THE POETRY OF EARTH by John Keats: Latest Questions

 A.  Answer the following questions, each in a complete sentence:   (Each question carries 1 mark)

(i)   What does Keats celebrate in this poem ?

(ii)  Why does Keats make the voices of the grasshopper and the cricket follow each other ?

(iii)   The poet contrasts summer with frost and then introduces warmth into frost. Why does he do this ?

(iv)  Where does the grasshopper rest at ease in summer ?

(v)  What does the cricket’s song seem to ‘one in drowsiness half lost’ ?

(vi)    “… he has never done with his delights…” – Whose delights are spoken of here ?

(vii)  How are the birds in summer according to Keats ?

(viii) What does the voice speak of in Keats’ “The Poetry of Earth” ?

 B.  Answer the following questions, each in about 100 words: (each question carries 6 marks)

(i) Show, after Keats, that the poetry of earth never comes to an end.

Or, How does Keats prove that poetry of earth is never dead ?

(ii)  What pictures of the two seasons does Keats draw in “The Poetry of Earth” ? How are the two pictures related ?  4+2

(iii) Name the poet who composed “The Potry of Earth”. What is meant by “The Poetry of Earth” ? How does the poet read “The Poetry of Earth” ?  1+2+3

(iv) Identify the voices of poetry in the poem. How does Keats establish continuity through these voices ?

ASLEEP IN THE VALLEY by Arthur Rimbaud: Latest Questions

  A.  Answer the following questions, each in a complete sentence:   (Each question carries 1 mark)

(i) What is the theme of this poem ?
(ii) What kind of poetry does the poet use to drive home the pity of war ?
(iii) To which historical event does the setting of this war goes back ?
(iv) What was Rimbaud’s nationality ?
(v) In what manner does the soldier lie in the countryside ?
(vi) ‘The humming insects don’t disturb his rest’  Why?
(vii) What is the smile of the dead soldier compared to?
(viii) ‘… they fill the hollow full of light’. – What does ‘the hollow’ describe?
(ix) What does the slow stream leave on the bright grass?
(x) What is the soldier’s pillow is made of fern.


B.  Answer the following questions, each in about 100 words: (each question carries 6 marks)
(i)  Justify the title of the poem ”Asleep in the Valley”.
(ii)  How does the poet Arthur Rimbaud look upon war ?
Or, How is Arthur Rimbaud’s attitude against war revealed in his poem “Asleep in the Valley”?
Or, Evaluate “Asleep in the Valley” as an anti-war poem.
(iii)  How does the soldier lie in “Asleep in the Valley”?
(iv)  How does the picture of the soldier describe the tragedy of war ? Explain.
(v)  What do we normally associate with the word ‘asleep’? When does the readers recognise that the soldier is asleep in a different state ?

ON KILLING A TREE by Gieve Patel: Latest Questions

  A.      Answer the following questions, each in a complete sentence:   (Each question carries 1 mark)

(i)                  Where does irony lie in the poem ?

(ii)                In what form of verse is this poem written in ?

(iii)               On what tone does the poem end ?

(iv)              What makes this poem easy to read ?

(v)                Where will green twigs rise from ?

(vi)              “And then it is done” – What act is referred to here ?

(vii)             What is to be done with the root in the poem “On Killing of a Tree” ?

(viii)           How, according to Gieve Patel, has the tree grown ?

(ix)              What kind of task is it to kill a tree ?

(x)                What type of poem is “On Killing a Tree” ?

    B.      Answer the following questions, each in about 100 words: (each question carries 6 marks)

(i)             Describe in detail the growth of the tree as given in the first stanza of the poem “On Killing a Tree”.

(ii)                How does the tree heal itself ?

           Or, How is the life-force of the tree described in the poem “On Killing a Tree” ?

(iii)               The poem “On Killing a Tree” describes man’s cruelty and violence to nature. Discuss.

(iv)              How can the tree be killed in “On Killing a Tree” ?

