Jul 10, 2020

If Thou Must Love Me Sonnet XIV Reference to the Context Class 9 & 10 ICSE

1-" If thou must love me, let it be for nought ..... A sense of pleasant ease on such a day."
Question a. What does the speaker mean by saying let it be for not? How does the speaker want her lover to love her?

Answer a. The poet asks her lover not to love her for the sake of apparent love. She wants her lover to love her with genuine and unconditional affection.

Question b. What are the things she does not want to be loved for?

Answer b.The poet does not want to be loved for her superficial qualities like smile and good looks and way of speaking and so on.

Question c. What is the reason for asking her lover not to love her for those particular traits?

Answer c. The poet feels that if he loves her for her superficial attributes then the love would diminish when her superficial qualities will fade away.

Question d. Give the meaning of: 1- For a trick of thought.2-A sense of pleasant ease on such a day.

Answer d.1: A particular way of thinking which may mislead a person.2: The poetess asks him not to love for the qualities which certainly give him a sense of comfort on a particular day.

2-"For these things in themselves, Beloved, may..... Maybe an unwrought so."
Question a. What are these things referred to in the above lines?

Answer a. The given extract 'these things' are referred to as the external qualities of the poet.

Question b. What is meant by main / be changed, or change for thee?

Answer b.The love for her by the lover would change with the change in the beauties of the poetess.

Question c. Why doesn't the speaker want to be affected by these changes?

Answer c.The speaker does not want to be affected by these changes because the supervision attributes fade away with time.

Question d. What is the theme of the poem?

Answer d.The theme of the poem is unconditional love. She wants to be loved unconditionally without being loved for any superficial attributes by her lover because she knows that true love lasts long.

Question e. What is meant by love so got / maybe unwrought so?

Answer e.The poetess states that the love which she has obtained from her lover may be because of her artificial attributes. These attributes are superficial things that will one day decline from her face and body. Then the love which she has acquired will start to diminish. The love will become unwrought because her beauty will fade away.

3-"Neither love me for....... thy comfort long and lose the love thereby."
Question a. What is referred to by dear pity? What is meant by wiping my cheeks dry?

Answer a. The poet tells her lover not to love her out of pity he feels for her. The clause "wiping my cheeks dry" means To wipe out the tears shedding from our eyes from her cheek.

Question b. Who is the creature referred to in the above lines? Why is it so called?

Answer b.The creature referred to in the above lines is the poet. By comparing herself to a creature, she is alluding to something similar to an animal which instantly invokes human compassion for itself.

Question c. Suppose the creatures for kids to be what will be its effects on her lover?

Answer c.If the creature forgets to weep then it would not invoke in him any pity for her and she would lose his love for her.

Question d. For whom is the word dye used in the above lines?

Answer d.The word "thy" is used for the lover of the poetess.

Question e. What is the trait that the poet does not want to be loved for in the given lines?

Answer e.The poet does not want her to be loved for pity.

4-"But love me for love's shake that evermore thou mayst love on, true love eternity."
Question a. Why does the poet want to be love in a particular way?

Answer a. The poet does not want to be loved on any superficial background like her beauties and out of compassion. She wants to be loved unconditionally throughout her life.

Question b. What is meant by true love eternity?

Answer b.She wants love for her eternal.

Question c. How has love been personified in the above lines?

Answer c.Love is personified in the poem when the speaker says love to shake and love eternity. love in the literal sense is an abstract Idea, therefore it cannot have a time frame or possession.

Question d. With reference to the poem, state how the poem is a sonnet.

Answer d. The poem if thou must love me is a sonnet. It consists of 14 lines which are lyrical in nature and possesses a formal rhyming scheme in iambic pentameter. However, the material of the sonnet does not adhere to the Petrarchan convention where the problem is given in the octave part and the solution is present in the sestet part. In this poem, the problem overflows from the octave to the sestet part and a solution occurs in the last two lines. It can be stated that the sonnet is a hybrid of both Petrarchan and Shakespearean conventions. Regarding the rhyming pattern, it follows Petrarchan octet and sestet. But in the content experience structure of three quatrains and a couplet have been employed. Does on the basis of the above-given analysis, if thou must love me can be said a sonnet.

