English
Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary EducationHSC Science Class 11

Mention any two qualities of Macavity.

Advertisements
Advertisements

Question

Mention any two qualities of Macavity.

Short/Brief Note
Advertisements

Solution

Macavity possesses supernatural powers which allow him to levitate up in the air. He is so confident in his manner that whenever the crime is discovered, he disappears without leaving a single trace.

shaalaa.com
Poem (Class 11th)
  Is there an error in this question or solution?
Chapter 4.2: Macavity - The Mystery Cat - Exercises [Page 128]

APPEARS IN

Samacheer Kalvi English Class 11 TN Board
Chapter 4.2 Macavity - The Mystery Cat
Exercises | Q A. x. | Page 128

RELATED QUESTIONS

Mention the qualities the child in the poem symbolises.


Fill in the blanks choosing the words from the box given and complete the summary of the poem:

The poet Okara in this narrative monologue painfully condemns the (a)______ displayed by adults, both in their words and actions. Here, a father laments to his son about the negative changes that creep into the attitude and behaviour of humans, when they grow into (b)______. He says that people used to be (c)______ when they laugh and the honesty would be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh (d)______. Their handshakes used to be warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays the handshakes have become a mere (e)______. He warns his son that people are not trust-worthy and have become so selfish that they are concerned only about their own (f)______benefits. People utter words of welcome and exchange (g)______, but those words come only from the tip of their tongues and not from the depth of their hearts. Humans have learnt the art of changing their (h)______ expressions according to situations merely to ensure social acceptance. They wear(i)______ and exhibit multiple faces. The narrator admits that he has also changed into a hypocrite. However, he tells his son that though he (j)______ his expressions, he does all these against his will. He says he wants to become a (k)______ again and laugh genuinely. He wants to (l)______ the unreal things and (m)______how to laugh as he had done once upon a time. When he laughs before the (n)______, he sees no expression. His teeth are bare like that of the (o)______of a snake. So, he asks his son to show him how to laugh the way he used to laugh when he was a kid like him.

relearn adults facial
personal fangs child
fakes superficially duplicity
genuine unlearn falsity
masks mirror pleasantries

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!’

  1. Why does the poet want to relearn how to laugh?
  2. Whom does the poet want to relearn from?
  3. Mention the figure of speech used here.

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

There will be no thrice.


The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?


Read the poem again and complete the summary using the words given in the box.

In the poem ‘Confessions of a Born Spectator,’ Ogden Nash talks about how people choose different sports in their lives or decide to become athletes. While admiring the talents of athletes and sportsmen, the poet (i)______he is glad that he is neither a sportsman nor an athlete. Children have different (ii)______and wish to play various games. Each child has in mind something in particular, but the narrator is (iii)______he is not one of the players. Though the narrator (iv) ______the talents of all athletes, he derives satisfaction from watching them, but does not wish to (v) ______places with them. He also sometimes regrets that (vi)______athletes play rough games without caring for the feelings of their sporting rivals. He feels that good sense and caution win over ego. The narrator wholeheartedly offers (vii) ______the modest (viii) ______of athletes. Ultimately the narrator is (ix)______that he himself is not an athlete.

thanksgiving  exchange glad

confesses physiques zealous

satisfied aims admires


Do you go for leisurely walks? If you are a city-dweller, what or who would you expect to see on your way?


If you go to a village, what scenes would you observe?


Answer in a paragraph of about 100−150 words.

Do you think the poet wants to say that man is unhappy because he has lost his link with nature and forgotten how to enjoy nature, or because man is cruel to other men?


‘Nature can nurture’. Describe how this process happens.


A French proverb goes thus: ‘The dog may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry.’ You may have observed that all animals possess a number of unique qualities. Fill in the columns with words and phrases associated with each of the following animals.

DOG CAT WOLF ELEPHANT
       
       
       
       
       

Why is the Flying Squad frustrated?


Which law does Macavity break?


What makes the fakir stare in wonder?


Who does the Secret Service suspect when a loss is reported?


What is Macavity expected to be doing after committing a crime?


Why is Macavity called the ‘Napoleon of Crime’?


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?

What is the rhyme scheme used in the poem?


What does ‘hillock’ refer to in the line ‘Every hillock has a summit to boast!’?


What does the ladder symbolize?


Read the given line and answer the question that follow.

We are proud of the position we hold; humble as we are

  1. What is the speaker proud of?
  2. How is the speaker both humble and proud?
  3. Pick out the alliteration in these lines.

Discuss the following topic in groups of five and choose a representative to sum up the view and share them with the class.

Successful people neither brood over the past nor worry about the future.


Work with a partner and take this short quiz to find out how well-informed you are about history.

  • Name a few wars and battles you have read about.
  • What is the difference between a war and a battle? 
  • Why do rulers wage wars and battles?
  • Is the outcome of a war always fair? 
  • Do you think rulers understand the true meaning of life – in defeat or in victory? 
  • Can you name a few kings and leaders who have fallen from glory to disgrace? 

Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:

“How can you say to me, I am a king?”


Working with your partner, discuss the following adages and share your views with the class. You may need to give your ideas and justify your point of view. Remember to take turns while making your presentation/short speech.

War begets war


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?”


Based on your reading of King Richard’s speech, answer the following questions in about 100 - 150 words each. You may add your own ideas if required to present and justify your point of view.

Who does the future generations remember easily - the victor or the vanquished? Give reasons. Also, cite relevant references from King Richard’s speech.


Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×