
The speaker describes Innisfree as a simple, natural environment where he
will build a cabin and live alone. ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’ expresses the idea
that nature provides an inherently restorative place to which human beings
can go to escape the chaos and corrupting influences of civilization. In this
poem, the speaker/Yeats longs to live in the simplicity of nature, with no
extraneous distractions of city life or the superfluous habits, customs, and
daily routines of an increasingly fast-paced, modem world. The speaker is
only dreaming of “getting away from it all.”Even if he never goes, he will at
least have the mental escape. This is the saving grace; even if he can not get
out of the city, he can imagine the escape as he can will himself to hear the
lake water lapping even while standing on the pavement in the city. There is
another appeal/implication that one can never go back to the past place of
nostalgia and youth, but through imagination and reflection, one can always
have the mental escape and memory of another time and place.
A Legend of the Northland

Question 1: Why does the poet say that the hours of the day are few?

Answer: In the poem, the poet uses a name Northland. In the area of
Northland, the nights are longer and the days are shorter. As a result there
are very few hours in a day.

Question 2: Who came knocking at the door of the old woman? Why was he
there?

Answer: In the Northland an old lady Lived in a cottage. She was baking
cakes when St. Peter came knocking at her door. He had become weak with
fasting and travelling. He was looking for food

Question 3: Is this a true story? Which part of the poem do you think is really
important?

Answer: This is a legend. It is not a true story. Even the poet feels that it is
not true. The most important part of the poem is the point when we realize
that the old woman is very greedy. She could not part with her cakes for a
hungry man.

Question 4: Is this poem correct in being known as a legend? Explain.

Answer: A legend is a semi true story which has been passed on from
person-to-person through ages. This legend has an important meaning or
symbolism for the culture in which it originates. A legend includes an element
of truth or is based on historic facts but with mythical qualities. The saint in
turn curses the old woman. This poem can also be regarded as a folktale
which again is a story told from one generation to another.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. A holy man should not curse the lady. Justify this statement
in the context of the poem ‘A Legend of the Northland’.

Answer: A holy man is known for his wisdom. He teaches moral lessons to
the people whether they are liberal or greedy. All are equal in his eyes. In the
present story, Saint Peter is a holy man. He is also famous for his preaching.
He has preached and travelled a lot. So, he is hungry. He asks the lady for
some food but she does not share her food with him. Finally, the saint
becomes angry and curses her. In fact, he should have shown some mercy
and the example of his wisdom. Therefore, it is appropriate to say that a holy
man should not curse the lady.

Question 2. How can you say that the old lady was greedy?

Answer: The old lady was running a bakery. Saint Peter was a wise saint. He
had travelled and preached a lot so he was tired and hungry. He had arrived
at her door for some food. Still the lady made him wait for the cake for a long
time. Every time she tried to bake too small cake but unfortunately the cake
often seemed to her of a bigger size. The old lady did not want to share the
cake of this size with the saint. At last, the saint grew angry and cursed her.
So, it can be said that her greed had no limit.

Question 3. Why was St. Peter forced to curse the greedy little woman?
Do you justify the action of St. Peter?

Answer: St. Peter was a holy man. He was a Christian saint. He spent his time
moving around places and preaching the people there. Saints generally bless
the people. They don’t curse them. However, these holy men resort to cursing
when people defy good sense and become evil. The little woman in the story
was extremely selfish and greedy. After much travelling and preaching, St.
Peter had become tired. He had become weak and hungry after the fast. He
came to the cottage of the little woman for food. Seeing her baking cakes, St.
Peter asked her to give one from her store of cakes. The greedy woman made
a very little piece of cake for him. Even that small piece looked too large to be
given away to the saint. Hence, she went on making it smaller and smaller.
The hungry St. Peter cursed the selfish and greedy woman. She was cursed to
be a woodpecker boring and struggling for her scanty food. St. Peter was
justified in cursing her. She had deprived a tired and hungry saint even from
a small piece of cake. She was rightly punished for her greed.

Question 4. Why was the little woman cursed particularly to be a

woodpecker and not another bird? How did she struggle to get her
scanty food?
Answer: The little woman aroused the anger of a holy man. The saint spend
most of his time in travelling and preaching. Constant fasting had made him
hungry and weak.

