Revision for Chapterwise Test 4

                                           A THING OF BEAUTY 

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever
 Its loveliness increases, 
it will never Pass into nothingness; 
but will keep A bower quiet for us, 
and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, 
and health, and quiet breathing. 

(a) How does a thing of beauty remain a joy forever? 
(b) Why does a beautiful thing not ‘pass into nothingness’? 
(c) What does the poet mean by ‘a bower quiet for us’? 
(d) Mention two sources of joy which a thing of beauty provides us.

Ans:  
(a) A thing of beauty provides an eternal joy to us. It makes an everlasting impact on our minds and we relive the joyful experience whenever we think about that beautiful thing. The loveliness of beauty never diminishes, rather it increases as the time passes by. 

(b) A beautiful thing never passes into nothingness because it is eternal and as time passes by its loveliness keeps on increasing.

 (c) It means a quiet, calm and peaceful shady grove in which we can sit, relax and enjoy a sound sleep. 

(d) A thing of beauty provides us with the eternal joyful experience due to its everlasting impact on our minds. Secondly, it provides us with a sound sleep, full of sweet dreams, which results in good health.

2. Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing 
A flowery band to bind us to the earth, 
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth 
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, 
Of all the unhealthy and darkened ways
 Made for our searching: 

(a) What are the flowery bands that bind us to the earth? 
(b) Why do we wreath ourselves with flowery bands every morrow?
 (c) What is the normal course of life? 
(d) What has been made for our searching?

Ans 
(a) The beautiful things present in nature are like beautiful flowers that we wreathe into a flowery garland. It keeps us connected to the beautiful earth.

 (b) We wreathe ourselves with a flowery band every morning because we don’t want to quit this earth and want to continue living here. 

(c) The normal course of life is full of dependence, sadness, heartbreaks and cruelty. 

(d) Our searching includes finding the reason why people use unfair means, develop enmity and do harm to each other.

Q3. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms 
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read; 
An endless fountain of immortal drink, 
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink. 

(a) Explain: ‘grandeur of the dooms’. 
(b) Who are the ‘mighty dead’? (
c) What contrast of life has been mentioned here? 
(d) What sorts of ambrosia does the poet discuss here?


Ans: 
(a) The ‘grandeur of the dooms’ refers to the grand deeds and tragic destinies of the great men of history and legend which we have attributed to them. 

(b) The mighty dead are those great men of history who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause. 

(c) The contrast of life mentioned here is the life of the bravehearts with the life of the normal people. The lives of these legendary heroes become an inspiration for others for ages. 

(d) The poet discusses the immortal drink or the nectar which nature provides us in the form of her bounties. These will fill our hearts with pleasure and give us everlasting peace and happiness.


Q1. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

The things of beauty as mentioned in the poem include the bounties of nature such as the sun, the moon, old and young trees and simple things like sheep, daffodils and streams of water in the forest and the heroic tales of mighty heroes.

Q2. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth?

The poet uses various images to describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. He mentions various beautiful things which are present around us in nature like the sun, the moon, trees, daffodils, streams of water, the mid forest brake, musk roses, etc.

Q3. Which objects of nature does Keats mention as sources of joy in his poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’? 
                                                                              Or 
Mention any four things of beauty that add joy to our life. 
                                                                                Or 
Describe any three things of beauty mentioned in the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’.

Keats talks about various bounties of nature which act as a source of joy in our lives. These are the sun, the moon, old and new trees, even the simple things like sheep, daffodils, clear springs of water, etc.

Q4.  Mention any two things which cause pain and suffering.

Human beings themselves are responsible for bringing pain and suffering in their lives. Greed, selfishness and loss of faith bring despondency and disappointment which cause us pain and suffering.

Q5. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does he call its drink immortal?
Keats considers the joy provided by nature as a never-ending fountain which uplifts the spirits of humans beings. The beauty of nature is a constant source of pleasure and delight to the human mind and is like an immortal drink from heaven.

Q6. How is a thing of beauty a joy for ever?

According to John Keats, beauty is perennial . It never fades away, rather increases as time passes by. All the beautiful things have the ability to give everlasting pleasure and so are a joy forever.

Q7. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings? 

Or 

What makes human beings love life in spite of all the troubles they face?

It is beautiful things around us which make human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings. This sublimating effect of the bounty of nature keeps the spirit alive and full of love and life and keeps away the gloom caused by sufferings and troubles.


                         EVANS TRIES AN O' LEVEL 

Q8. What did the Detective Superintendent inform Governor about Evans?

Detective Superintendent Carter was told by the Governor to take McLeery along with him to catch Evans. Carter informed the Governor that McLeery had spotted Evans driving off along Elsfield Way. They chased him but lost track of him at the Headington roundabout.

