A Legend of Northland

 

A Legend of Northland Summary

The poem is a legend about an old lady who angered Saint Peter because of her greed. The story goes on like this. One day, Saint Peter was preaching around the world and reached the door of a cottage where this woman lived. She was making cakes and baking them on a hearth. St. Peter was fainting with hunger. He asked the lady to give him a piece of cake. The cake that she was baking then appeared to be too big, so she did not give him that and instead, she baked another smaller one. That also appeared to be big so she did not give him that also. The second time she baked yet another smaller cake but found it too big to give away. In the third attempt, she took an extremely little scrap of dough and rolled it flat. She had it as thin as a wafer but was unable to part with that also. This angered St. Peter a lot. He said that she was not fit to live in human form and enjoy food and warmth. He cursed her and transformed her into a woodpecker bird who had to bore in hard, dry wood to get its scanty food. She can be seen in the trees all day boring and boring for food.

Poem Stanza 1

Away, away in the Northland,

Where the hours of the day are few,

And the nights are so long in winter

That they cannot sleep them through;

 

Explanation of the Poem: In the region around the North Pole (Northland), the duration of the day is very less because its position is such that the Sun’s rays reach for a very less time. When this area is experiencing winter season, the duration of night is very long, and the day time hours are very less. In line 4, ‘they’ refers to the people who live in this region. The poet says that the duration of the night time is so long that the people cannot sleep them through. If they go to bed, take a few hours of sleep and then, they wake up, it is still night time. He wants to emphasize on the fact that the duration of the night is very long.

 

Poem Stanza 2

Where they harness the swift reindeer

To the sledges, when it snows;

And the children look like bear’s cubs

In their funny, furry clothes:

Word Meaning:
Sledges: a vehicle on runners for conveying loads or passengers over snow or ice, often pulled by draught animals.
To harness means to tie the reindeers with a rope to a sledge so that it can be used for transportation.
Swift: something which runs very fast

Explanation of the Poem: The Northland region experiences severe cold conditions. It is a snowy area. The reindeer is an animal which is found in this polar region. People tie the reindeers to sledges and then the reindeers pull the sledges. He adds that the children look like young ones of a bear because they wear funny looking clothes made of fur which is like the furry skin of a bear.

Poem Stanza 3

They tell them a curious story —

I don’t believe ’tis true;

And yet you may learn a lesson

If I tell the tale to you.

Word Meaning:
Curious: strange

Explanation of the Poem: In line 1 ‘they’ refers to the parents or elders and ‘them’ refers to the children or the younger generation. The elders of the Northland region tell a strange and interesting story to the younger generation.  The poet says that he doesn’t think that the story is true, but if he tells the story to the reader, maybe the reader could learn a lesson from it. The story gives an important message.

 

 

Poem Stanza 4

Once, when the good Saint Peter

Lived in the world below,

And walked about it, preaching,

Just as he did, you know,

Word Meaning:
Saint Peter: an apostle of Christ, a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ
Preaching: to give a religious talk

Explanation of the Poem: The story is about Saint Peter. When Saint Peter used to live in the world and went around, giving religious lectures to the people just like all saints do, then an incident happened.

Poem Stanza 5

He came to the door of a cottage,

In travelling round the earth,

Where a little woman was making cakes,

And baking them on the hearth;

Word Meaning:
hearth: fire place where you do cooking

Explanation of the Poem: When Saint Peter was moving around the world, giving religious lectures to the people, he reached the door of a cottage where a small woman was making cakes. She was baking the cakes in the fireplace.

Poem Stanza 6

And being faint with fasting,

For the day was almost done,

He asked her, from her store of cakes,

To give him a single one.

Word Meaning:
faint: to be weak, famished

Explanation of the Poem: As Saint Peter had not eaten anything the entire day, he was very hungry and was feeling weak. So, he went to this woman who was baking cakes and he asked for one cake out of the many cakes that she had baked.

 

Poem Stanza 7

So she made a very little cake,

But as it baking lay,

She looked at it, and thought it seemed

Too large to give away.

Explanation of the Poem: The woman was selfish. She did not give cake from her store. Instead, she started making a very small cake for Saint Peter. She did not want to share her things. But, when she put the cake for baking, she looked at it and thought that this cake was too big to be given to someone.

 

Poem Stanza 8

Therefore she kneaded another,

And still a smaller one;

But it looked, when she turned it over,

As large as the first had done.

Word Meaning:
kneaded – to make dough from flour.

Explanation of the Poem: The little miser woman thought that the cake was too big to be given away. So, she started making another smaller cake. When she looked at that cake, she again felt that it was as big as the previous one.  Again, she was not ready to give this smaller cake to Saint Peter.

Poem Stanza 9

Then she took a tiny scrap of dough,

And rolled and rolled it flat;

And baked it thin as a wafer —

But she couldn’t part with that.

Word Meaning:
scrap: small amount

Explanation of the Poem: The third time, she took a very small amount of dough and rolled it. The poet says that she rolled and rolled to lay emphasis on the fact that she rolled the dough and made it very thin like a wafer and baked it. But she was so greedy that she couldn’t give that thin piece of bread to the saint.

 Poem Stanza 10

For she said, “My cakes that seem too small

When I eat of them myself

Are yet too large to give away.”

So she put them on the shelf.

Explanation of the Poem: The woman reasoned that, when she ate the cakes, she felt that they were very small but if she had to give them to someone, she felt that they were too big to be given away. She put all the cakes on the shelf of her kitchen and she did not give any cake to Saint Peter.

Poem Stanza 11

Then good Saint Peter grew angry,

For he was hungry and faint;

And surely such a woman

Was enough to provoke a saint.

Word Meaning:
provoke: cause to get angry

Explanation of the Poem: Saint Peter became angry. He was very hungry, he was feeling very weak and the selfish woman was not ready to give him even a small cake. This behavior of the greedy woman angered the saint.

Poem Stanza 12

And he said, “You are far too selfish

To dwell in a human form,

To have both food and shelter,

And fire to keep you warm.

Word Meaning:
dwell: to live

Explanation of the Poem: Saint Peter cursed the woman and said that she was very selfish. She did not deserve to live like a human being. He added that God had given her food, shelter, fire to keep warm but she had become selfish for all the resources she had. She did not want to share them with anybody.

 Poem Stanza 13

Now, you shall build as the birds do,

And shall get your scanty food

By boring, and boring, and boring,

All day in the hard, dry wood.”

Word Meaning:
scanty: very little
boring:  make a hole in something with a tool or by digging.

Explanation of the Poem: Saint Peter cursed the woman that hence, she would become a bird because she did not deserve the human form. She shall become a bird and just like birds build their houses by boring into the wood and collect very little food by working hard the entire day, similarly, she would also work hard in the dry wood, all day and get little food and make a small place for herself to live in.

 

Poem Stanza 14

Then up she went through the chimney,

Never speaking a word,

And out of the top flew a woodpecker,

For she was changed to a bird.

Explanation of the Poem: As soon as Saint Peter cursed the woman, she did not get a chance to speak for herself because that very moment, she flew up to the roof through the chimney and flew out in the form of a bird. Saint Peter’s curse had converted the woman into a bird.

 Poem Stanza 15

She had a scarlet cap on her head,

And that was left the same;

But all the rest of her clothes were burned

Black as a coal in the flame.

Word Meaning:
scarlet: brilliant red colour

 

Explanation of the Poem: When the woman turned into a bird, at that time she was wearing a red – coloured cap on her head. This cap was there on the bird’s head also, but the woman’s remaining clothes had burned and turned black in colour just like coal.

 Poem Stanza 16

And every country schoolboy

Has seen her in the wood,

Where she lives in the trees till this very day,

Boring and boring for food.

Word Meaning:
country: belonging to the countryside i.e. rural areas

Explanation of the Poem: People who live in the countryside, even the small children who go to school, seen this kind of bird in the woods. They see that she stays there all day and keeps on digging the wood with her beak, to collect her food. Whenever any child sees this kind of bird, then his elders tell him this story.  They say that the bird used to be a woman earlier. She was very greedy and so, she was cursed by Saint Peter and turned into a bird. They get a teaching that they should not be greedy.

Literary Devices in the poem

1. Rhyme Scheme: abcb

2. Alliteration: is the repetition of a consonant sound in two or more close words.

Stanza 1 – that, they, them through – ‘th’ sound is repeating

Stanza 2 – they, the – ‘th’ sound is repeating

look, like – ‘l’ sound is repeating

funny, furry – ‘f’ sound is repeating

Stanza 3 – they, them- ‘th’ sound is repeating

yet, you – ‘‘y sound is repeating’

learn, lesson – ‘l’ sound is repeating

tell, tale, to – ‘t’ sound is repeating

Stanza 5 – woman, was – ‘w’ sound is repeating

Them, the, hearth – ‘th’ sound is repeating

Stanza 6 – faint, fasting – ‘f’ sound is repeating

Stanza 8 – still, smaller – ‘s’ sound is repeating

Stanza 9 – took, tiny -‘t’ sound is repeating

Stanza 10 – seem, small – ‘s’ sound is repeating

Stanza 13 – build, birds – ‘b’ sound is repeating

by, boring, boring – ‘b’ sound is repeating

 

3. Repetition: any word or sentence is repeated to lay emphasis on it.

Stanza 1 – ‘away’ word is repeated

Stanza 9 – ‘rolled’ word is repeated

Stanza 13, 16 – ‘boring’ word is repeated

 

4. Enjambment: running lines of poetry from one to the next without using any kind of punctuation to indicate a stop 

Stanza 1 – line 3 and 4

Stanza 2 – Line 1 and 2; line 3 and 4

Stanza 3 – Line 3 and 4

Stanza 4 – Line 1 and 2; 3 and 4

Stanza 10 – Line 1, 2 and 3

Stanza 11 – Line 1 and 2

 

5. Simile: Comparison using ‘as’ or ‘like’

Stanza 2 – ‘the children look like bear’s cubs’. Children compared to bear’s cubs

Stanza 9 – ‘baked it thin as a wafer’. Cake is compared to a wafer.

Stanza 15 – ‘clothes were burned black as a coal’. The colour of the burned clothes is compared to that of coal.

 

1. Which country or countries do you think “the Northland” refers to?

A. The northland refers to the region around the north pole which is extremely cold. It could be any country like Russia, Canada, Greenland, Norway, etc.

 

2. What did Saint Peter ask the old lady for? What was the lady’s reaction?

A. Saint Peter asked the lady to give him a cake as he was hungry. The lady did not give him a cake out of the ones that she had baked, instead she baked a smaller one for him.

 

3. How did he punish her?

A. He punished the selfish lady by turning her into a woodpecker bird that had to bore into the dry wood all day to get some food and shelter.

 

4. How does the woodpecker get her food?

A. The woodpecker gets food by boring holes in the wood.

 

5. Do you think that the old lady would have been so ungenerous if she had known who Saint Peter really was? What would she have done then?

A. If the old lady knew who Saint Peter was, then she would not have been ungenerous. On the other hand, she would have served him well for the fulfilment of her greedy desires.

 

6. Is this a true story? Which part of this poem do you feel is the most important?

A. It is not a true story. The point of the story where the woman is turned into a woodpecker bird is the most important. This is so because the punishment teaches everyone the lesson to be generous.

 

7. What is a legend? Why is this poem called a legend?

A. A legend is a popular story from the past which is believed to be true but cannot be verified. It contains a moral which is narrated to the children to teach them moral values.

 

8. Write the story of ‘A Legend of Northland’ in about ten sentences.

A.One day, Saint Peter was preaching around the world and reached the door of a cottage where this woman lived. She was making cakes and baking them on a hearth. St. Peter was fainting with hunger. He asked the lady to give him a piece of cake. The cake that she was baking then appeared to be too big, so she did not give him that and instead, she baked another smaller one. That also appeared to be big so she did not give him that also. The second time she baked yet another smaller cake but found it too big to give away. In the third attempt, she took an extremely little scrap of dough and rolled it flat. She had it as thin as a wafer but was unable to part with that also. This angered St. Peter a lot. He said that she was not fit to live in human form and enjoy food and warmth. He cursed her and transformed her into a woodpecker bird who had to bore in hard, dry wood to get its scanty food. She can be seen in the trees all day boring and boring for food.

 

A Considerable Speck

 

 

The poem ‘A Considerable Speck’ highlights the poet’s ability to give importance to minute details / things. Here, he notices a tiny speck of dust which turns out to be an insect trying to save its life, on sensing danger from the narrator’s pen. Finally the mite surrenders to the will of the narrator to kill it or allow it to live. The poet finds it harmless and leaves the mite to use its intelligence. He is surprised to see that the tiny creature is blessed with the ability to think and so, he allows the mite to rest on that sheet of paper till it so desires.

Theme of the Poem

 The poet wants to highlight the importance of having one’s own mind. During his times, human beings merely accepted things irrespective of their mental calibre and he satirizes such attitude. Even a tiny mite displays his mind when he runs around, pauses and flies, trying to save himself. The narrator appreciates the tiny creature for displaying its mind.

A Considerable Speck Summary

 Once the narrator was writing on a white sheet of paper when a tiny dust particle flew over the sheet. Initially, he considered that it had blown off due to his breath but on closer look, he realized that the particle was running here and there and that it was a tiny insect. The insect could think and was trying to save itself. It ran and at times stopped due to the fear of the narrator’s pen. The it reached the area where the narrator had written and the ink was still wet. The insect smelt or drank the ink. It disliked it because it turned and tried to fly away. 

The tiny being tried various ways to save itself, its confidence reduced when it realized that it could not save itself. The creature was too small to have feet but it did have a pair with which it ran wildly to save itself. Finally, it bowed to the narrator’s will and surrendered itself in the middle of the sheet.

The narrator was not an animal lover, the type of people who fought for animal rights and showed that they had a lot of love for these beings. He simply felt that the tiny insect was harmless. So, he did not fiddle with it. He let it be there and waited for the insect to go to sleep.

The narrator has the ability to think and he recognizes when he sees the display of intelligence by anyone. This insect’s display of intelligence to save itself is appreciated by the poet.

Title Analysis of the Poem A Considerable Speck

The title of the poem ‘A Considerable Speck’ is an interesting one because the poet employe the device of oxymoron in it. When a speck, a tiny particle of dust is considerable, it is given importance by the poet Robert Frost. He is known for bestowing importance on the small things in life and in this poem also, we can see that.
 Narrative Style of Poem A Considerable Speck

The poem is descriptive, interspersed with philosophical observations. On the surface, it is quite simple. It is, however, thematically complex. It is disgressive in its development. As the poet describes the movement of the mite, he thinks and interpretations. One thing is notable that his descriptions are detailed, interesting and amusing. The poem concludes abruptly with an unexpected idea: that of liveliness in a text brought about by the use of wit, and intelligence of the human mind.

The use of satire is vivid when the poet remarks : 

             I have none of the tenderer-than-thou
          Collectivistic regimenting love
            With which modern world is being swept.

The use of oxymoron is vivid in the title itself: ‘considerable’ and ‘speck’ – two opposite words in meaning. We wonder how a speck can be significant. Its relevance is understood as the poem advances.
The poet has used irregular rhyme. The simple rhythm helps convey the sincerity of expression. The use of simple words is deliberate. The visual image of the movements of the mite is cleverly built up by detailed observations and short descriptions.
Overall, the poem is interesting in the treatment of its theme and style.
A Considerable Speck Poem Explanation

Poem:
A speck that would have been beneath my sight
On any but a paper sheet so white
Set off across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink
When something strange about it made me think,
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.