Jul 2, 2020

A Little Grain Of Gold Question and Answers Class 4 ICSE

Question 1.Why does the poet compare the golden chariot in the distance to a gorgeous dream?

Answer 1.The poet compared the golden chariot in the distance to a gorgeous dream because the chariot was extremely beautiful and the owner of the chariot will provide him alms.

Question 2. Why does the poet call the rider on the chariot king of all kings?

Answer 2.The poet call the rider on the chariot king of all kings because he expected that all his poverty days will come to an end when arms will be given to him unasked from the owner of the chariot.

Question 3. What makes the poet's hopes rise on seeing the visitor on the chariot?

Answer 3.The poet's hope rises on saying the visitor of the chariot because he will provide him the means which will end his poverty.

Question 4. Why is the poet filled with sorrow on discovering the grain of gold?

Answer 4.

Question 5. Where did the chariot stop?

Answer 5.The chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous dream and the poet wonddered who was this king of all kings.

Question 6. Why did the man think his evil days were at an end?

Answer 6.The man thought thought that his evil days where at an end because he felt that his luck of life had come to him which will end his poverty .

Question 7. What does kingly JEST mean?Who said what hast thou to give to me?

Answer 7.The meaning of kingly JEST is royal joke.The given line had been said by the king to the beggar.

1-"The chariot stopped where I stood. Thy glance fell on me and thou camest down with a smile .I felt that the luck of my life had come at last. Then all of a sudden thou didst hold out the right hand and say what the has to give to me."
Question a. Where did the chariot stop?

Answer a.The chariot appeared in the distance like a gorgeous.

Question b. Who came down with a smile?

Answer b.The rider of the chariot who is the king came down with a smile.

Question c. What did he feel?

Answer c.The speaker felt that the luck of his life had come at last.

Question d. The speaker felt that the luck of his life had come at last.

Answer d.The poet took out little grain of corn and give it to the king.

2-"But how great my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor to find a least little grain of gold among the poor heap. I bitterly wept and waste that I had had the heart to give thee my all."
Question a. What was the surprise?

Answer a.The surprise was that the king asked something from the beggar to give to him.

Question b. Why did the poet weep?

Answer b.The poet wept because he offered little amount of grain which turned to gold. If he had provided a larger amount then it would have turned into gold.

Question c. Name the poem and its poet.

Answer c.Name the poem and its poet.

3-" My hopes rose high and me thought my evil days where at an end and I stood waiting for arms to be given an asked and for wealth scattered on all sides in the dust."
Question a. Why did the speakers hopes rise high?

Answer a.The speaker's hopes rose high because the visitor from the chariot would provide him alms that would end his poor days.

Question b. What was the speaker waiting for?

Answer b.The speaker was waiting for the alms given to him asked from the king.

Question c. Which word in the above line means something unpleasant?

Answer c.The word in the above lines which means something unpleasant is evil.

Question d. What does "at and end means"?

Answer d.The words at an end means that it has come to an end.

4-"Ah what a kingly just was it to open diaper to a beggar to beg I was confused and stood and decided and then from my wallet I slowly took out the least little grain of corn and give it to thee."
Question a. What does kingly jest mean?

Answer a.Kingly jest means joke which is royal.

Question b. Why was the speaker confused?

Answer b.The speaker was confused because the king asked alms from him.

Question c. What did he take out from his wallet?

Answer c.The poet took out a little grains of corn from his wallet.

Question d. Which figure of speech is used in the above lines?

Answer d.The figure of speech used in the above lines is alliteration that is present in the words beggar to bed and the least little grain.

The House On the Heath Questions and Answers Class 4 ICSE

QUESTION ANSWER Question 1.Where the chase children arrived after their journey?

Answer 1. The Chase children arrived in London on a cold, wet dark evening after their journey from the north.

Question 2. What were their expectations after arriving in London?

Answer 2.Children expected to be met at the station but no one was there for them. They waited and waited, while the evening grew darker and their toes and noses colder.

Question 3. What are the name of the children? State their condition on arriving in London?

