Question

Read the given extract and answer the following questions by selecting the correct option.

I am dotted silver threads dropped from heaven By the gods. Nature then takes me, to adorn Her fields and valleys. I am beautiful pearls, plucked from the Crown of Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn To embellish the gardens.

i) Select the option that DOES NOT include a visual connected to the given lines.

(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)

1. Option i
2. Option ii
3. Option iii
4. Option iv

ii) Read the definitions given below:

Allusion: Reference to a famous person, place, or historical event, either directly or through implication. Alliteration: Repetition of same consonant sound at the initial position in two or more neighbouring words.

Select the option that correctly includes examples of i) allusion and ii) alliteration from the extract.

1. i) Ishtar ii) daughter of Dawn
2. i) Dawn ii) dotted silver threads
3. i) Nature ii) pearls, plucked from the Crown

iii) Choose the option containing a statement that is NOT conveyed through the extract.

1. The rain calls itself the shimmering drops sent by gods.
2. The rain is the daughter of Dawn born to decorate the gardens.
3. Nature has adopted rain to decorate her fields and valleys.
4. The rain is beautiful pearls plucked from the crown of the goddess of fertility.

iv) Ishtar is a Mesopotamian goddess and signifies diverse things in different cultures. Select which symbol of Ishtar is relevant in the extract with the most appropriate reason.

1. The poet utilized the symbol of ‘Love’ to represent Ishtar because the rain brings love and peace to the world.
2. Ishtar signifies ‘War’ as her power arises from her connection with storms.
3. Ishtar here represents ‘Fertility’ because she is responsible for all life and so is the relevance to the rain.
4. The poet meant to associate the symbol of ‘Beauty’ to Ishtar as the rain makes the world beautiful.

Answer 1

i) Option ii

Explanation:

The extract creates visual images of silver threads, pearls, fields, valleys and gardens. The image in Option ii does not match any of these visuals.

ii) i) Ishtar ii) daughter of Dawn

Explanation:

Ishtar is an allusion to the famous Mesopotamian goddess. “daughter of Dawn” shows alliteration through the repeated d sound.

iii) The rain is the daughter of Dawn born to decorate the gardens.

Explanation:

The poem says the rain is beautiful pearls plucked from Ishtar’s crown by the daughter of Dawn. It does not say that the rain itself is the daughter of Dawn.

iv) Ishtar here represents ‘Fertility’ because she is responsible for all life and so is the relevance to the rain.

Explanation:

Ishtar is associated with fertility and life. Rain also supports life by nourishing the earth, fields and gardens, so the comparison is appropriate.