Saint Peter asked for a small piece of cake when he saw a little woman baking
cakes. The greedy woman could have easily given a piece of cake to the saint.
But the selfish woman thought that even a very little piece was too large to
be given away to him. She denied even this little offering. The saint cursed
her to be a woodpecker. A woodpecker has to bore for a long time to get
even a scanty food. She was cursed to labour hard by boring into the tree to
get even her scanty food as she had made the saint to wait so long for such a
small piece of cake.
No Men are Foreign

1. How do the people hate their brothers? Are they right?

Answer: People hate their brothers in different ways and the common of
them is by taking arms against them. As they take them to be wrong and
consider themselves to be right. It is always wrong they should live in peace
and tranquility.

2. We hate our brothers and begin to harm them as well as ourselves.

How?

Answer: It is a common tendency of people that they hate their brothers but
whenever we do any wrong to our brothers, we begin to define our spirit and
soul. By doing so, we also harm ourselves. We betray and criticise ourselves.
The major harm that we do to ourselves is that our character is lost.

3. How does the Earth unite us?

Answer: The Earth unites us in many beautiful ways. We eat and drink the
things that grow on the Earth. It is Earth we walk and play on and after our
lives come to an end, we all lie hidden inside it according to our destiny.

4. What does the poet mean by the words ‘harvests’ and ‘war’?

Answer: The poet has used these two terms for their symbolic meanings.
‘Harvest’ is a symbol of peace the farmer does cropping work to feed himself.
The term ‘war’ has been used to display the severity of destruction and
starvation.

5. Hatred, jealousy and misdeeds are the dangerous pollutants of our

own Earth. Discuss.

Answer: The world is a global village, a union, a singular entity. It may be

possible that the people on the Earth may belong to different nations, castes,
creeds, they may speak different languages and vernaculars, they may be
follower of different religions but still they are equal. Each one whosoever
lives on the Earth is our brother so we should follow the path of fraternity. If
we are in the close vicinity of one another, we can enjoy peace and share the
joys, nature has showered upon us. But if we do not follow this path and start
a war against our own brothers, we are polluting our own beautiful Earth. Our
hatred, jealousy and misdeeds have no limit and they are a serious threat to
humanity. So, it is our responsibility that we m

Long Answer Type Questions

1. How does the poem justify that people in all countries of the world
are essentially the same?

Answer: The poet justifies the statement that people living in different
countries are essentially the same by asserting that ‘no men are strange’.
Every single body breathes and functions in the same way as ours. Each one
of us equally needs the sun, air and water. Human hands too are used for the
similar purpose of toiling for livelihood. Eyes too a perform the similar
function of sleeping and waking up. Love wins us all and we all recognise its
power. In peace times, we all flourish and wars starve us. Hatred leads us
astray and when we take up arms against each other, the entire earth is
defiled and destroyed. Therefore, we all like peace which showers abundance
and prosperity on us. Therefore, essentially we all are the same.

2. ‘Wars have always brought total ruin in this world, yet they are fought
repeatedly.’ Discuss.

Answer: Wars are the result of over-ambition and greed of irresponsible

rulers of the world. They bring ruin both to the victor and the vanquished by
shattering the economy of the warring countries. In the past, wars were
localised but now they are global and hence more dangerous and
destructive. The memories of the First and the Second World Wars are still
fresh in our minds. The horrific after-effects of the bombing of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki in 1945 can still be seen. Still, it is appalling to note that people of
the world do not learn from history. The danger of yet another war lurks all
the time. The divisive forces are even stronger in the present times and the
mad race for armaments too is scary. Hope lies in the strength of the
common people who should refuse to be fooled by vested and unscrupulous
leaders. Instead, people of the world should look at the world as a global
village that offers innumerable opportunities and reasons for peaceful
coexistence.
3. How does the poet James Kirkup prove that no men are foreign? How
far is he able to convince his reader about it?