THANK YOU MA'AM by Langston Hughes: Latest Questions

SAQ

A.      Answer the following questions each in a single sentence : (1 mark each question)

1.       When and where did Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones meet ?

2.       How did Mrs. Jones ensure that he could not break free from her grip ?

3.       Which one of these lines spoken by Mrs. Jones tells you that she can read Roger’s mind ?

4.       What was the name of the boy who tried to snatch the bag ?

5.       Why did the boy try to snatch the pocket book ?

6.       Why did Mrs. Luella Bates give the boy ten dollars ?

7.       Where did Mrs. Luella Bates turn the boy loose ?

8.       What was the price of the cake the boy was given a part of in “Thank You Ma’am ?

9.       Where did Luella take the boy in ‘Thank you Ma’am” ?

DAQ

B.     Answer the following questions in not more than 100 words each : (6 marks each question)

(i) Why did the boy in “Thank You Ma’am” not run away though he found the door open ? 
Or, Why did Roger not try to run away later although he had an opportunity to do so ?
(ii)What features of the character of Mrs. Luella Bates are exposed in the short story “Thank You Ma’am” ?
Or, Give a character sketch of Mrs. Jones. 
(iii)“I wanted a pair of --------- shoes.” – What reply did the speaker get and how did he react.

(iv) Justify the title of the short story “Thank You Ma’am”.

(v)What lesson did Roger learn from Mrs. Jones ?

THREE QUESTIONS by Leo Tolstoy: Latest Questions

 1. Answer the following questions , each in a complete sentence: (Each question carries 1 mark)

(i) For what three questions does the Tsar want answers ?

(ii) Whom does the Tsar finally approach for the answers?

(iii) Why does the Tsar disguise his appearance before the meeting?

(iv) Describe the sudden turn of events that take place even as the Tsar patiently waits for his answer.

(v) What are the final answers to the Tsar’s three questions as declared by the hermit ?

(vi) Why did the Tsar decide to consult the hermit ?

(vii) What, according to the hermit, is the most important time ?

(viii) Why did learned men come to the Tsar ?

(ix) Where did the hermit live ?

(x) To whom did the three questions occur ?

(xi) Why was the bearded man a sworn enemy of the Tsar ?



2. Answer the following questions, each in about 100 words: (Each question carries 6 marks)

(i) Which three questions occurred to the mind of the Tsar ? What did he do to get the answers of the questions ?

(ii)Why did not the hermit answer the questions of the Tsar immediately after hearing him ?

(iii) “You are already answered”—Do you agree with the interpretation of the three answers given by the hermit ? If so, give three reasons to support your answers.
Or, What answers did the hermit give to the king’s questions ?

(iv) How did the enemy of the King become friend with the King in Leo Tolstoy’s “The Three Questions” ?

(v) Why did the Tsar not agree with the answers of the learned men ? Who did the Tsar decide to consult again ? What was this person famous for ? How did the Tsar go to visit this person ?

THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : Sample Questions

The SAQ

Answer the following questions in a single sentence each (1 mark each question) :

1. What type of text is it ?
2. At which station did the girl get into the train  ?
3. Who came to see the girl off at the station of Rohana ?
4. Why were the girl’s parents very much anxious about her comfort ?
5. What did the girl’s parents advise her to avoid ?
6. How did the narrator attempt to strike up a conversation with the girl ?
7. What was the narrator’s very first clue about his fellow traveller in the train ?
8. How did the narrator know that the girl wore slippers ?
9. Why was the narrator unable to tell anything about the look of the girl ?
10. Whose voice startled the girl ?
11. Why did the voice of the narrator startle the girl ?
12. What do people with good eyesight fail to see ?
13. “I didn’t see you either.” – who is the speaker ?
14. What is the narrator’s opinion about aunts ?
15. “Aunts are usually formidable creatures.” – who made this remark and when ?
16. “Oh, how lucky you are.” – who said this and about whom ?
17. Why did the girl consider the narrator lucky ?
18.  What did the girl say about Mussoorie ?
19. “Then I made a mistake” – what was the mistake ?
20. “That always happens.” – what always happens ?
21. “But it was a safe remark.” – What was the remark ?
22. How did the narrator praise the girl ?
23. “You have an interesting face.”--Who said this and about whom ?
24. When did the girl laugh pleasantly ?
25. What was the girl tired of ?
26. How did the narrator compare the girl’s voice ?
27. “We’ll soon be at your station.” – Which ‘station’ is referred to here ?
28. “And a high-pitched female voice near the carriage door”- Whose voice was it ?
29. “You must be disappointed.” – Who said this and to whom ?
30. What did the narrator ask the new passenger about the girl ?
31. What did the new passenger say about the girl ?
32. “...and we moved off.” – Who are ‘we’ in this statement ?
33. What did the narrator want to play once again ?
34. Why were the beautiful eyes of the girl useless ?