Answer 3.The chase children are four in numbers. Sally, elder girl put her pet dog Snippet inside her coat to keep him warm but he still shivered. Kiwi, a boy stood on the sides of his feet and hung his head, like a tired pony. John seems to be the eldest who frowned and Jinny was the youngest of them all.

Question 4. What did the Children do after waiting for long?

Answer 4. After waiting for a long time, John took the decision at last to take a taxi.

Question 5. Where were their destination after arriving in London?

Answer 5.The children wanted to reach their Grandfather's house which was their destination.

Question 6. What was the name of their Grandfather's house?

Answer 6.The name of their grandfather's house was Ringer's Roost.

Question 7. Where was Ringer's Roost situated?

Answer 7.The Ringer's Roost was situated on Hampstead Heath.

Question 8. What did the Children do after reaching their destination?

Answer 8.After reaching their destination, children did not waste their time and tried to figure out where they were present. The heath was dark and unfriendly. A lamp post shining nearby showed them the name, they had thought they would never see that night-Ringer's Roost.

1-Reference to the context:" We will have to take a taxi. At last it will make a beastly great hole in our hole funds but it's the only thing."
Question a. Who said this to whom?

Answer a.The given lines are said by John to Kiwi, Sally and Jinny.

Question b. Why John decided to take a taxi?

Answer b.John decided to take a taxi because they had no option other than waiting at the London station or taking a cab. Therefore John took the decision of taking a taxi because they were fed up with waiting there.

Question c. Were the chase children successful in getting a taxi ?

Answer c.Yes the chase children were successful in getting a taxi.

Question d. Where did they want to reach?

Answer d. The children wanted to reach their grandfather's house which was situated on hampstead heath named ringers roost.

Question e. What was the behaviour of the taxi driver?

Answer e.The behaviour of the taxi driver was very rude towards the children however somehowthey convinced him to take them to hampstead heath.

2-"A lamp post shining nearby showed them the name they had thought they would never see that night- Ringers Roost."
Question a. How did the cab driver behave with the children when they reached hampstead heath?

Answer a.When they've reached the Hampstead heath the taxi driver reply to them in a very cruel manner well it's not and you would better get out of my cab and find it he dumped their suitcases on the road and snatched the pound note which Sally was clutching.

Question b. What decision was taken by John?

Answer b.John took a very sensible decision not to waste any time there talking and to find their grandfather's house ringers roost.

Question c. Were they successful in finding the ringers roost?

Answer c.yes the children were successful in finding their grandparents house which they hoped they would not see that night.

Question d. Who fumbled for the bell and pressed hard?

Answer d.John fumbled for the bell and press it hard.

Question e. What was the condition of the house ringers roost?

Answer e.The Ringer's roost was situated on dark and unfriendly hampstead heath when John fumbled for the bell and pressed hard there was no one in the house the letter which their mother had written to their grandfather was line in the letter box.

Jul 1, 2020

9. Hindi meaning of Official Words in English ऑफिस में प्रयोग होने वाले ...

Jun 29, 2020

My Childhood Question Answer Class 4 ICSE

Question 1.Which line in the lesson tells us that life in those days was simple?

Answer 1. The line that tells us that life in those days was simple , " The standard of living was then, as a whole, much more simple than it is now."

Question 2. What did the servants do to save themselves from troubles?

Answer 2.The children were under the rule of the servants . To save themselves from troubles they suppressed their right of free movement.

Question 3. When did the Children complain?

Answer 3.The children never complained for being less properly dressed except when old Niyamat, the tailor, would forget to put a pocket into one of their tunics.

Question 4. Why does the writer say, "Nothing ever came so easily to us"?

Answer 4.The elders of the children used to maintain a distance from them. They were beyond their reach. Children hardly used to spend time with them. So, certain desirable things were obtained by them in difficulty.

Question 5. What was Rabindranath Tagore afraid of?

Answer 5.One of the servant of the author's house Shyam would put him into a selected spot, tracing a chalk line all round, warned him seriously and threatened him with a uplifted finger of going beyond that ring. The author was afraid of going beyond the ring because of his thoughts regarding SITA who went through troubles due to crossing the ring drawn by Lakshman.

Question 6. Who would squeeze out his wet towy over his head?