Answer: The poet, James Kirkup, cites various examples to prove that no men
are foreign. The very title of the poem is thought-provoking and compels the
reader to think about the issue of people living in other countries as
foreigners and strangers. As the poem progresses, the poet repeatedly
emphasises that all human beings are identical in their nature and approach.
All live on the same earth; enjoy air, sun and water; love peace and are averse
to war. They all have common experiences and toil in a similar manner to
earn the livelihood. The logical reasoning put forth by the poet and the
frequent reminders fully convince the reader that no men are foreign. He gets
the message that alienation from fellow brethren is equally damaging to
himself. He also understands that by treating other men as foreign, the world
stands exposed to the risk of war which can lead to irreversible destruction
and pollution of mother earth.

4. How, according, to the poet, the human earth is ‘defiled’ and the
innocence of air ‘outraged’?

Answer: The weapons of war make the earth dirty and spoil its atmosphere.
The deadly ammunition destroys the fertility of the earth and makes it barren.
Explosives cause destructive fires sending ashes all over. This pollutes the
land as well as the air and the water. It leads to the spread of hunger and
innumerable diseases. Both earth and air lose their purity. Thus, the victor, as
well as the vanquished, find the Earth and its environment hostile and
unfriendly. The kind mother Nature becomes absolutely helpless and is
unable to shower her gifts on human beings. It is tarnished and robbed of its
bounties. The innocence of air is signified by its purity. But wars strip the air
of this innocence and fill it with smoke and dirt. The air then becomes
unsuitable for human survival. Thus ‘human earth’ is ‘defiled’ and ‘innocence
of air’ is ‘outraged’ by wars.
The Duck and the Kangaroo

1. Why did the Duck praise the Kangaroo? How?

Answer: The duck praised the Kangaroo by appreciating his skills of hopping.
He praised the Kangaroo to get an offer from Kangaroo to have a ride on his
back so that he might visit the world by riding on his back.

2. What was the objection raised by the Kangaroo to the duck?

Answer: The objection of the Kangaroo before the duck was that the feet of
the duck were cold and wet most of the time which might cause cold to
Kangaroo any time.

3. Was the Kangaroo able to accept the request of the duck? If yes, when
did they leave for the journey
Answer: Yes, the Kangaroo was able to accept the request of the duck. They
left for the journey on the moonlit night.

4. Between the duck and the Kangaroo, whom do you think to be

happier?
Answer: In my opinion, Duck is happier because he wished to visit the world
on Kangaroo’s back which Kangaroo accepted and the duck could be able to
fulfill his desire.

5. What did the two friends, the Duck and the Kangaroo decide?
Answer: Two friends the Duck and the Kangaroo decided to set out on a
long pleasure trip.

6. Describe the line that shows Duck requests Kangaroo to take him for a
long trip.
Answer: The line that shows Duck’s request is-‘Please give me a ride on your
back’.

7. Where did the Duck decide to go?

Answer: The Duck decided to go to the ‘Dee’, and ‘Jelly Bo Lee’, over the
land, and over the sea.
8. Why is Kangaroo wary to take the Duck on the tip of his tail?
Answer: Kangaroo is wary to take the Duck on the tip of his tail because the
Duck’s feet are unpleasantly wet and cold.

9. What solution did the Duck find out to this problem?

Answer: The Duck found out a quick solution to this problem as she said that
she would purchase woolen-socks and cloak to keep out the cold.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Where did the Duck live and what did he long for?

Answer: The Duck lived in a pond which he considered nasty as he was

bored of his life there. He wanted to leave that place and see the world
beyond.

2. Where did the Duck want to go? What did he request the Kangaroo to
do?

Answer: The Duck wanted to see the world away from the pond he lived in.
He thought that he would visit the ‘Dee’ and the ‘Jelly Bo Lee’. He requested
the Kangaroo to let him ride on his back as he hopped away.

3. Why did the Duck want to take a ride on the Kangaroo’s back?

Answer: The Duck felt bored with his life in the pond. So, he wanted to see
the whole world. He wanted to travel to places like Dee and Jelly Bo Lee. But
he did not have that capability. So he wanted to take the Kangaroo’s help as
he could hop far and wide.

