Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
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.
Advertisements
Solution
- The poet has forgotten to laugh naturally. He wants to relearn to laugh because his laugh in front of the mirror shows his teeth like a snake’s bare fangs.
- The poet wants to relearn from his little son.
- Simile is the figure of speech employed here in the last line.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
What does the poet mean when he says ‘good bye’?
Mention the qualities the child in the poem symbolises.
Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.
‘But now they only laugh with their teeth, While their ice-block-cold eyes…’
- Who are ‘they’?
- Explain: ice-block-cold eyes
- Identify the figure of speech used here.
Explain the things the poet has learnt when he grew into an adult.
‘Face is the index of the mind.’ Does this adage concur with the views of the poet?
The poet is satisfied just watching the heroic deeds of others. What could be the reason?
Are the athletes conscious of the feelings of others? Why do you say so?
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?
Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.
Athletes, I’ll drink to you, Or eat with you, Or anything except compete with you…
Find out the rhyme scheme of the given stanza.
One infant grows up and becomes a jockey
Another plays basketball or hockey
This one the prize ring hates to enter
That one becomes a tackle or center…
Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with the words given below.
The poet, in a relaxed state of mind, is sitting in a (1) ______. He reflects on how his mood brings (2) ______thoughts, which are inevitably followed by (3)______ones. He feels connected to all of nature, and senses an inherent joy in all (4)______. He has faith in the fact that all the primroses and periwinkles around him (5)______ the air they breathe. He feels that every bird in the grove moves with (6)______. As the twigs catch the breezy air, they do so with the same pleasure (7)______ all life on earth. This joy of nature seems to be heaven-sent. Nature’s holy plan is to offer joy and peace to all forms of life on earth. The poet’s pleasant train of thought slowly leads to the sad reflection of how mankind alone has wrought sorrow and (8)______ upon itself. He firmly believes that man is meant to spend his days blissfully taking part in the vitality and joy surrounding him in (9)______. He therefore concludes rhetorically, emphasizing that he has good reason to (10)______ the distress, man unnecessarily brings upon himself.
| creations | abundance | savour |
| pleasant | suffering | grove |
| lament | pervading | sorrowful |
| ecstasy |
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’?
Explain the following line with reference to the context in about four to five sentence each.
Have I not reason to lament
What Man has made of Man?
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.
What Man has made of Man?
People admire some of these animal qualities. What are they? Have you noticed some of them in yourself or in others? Share your views with the class.
What makes the fakir stare in wonder?
Which two characters does the poet refer to as examples of wicked cats?
Why is Macavity called the ‘Napoleon of Crime’?
What are the mysterious ways in which Macavity acts?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw…
- Does the poet talk about a real cat?
- Why is he called the Hidden Paw?
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?
Why does the speaker say ‘Everest is not the only peak’?
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?
In what way is every hillock similar to Everest?
Discuss the following topics in groups of five and choose a representative to sum up the views and share them with the class.
To succeed in life, one must have a single-minded devotion to duty.
What does the executor mentioned in the poem do?
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.
Death has been cited in many ways in this monologue. Identify the poetic devices used in those references.