Answer 6.One of the neighbors would prevent complete immersion in the water butbe content with only squeezing his wet towel repeatedly over his head.

Question 7. .Once the bathing place was silent, who remained there?

Answer 7.Once the bathing place was silent, ducks would remain there, paddling about after water snails, or by preening their feathers, the livelong day.

Jun 22, 2020

Reference to the Context Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Class 9 & 10 ICSE

1-"Whose Woods these are I think I know His house is in the village ..... To watch his Woods fill up with snow. "
Question a. Whose woods are referred to in the above lines question mark why has the speaker stopped by the Woods?

Answer a.The neighbour's wood has been referred in the given lines. The beauty of the woods were very enchanting and so the speaker stopped by the wood.

Question b. Who will not see the speaker stopping by the woods? The woods are lovely, but its owner stays in his house in the village. Comment on this situation.

Answer b.In the given extract a coldest evening has been referred by the poet. The real owner of the Woods chose to stay at home covered in his blanket and protected, unlike the speaker who decided to venture in the woods and enjoy its beauty.

Question c. What do the words:woods and the village symbolise in the poem?

Answer c.In the given extract woods symbolizes pleasing enjoyment, the darkness of ignorance as well as the dark in a man. The word village has been used to create a contrast between nature that is devoted and civilization that is the house in the village. The woods are attractive but its owner does not enjoy its beauty he is far away in his house in the village.

Question d. Where exactly is the poet standing? What is his attitude towards the Woods?

Answer d.The poet is standing along a country road to watch the snowfall in the woods.He is delighted by the enchanting natural beauty of the woods. He gazes into the soft, silent whiteness of the forest.

Question e. Do you think that the poet is happy with less lonely state in the woods? Give reason for your answer.

Answer e.Yes, I think the poet is happy with his lonely state in the woods. He gazes into the soft, silent witness of the frost and is tempted to stay on and on.

Question f. By referring to the whole poem, state how far frost is a poet of nature.

Answer f.Frost's poetry is entirely free from conventional and artificial elements. He captures the simplicity and naturalness in the poetry. Frost is seen appreciating the snowfall in the woods. To enjoy its beauty he stops along the country road. He describes the woods as lovely, dark, and deep. The beauty of the Woods mesmerizes the heart of the speaker.

2- "My little horse must think it queer.... The darkest evening of the year."
Question a. Where has the horse stopped? Why has the horse stopped there?

Answer a.The poet has stopped his horse by the country road.The horse has stopped due to his master's order.

Question b. What does the horse consider as strange? Why?

Answer b.The poet stops by the wood to enjoy the snowfall as per his desire which the horse considered as a very strange thing as there is no farmhouse and that to standing in the darkest evening of the year. The horse thinks that there is some mistake in stopping by the woods.

Question c. What is meant by the darkest evening of the year? What does the darkness suggest in the poem?

Answer c.The darkest evening of the year meant that in late December when it is biting cold there is foolishness to stand near the Woods. The darkness stands for mystery.

Question d. Give the main theme of the poem. Explain how the poet has carried out this theme in the poem.

Answer d.The horse though an animal has been transformed to human ways of acting. He is totally impatient and needs a place of business that is a farmhouse. Here the farm house is a symbol of civilization.

Question e. Take another symbolic levelcoma what do the horse and the farmhouse represent?

Answer e.The title leads to the theme of the poem that is the basic conflict between an attraction towards nature and pull of responsibility.The poet praises the beauty of the woods but his responsibility of his duty did not let him to praise and enjoy the enchanting beauty of the woods. His horse also acknowledges him about his duty by shaking his bell around the neck.

3-"He gives his harness bells a shake..... Of easy wind and downy flake."
Question a. Who is he referred to in the first line of the extract? Why does he shake his harness bells?

Answer a.The horse is referred to as he in the poem. He shakes his hardness well as the things there is some mistake in standing in the Woods.

Question b. What does he consider as a mistake? Why is it said to be a mistake?

Answer b.He considers that the traveler has made a mistake to stop at a place where there is no source of rest and food. The horse is impatient to carry on the journey whereas the traveler desires to stop.