4. What did the Duck promise the Kangaroo?

Answer: The Duck promised the Kangaroo that if he took him for a ride on
his back, he would sit quietly the whole day and only say Quack.

5. How did the Kangaroo respond to the Duck’s request?

Answer: The Kangaroo said that he would have to ponder over his request.
He first objected to the Duck’s wet and cold feet because he feared they
would give him rheumatism. Later, he agreed to his request. In fact, he
thought that it might bring him good luck. So he accepted the Duck’s request
to give him a ride on his back.

6. What did the Duck do to overcome the Kangaroo’s objection?

Answer: The Duck bought four pairs of worsted socks which fit his web-feet
neatly. Moreover, he promised to wear a cloak and to smoke a cigar to keep
out the cold. He did it to overcome the Kangaroo’s objection to his cold feet

7. How did the Duck and the Kangaroo go round the world?

Answer: The Duck sat at the end of the Kangaroo’s tail. He sat still and spoke
nothing. The Kangaroo hopped and leapt. They went round the world three
times. They enjoyed their journey and were very happy.

8. The Kangaroo does not want to catch ‘rheumatism’. Why it is spelt

differently. Why is it in two parts? Why does the second part begin with
a capital letter?

Answer: The word ‘rheumatism’ is spelled differently and is in two parts so

that it can rhyme with ‘kangaroo’ in the following line. As a result of splitting
the word into two and changing its spelling, ‘roo’ rhymes with ‘kangaroo’.
The second part ‘Matiz’ begins with a capital letter because it is the first word
of the line. In a poem, every line begins with a capital letter even if it is in
continuation with the previous line. Hence, this has been done in order to
enhance the poetic effect of the lines.

9. What do you learn about the Duck from the poem?

Answer: The Duck is adventurous. He is bored in his pond and wants to

travel and see far-off places. He is considerate and promises not to disturb
the Kangaroo with his chatter, but sit quietly on the Kangaroo’s back. He is
resourceful, and when the Kangaroo objects to his wet and cold feet, he buys
worsted socks and a cloak to keep warm. The Duck is envious of the
Kangaroo’s ability to hop off and see the world.

10. What do you learn about the Kangaroo from the poem?

Answer: The Kangaroo is a true friend. He agreed to take the Duck for a ride
on his back, provided he did something about his cold and wet feet. He takes
his friend around the world three times.
 Long Answer Type Questions

1. Briefly narrate the story of the Duck and the Kangaroo.

Answer: The Duck and the Kangaroo, both were very good friends. The Duck
lived in a pond and was bored with his life. He wished to travel far and wide
and see places like Dee and Jelly Bo Lee. So, he requested the Kangaroo to
allow him to ride on his back and travel with him. The Kangaroo agreed to
the Duck’s entreaty, but at the same time put a condition. He felt the duck’s
feet were unpleasantly wet and cold and may cause with rheumatism.

The Duck assured his friend he had the remedy for the problem. He had
already bought four pairs of woollen socks and a cloak to cover himself. He
said he would also smoke a cigar for warmth. In this way both the Duck and
the Kangaroo journey and went around the world thrice.
On Killing a Tree

Question 1. How does a tree become strong?

Answer: A tree grows and expands gradually. Various forces of nature

including the earth, help in its growth. A tree grows on earth, feeds on its
crust, absorbs years of sunlight, air and water. It makes them strong.

Question 2. How does the sun and the air contribute in the killing of a
tree?

Answer: The sun and the air harden and wither the exposed roots of the tree
and kill it. The sun and the air are the two essential elements that help in the
growth of a tree. Left to themselves, they will never kill a tree. But if the roots
are exposed and kept in the sun and air, the tree will wither away and die.

Question 3. What is the most important thing to do while killing a tree?

Answer: The most important thing to do while killing a tree is to ensure that
the root is pulled out of the earth. A tree is not killed all of a sudden. So long
the roots are intact inside the earth, the tree remains alive.

Question 4. How the tree gets killed in the end?

Answer: The tree will go through a process of browning, hardening, twisting

and withering. Then ultimately, the tree gets killed. A tree takes a long time to
get itself killed. Only when the roots are exposed, scorched and choked, the
process of dying start.