The DAQ

Answer the following questions in not more than 100 words each (5 marks each question) :

1. Would you agree that this story is a comment on ‘seeing’ ? Support your point with instances from the text.
2. Does the author help us anticipate the ironical twist in the end during the course of the narrative ? If yes, give examples from the text to support your argument.
3. Is the narrator somewhat cautious about not revealing too much about himself? Support your point with instances from the text.
4. How was a game of deception played between the narrator and the girl?
5. “Then I made a mistake.”—What mistake is referred to here? Was there really any mistake? How did the speaker get rid of his doubt?
6. How did the narrator try to impress the girl ?
7. How does ‘irony’ play an instrumental role in the story ?
8. “You have an interesting face.” – Who said this and to whom ? How did the person spoken to react? How did the speaker mend his/her comment?
9. “You are a very gallant young man.” –Who is the ‘young man’? Why is he called ‘gallant young man’? How does the remark impress him?
10. “Oh, how lucky you are.” – Who said this? Who was considered to be ‘lucky’ and why? How did the person react to the above remark?
11. Write a short note on the appropriateness of the title.

Links of Similar Posts :

• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : An Analysis
• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : Word-notes
• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : A Quiz

THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : Word-notes

The following word-notes will help you to understand the text The Eyes Have It by Ruskin Bond :

• Rohana = name of a railway station. It is a small place of less population in Uttarpradesh. The nearest major city to Rohana is Saharanpur.
• Couple = husband and wife; married pair.
• Anxious = worried; concerned.
• Instructions = directions; information on what to do; advice.
• Strangers = unknown or unfamiliar persons.
• Sensitive = responsive; susceptible; perceptive.
• Dehra = a town in Kangra District in Himachal Pradesh.
• Startled = surprised or amazed.
• Exclamation = utterance in amazement.
• Registers = impresses; strikes; appeals.
• Tellingly = powerfully; forcefully; effectively; significantly.
• Remaining senses = the senses other than the sight.
• Wondered = thought about; thought in amazement; doubted; suspected.
• Prevent = block; obstruct; resist;impede; stop; control; check.
• Provided = if; on condition that.
• Getting off = getting down; alighting; leaving the train.
• Formidable = dreadful; unmanageable.
• Mussoorie = a hill station in the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand.
• Logfire = fire produced from round, hard pieces of wood.
• Deserted = lonely; uninhibited.
• Romantic = imaginative.
• Fool = stupid fellow; dull-witted person.
• Romantic fool = a person guided by emotion.
• Ledge = a narrow shelf projecting from a window; sill.
• Pretence = deception.
• Landscape = everything that can be sen across a large area of land.
• Panting = quick breathing.
• Rumble = a long deep series of sounds.
• Flashing by = passing by quickly.
• Ventured = took the risk of saying something.
• Gallant = brave; courageous; chivalrous; heroic.
• Sparkle = liveliness; glow; radiance.
• Stream = small river.
• Encounter = sudden meeting.
• Shrieked = gave a loud sound.
• Bun = small coil of hair at back of head.
• Plaited = arrangement of hair in three or more interlaced strands.
• Porters = persons who carry bags and loads of other people; coolies.
• Vendors = sellers of food etc.
• Tantalising = tempting; provoking; exciting.
• Lingered = remained; continued to exist; prevailed.
• Confusion = mess; disorder; chaos.
• Stammered = spoke indistinctly; uttered with faltering accent.
• Apology = pardon; a statement of regret having done wrong.
• Banged = closed with a loud noise.
• Groaned = make a long deep wailing sound; make a painful sound.
• Fascinating = alluring; charming; extremely interesting; highly attractive.
• Reverie = day-dream.
• High-pitched = shrill ; very loud and sharp.
• Disappointed = upset; sad;dejected; pensive; disheartened.