Question c. Give the meaning of the following: the only other sound sweep of easy wind and downy flake

Answer c.The sweep of the winds provides ease and comfort and the soft caress of the downy flake provides pleasure.

Question d. What is the effect on the speaker of the shaking of the harness bells and the sleeping sound of the wind ?

Answer d.The horse gives a shake to his bells to get his master's attention. The horse things they have stopped by mistake along the road. The poet acknowledges the duty to be fulfilled and the only other sounds are of slight wind and of falling snow.

Question e. How has the poet created an atmosphere of isolation and mystery in the poem?

Answer e.Nature too helps him to make things even lonely for it happens to be freezing cold,snowy and dark. There is complete silence and the only sounds of harness bells and sweeping wind are heard.

4-"The woods are lovely dark and deep..... and miles to go before I sleep."
Question a. Why does the speaker consider the woods are lovely dark and deep? Why can't the poet enjoy the natural scenery in the world?

Answer a.The word 'lovely' suggests the beauty and allure of the place and the words 'dark and deep' suggest the mysterious attraction of the dark deep wood. The poet cannot enjoy beauty due to his responsibility.

Question b. What are the promises referred to by the speaker in the poem? Explain the two meanings of the word sleep.

Answer b.The promises of fulfilling the duty is referred to here in the given extract. sleep is symbolic of a deserved reward which the poet achieves after keeping his promises. The sleep would also be interpreted as yearning for death.

Question c. How do you think that the woods act as an obstacle for keeping his promises?

Answer c.The woods are attracting the poet by its beauty and therefore he wants to enjoy the beauty which is becoming obstacle for keeping his promises. 4d-give the symbolic meaning of the last two lines of the extract.

Question d. Give the symbolic meaning of the last two lines of the extract.

Answer d.Sleep is a symbolic for deserved award which the poet will achieve after keeping his promises, in contrast to the unearned pleasure of looking at the woods. Sleep would also be interpreted as a metaphor for death.

Question e. How can you conclude from the poem that frost is a rural poet?

Answer e.Frost's poem is entirely free from conventional and artificial elements he has succeeded in capturing the simplicity and natural beauty of the Woods.

5-"My little horse must think it queer..... Of easy win and down flake."
Question a. What are the sights and sounds the experiences in the Woods?

Answer a.The poet experiences and enjoy the snowfall of the woods and sound of the sweeping winds.

Question b. What inner conflict in man is expressed in the poem?

Answer b.An inner conflict between nature and civilization has been depicted in the poem.Nature stands for the woods and civilization stands for the village.

Question c. What attracts the poet in the woods on a snowy evening?

Answer c.The poet is attracted by the beauty of the snow fall of the Woods.

Question d. How does the poet interpret the setting of the harness bells of the horse? Give the symbolic meaning of shaking of the harness bells of the horse.

Answer d.The poet introductory the shaking harness bells of the horse as any mistakes made by them by stopping along the country road. The shaking of hands bells symbolizes about the promises of duty.

Question e. How does the extract depict the theme of isolation?

Answer e.The only sound of the wind sweep is hard and hardness well of horse depict the theme of isolation.

Question f. Give the contrasting images of the natural world and the man made world as given in the poem.

Answer f.The natural world attracts the poet very much by its duties that is he is enchanted by the natural beauty of the wood.

Jun 19, 2020

Small Pain in My Chest Reference to the Context Class 9,10 ICSE

1- "The soldier boy was sitting calmly underneath........ figutes on the ground lay still by morning's light"
Question a. Why was the soldier boy sitting underneath a tree during the war?

Answer a.The soldier boy was sitting underneath a tree as he was fatally wounded in the war. He was unable to move on therefore he confined himself to the tree's shade.

Question b. What is meant by 'sitting calmly'?What does it show about the condition of the soldier?

Answer b.The meaning of the given phrase is that the soldier was completely exhausted to move on about himself, therefore, he sat down calmly underneath the tree. The condition ofd the soldier was tremendously horrifying as war left him so much disabled that he was unable to get up by himself.

Question c. Why does the soldier ask the narrator to come near him?

Answer c.The soldier boy asked the narrator to come near him to get some help.

Question d. How can you conclude that 'the battle had been long and hard'?