Question 5. Describe the growth and expansion story of a tree.

Answer: The story of growth and expansion is gradual and methodical. The
seed is sown into the earth. It sprouts. It grows slowly consuming the earth. It
feeds on its crust. After years of absorbing sunlight, air and water of the
atmosphere, it grows into a tree. Its ‘leprous hide’ sprouts leaves and
branches making it huge in size.

Question 6. Describe the healing power of a tree that doesn’t allow it to

die so soon.
Answer: It takes much time to kill a tree. Nature gifts every tree with a
healing touch that won’t allow it to die. If we cut the bark with a knife, the
bleeding bark will heal. Then, from close to the ground green twigs will
appear. If it is left unchecked, the tree will expand again to its former size.

Question 7. Describe various processes that lead to the ultimate death of

a rootless tree.

Answer: The roots are the most sensitive parts hidden in the earth for years.
The tree gets air and water through them. When a tree is uprooted, it follows
certain steps till it finally dies. It goes, through scorching and choking in the
sun and air. Browning, hardening, twisting and withering are the processes
that lead to the ultimate death of a tree.

Long Answer Type Question

Question 1. Write the critical appreciation of the poem ‘On Killing a

Tree’?

Answer: The poem itself is modelled as a plant growing from the seed. The
first line states “It takes much time to kill a tree.” Then the process of growth
of the tree is described. It is presumed that the tree has grown from its seed.

The seed develops the root. The root works its way through the rocks and
stones of the soil. The trees grow slowly by feeding upon the earth’s crust
absorbing years of sunlight, air and water. There is a fight during the
development of the tree which is suggested in the poem. The survival of the
tree, in spite of the efforts to kill it, is shown by the lines. “And from close to
the ground”.

Question 2. Describe the pulling out of the roots and the various
processes of withering and dying of a tree after it.

Answer: The roots are the most sensitive parts of a tree. They remain hidden
inside the earth for years. First root is to be pulled out of the anchoring earth.
It is roped tied and pulled out entirely. The strength of the tree is totally
exposed. Then starts the process of scorching and choking. The rootless tree
is scorched in the sunlight. It is choked as it doesn’t get necessary oxygen for
its survival from the air. Then the colour fades and hardens. It loses its proper
shape. It twists and withers. Finally, it dies down.
The Snake Trying

Question 1. How does the snake protect itself? What kind of body does
it have?

Answer: The snake has a natural instinct of survival. He can smell and see
dangers and escape from them safely. The snake moves with sudden curving
gliding through the water to protect itself from the attack. He has a thin long
body.

Question 2. How does the poet describe its shapes?

Answer: Even a dangerous and venomous creature like a snake has its
fascinating appeal and beauty. The poet says that the snake makes beautiful
and graceful shapes. It is mesmerized to see the zig-zag walk of the snake.

Question 3. What does the poet appeal?

Answer: Every creature demands our sympathy and protection. The snake is
small and green and is harmless even to the children. The poet is a very kind
and generous man. He is sympathetic to the snake. So it appeals to let it go
safely to his place.

Question 4. Where does the snake vanish?

Answer: The snake does possess the instinct of survival. With sudden curving
of its body, he can escape from the stick aimed at him. The snake vanishes in
the ripples among the green thin reeds.

Question 5. Describe the natural beauty of the snake. It the poet

fascinated by it?

Answer: It is a small snake. It is green in colour. Curvings of its long body

have their own appeal. His shapes are graceful and beautiful. So are its
movements. The harmless, graceful and beautiful snake attracts the
admiration and sympathy of the poet.

Question 6. How does the snake escape and survive the pursuing stick?
Answer: A stick is aimed at the snake. The snake knows well that it can harm
it. It has a sharp sense of smelling the coming danger. He also knows how to
escape it. He glides away through the water away from the stroke. Finally, it
vanishes in the green slim reeds.

Long Answer Type Question

Question 1. Why does the man want to kill the snake? How does the
snake protect itself?