Links of Similar Posts :

• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : An Analysis
• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : Sample Questions
• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : A Quiz

THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond: An Analysis

The Writer

Ruskin Bond, born in 1934 at Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh, is an Indian writer of British descent. He is an outstanding figure of international repute among the contemporary Indian English writers. He does much to standardise our national English literature. He is a prolific and powerful writer. He has written short stories, essays, novels and children books. The setting of most of his stories is Dehra, as Malgudi is for R K Narayan. He has received many awards. His first novel, The Room on the Roof brought him the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. He received the Sahitya Academy Award in 1992 for his short story collection, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the N D Mehra Memorial Award in 2003 for his contribution to children’s literature. Ruskin, a versatile writer and a man of colourful personality, is still active. He now lives in Landour near Mussoorie. His profound love for his own birth place and his passion for literature are the treasure of his life. Let his powerful pen run long.

The Source

The Eyes Have It, a very popular short story by Ruskin Bond, was originally published in Contemporary Indian English Stories. Later it was included in many other collections with different titles such as The Eyes Are Not Here, The Girl on the Train, etc.

The Story

The Eyes Have It is a marvellous short story of Ruskin Bond who has used first person narrative technique in the story. Here everything is narrated by the person who himself is blind. His eyes are sensitive only to light and darkness. While going to Dehradun by train he comes across a girl. He starts conversation and gradually becomes interested in her. He tactfully hides his blindness from the girl to impress her. But the conversation does not last long. The girl bids him good-bye as the train arrives at her destination. After her departure, a new male passenger comes into the compartment. From that man the narrator learns that the girl was completely blind. The revelation shocks the narrator. He feels that he has deceived himself. This is an ironical twist that makes the end of the story so appealing.

The Features

• The Eyes Have It is an ideal short story. It is short in length and can be easily finished in one go. It has a limited number of characters – the narrator, the girl and the new passenger.
• It illustrates Bond’s art of story telling which is simple in approach but universal in appeal. It tells a simple tale in a lucid style with a deep insight into the psychology of men. It ends with a striking discovery, and its plot is well-knit. Bond makes the story a vivid one by using the first person narrative technique.
• The setting of the story is very simple and interesting. Everything happens in the train compartment and the time chosen is October when Mussoorie looks beautiful.
• It is full of ironical turns and twists. There is a real humour in the narrator’s attempt to conceal his blindness. But this humour takes an ironical turn when he discovers that the girl is also blind.
• It shows Ruskin Bond’s sympathy for the blind and for their troubles and loneliness. Through the personal experience of the blind narrator Bond focuses on universal human experiences.
• It shows Bond’s mastery in the art of characterization. Like the great French master Maupassant Bond also chooses common people to create interesting situations.

Links of Similar Posts :

• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : Words-notes
• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : Sample Questions
• THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond : A Quiz

Quiz of the Month

THE EYES HAVE IT by Ruskin Bond: A Quiz

Complete the sentences which follow, choosing the correct answers from the alternatives given (attempt all the ten) :

1. The narrator was travelling in a

• car
• taxi
• tram
• train

2. The narrator was

• blind to his faults
• not blind
• partially blind
• totally blind

3. The narrator was going to

• Mussoorie
• Dehradun
• Mussoorie via Dehradun
• Dehradun via Mussoorie

4. The narrator liked the sound of the girl's

• laughter
• voice
• slippers
• voice and slippers

5. The girl was going to

• Saharanpur
• Dehradun
• Rohana
• Mussoorie

6. According to the girl Mussoorie is charming specially in

• September
• October
• November
• December

7. The girl liked

• journey by day
• journey at night
• short journey
• long journey

8. "Then I made a mistake." The mistake was made by

• the narrator
• the girl
• the girl's aunt
• the co-passenger

9. The person who broke into the narrator's reverie was

• the girl
• the new passenger
• the girl's father
• the girl's aunt

10. "- but they were of no use to her." Here 'they' refers to the girl's

• eyes
• ears
• hands
• legs

Score =

Correct answers: