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Question
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
There will be no thrice.
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Solution
- Reference: This line is from the poem, “Once upon a time” written by Gabriel – Okara.
- Context: People would say “feel at home” “come again” to keep appearances.’ This would cease if one visits a third time.
- Explanation: The semblance of cordiality will disappear if one visits for the third; time to meet the people who used the aforesaid kind words. In fact, they would shut the door on his face. One should not believe those words and visit their houses frequently. I have learned to wear my faces
Like dresses of changing their facial expressions according to the situations merely to ensure social acceptance. The poet also has started wearing faces like dresses, changing them according to fashion and season and almost daily. He regrets his hypocrisy but is helpless.
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thanksgiving exchange glad confesses physiques zealous satisfied aims admires |
How does the poet establish the victory of common sense over ego?
The poet does not wish to exchange places with the athletes. How does he justify his view?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow in a sentence or two
When snaps the knee and cracks the wrist….
Identify and explain the use of the literary device in this line.
Underline the alliterated word in the following line.
For this most modest physiques…
Find words from the poem that convey the following ideas:
- connected together
- spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner
- make out or understand
- slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there…
- What did the poet notice about the twigs?
- What was the poet’s thought about then?
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan.
- What does ‘heaven’ refer to?
- Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?
Read the following line and identify the figure of speech used in each extract.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran.
Read the following line and identify the figure of speech used in each extract.
And ‘tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
Why does the poet think that the birds were happy?
What scene in nature gives you pleasure? Talk for a minute describing a natural scene that gave you a lot of joy. What did you see, hear, smell or feel, that gave you joy?
Write a letter to the Councillor of your Ward, explaining why a park is necessary in your locality.
What makes the fakir stare in wonder?
Where can you encounter Macavity?
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
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Discuss the following topics in groups of five and choose a representative to sum up the views and share them with the class.
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The historical background:
The poem is an extract from William Shakespeare’s play King Richard the Second. The play is based on true events that occurred towards the end of the 14th century.
Richard II was crowned the King of England in the year 1367. He continued to be the British Monarch until 1399, when he was deposed by his cousin, Henry of Bolingbroke, who crowned himself King Henry the Fourth in the same year. Shakespeare’s play is a dramatic rendition of the last two years of King Richard II’s life. In this brief span of time, he was ousted from his royal position and sent to prison, where he died in captivity.
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| farewell | ceremonious | deposed |
| reverence | vain | pomp |
| conceited | sorrow | scoffing |
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Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
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“Let’s talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs;
Make dust our paper, and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth’’.
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What are the causes for King Richard’s grief?