Answer: The man thinks that the snake is poisonous and hence it is better to
kill it. He chases the snake with a stick. The snake is trying to escape at a
great pace so that the man cannot reach and kill it. The movement of the
snake is very graceful and elegant. The snake does not stick to one straight
path but wends its way in and out of the path. At last, the snake floats over
the water and hides itself into the green reeds. The snake has an instinct for
its survival. It can smell and recognise the danger. It knows how to escape
from it and reach to a safe place. It escapes the pursuing stick and its strike
and finally vanishes into the green reeds.

Question 2. Why is the poet fascinated by the snake? Why does he want
to let it go unhurt into the reeds?

Answer: Even a snake can be graceful and beautiful. At least to the poet, the
snake is a living being with grace and beauty. The snake described in the
poem is small and green in colour. The sudden curvings of its thin body
charm the poem. So does its graceful movement. When it glides through the
water it looks an object of grace and beauty. He develops a liking and
sympathy for this strange creative of nature. He appeals not to attack such a
graceful creature. The small green snake is not poisonous. It is harmless even
to children. Such a beautiful and harmless snake should not be an object of
our anger. On the other hand, it deserves appreciation and our sympathy.
A Slumber did my Spirit Seal

Question 1. What happened to the poet’s beloved?

Answer: The poet’s beloved was dead. She was not alive now. The poet
remembers her beloved through the poem. Her death has sealed or made
her spirit peaceful. Her death has ended all human fears. She was no more
and was beyond the mortal earthly touch.

Question 2. How does she become an inseparable part of nature?

Answer: She becomes an integral part of nature. She is trapped under the
surface of the earth and is rolled round in earth’s course with rocks, stones
and trees. She is rolling round in earth’s diurnal course. Actually, she has
become one with nature or inseparable part of it.

Question 3. Is she visible? If not, why not?

Answer: No, she is not visible because she is no more. She cannot be
perceived with eyes. The poet can visualize her through his soul. She has
become a part of the earth’s diurnal course. She has become one with rocks,
stones and trees.

Question 4. How will time not affect the poet’s beloved?

Answer: The poet’s beloved is dead and a dead thing becomes immortal. It is
a universally accepted fact that immortality is not affected by time or the
physical world. She cannot hear or see. She has gone beyond the physical
world. She is beyond the touch of earthly years now. She has become a part
of nature’s diurnal course.

Question 5. How does the poet react to his beloved’s death?

Answer: The death of the poet’s beloved is so sudden and unexpected that
his mind as well as his body seems to be closed off. A deep slumber has
taken hold over him. His spirit seems to be sealed. He has lost touch of
earthly consciousness. Her death has cut him off from all earthly fears. A deep
slumber has engulfed all his wordly feelings.
Question 6. How does the poet imagine her beloved to after her sudden
and untimely death?

Answer: Now his beloved is no more a part of this mortal world. She would
be beyond the touch of earthly years. She is beyond the action and reaction
of all five senses and the earthly body. However, she will become an
inseparable part of nature. She will be rolling round in earth’s diurnal course.
She will become one with rocks, stones and trees.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Give a brief analysis of the poem ‘A Slumber Did My Spirit

Seal’ in your own words.

Answer: In the poem ‘A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal’ the poet describes his
beloved after her death. In the first stanza, the poet says that the death of his
beloved made him very depressed. He says that his beloved has now become
a non-living thing which cannot feel the touch of anything on the earth. In
the second stanza, he says that his beloved has no motion. She can neither
hear any sound nor can she see any thing. She is trapped under the earth and
revolves with rocks, stones and trees.

Question 2. How does the poet react to the untimely, sudden and
shocking death of his beloved? What does he imagine her to be after her
death?

Answer: The sudden and untimely death of his beloved leaves the poet
stunned. It is not easy to express the poet’s feelings in words. Actually, a deep
slumber ‘sealed’ his spirit. He fell as if he were in deep sleep. This deep sleep
seems to have closed off his body and soul. She is no more and will not be
affected by the earthly years as well as by the touch of five physical senses.
She will feel no motion, movement or force. Nor will be able to hear or see.
Yet she will become an in separable part of nature. Physical death doesn’t
mean that will be condemned to an everlasting death. No, she will roll round
in earth’s diurnal course. She will become one with rocks, stones and trees.