Answer d.The battle had been long and hard can be concluded by the evidence provided in the poem. The battle had been long can be stated when the soldiers were fighting all the night along with the explosion. It was hard as it caused death of near about all the soldier on the battlefield.

Question e. What does the poet want to convey in the above extract?

Answer e.the poet wanted to convey in the given extract that war cauises agony and suffering to a great extent. therfore war must be avoised at every platform of the political atmosphere.

2-"I wonder if you'd help me, sir , he smiled as......for I have a small pain in my chest"
Question a. Who has been referred to by the soldier as 'sir' in the first line of the extract?Where was he at the time?

Answer a.'Sir' has been referred to the narrator on the battlefield. He was on the battlefield on the present time.

Question b. Why does the narrator say that the soldier'smiled as best he could'? Which trait of the soldier is portrayed by his smiling?

Answer b.The narrator said that the soldier smiled as best as he could because he tried to hide his pain while asking for the service. It portrays that soldiers sacrifice their life for the protection of their country without any regrets on their faces.

Question c. Why does the soldier want 'A sip of water'?

Answer c.The soldier boy wanted a sip of water to get some relief from the pain he was struggling from.

Question d. Why couldn't the soldier take any rest? What does it tell us about the condition of the soldier?

Answer d.The soldier boy couldn't take any rest because of the war that went on all night. moreover, there was an explosion that occurred at night that caused death near about all the soldiers. It tells us that the condition of the soldier was sympathetic because he was unable to get up because of been exhausted in the war.

Question e. Why was the soldier having a pain in his chest? Why does he call it 'small'?

Answer e.The soldier boy was having a pain in his chest because of the wound that he availed in the war. The soldier boy stated the wound small as he was a soldier and for him, no physical injuries should affect him.

3-"A I looked at him,I could see the large stain.......I just have a small pain in my chest"
Question a. What caused the large stain on the soldier's shirt?

Answer a.The large stain was caused due to the blood that ran out from his wound which got mixed well with the Asian dirt.

Question b. Give the meaning of the following: warm blood mixed in with Asian dirt.

Answer b.The meaning of the given line is that the warm blood of the soldier boy got mixed with the dirt during the war.

Question c. What does the soldier mean by saying :"Not much"? Why does he say so?

Answer c.The soldier mean to say that he didnot require much water for relief. He says so because his wound was nothing in comparison to the wounds of his dead soldier colleagues.

Question d. Why does the soldier consider himself more lucky than the rest? What has happened to the rest?

Answer d.The soldier boy considered himself more lucky than the rest because all other soldiers were dead due to the explosion at night but he was still leaving state on that battlefield.

4-"Must be fatigue", he weakly smiled.......I felt this small pain in my chest."
Question a. Why does the soldier say that'Must be fatigue'? What is the reason for his fatigue?

Answer a.The soldier said that it must be fatigue because he was feeling weak due to the injury on his chest. The cause of his fatigue was the constant fighting at the night along with the injury on his chest. Moreover the soldier discharged substantial blood from his injury. All these things were the causes of his pathetic condition.

Question b. Why does the soldier smile weakly? What does it tell about the condition of the soldier?

Answer b.The soldier smiled weakly because he was totally exhausted in the war and was suffering from pain in his chest chest. But though he was suffering from this pain yet he was trying hard to smile to hide his pain.

Question c. Why does the soldier feel that he is getting old?

Answer c.The soldier felt that he was getting old because he was feeling fatigued due to prevention of rest in the war. Moreover he was feeling cold due to the discharge of extensive blood from his chest.

Question d. Explain why the soldier feels cold despite the sun shining brightly?

Answer d.The soldier was feeling cold despite the sun was shining brightly in the sky because he was on the verge og dying due to the fatal wound on his chest.

Question e. Give the meaning of: 'The night exploded'. What was the result of this?

Answer e.The meaning of the given line is that there was an explosion at night in the war. the explosion caused the horrifying death of the troop of soldiers leaving this young soldier on the battlefield.

5- "I'm grateful, sir", he whispered , as I handed my canteen........HERE one day with this pain in my chest?"
Question a. Why does the narrator describe the soldier's smile as the brightest that he has ever seen?