Word meanings:
Speck: a very small spot / a small piece of dirt
Set off: ran
Idly: without any purpose, lazily
Poised: held steady
Unmistakably: undoubtedly
Mite: a very small insect
Inclinations: feelings

Explanation:
There was a tiny piece of dirt on the white sheet of paper on which the narrator was writing. He would not have noticed it had it not been on the clean white sheet. The particle flew off and the narrator thought that his breath had blown it off but later, when he saw that the particle was running here and there, he realized that it was a small insect and not a particle of dust. The insect could think and so, it was running around to save itself.

Poem:
It paused as with suspicion of my pen,
And then came racing wildly on again
To where my manuscript was not yet dry;
Then paused again and either drank or smelt-
With loathing, for again it turned to fly.
Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.

Word meanings:
Racing: running
Manuscript: piece of written text
Paused: stopped
Loathing: strong dislike or hatred
Plainly: clearly

Explanation:
The insect stopped running because it was scared that the narrator would hit it with his pen. Then all of a sudden it started running towards the area of the paper where the narrator had written something and the ink was not yet dry. The insect stopped and perhaps it smelt or drank the wet ink. It must have disliked it for it turned and flew. The narrator used his intelligence to deal with the tiny insect.

Poem:
It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete
To express how much it didn’t want to die.
It ran with terror and with cunning crept.
It faltered: I could see it hesitate;
Then in the middle of the open sheet
Cower down in desperation to accept
Whatever I accorded it of fate.

Word meanings:
Room: here, space
A set of them: here, a set of feet
Terror: fright
Cunning: cleverness
Faltered: walked with less confidence
Hesitate: uncertain / reluctant
Cower down: hand down and move backward in fear
Desperation: a state of hopelessness which leads to extreme behaviour
Accorded: granted

Explanation:
The insect was too small that it seemed that there was no space for feet in its body but still it had a pair of feet with which it was running. It ran doe to fear and was clever to use different tactics to save itself. The narrator could make out that the insect was afraid because it lacked confidence and at times, it ran with a reluctance. They insect came to the centre of the paper and just remained there as if it has surrendered to the narrator.

Poem:
I have none of the tenderer-than-thou
Collectivistic regimenting love
With which the modern world is being swept.
But this poor microscopic item now!
Since it was nothing I knew evil of
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.

Word meanings:
tenderer-than-thou: more loving / delicate than you are (attitude)
Collectivistic: concerned with some group, class or society, not individuals
Regimenting: something imposed strictly by the state or society
Swept: strongly affected
Microscopic item: almost invisible insect (mite)

Explanation:
The narrator says that he did not have any affection for the insect like a group of people have towards other beings, wherein they try to save and protect them. But, he adds that it was a tiny insect and since it was harmless, the narrator decided to let it be. He did not do anything to it was allowed it to remain there till it wanted to go to sleep.

Poem:
I have a mind myself and recognize
Mind when I meet with it in any guise
No one can know how glad I am to find
On any sheet the least display of mind.

Word meanings:
Mind: Ability to think
Guise: Cover
Display of Mind: show of intelligence

Explanation:
The narrator also has a mind and he can identify another mind maybe which ever form it maybe in. He could even identify that the dust particle was in fact a living mite because its movement indicated that it could think and was deciding its course of action. He was very glad to find the show of such intelligence on the sheet of paper, by the tiny mite.

Figures of Speech

1. Rhyme scheme- irregular rhyme has been used
2. Oxymoron – the adjective used for a noun is contrary to the noun’s qualities.
‘Considerable speck’
3. Imagery – visual imagery has been deployed to show the mite’s movement.
4. Alliteration – repetition of a consonant sound at the start of two or more consecutive words.
Been beneath
Made me
Breathing blown
Something strange
Could call
My manuscript
Too tiny
Have had
Cunning crept
With which
Mind myself
5. Anaphora – two or more consecutive lines start with the same word
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.
I have a mind myself and recognize
6. Inversion – the structure of the sentence is altered
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.
Yet must have had a set of them complete
On any sheet the least display of mind
7. Enjambment – when the same sentence continues to the next lines and the lines do not have any punctuation mark in the end. Enjambment has been used at various places in the poem.

Poem A Considerable Speck Text Based Multiple Choice Questions

Read the following questions and select the correct option:

1. When did the poet notice something running across his paper?
(a) when he sneezed
(b) when he was writing
(c) when he was about to put a full stop to his writing finally
(d) when he left writing

2. What did the poet like in the mite?
(a) its colour
(b) its being intelligent
(c) its being fearful
(d) its running in terror

3. How did the mite taste or smell the ink?
(a) with loathing
(b) with relish
(c) hesitatingly
(d) with a shudder

4. What did the poet imagine?
(a) that the mite was a proud creature
(b) that the mite did not want to die
(c) that the mite feared nothing
(d) that the mite was mischievous

5. Why did the mite falter and hesitate?
(a) It was happy.
(b) It was terrified.
(c) It was cunning.
(d) It did not know what to do.

6. What did the mite finally do?
(a) It squatted.
(b) It bent down and moved backwards in fear.
(c) It sat still.
(d) It ran away to the edge of the sheet of paper.

7. What do you imply by ‘collectivistic regimenting love’?
(a) love for the whole society or group
(b) forced love
(c) one-sided love
(d) indiscriminate love for all irrespective of one’s mental calibre.

8. Why did the poet not kill the mite?
(a) because it had a mind of its own.
(b) because it was a lively creature.
(c) because it had no evil intention.
(d) because the poet took pity on it.

9. What is this poem about?
(a) a mite on a white sheet of paper
(b) about the mind, its creativity and imagination
(c) collectivist ideology
(d) individuality

10. The title ‘A Considerable Speck’ is quite ……………. .
(a) amusing
(b) ironical
(c) surprising
(d) foolish

11. What figure of speech is used in the title – ‘A Considerable Speck’?
(a) alliteration
(b) metaphor
(c) oxymoron
(d) simile

12. Identify the poetic device used –
‘Set off across what I had written there.’
(a) metaphor
(b) oxymoron
(c) inversion
(d) imagery

13. Find the odd one out-
(a) too tiny
(b) been beneath
(c) modern world
(d) mind myself

14. Identify the figure of speech used-
‘Since it was nothing I knew evil of
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.’
(a) repetition
(b) anaphora
(c) enjambment
(d) oxymoron

15. Who displayed the mind on the paper?
(a) people
(b) poet
(c) mite
(d) dust

16. The line
‘Since it was nothing I knew evil of’
Means _____________
(a) the poet was evil
(b) the mite was evil
(c) the poet thought that the mite was not evil
(d) the poet thought that the mite was evil

17. Choose the suitable meaning of ‘guise’ as used in the poem
(a) form
(b) false appearance
(c) to hide real self
(d) all of these

18. Why is the mite called ‘poor’?
(a) it has no money
(b) its life is in danger
(c) it has no food
(d) it is homeless

19. What does ‘considerable’ mean in the poem?
(a) significant
(b) important
(c) crucial
(d) beneficial

20. Identify the sentence which uses ‘room’ as used in the poem-
(a) We need two rooms with twin beds.
(b) Please shift the boxes to the store room.
(c) The house is full, there is no room for more people.
(d) We are looking for an apartment with an attached servant room.

