Caged Bird

1. Who is referred to as a free bird in the poem? Why?(2)

2. Explain what is meant by “the orange sun rays”
3. Why do you think the cage is “narrow”? What is meant by
“His bars of rage”?
4. Give the meaning and significance of the following lines :

“his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing”

5. What does the poet mean by the expression

“his tune is heard on the distant hill”

6. In what way is the caged bird different from the free bird?
7. Explain “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams”. How does
this signify the authors own state of mind?
8. Give the meaning and significance of the following line:
“the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn”.
9. What does the poet want to convey by the contrast between the
two birds? Bring out the main conflict in the poem.
 The Little Match Girl

SAQ (18) (1X 10 ) AND ( 2 X 4)

1. Which day of the year was it in the story?
2. Describe the condition of the girl
3. What did the girl carry in her pocket?
4. Where did the girl seek some shelter from the cold?
5. Why could the girl not go home?
6. Describe her home. (2)
7. How did she try to keep herself warm?
8. What did she imagine when she lighted the first match? (2)
9. How did the Christmas lights appear when the match went out?
10 . Why did the girl think that “Someone is dying” ?
11 . What did the girl say to her grandmother? Why?
12 . Why did the girl make haste to light the whole bundle of matches? (2)
13 . What happened to the little girl? What did the people think?
14 . Why was there a smile on the girl’s lips? Did the people understand? (2)

DAQ (4)
1. The author shows death as a relief from a harsh life. Justify with reference to
the story.