Answer a.The narrator described the soldier's smile as the brightest that he has ever seen because the soldier wanted to express his gratitude to the narrator for providing him water as well as to hid his pain so that it did not become relevant to the narrator.

Question b. What does this extract tell us about the physical condition of the soldier?

Answer b.The soldier was suffering from fatal injuries which he acquired due to the explosion last night on battlefield. He endured the wound the whole night under the tree till the narrator approached the battlefield. His shirt was stained due to the blood that mixed with the dirt. The soldier boy was suffering from fatigue.

Question c. Why does the soldier consider it silly to be defeated by a small pain in his chest?

Answer c.The soldier considered it to be silly to be defeated by a small pain in his chest because being a soldier it was deplorable for him to get up just due to a silly injury.

Question d. What does the soldier think about the reaction his wife and mother would have on seeing him sitting on the battlefield because of a pain in his chest?

Answer d.The soldier felt ashamed of himself to think about his wife as well as mother's reaction. It is because his mother would not have imagined this type of pathetic condition when she had held him to her chest.His wife would have never thought of her young and strong husband getting defeated so easily.

Question e. What does 'HERE' in the last line of the extract signify? What is the mental pain suffered by the young soldier?

Answer e.Here refers to the battlefield in the given poem. The soldier was undergoing a mental pain on the battlefield.

6-"Can it be getting dark so soon?.........Large one in my chest."
Question a. Why does the soldier feel that it is getting dark earlier than it used to be?

Answer a.The soldier felt that it is getting dark earlier than it used to be because the soldier was on the verge of losing life. He was also feeling cold and weak due to the injury in his chest during the war.

Question b. Who is 'he' referred to in the first line of the extract? Why does he wince up at the sun?

Answer b.'He' is being referred to as the soldier in the poem. He winced up at the sun to figure out why it was getting darker in the early morning.

Question c. Give the meaning and significance of the following:1-I think, before I travel on, I'll get a little rest.2-I think I must have cried.

Answer c.Meaning: The meaning of the line is that the soldier wanted to take rest before travelling on. Significance: The soldier was on the verge of dying. :2-I think I must have cried. Ans:Meaning: The soldier thought that he must have cried. Significance: The soldier thought like that because the soldier boy after suffering the pain died pathetically for which the narrator was feeling sorry.

Question d. What does the narrator realise when he pulls the soldier towards him?

Answer d.When the narrator pulled the soldier boy towards himselfhe felt their wounds being pressed with each other.He also realised the gravity of the pain that was being endured by the soldier boy.

Question e. Why does the narrator say that he has a large wound in his heart compared to the small one in soldier's chest?

Answer e.The narrator said that he has a large wound in comparison to the soldier because he was badly hurt by the suffering and ultimate death of the soldier. He would remember this pathetic scene whenever he would recall this incident.

7- "As I looked at him, I could....just have a small pain in my chest"
Question a. How does the expression 'Asian dirt' indicate the venture of war? Mention any two hardships experienced by the soldier.

Answer a.The expression 'Asian dirt' indicate that the venue is Asian continent where the war had taken place. War can be explained as a phenomenon that is characterized by brutality and the agony of soldiers and common mass. This soldier boy had to face hardships like fatal injuries and thirst and hunger. Also, other soldiers lost their lives in this horrible butchery. The condition of the soldier boy states that war must be prevented as much as possible because conflicts or bloodshed can never become a solution for any political problems of the different countries.

Question b. Inspite of his injury why didn't the soldier abandon the battlefield?

Answer b.Despite his injury the soldier boy didn't vacate the place because he thought that it is disgraceful for a young soldier like him who is full of vim and zest was leaving the ground only for a small pain due to an injury in his chest.

Question c. Why is the phrase: a small pain in my chest repeated throughout the poem?

Answer c.The phrase small pain in my chest has been repeated throughout the poem to emphasize the misery, pain and the sufferings of the soldier boy in the bloodshed. not only this young soldier boy but all the soldiers like him had to undergo this struggle of pain and traumatising condition for which they are not responsible too.

Question d. Do you like the way the poem ends? Give two reasons to substantiate your opinion.

