HSC Arts कक्षा ११ - Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education Question Bank Solutions

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw…

1. Does the poet talk about a real cat?
2. Why is he called the Hidden Paw?

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

He’s the bafflement of Scotland

Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:

For when they reach the scene of crime

— Macavity’s not there!..

1. What is ‘Scotland Yard’?
2. Why does the flying squad feel disappointed?

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

He sways his head from side to

side, with movements like a snake;

And when you think he’s half asleep,

he’s always wide awake…

1. Explain the comparison made here.
2. What does he pretend to do?

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity

1. How is the cat described in this line?
2. Explain the phrase ‘monster of depravity’.

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.

1. What seems to be a challenge for the Scotland Yard?
2. Why do they need his footprints?

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

‘It must have been Macavity!’ but he’s a mile away.

1. What is Macavity blamed for?
2. Where is he?

Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.

There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.

1. Which cat is being talked of here?
2. How is he different from the rest?

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair

But it’s useless to investigate…

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare

Identify the literary devices used in the following lines:

1. He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake.
2. They say he cheats at cards.

Give four instances where the poet has used alliteration in the poem.

What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?

Pick out all the pairs of rhyming words used in the poem.

First, read the following sets of limericks with missing words. Now, listen to them being read out aloud by your teacher or played on the recorder. As you enjoy the absurd fun, complete the verse with what you hear. You may listen to them again, if required.

I

A wonderful bird is the (i) ______His beak can hold more than his (ii) ______can. He can hold in his beak Enough food for a (iii) ______! But I’ll be darned if I know how the Peli-can?

II

There once was a (iv) ______ at the zoo Who always had something to do When it (v) ______ him, you know, To go to and fro, He (vi) ______ it and went fro and to.

III

There once was a (vii) _______ little bunny Who I thought was sweet and (viii) ______ He ate all the carrots, And looked at the (ix) ______ And that was my cute little (x) ______.

This phrase originates from the fable ‘The Monkey and the Cat’. Explain how Macavity contradicts the phrase ‘cat’s paw’.

‘When the mouse laughs at the cat, there is a hole nearby.’ Explain the meaning of this statement to your friends.

Compose your own limericks on an elephant, a peacock and a butterfly. Read it out to your class.