Q9. How was Jackson instrumental in Evans’ escape from the prison?

Jackson was instrumental in Evans’ escape from the prison because he allowed Evans to wear his old cap. Evans told him that it was his lucky hat and due to his compassionate nature, Jackson allowed him to wear the cap which concealed the haircut of Evans. He had cut his hair in the same style as the parson McLeery had.

Q10. Why did Evans insist on wearing his hat, despite Jackson’s orders?

Evans befooled Jackson by telling him that the hat was his lucky charm. He requested him to allow him to wear it as he was going to appear for the examination. In fact, he had hidden his haircut under this cap. But Jackson couldn’t understand his plan and allowed him to wear the cap on compassionate grounds.

Q11.  What was the purpose of the correction slip?

The correction slip served two purposes in the escape plan of Evans. First, it confirmed the name of the hotel Golden Lion where Evans had to reach after his escape. Secondly, it also confirmed the time at which Evans’ paper had started.

Q12. How did the Governor locate Evans in his hotel?

The Governor finally realised that is was McLeery who had escaped and it was Evans who had stayed back in the guise of McLeery. It was foolish to send him out with Detective Carter. The Governor put the index no. and centre no. 312/271 together and derived the pin code of the area. with the help of ordnance map of Oxfordshire he managed to locate Evans’ hotel, Golden Lion.

Q13.  How was Evans able to devise a foolproof plan for his escape from prison as well as procure items for his disguise in spite of severe instruction and strict observation?

As part of his plan to escape the prison, Evans expressed his desire to learn German and passing O-level examination. The prison authority after consulting the board, allowed a tutor to come into the cell and give him tuition in German. In fact, the tutor was part of his team arranging his escape. Evans was to appear for examinations. The test would be given in the prison cell and a priest was arranged as an invigilator. At the end of the test, Evans impersonated as the invigilator McLeery and remained inside the cell, pretending to be injured while the other escaped. In fact, it was the invigilator who had come wearing two coats, two collars, two pairs of spectacles and two false beard and the pig blood in a rubber tube. As a result, in spite of strict vigil by the prison authorities, he was able to escape from the prison.

Q14. What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to the prison, when he caught him at the ‘Golden Lion’? What does this final act of the Governor prove?

The Governor was intelligent and had good analytical power. He very cleverly located the Golden Lion hotel and deciphered Chipping Norton on the map of Oxfordshire. He reached there and caught Evans. Evans was handcuffed and sent back to the prison in the prison van. But here the Governor again did the same mistake as earlier of relying on his staff. He never bothered to cross-check the identity of prison officers. So Evans was taken away by his own friends disguised as the prison officers. And once again Evans escaped leaving the Governor shocked and surprised.

                                     GOING PLACES

Question.1. Why is Sophie attracted to Danny Casey? (Compartment 2014) 

Answer. Danny Casey is a young and successful football player from Ireland. He is also quite handsome, which adds to his popularity among his fans, especially young giris of Sophie’s age. Naturally, Sophie is attracted to him. Besides, her family members are also huge football fans and Casey is a hero for them.

Question.2. How are Jansie and-Sophie different from each other? (Compartment 2014)

Answer. Jansie and Sophie have contrasting characters and an altogether different approach towards life. Jansie is quite practical and her feet are grounded in reality, whereas Sophie is a daydreamer and lives in an imaginary world. Jansie is mature and accepts the truth that people of their stature can only become workers in a biscuit factory. On the other hand, Sophie tries to escape from reality and dreams of becoming an actress, a manager or a fashion designer.

Question.3. Why did Sophie long for her brother’s affection? (All India 2014) 

Answer. 

Sophie found in her brother, Geoff a patient listener to all her fantasies and also one she could conde in. The otjier members of her family and even her friend Jansie made fun of her fantastic stories. This made her quite fond of Geoff. She also looked upon Geoff as someone widely travelled. His world remained a fascination for her and she longed that someday he might take her there. 

Question.1. Has Sophie met Danny Casey? What details of her meeting with Danny Casey did 

Ans: 

 No Sophie has never really met Danny Casey. She has just seen Danny Casey on the eld when she went to watch team United play a football match. There, she was one of the spectators and could see Casey playing only from a distance. However, Sophie lives in an imaginary world. Casey was a young sportstar and Sophie worshiped him as her hero. Her meeting with Casey was just another of her wild fantasies. She was so engrossed in her daydreams that what she imagined seemed real to her. Sophie told her brother Geoff that she met Casey near Royce’s. As she was looking at the clothes, Casey came and stood beside her. She wanted to take his autograph for her younger brother’Derek, but neither of them had a pen or paper. Casey then suggested that they could meet again next week, and then he would also give his autograph.