Answers
1. (c) when he was about to put a full stop to his writing finally
2. (b) its being intelligent
3. (a) with loathing
4. (b) that the mite did not want to die
5. (d) It did not know what to do.
6. (b) It bent down and moved backwards in fear.
7. (d) indiscriminate love for all irrespective of one’s mental calibre.
8. (c) because it had no evil intention.
9. (d) individuality
10. (b) ironical
11. (c) oxymoron
12. (c) inversion
13. (c) modern world
14. (c) enjambment
15. (c) mite
16. (c) the poet thought that the mite was not evil
17. (a) form
18. (b) its life is in danger
19. (a) significant
20. (c) The house is full, there is no room for more people.

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Also See: ICSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Syllabus 2024-25

 

ICSE Class 10 English A Considerable Speck Extract Based Questions

PASSAGE-1

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

A speck that would have been beneath my sight
On any but a paper sheet so white
Set off across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink

(i) What is a speck? What did it turn out to be?
Ans. A speck is a tiny dust particle. It turned out to be a tiny insect.

(ii) What had the poet been doing? What does the last line here tell you in this context?
Ans. He is waiting for the particle to move away from the sheet. He was waiting to put a full stop to his writing.

(iii) What do you mean by ‘Idly poised my pen’?
Ans. sat idle, kept the pen in the air, waiting for the speck to move away.

(iv) What did the poet observe about the mite later in the context?
Ans. He observed that the speck of dust was a tiny mite.

(v) Why did the poet spare the mite?
Ans. He spared the mite because it was harmless.

PASSAGE-2

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When something strange about it made me think,
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.

(i) What was ‘something strange’ about the speck?
Ans. It did not fly off in a direction but it ran here and there.

(ii) What was the first thing about the speck that struck the poet’s mind?
Ans. It had its own ability to think.

(iii) The mite had its own ‘inclinations’. Explain in the context.
Ans. The mite could think and smelled danger. It used its intelligence to save itself.

(iv) In what way did the mite reach the inked portion of the sheet of paper?
Ans. It reached the ink, perhaps to smell it or to drink it.

(v) What was it that refrained the poet from killing the mite?
Ans. The mite was very tiny, called microscopic. The poet considered it to be harmless.

 

PASSAGE-3

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

It paused as with suspicion of my pen,
And then came racing wildly on again
To where my manuscript was not yet dry;
Then paused again and either drank or smelt-
With loathing, for again it turned to fly.

(i) When did the poet notice the reality of the speck on his page?
Ans. When he saw that the movement was not continuous, it ran and paused.

(ii) What is the significance of the word ‘suspicion’ in Line 1 here?
Ans. To be in fear that the pen would hit it.

(iii) How did the mite seem to drink or smell the ink?
Ans. The mite reached the inked portion, the ink being wet. It paused there, perhaps it drank or smelled it.

(iv) What is a manuscript? How would it be dry?
Ans. A manuscript is a piece of written material. When the ink with which it was written would dry, it would dry.

(v) What did it do in terror?
Ans. It paused then went racing and then tried to fly.

 

PASSAGE-4

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.
It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
You must have had a set of them complete
To express how much it didn’t want to die.
It ran with terror and with cunning crept.
It faltered : I could see it hesitate;

(i) What do you mean by ‘an intelligence’ in Line 1? Why does the poet assert this?
Ans. ‘An intelligence’ means the ability to decide what is good and bad. The poet asserts this because he saw that the tiny mite was also intelligent and tried to save itself from death.

(ii) What was it that refuted the poet’s thinking that the mite had ‘no room for feet’?
Ans. The small, microscopic size of the mite.

(iii) ‘It ran with terror and with cunning crept’. Explain.
Ans. It ran here and there and paused in between. This shows it was terrorized and was trying to be clever to save itself.

(iv) What is it that the poet satirizes later in the context? Why?
Ans. He satirizes those people who do not show their intelligence. He disapproves indiscriminate acceptance of all human beings irrespective of their mental calibre.

(v) What does the poet appreciate in others?
Ans. He appreciates individuality.

PASSAGE-5

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

Then in the middle of the open sheet
Cower down in desperation to accept
Whatever I accorded it of fate.
I have none of the tenderer-than-thou
Collectivistic regimenting love
With which the modern world is being swept.
But this poor microscopic item now !
Since it was nothing I knew evil of
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.

(i) What position did the mite take eventually? In what state was it?
Ans. He reached the centre of the sheet, bent down and crawled backward to indicate fear and surrender.

(ii) Explain ‘Collectivistic regimenting love’?
Ans. A collective idea among a group of people which loves all human beings irrespective of their mental calibre.

(iii) Which ideology is implicitly criticised here?
Ans. Collectivistic regimenting love

(iv) What made the poet let the mite ‘lie there till …. it slept’?
Ans. It was a very tiny, harmless thing

(v) Why does the poet choose a ‘Considerable speck’ to express his appreciation of the mind, its imagination and creativity?
Ans. To show that even the tiniest of all beings had intelligence and displayed it on the sheet of paper. This display of mind made it considerable.

PASSAGE-6

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

I have a mind myself and recognize
Mind when I meet with it in any guise
No one can know how glad I am to find
On any sheet the least display of mind.

(i) What does the poet appreciate and why?
Ans. The display of intelligence by the mite. He is against indiscriminate acceptance of all human beings irrespective of their mental calibre.

(ii) What quality in a writing appeals to the poet?
Ans. Display of intelligence.

(iii) Do you think the idea contained in this last stanza has relevance in the context? What is it?
Ans. Yes. The poet can identify intelligence irrespective of the type of creature which shows it.

(iv) In what way did the poet identify with the mite?
Ans. Both had a mind that could think and they displayed their intelligence.

(v) What does the poet mean by “display of mind”?
Ans. To use one’s ability to think for one’s betterment.

ON KILLING A TREE

 

On Killing A Tree

Very Short Answer Questions

1. In the poem ‘On Killing A Tree’ what is the tree a symbol of?
Answer: In this poem, the tree is a symbol of deep-rooted evil.

2. How does a tree grow up?
Answer: A tree grows up by getting food and other nutrients from the earth.

3. Can we kill a tree with a simple jab of the knife?
Answer: No, we can’t kill a tree with a simple jab of the knife.

4. How should we kill a tree?
Answer: We should kill a tree by hacking and chopping it.

5. What should we do to kill a tree permanently?
Answer: To kill a tree permanently we should take out its root from the earth.

6. Where does the strength of a tree lie?
Answer: The strength of a tree lies in its roots.

7. What should be done to the roots or a tree?
Answer: The roots of a tree should be snapped and taken out of the earth.

8. What finally kills the tree?
Answer: Scorching and choking kill the tree finally.

9. What does it mean ‘the strength of the tree is exposed’?
Answer: It means the roots of the tree are taken out of the earth.

10. It is easy to kill a tree?
Answer: No, it is not easy to kill a tree.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?

Answer: simple jab of a knife can certainly not kill a tree. It can merely injure it and cause its sap to ooze out like blood. The real-life of a tree comes from the roots that provide it nourishment and firmly hold it.

2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List words suggestive of its life and activity.

Answer: The tree has grown to its full size gradually. It has grown by slowly consuming the earth. It has risen out of the earth and has fed upon its crust. It has also absorbed light, air and water for years. Leaves have sprouted out of its discoloured bark.

3. In the phrase ‘consuming the earth’, who consumes the earth and how?

Answer: It is the tree that consumes the earth by drawing its nourishment from the soil through its root. The diet required by the tree lies deep inside the earth and the root sucks and absorbs nutrients and nourishes the tree.

4. What is meant by ‘years of sunlight, air, and water’?
Answer: Years of sunlight, air, and water means that the tree takes years together to grow up fully. In this course of time, it draws energy from sunlight, air and water.

5. Why has the tree’s ‘hide’ been called leprous?

Answer: The bark of the tree is uneven in texture and colour. Leprosy also robs the skin of the leper of its colour and evenness. Hence, the poet has drawn a metaphorical comparison between the discoloured bark of a tree and diseased skin.

6. What is the role of hacking and chopping in killing a tree?

Answer: Hacking and chopping wound the body of a tree causing it great pain. They peel the bark of the tree and it appears to be bleeding when the sap oozes out. However, this pain or bleeding does not manage to kill the tree.

7. What is the meaning of ‘bleeding bark’? What makes it bleed?

Answer: The ‘bleeding bark stands for the sap oozing out of the tree trunk when it is attacked with a knife or an axe. The word ‘bleeding’ is metaphorically used to compare the sap to the blood from a wound of a human being. It signifies the pain of the tree.

8. What will rise from ‘close to the ground’? Why?
Answer: Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from the stump of the tree that is close to the ground. They will rise because the tree rejuvenates and revives itself as long as its root is intact.

9. ’What will happen if the miniature boughs are left ‘unchecked’?
Answer: Unchecked’ here means left free to grow without any harm or danger. If left ‘unchecked’, the new, green, delicate branches from the stump of a tree will expand and regain their original size.

10. “No, The root is to be pulled out.” Why has the poet started this stanza with “No”? Or The poet says “No” at the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?

Answer: The poet uses ‘No’ to emphasize the fact that merely hacking and chopping are not sufficient for killing a tree. They can injure it, make it bleed, and cause pain. But killing a tree requires more ruthlessness and much more effort.

11. What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?

Answer: “Anchoring earth” means the earth which gives a firm grip to the tree and keeps it from falling. Just as a ship anchored in the sea stays in its place securely and steadily, similarly the tree stands secure and stable with the support of the earth. “Earth cave” refers to the depth under the earth where the root of a tree remains sheltered safely for years. It is firmly attached to this point and a cave-like hollow is created when the root is pulled out.

12. How is the root of the tree to be pulled out? What is the result of this pulling?

Answer: The root of the tree is to be tied to a rope and pulled out with a great force. This pulling results in creating a cave-like hollow in the earth and exposes the root to the vagaries of weather that eventually cause the death of the tree.

13. What does the poet mean by The strength of the tree exposed”?

Answer: The expression ‘the strength of the tree exposed’ means the root of the tree is pulled out of the earth and thrown open at the mercy of harsh weather.Root is the source of the tree’s power. Once exposed to the scorching and choking sun and air, it withers away and the tree finally dies.

14. What is ‘the most sensitive’ part of the tree? What is it sensitive to and why?
Answer: The root of the tree is its most sensitive part. It is sensitive to the heat and vagaries of weather on the open surface of the earth. It is so because it remains hidden safely under the earth.

15. How is the exposed root affected by the sun and air?
Answer: Sun and air start drawing life out of the exposed root. It becomes discoloured, dry and hard. It starts withering and becomes gnarled and twisted. Devoid of all its moisture, it gradually becomes lifeless and the process of killing the tree is completed.

16. What finally kills the tree?

Answer: The withering of the pulled out root finally kills the tree. The root of a tree is the source of its strength. Once it is pulled out, it can no longer nurture the tree. The root is sensitive to sunlight and air. Once exposed, it gets dehydrated, brown and twisted. Ultimately it dries up and the tree yields to death.

17. What message is conveyed by this poem?

Answer: The poem conveys the message that human beings have destructive temperament towards nature, but Mother nature has regenerative powers and cannot be destroyed easily. It has the ability to resurrect itself. Also, the tree teaches us that mere physical assaults cannot ruin us. As long as our root, our soul, is intact we can rise again.

18. Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?
Answer: No, a simple jab of the knife does not have the ability to kill the tree. It has to go through various processes. If its root is not removed from the earth, it will sprout again.

19. What finally kills the tree?
Answer: Pulling out the tree from the mother earth and scorching and choking it in the sun and air kills the tree. It becomes brown, dry and gets hard. Eventually, it dies.

20. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.

Answer: The tree has grown to its full size by consuming the earth, feeding Upon its crust, absorbing Years of light, air, and water. Consuming, rising, feeding and absorbing are the words suggestive of its life and activity.

21. What are the two important stages for killing a tree?

Answer: There are two stages of killing a tree. First, the tree should be pulled out entirely. Its roots are to be exposed to the sun and the air. Secondly, the roots are to be scorched in the sun. When the roots are scorched, these turn brown, hard and withered. The tree finally dies.

22. Write the meanings of ‘anchoring earth’ and ‘earth cave’.

Answer: ‘Anchoring earth’ implies that the trees are held secure with the help of the roots in the earth. So long as the roots are firmly held by the earth, the tree is safe and cannot be killed by a simple jab of a knife.

23. How will the bleeding bark of trees heal?

Answer: When the blow of knives or axes does not kill trees, its bleeding bark will gradually heal its pain all the time and the green leaves will grow from the boughs. Actually, the strength of trees lies in its roots. When they are not uprooted, they will expand and grow into a complete tree.

24. How is the problem of deforestation raised in the poem?

Answer: Deforestation can be said the important theme of the poem. In our time’s deforestation has become a major issue. Forests are being cleared off to make doors, windows, furniture, and fuel. This act has adversely affected our ecosystem. The poet seems to be an environmentalist and his urge to save trees is felt in the whole poem.

25. What is the central idea of this poem?

Answer: The central idea of this poem is that the uprooting of trees is not easy. Actually, his act is quite painful. In the same way, the human soul never dies. The poem beautifully expresses that before killing trees, we have to cause injury to them. The human soul is also difficult to be killed but external vagaries can mutually damage it. Like human souls, trees can also feel pain and suffering.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. How does a tree grow up?

Answer: A tree takes years together to grow to its full size. After sprouting out from the surface of the earth from a seed it grows gradually. Its root nurtures it by drawing nutrients from deep under the earth. Sunlight, air, and water further nourish it. Out of its bark, tender green branches shoot out and leaves grow all over them. After a long span of time, the tree stands so strong and sturdy that it can survive even the wounds inflicted with a knife. In fact, chopping and hacking are not sufficient to kill it as the wounds get healed. Branches appear again even from the stump and in due course attain their original size. As long as the root of the tree remains intact under the earth, the tree keeps growing.

2. What relationship does the tree have with the earth?

Answer: A tree has a deep relationship with the earth. It owes its very existence to the earth. The seed germinates in the womb of the earth and the baby plant sprouts out over the surface of the earth. The tree draws nutrients for it from the soil. It is the earth that gives it support to stand erect and protects it from falling. Giving a firm grip to its roots, the earth gives it ground to grow and assume a massive size. The earth keeps the roots of the tree concealed, protecting it from exposure to sunlight and air which can prove to be very injurious for its existence. Thus, the earth helps a tree right from its birth to its survival. Even a chopped tree grows again out of the stump and gains the original, big size because the earth supports it.

3. What does the root of the tree look like when it is pulled out of the earth-cave? What happens to it when it is left exposed?

Answer: The root of the tree is moist anti-white when it is pulled out of its hiding, the earth-cave. It is very tender and delicate as it has remained concealed for years together, away from sunlight and air. The root cannot tolerate the light and heat of the sun and the open air. When it is left exposed, it feels scorched and choked in the sun and the air. Initially, it starts changing its colour and becomes somewhat brown. Then it starts losing its tenderness. It becomes hard and its suppleness declines. Gradually, it withers away and becomes gnarled and twisted. Ultimately, life is completely drained out of it and it leads to the death of the whole tree. This is how exposure robs first the root and then the entire tree of its life.

4. What would happen if the tree is hacked and chopped?

Answer: If the tree is hacked and chopped and left as such with the root of the tree neither dugout nor injured, the root will continue to provide nourishment to the stump of the tree. This stump will then be covered with tender twigs that will sprout out of its surface. If these twigs are not pruned or hacked or chopped, they will keep on growing and eventually, with the passage of time, the tree will grow to its original size. The wounded bark of the tree will get healed and the tree will be as big as it was earlier. The threat to its life will be overcome and hacking or chopping will fail to kill the tree. The safe root will rescue and resuscitate the tree and help it to regain its lost glory.

