English
Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary EducationHSC Science Class 12

Our only enemy was gold

Advertisements
Advertisements

Question

Our only enemy was gold

Short/Brief Note
Advertisements

Solution

  • Reference:
    This line is taken from the Poem – “The Castle”, Poet – “Edwin Muir”.
  • Context:
    Here the poet talks about the ‘success of the enemy’.
  • Explanation:
    The narrator wondered about the tricks played by enemies. At last, the enemy won them by giving them gold as a bribe. So the narrator called the enemy gold.
shaalaa.com
Poem (Class 12th)
  Is there an error in this question or solution?
Chapter 1.2: The Castle - Exercise [Page 22]

APPEARS IN

Samacheer Kalvi English Class 12 TN Board
Chapter 1.2 The Castle
Exercise | Q 5 f) | Page 22

RELATED QUESTIONS

Who had let the enemies in?


How did the enemies enter the castle?


Underline the alliterated word in the following line.

The wizened warder let them through.


Identify the figure of speech used in the following line.

Oh then our maze of tunneled stone


What is the creeper compared to?


Does nature communicate with human beings?


Explain the following line with reference to the context.

It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech,…


Identify the figure of speech used in each of the extract given below and write down the answer in the space given below. 

“ A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound

No other tree could live. But gallantly

The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung......”


Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box to complete the summary of the poem.

Shakespeare considers the whole world a stage where men and women are only (1) ______. They (2)______the stage when they are born and exit when they die. Every man, during his life time, plays seven roles based on age. In the first act, as an infant, he is wholly (3) ______on the mother or a nurse. Later, emerging as a school child, he slings his bag over his shoulder and creeps most (4)______ to school. His next act is that of a lover, busy (5) ______ballads for his beloved and yearns for her (6) ______. In the fourth stage, he is aggressive and ambitious and seeks (7) ______in all that he does. He (8) ______solemnly to guard his country and becomes a soldier. As he grows older, with (9) ______and wisdom, he becomes a fair judge. During this stage, he is firm and (10) ______. In the sixth act, he is seen with loose pantaloons and spectacles. His manly voice changes into a childish (11) ______. The last scene of all is his second childhood. Slowly, he loses his (12) ______of sight, hearing, smell and taste and exits from the roles of his life.

attention treble reluctantly
actors maturity reputation
serious faculties composing
enter promises dependent

What is the world compared to?


What is the first stage of a human’s life?


Pick out the lines which convey that his quest for travel is unending.


What could be the possible outcomes of their travel?


Read the set of line from the poem and answer the question that follow.

Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough

Gleams that untravelled world, whose margin fades

For ever and for ever when I move

  1. What is experience compared to?
  2. How do the lines convey that the experience is endless?

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

Lines 1-25

The poet Carl Sandburg gives a vivid description of a father’s worldly (1)______ in directing a son who is at the threshold of his (2) ______.

Here the father motivates his son to be like a hard(3) ______and withstand life’s (4)______ and sudden betrayals. (5)______is like a fertile soil. We can make our life fruitful if we are gentle, and take life as it comes. At times(6)______ overtakes harshness. The growth of a (7)______can split a rock. One should have a (8) ______and strong will to achieve. Greed for(9)______has left men dead before they really die. Good men also have fallen prey in quest for (10) ______money. Time for (11)______is not a waste. When you seek knowledge never feel ashamed to be called a(12)______for not knowing, at the same time learn from your (13) ______and never (14)______it.

deep desire manhood gentleness mistakes easy
leisure fool life money repeat
tender-flower rock challenges wisdom  

Lines 26-44

Do (15)______often, and do not hesitate to accept your shortcomings, avoid(16) ______to protect self against other people. Solitude helps to be (17)______and(18) ______ are taken in silent rooms. Instead of being one among many, be (19)______, if that is your nature. The son may need lazy days to find his (20)______abilities, to seek what he is born for. He will then know how free imaginations bring (21)______to the world, which (22)______ change. During such resentment, let him know that it is time for him to be on his own, and (23)______to achieve like Shakespeare, the Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov, and Michael Faraday.

changes introspect inherent work resents
white lies creative final decisions different  

The poet says

‘Without rich wanting nothing arrives’ but he condemns ‘the quest of lucre beyond a few easy needs.’ Analyse the difference and write.


Here are a few poetic device used in the poem.

Repetition- It is a figure of speech.


Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.

“Life is hard; be steel; be a rock.”

  1. How should one face life?
  2. Identify the figure of speech in the above line.

Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.

..........Free imaginations

Bringing changes into a world resenting change.

  1. How does free imagination help the world?
  2. Identify the figure of speech.

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

and guide him among sudden betrayals

and tighten him for slack moments.


Have you played chess or watched the game carefully?

Now identify the chess pieces and complete the table below. Discuss the role of each piece in the game.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Where was Napoleon standing on the day of attack on the city of Ratisbon?


What did the rider do when he reached Napoleon?


Why did Napoleon’s eyes become soft as a mother eagle’s eyes?


Explain the following line with reference to the context.

Then off there flung in smiling joy, And held himself erect


Explain the following line with reference to the context.

‘I’m killed, Sire!’ And, his Chief beside, Smiling, the boy fell dead.


Explain the following line with reference to the context.

To see your flag-bird flap his vans Where I, to heart’s desire, Perched him!’


Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×