Question.2. What were Sophie’s plans for her future? Why would you call her dreams unrealistic? 

 Answer. Sophie planned to open a boutique after she passed out of school. When Jansie told her that it would require a lot of money, she said that she would become a manager and save money ! for her boutique. She later also added that she would either become an actress or a fashion designer. For a girl from a lower middle class family such dreams are certainly far from reality. Sophie’s friend Jansie, who is quite practical, knows that they will ultimately have to work in the biscuit factory. She even dissuades Sophie from indulging in such childish fantasies. Sophie wants to materialise all those things which were simply not possible practically. Never for once in the story does the girl think practically or come out of her dream world.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Good Luck>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Revision Questions from Literature, Chapter wise Test 3

Q1. Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.
 For once on the face of the Earth
 let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
(a) What is the significance of the number ‘twelve’?
(b) Which two activities does the poet want us to stop?
(c) What does the poet mean by ‘let’s not speak in any language’?
(d) Describe the pun in the word, ‘arms’.

(a) The number ‘twelve’ signifies the time frame which the poet wants the people to follow in order to introspect and remain still.
 (b) The poet wants us to stop speaking and moving our arms. ‘Arms’ means limbs as well as weapons. Destructive activities against man and nature as well as the green wars and the wars with weapons should halt.
(c) The poet means that let us keep calm and let there be peace. Let no one speak, just get a moment of introspection.
(d) The pun in the word ‘arms’ is that we use our arms while speaking. Arms also stand for weapons that are used in war.

Q2. ...perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
 (a) How can we bring about a ‘huge silence’?
 (b) Why is silence called ‘huge’?
(c) What do we do for lack of understanding?
(d) What does this lack ultimately lead to?

(a) We can bring about a ‘huge silence’, if people get together and stop all harmful activities to achieve that remarkable moment.
 (b) It is called ‘huge’ as it refers to the silence created together by people as also the stopping of all destructive activities will make this silence seem ‘huge’.
 (c) We are focused on our material success, engrossed in fulfilling our ambitions and to achieve these we indulge in mindless, harmful, destructive activities.
 (d) This lack ultimately leads to self-destruction. Man is doomed as he is discontented, sad and frustrated despite the material gain.

Q3. It would be an exotic moment
 without rush, without engines,
we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
(a) What would be an exotic moment? Why?
(b) Who is the poet speaking to?
(c) What is the present situation of the world that forces the poet to make this request?
(d) What does the phrase ‘sudden strangeness’ mean in the poem?

(a) Keeping quiet for a moment would be an exotic moment. It would be a moment when nobody will move and be part of rat-race. It will be exotic as this moment will give us a chance to introspect.
 (b) The poet is speaking to all human beings on the earth irrespective of their country, caste, religion, class or profession.
 (c) The present situation is full of negativity and aggression. Everybody seems to be rushing for selfish pursuits and creating an environment of destruction.
(d) ‘Sudden strangeness’ means that sudden halt to all destructive activities would be strange but fruitful.

Q4. Those who prepare green wars,
 wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
 would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers…

 (a) Explain: ‘wars with gas, wars with fire’.
 (b) Why does the poet call it a ‘victory with no survivors’?
 (c) Who will put on clean clothes? What does the poet want to convey?
 (d) What does the poet want these people to do?

(a) ‘Wars with gas, wars with fire’ refers to new technologies that are used to fight each other and which lead to total destruction.

(b) This will be a victory with no survivors because the war using atomic and nuclear weapons will bring total destruction for one and all and nobody will survive to celebrate the victory.

 (c) The people who are instrumental and are involved in various conflicts in the world are the people the poet is referring to. The poet wants these people to give up all their destructive practices and be clean and clear in their heart and work for humanity.

 (d) The poet wants these people to stop all conflicts and wars and walk about with their fellow brethren in goodwill doing nothing.


Q5. Which symbol from nature does the poet invoke that there can be life under apparent stillness?

The poet uses ‘Earth’ as a symbol to invoke that there can be life after apparent stillness. The Earth seems ‘still’ from outside but is alive and vibrant deep within. Similarly, our silence can help us to maintain a harmonious life on Earth and stop destruction.

Q6. Why does one feel a sudden strangeness on counting to twelve and keeping quiet?

When one keeps quiet and stops all his selfish actions and takes a break from the monotonous routine, one gets time to introspect and analyse one’s actions. This brings a feeling of sudden strangeness because we never take a break from hectic activity and continuous talk.

Q7. Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’?

The poet refers to the exotic moment when everyone would be silent and still and there would be no noise or mad race. It will evoke an environment of peace and quietness with no conflicts, quarrels, agreements or wars. This moment will bring a sense of togetherness among all human beings.