5. Suppose you are a tree. Write a diary entry in about 150 words describing how you were hacked and chopped and your root was pulled out and how you are inching towards your end.

Answer: (Time)
(Day and Date)
Dear Diary Today my heart is crying and I suffer due to the pain inflicted upon me by cruel men. Two days ago, I was enjoying the fresh air and warm sunlight when suddenly I felt a blow of an axe on my trunk. I noticed that a man was hitting me hard, giving one blow after another. My bark was wounded, the sap was oozing and my leaves and branches were falling off lifelessly. I could feel a sharp pain that I found hard to tolerate. When the man got tired, he left me for the night. I was relieved that he had not harmed my root. I was certain that my wound would heal and new branches would grow after some time. But the next day there came five people. The first chopped off big chunks from my trunk and then tied a rope firmly around me. They applied force to pull my root out of the earth. Now my strength gave way and my white, wet and sensitive root was hauled. My root has been left exposed to the sunlight and air. Its white colour is turning brown and it has started hardening and twisting. Slowly, it will wither away and I will die. I wish these ignorant people had realized that I was serving them selflessly with fresh oxygen and dense shade. Sadly, I have to say goodbye to this beautiful world because of the insensitivity of some people. Banyan

6. Trees are our lifeline. So they must not be killed. Write your suggestions on how trees can be protected.

Answer: Trees have great importance in our life. They teach us that life is made for others. They bear fruit for others and provide shelter to them. All creatures are equal in their eyes. Besides, trees take several years to become fully grown up. When they are full-grown, they enhance the beauty of nature. But we are recklessly cutting down trees for our selfish needs. We have to check this useless cutting of trees. We have to make strict rules and protect them. The government should also come forward in this regard. The forest should be declared protected areas and people must be encouraged to plant more trees. They should be made aware of how trees are valuable for human beings. On the other hand, we should organise ourselves in some groups or associations and prohibit people from cutting down trees. Moreover, everybody should develop a love for trees.

7. Write why people cut trees. Are there other alternatives to trees for them?

Answer: People have several requirements which can be fulfilled by trees. They get wood for fire and furniture from trees. They get various kinds of medicine and fruits. The tribal people are completely dependent on trees, but they never cut them. But the common people cut trees as they have no alternatives. But they should not cut down trees and spoil the beauty of nature. Moreover, they should discover other sources to fulfill their needs. They should be encouraged to use steel sheets in their doors and windows. The tribal people should be given every support to decrease their dependence on trees. They should be made responsible to protect trees in their areas and plant more trees. Besides, people should be made aware of the environmental problems which are created after cutting down trees. We have to protect trees at any cost.

8. Describe the growth of a tree in detail with reference to the poem.

Answer: The poet, Gieve Patel describes how a tree grows in the first stanza of his poem “On Killing a Tree”. According to him, the tree grows slowly consuming the earth firmly. It absorbs sunlight, air and water from nature for years to make food with these nutrients. But a tree heals its wounds by hacking and chopping to rise miniature boughs into full size itself again. Thus, a tree grows slowly by absorbing years of sunlight, air and water.

The Little Girl is a story in the CBSE Class 9 English textbook, Beehive

 The Little Girl” is a story in the CBSE Class 9 English textbook, Beehive,

The Girl Who Can Text Based Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct answers of the following questions from the options given :

1. Who is the author of the story ‘The Girl Who Can’?
(a) Chinua Acheba (b) Wole Soyinka  (c) H. G. Wells  (d) Ama Ata Aidoo

2. Adjoa is a …………… years old girl.
(a) eight  (b) nine  (c) seven  (d) ten

3. The place Adjoa hails from is ……………. .
(a) barren (b) fertile (c) a plateau (d) frequented by earthquakes

4. Adjoa’s Maami is ………………….. .
(a) dominating (b) orthodox (c) humble and helpless (d) conservative

5. Adjoa was …………… .
(a) headstrong (b) timid (c) cunning (d) analytical and sensitive

6. Who was Kaya?
(a) Nana (b) Maami  (c) Adjoa’s school teacher (d) Adjoa’s nickname

7. When Adjoa thinks of legs, she is …………. .
(a) depressed (b) excited (c) analytical  (d) angry with her lot

8. Adjoa is selected to represent her school in …………………… .
(a) state games  (b) international games  (c) national-level games  (d) junior district games

9. How does Nana hold the cup won by Adjoa?
(a) keeps it on her head  (b) holds it in her hands  (c) carries it on the back  (d) throws out away

10. In the end of the story, Nana appears as
(a) a kill joy  (b) a progressive dynamic woman  (c) a frustrated woman  (d) making compromise with the way of the world

11. How is Nana related to Adjoa?

(a) mother (b) grandmother (c) daughter (d) neice

12. According to Nana, what was wrong with Adjoa’s legs?
(a) they were spindly (b) they were not strong (c) they were too long (d) All of these

13. Nana’s reference to ________________ shut Maami for good.
(a) Adjoa (b) Maami (c) Adjoa’s grandfather (d) Adjoa’s father

14. As per Nana, the ideal legs of a woman helped in ________
(a) running fast (b) bearing babies  (c) walking long distances  (d) all of these

15. Adjoa wanted to see women’s legs because _________________
(a) she was curious about the appearance of the ideal legs  (b) she wanted to see naked legs
(c) she was suffering from mental health issues(d) she wanted to do something different

16. What did the older women in Hasodzi wear?
(a) wrap arounds  (b) jeans (c) trousers (d) maxi dresses

17. Where did Adjoa and her family bathe?
(a) in the river which flowed near their village (b) in the bath house behind their hut
(c) in the community baths located on the outskirts of the village
(d) they had a bathroom inside the hut

18. What did Maami feel for not having attended school?
(a) school was not important for her (b) she felt locked in some kind of darkness
(c) she felt she was backward (d) her ambitions got curtailed

19. Choose the option that best illustrates the meaning of ‘compound’ as used in the lesson.
(a) Salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine.
(b) Then there was his manner, a curious compound of humour and emotion.
(c) The gates opened and the soldiers marched into their compound.
(d) Bodyguard’ and ‘floppy disk’ are two examples of compounds.

20. What was the usual trait of Maami?
(a) she remained quiet (b) she was unhappy (c) she complained (d) she was smiling

Answers
1. (d) Ama Ata Aidoo
2. (c) seven
3. (b) fertile
4. (c) humble and helpless
5. (d) analytical and sensitive
6. (b) Maami
7. (c) analytical
8. (d) junior district games
9. (c) carries it on the back
10. (b) a progressive dynamic woman
11. (b) grandmother
12. (d) All of these
13. (d) Adjoa’s father
14. (b) bearing babies
15. (a) she was curious about the appearance of ideal legs
16. (a) wrap arounds
17. (b) in the bath house behind their hut
18. (b) she felt locked in some kind of darkness
19. (c) The gates opened and the soldiers marched into their compound.
20. (a) she remained quiet

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

Passage 1

They all say that when all of Africa is not choking under a drought, Hasodzi lives in a very fertile low land in a district known for its good soil. May be that is why anytime I don’t finish eating my food. Nana says, ‘You Adjoa, you don’t know what life is about …………… you don’t know what problems there are in this life ………………………..’ .

(i) What contrast is made in the first sentence?
Ans. The contrast is between drought and fertile. When Africa is gripped by a drought, Hasodzi remains fertile.

(ii) What do you learn about the speaker from this extract?
Ans. She is carefree and likes her village.

(iii) What information is given by the narrator about Nana?
Ans. Nana scolds the girl for not finishing her food.

