Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Explain the following lines with reference to the context.
Once upon a time, son They used to laugh with their eyes:
Advertisements
Solution
- Reference: These lines are from the poem, “Once upon a time” written by Gabriel Okara.
- Context: The poet says these words to his son while discussing his own happy, childhood days.
- Explanation: The poet compares the behaviour of people in the past and those in modem times. He tells his son that people in the past used to laugh with their eyes. There was an expression of genuine warmth among f people when they laughed.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Guess what friendly words these two gentlemen exchange when shaking hands.

Pick out the expressions that indicate conflicting ideas.
What pleasantries does the poet use to fake cordiality?
Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
shake hands without hearts
Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.
‘Most of all, I want to relearn How to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror Shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!’
- Why does the poet want to relearn how to laugh?
- Whom does the poet want to relearn from?
- Mention the figure of speech used here.
Explain the following lines with reference to the context.
I want to be what I used to be.
Why would the referee ask whether there was a doctor in the stands? What stands is he referring to?
Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow in a sentence or two.
Well, ego it might be pleased enough But zealous athletes play so rough…
- What pleases the ego?
- Why are athletes often rough during play?
Read the poem and answer the following in a short paragraph of 8–10 sentences each.
When officialdom demands Is there a doctor in the stands?
- Why are doctors called from stands by the sponsors?
- Why does the poet make such an observation?
You are the School Pupil Leader. Mention some qualities that can be drawn from the field of sports to improve your leadership skills.
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.
Read the following line and identify the figure of speech used in each extract.
What Man has made of Man?
How does the poet feel while enjoying the beauty of Nature?
Why does the poet think that the birds were happy?
Why does the poet say Macavity is ‘outwardly’ respectable?
What are the mysterious ways in which Macavity acts?
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!..
- What is ‘Scotland Yard’?
- Why does the flying squad feel disappointed?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
- Which cat is being talked of here?
- How is he different from the rest?
Read the given line and answer the question that follow.
Defeat we repel, courage our fort;
- How do we react to defeat?
- Which is considered as our stronghold?
Creative Activity
- Write eight words you associate with success.
- Use the words to write eight lines that mean success to you or how success makes you feel.
- Arrange your lines into a poem.
- Share your poem with the class and post a copy on the notice board.
Who is Bolingbroke? Is he a friend or foe?
How does the king establish that he and his subjects are equal in the end?
Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following line from the poem:
“Keeps Death his court, and there the antic sits,…”
Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following line from the poem:
“How can you say to me, I am a king?”
Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following line from the poem:
“Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!”