Q8. What is the sadness the poet refers to in the poem “Keeping Quiet”?

The poet refers to the sadness which all human beings experience because of the lifestyle of nonstop work, stress, aggression and destructions. This sadness comes because man does not understand themselves.

Q9. How can suspension of activities help?
The suspension of activities will help us to introspect. It will provide an insight into the mad rush and selfish actions we indulge in. When we all are able to ponder and analyse our own actions and attitude, we will develop mutual understanding and realise the importance of co-existence.

Q 10. Why is Pablo Neruda against total inactivity?
The poet is against total inactivity because it means death, whereas the poet has firm belief in life. He only wishes us to introspect and take a break from the hectic, aimless life.

Q11. What does the poet want all the perpetrators of war to do?

The poet wants them to make their conscience clean from the envy and selfish motives. They should stop fighting and develop an understanding of peace among the human beings.

Q12. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute?

Rajkumar Shukla was a poor, illiterate peasant from Champaran. When he came to know that Gandhi was in Lucknow, he decided to meet him and ask him to help the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He requested Gandhi to come to Champaran but Gandhi was not free. He had appointments in Cawnpore and in other parts of India. Shukla followed him everywhere and even to his Ashram at Ahmedabad and urged him to fix a date. Finally Gandhi had to agree to visit Champaran. This clearly shows that Shukla was resolute.

Q13. What made the Lieutenant Governor drop the case against Gandhiji?
The Lieutenant Governor had to drop the case against Gandhiji after realising the support of the masses that he had. When Gandhiji arrived in the court in response to the summous he was served, the town of Motihari was filled with large crowds. The British officials felt helpless and had to take Gandhiji’s help to control the mob. Fearing the consequences, the case was postponed and later dropped.

Q14. Why did Gandhiji oppose when his friend Andrews offered to stay in Champaran and help the peasants?
                                                                             Or
Why was Gandhiji opposed to C.F. Andrews helping him in Champaran?

Gandhiji opposed when his friend Andrews offered to stay in Champaran to help the peasants because he wanted the people of Champaran to be self-reliant. He wanted them not to depend on others to win their battle but build up their self-confidence. He did not want the support of an Englishman as a prop for his cause.

Why did Gandhi tell the court that he was involved in a ‘conflict of duties’?

Gandhiji told the court that he was involved in a ‘conflict of duties’. On the one hand, he did not want to be a lawbreaker but, on the other hand, couldn’t ignore his humanitarian and national service as demanded by his conscience. He told the court that finally he had decided to listen to the voice of his conscience and help the poor peasants of Champaran.

Why did Gandhi feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?

Gandhi felt that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless. He believed that where the peasants were so crushed and fear-stricken, law courts were useless. The real relief for them would be to be free from fear.

“The battle of Champaran is won.” When and why did Gandhiji utter these words?

The eminent lawyers from the nearby areas came to help Gandhiji. They decided to go back in case Gandhiji was arrested. At this Gandhiji made them to realise their duty towards the peasants. They realised that it would be shameful for them to leave these peasants at a time when a stranger was ready even to go to jail for them. So they all approached Gandhiji and said that they would accompany him to jail. At this point, Gandhiji said, “The battle of Champaran is won.”

Why did Gandhi protest against the delay in the trial?

Gandhi protested against the delay in the trial as the prosecutor had asked for postponment of the trial. Gandhi read a statement pleading guilty and asked for the due penalty. But the magistrate announced that he would pronounce sentence after a recess and asked Gandhi to furnish a bail but Gandhi refused. In fact, Gandhi wanted the victory of civil disobedience which finally happened when the case was dropped.

What did Gandhiji do for social and cultural upliftment of the people of Champaran?

Gandhiji was not content with the large political or economic solution. He wanted to do something for the social and cultural backwardness of Champaran. He appealed to teachers and his disciples Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh came with their wives, primary schools were opened in six villages. His son and wife Kasturba also joined him. He arranged for a volunteer doctor and his wife took care of personal hygiene and cleanliness.

What kind of atmosphere is created by Mr. Lamb to look welcoming and invite people to him?

Mr. Lamb has a very positive attitude to life. He keeps the door of his home open to welcome people into his house. He always speaks in a positive manner. Many children come to his garden to steal apples. He never rebukes them but wants to talk and spend time with them to overlook the mischiefs of others. He never gets annoyed or disturbed over the comments of children who call him ‘Lamey Lamb’. He accepts life as it comes to him. He never puts curtains on his windows and makes toffees and jelly for others. As a lonely man, Mr. Lamb wants to have company. He never discloses his loneliness to anybody and always speaks encouraging words. It is due to the welcoming attitude of Mr. Lamb that Derry promised to return to his garden.