(iv) What does the narrator think about her Nana telling about problems of life?
Ans. At every stage of life, one faces a different set of problems. A young girl cannot identify the problems faced by the adults.

(v) Which part of Africa is this story about? What is peculiar about it?
Ans. Hasodzi is a low lying fertile patch of land in central Ghana. It remains fertile and green even when the entire Africa is suffering from a drought.

 

Passage 2

And that, I think, is a very serious problem. Because it is always difficult to decide whether to keep quite and not say any of the things that come into my head, or say them and get laughed at.

(i) Which serious problem is the narrator talking about?
Ans. She is unable to speak her mind.

(ii) What is the narrator’s dilemma?
Ans. Her dilemma is whether to speak or to remain quiet.

(iii) What is the general attitude of the elders to the problems of the youngsters?
Ans. They laugh at the ideas of the youngsters.

(iv) Has it been easy for Adjoa to deal with Nana?
Ans. No

(v) Which weakness of Adjoa is pointed out by Nana?
Ans. Adjoa had very thin and long legs.

 

Passage 3

I find something quite confusing in all this. That is, no one ever explains to me, why sometimes I shouldn’t repeat somethings I say; while at other times, some other things I say would not only be all right, but would be considered so funny, they would be repeated so many times for so many people’s enjoyment. You see how neither way of hearing me out can encourage me to express my thoughts too often?

(i) What is confusing to the narrator?
Ans. The two different reactions to her thoughts confuse her. She cannot identify the difference in her words which either makes them reprimand her or makes them laugh at her.

(ii) What is the narrator forbidden to do?
Ans. She is forbidden from repeating the words that she had spoken.

(iii) What surprising thing or habit of the elders is referred to here?
Ans. They laugh till tears flow from their eyes. They laugh at Adjoa’s ideas.

(iv) How do the elders behave about the follies or foibles of the youngsters?
Ans. They laugh at them or they reprimand them not to repeat such words.

(v) What does the narrator think about the grown ups?
Ans. They are strange.

 

Passage 4

That it did not have to be an issue for my two favourite people to fight over. But I didn’t want either to be told not to repeat that or it to be considered so funny that anyone would laught at me until they cried.

(i) Which issue does the narrator refer to here?
Ans. The issue is the narrator’s legs.

(ii) Who are the two favourite people of the narrator mentioned here? Do they have the same views?
Ans. They are her mother and grandmother. No, they do not have the same views.

(iii) What does the narrator expect of them regarding her issue?
Ans. She wants them not to worry about her legs. It was not an issue to fight over.

(iv) What opinion does Nana hold about women’s ability to rear a child?
Ans. Women must have fleshy legs with strong calves that can support solid hips which are required to bear babies.

(v) How is outer world of a child as compared to the world before birth?
Ans. The world before birth is sweet and has soft silence. The outer world is full of noise and one has to understand many things.

 

Passage 5

And you know, such things are not for talking about everyday. But if any female child decides to come into this world with legs, then they might as well be legs.

(i) Whose opinion is talked about here? How sound is it?
Ans. Nana’s opinion. It is not valid because she has limited knowledge about a woman’s career prospects.

(ii) Which such things are not meant to be talked about on a daily basis?
Ans. Things about deformed babies being born.

(iii) What kind of legs are not liked? And by whom?
Ans. Nana does not like a woman with thin and long legs.

(iv) What is expected of a female child to come into the world with?
Ans. Such legs which are fleshy with strong calves which can support solid hips.

(v) Does the narrator get any complex due to her so-called imperfection?
Ans. No

Passage 6

How, ‘After one’s only daughter had insisted on marrying a man like that, you still have to thank your God that the biggest problem you got later was having a grand daughter with spindly legs that are too long for a woman, and too thin to be of any use.

(i) What is Nana lamenting about?
Ans. Her daughter’s decision to marry the man whom she had liked.

(ii) What kind of man did Maami marry? Was it a happy marriage?
Ans. It is not clear but perhaps Maami married a man who had spindly legs. It wasn’t a happy marriage because they do not live with him any longer.

(iii) What evil of the society does the passage refer to?
Ans. Taunting

(iv) Why is Nana not happy with Adjoa’s legs?
Ans. They are too thin and long.

(v) What is Nana’s ideal of a perfect woman?
Ans. A perfect woman should have ideal legs. They must be fleshy, have strong calves that can support solid hips.

 

Passage 7

School is another thing. Nana and my mother discussed often and appeared to have different ideas abut. Nana thought it would be waste of time. I never understood what she meant. My mother seemed to know — and disagreed. She kept telling Nana that she, that is my mother, felt she was locked into some kind of darkness because she didn’t go to school. So that if I, her daughter, could learn to write and read my own name and a little besides – perhaps be able to calculate some things on paper that would be good. I could always marry later and maybe….

(i) What did Nana think about the education of girls?
Ans. It is a waste of time.

(ii) What opinion do you form of Nana?
Ans. She was primitive and old school.

(iii) Did Adjoa’s mother hold the same views about the education of women as her grandmother Nana?
Ans. No

(iv) Was Adjoa’s mother educated? What was her regret?
Ans. No. She regretted not going to school. She could not read, write or calculate. She felt locked in darkness.

(v) Why did Nana not wish the girls to go to school?
Ans. It was a waste of time.

 

Passage 8

Yes, I have won every race I ran in for my school, and I have won the cup for the best all-round junior athlete. Yes, Nana said that she didn’t care if such things are not done. She would do it. You know what she did? She carried the gleaming cup on her back. Like they do with babies, and other very precious things. And this time, not taking the trouble to walk by herself.
When we arrived in our village, she entered our compound to show the cup to my mother before going to give it back to the Headmaster.

(i) What moment of pride does the passage refer to?
Ans. Adjoa’s victory in the junior level district games.

(ii) How does Nana react at Adjoa’s Achievement?
Ans. She is extremely happy and carries the cup on her back, the way they carry babies and other precious things.

(iii) What change of heart and mind is seen in Nana’s personality? How does it seem different from her earlier attitude?
Ans. Nana realizes that thin legs can also be of use. She realizes that a woman’s legs can be of uses other than to support hips to bear babies. This realization opens her mind to infinite possibilities which calms her disturbed mind.

(iv) What does Nana begin to think about the role of women in society?
Ans. She realizes that a woman’s role is not restricted to that of being a mother.

(v) How does Adjoa show the mettle of a woman?
Ans. Adjoa wins the district games and gives a practical example to Nana that her thin legs are useful.

 

 

JULIUS CAESAR ACT 3 SCENE 1 question answer for ICSE CLASS X MOCK TEST

 ACT 3 SCENE 1

Question 1.

Caesar(To the Soothsayer) The ides of March are come.

SoothsayerAy, Caesar; but not gone.

Artemidorus Hail, Caesar! read this schedule

Decius-Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, At your best leisure, this his humble suit.

(i)                  Where does this conversation take place? Why did Caesar tell the Soothsayer: "The ide of March are come?" When had he met the soothsayer before?

 Ans. This conversation takes place in a street on the way to the Capitol where Caesar wa going to meet the senators. The Soothsayer had earlier warned Caesar of this day whe Caesar was going to attend the Holy race on the day of the celebrations of the festival Lupercal. Caesar scornfully says that the Ides of March had come but no danger ha threatened Caesar as prophesised by the soothsayer earlier. Caesar had met the soothsay earlier on the day of the Lupercal Festival celebrations.

(ii) Who is Artemidorus? Whom does he represent in the play? What is the importance of "schedule"?

Ans. Artemidorous is a teacher of rhetoric. He represents the common people in the play. In h schedule, he warns Caesar of the conspiracy and asks him to beware of his friends as the mean harm to him. He warns Caesar not to feel secure when surrounded by his trust friends and in other words is warning Caesar of the conspiracy.

(iii) Why does Artemidorus request Caesar to read his "schedule" first? With reference to previous scene, show how 'Artemidorus' fears are justified.

Ans. Artemidorous requests Caesar to read his schedule first as it concerned Caesar personal Artemidorous prepares his suit to warn Caesar of the conspiracy. And in the scene earli the conspirators had gathered in Brutus' house and planned that they would kill Caes in the Capitol when he came to meet the senators. Hence, Artemidorus' fears were justifie Later in the play, Caesar is assassinated by the conspirators.

(iv) Mention the two reasons given by Caesar for not reading the schedule handed over

Artemidorus. Which trait of his personality is revealed by his act?

Ans. Caesar said that petitions that concerned him personally would be considered last an Artemidorous was presenting his petition in the street which was improper as he was his way to meet the senators in the Capitol. This reveals Caesar's arrogance as he does n want to read the "schedule" of a common man and gives more importance to his meeti with the senators. Caesar's wisdom is consumed by his arrogance and over confiden He is arrogant and overconfident in this scene.

 

(v) Name two people in the scene who are trying to warn Caesar. Name two other peop who defeat their efforts to do so. Which theme of the play is highlighted here? Explain briefly.

Ans. The Soothsayer and Artemidorous were trying to warn Caesar. Decius and Publi defeated their efforts to do so. The theme of betrayal is highlighted here and also t theme of power and arrogance due to which the common people were not giv importance. Decius and Publius represented the conspirators who betrayed Caesar an wanted him to disregard the warnings of the soothsayer and Artemidorus wh represented the commoners and hence the senators used their power to silence them.

Question 2.

Cassius

Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. Brutus, what shall be done? If this be know,

(i)                  Where does this conversation take place? Why did Caesar tell the Soothsayer: "The ides of March are come?" When had he met the soothsayer before?

Ans. This conversation takes place in a street on the way to the Capitol where Caesar was going to meet the senators. The Soothsayer had earlier warned Caesar of this day when Caesar was going to attend the Holy race on the day of the celebrations of the festival of Lupercal. Caesar scornfully says that the Ides of March had come but no danger had threatened Caesar as prophesised by the soothsayer earlier. Caesar had met the soothsayer earlier on the day of the Lupercal Festival celebrations

 (ii) Who is Artemidorus? Whom does he represent in the play? What is the importance of his "schedule"?

Ans. Artemidorous is a teacher of rhetoric. He represents the common people in the play. In his schedule, he warns Caesar of the conspiracy and asks him to beware of his friends as they mean harm to him. He warns Caesar not to feel secure when surrounded by his trusted friends and in other words is warning Caesar of the conspiracy.

(iii) Why does Artemidorus request Caesar to read his "schedule" first? With reference to a

previous scene, show how 'Artemidorus' fears are justified.

 Ans. Artemidorous requests Caesar to read his schedule first as it concerned Caesar personally. Artemidorous prepares his suit to warn Caesar of the conspiracy. And in the scene earlier the conspirators had gathered in Brutus' house and planned that they would kill Caesar in the Capitol when he came to meet the senators. Hence, Artemidorus' fears were justified. Later in the play, Caesar is assassinated by the conspirators.

(iv) Mention the two reasons given by Caesar for not reading the schedule handed over by

Artemidorus. Which trait of his personality is revealed by his act? 

Ans. Caesar said that petitions that concerned him personally would be considered last and Artemidorous was presenting his petition in the street which was improper as he was on his way to meet the senators in the Capitol. This reveals Caesar's arrogance as he does not want to read the "schedule" of a common man and gives more importance to his meeting with the senators. Caesar's wisdom is consumed by his arrogance and over confidence. He is arrogant and overconfident in this scene.

(v) Name two people in the scene who are trying to warn Caesar. Name two other people who defeat their efforts to do so. Which theme of the play is highlighted here? Explain it briefly.

Ans, The Soothsayer and Artemidorous were trying to warn Caesar. Decius and Publius defeated their efforts to do so. The theme of betrayal is highlighted here and also the theme of power and arrogance due to which the common people were not given importance. Decius and Publius represented the conspirators who betrayed Caesar and wanted him to disregard the warnings of the soothsayer and Artemidorus who represented the commoners and hence the senators used their power to silence them.

 

Question 3.

Caesar

But I am constant as the northern star,

Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality There is no fellow in the firmament.

The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks, They are all fire and every one doth shine;

(ii)                What is meant by the "Fates"? State in your own words what the Fates were responsible for. According to the extract, what do men know and what do they fear?

Ans. Fates are the goddesses of destiny. The fates were responsible for the conspiracy and the death of Caesar. Men know for certain that they will die but they do not know when they will die. That is what they fear.

(iii)              (iii) What positive note does Casca strike in the death of Caesar? What does Brutus feel about it?

Ans. Casca says that they have helped Caesar by taking of twenty years of his life, years which he would have spent fearing death. Hence, they are friends of Caesar as they have shortened his time of fearing death. Brutus says that they will soon know what the fates have decided for them. He says that all know that they will die one day. It's just a matter of when. Men try to control that by prolonging the time they have left to live as long as possible.

(iv)              After the extract, what does Brutus ask the Romans to do? In what way does this seem to be a fulfillment of Calphurnia's dream?

Ans. Brutus asks the Romans to bathe their hands and swords with the blood of Caesar A

similar thing happened in Calpurnia's dream in which she saw Romans bathing their hands in the blood spouting from Caesar's statue. Hence, her dream was fulfilled.

 (v) State briefly the role played by the assassination of Caesar in the story-line of Julius Caesar.

Ans. The assassination of Caesar forms the crux and climax of the play. In the story line of Julius Caesar, all the incidents till now have been centred on Julius Caesar as the main protagonist. After the assassination of Caesar, the play shifts it's emphasis to Brutus and his tragedy.

Question 5.

Cassius

Stoop then, and wash. How many ages hence Shall this our lofty scene be acted over,

In states unborn and accents yet unknown. Brutus

How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport, That now on Pompey's basis lies along.

No worthier than the dust. Cassius So oft as that shall be,

So often shall the knot of us be call'd The men that gave their country liberty.

Decius What, shall we forth? CassiusAy, every man away.

Brutus Shall' lead, and we will grace his heelsWith the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. (Enter a Servant)Brutus Soft, who comes here?

6) When Cassius says "Stoop then, and wash", to whom is he speaking? What exactly does he mean? Who had just suggested washing?

Ans. Cassius says these words to the assassins of Caesar. He tells the others to wash their hands upto their elbow in order to turn the assassination into a ritual. Brutus had suggested this washing

(ii) Explain the meaning of 'states unborn', 'accents' and 'Pompey's basis'.

Ans. The term "States unborn" refers to the states that are not founded yet. The word "accents"

means languages. "Pompey's basis" is a reference to the base of the statue of Pompey.

(ii) What does Brutus want to express when he says "how many times shall Caesar bleed in sport? Ans. Brutus considers the assassination of Caesar as a historical event which would be repeatedly enacted on stage showing that Brutus and his men were the heroes who liberated Rome of the tyranny of Caesar who was then lying dead beneath Pompey's statue as worthless as dust.

(v)                What does Cassius believe "the knot of us" will be called and why?

 Ans. Cassius thinks that this noble scene would be enacted many times in the coming ages and people would call the conspirators as reformers or purgerers. It was Casca who first stabbed Caesar and was followed by all the conspirators and lastly by Brutus.

 (v) The entry of the servant of Mark Antony may be said to mark the turning point of the

whole play. Narrate, very briefly, in what way this is so.

 Ans. The climax of the play takes place in this scene. All the previous scenes led to the assassination of Caesar. The entry of Antony's servant is the hinge of the play as he announces the counter stroke, the reaction against the main action of the play. Antony, kept deliberately in the background