Answer d.According to my opinion the ending of the poem is not a good one because it terminated in the sorrowful manner. First of all, war should never be supported because it is always delineated with misery and massacre. Similarly in this poem, Small Pain In My Chest the explosion in the war caused the death of Two hundred young soldiers on the battlefield along with pain and suffering. Also, the soldier boy, in the end, died pathetically due to the wound in his chest. These two reasons substantiate my opinion of dislikeness at the end of the poem.

Question e. Small pain in my chest is an anti-war poem. What message does it give to its readers?

Answer e.The message of the Poem Small pain in my chest is straightforward and simple about the traumatizing effects of war. It brings along with us bloodshed, loss of property, and agony of common mass. At every platform of political problems, war must be prevented and discouraged. the solution of politics should be based on peace and mutual cooperation. Historical records show us that many a time the peaceful solution has protected the world from a terrible conflict. Therefore it is always best to set foot with peace and prosperity.

Kabuliwala Reference to the Context Class 9 & 10 ICSE

1-"Before I could begin to enlighten her on the differences between.........who is Mum to you."
Question a. With reference to the extract, name the father and the daughter. from the daughter's questions, what can you conclude about her character?

Answer a.In the given extract the father is the narrator and Mini is the name of the narrator's daughter. It can be concluded from the daughter's questions that she is a talkative girl always bursting with questions.

Question b. In the story, there are two fathers. Compare them as far as their professions are concerned.

Answer b.The two fathers in the story are the narrator and Rahmat. The narrator is an author by profession whereas Rahamat is a pedlar who used to bring seasonal goods from his own country.

Question c. Whichis one of the most important traits of the daughter'sn character?How does her father react to?

Answer c.The most important traits of the daughter's character are that she is talkative and always in questioning mood. The narrator states that his daughter has not wasted a single moment of her life remaining silent.

Question d. What was the father doing when the daughter entered his room? How does the father that he is patient with his daughter?

Answer d.The father had started writing the seventeenth chapter of his novel, the moment his daughter Mini entered the room. The father shows that he is patient with his daughter by listening to her volley of questions without saying anything and later joining her prattle.

Question e. What is the main theme of the story,'The Kabuliwala'?

Answer e.The main theme of Kabuliwala is human relationship that exists on differt levels. The relationship between father and his daughter, represented by the narrator and his daughter, between Kabuliwala and Mini, Kabuliwala and his daughter, mini's relationship with her mother who is quite protective of her daughter.

2-"A few days later, as I was leaving the house in the morning.......at the loose end of her small sari."
Question a. Who is the speaker here?Why is he startled to see Mini laughing and talking with the great Kabuliwala?

Answer a.The narrator is the speaker here in the given extract. He was startled to see Mini laughing and talking with Kabuliwala because initially she feared him.

Question b. Who is the Kabuliwala?Describe his appearance.

Answer b.The Kabuliwala was a pedlar, who used to bring dry fruits and other goods from his country, Afghanistan. Kabuliwala was a tall, shabilly dressed Afghan who used to bwear turban on her head.

Question c. Describe the first meeting between Mini and the Kabuliwala.

Answer c.The first meeting between Mini and Kabuliwala happened when she called him to her house.But when Kabuliwala came she got frightened and ran inside.She came only when her father called her out.When she recieved the offer of some raisins and apricots she refused to take them.

Question d. How does Mini overcome her fear of the Kabuliwala?

Answer d.mini overcame her fear of Kabuliwala when she was called out from inside the house to meet Kabuliwala.He offered some dry fruits to her.

Question e. How much does the narrator pay to the Kabuliwala for the almonds and raisins given to Mini as gifts?What does the Kabuliwala do with the money?

Answer e.The narrator paid half a rupee to Kabuliwala for almonds and raisins which the pedlar returned back to Mini.

Question f. How does this money cause trouble for the girl?Who saves her from the emerging problem?

Answer f.When Kabuliwala returned the money back paid to him by Mini's father, Mini mother got annoyed on her without actually confirming the whole matter. Mini was rescued by her father from her mother by taking her out for a walk.

3-"After living for so many years in this world..........she asked me a few pointed questions."
Question a. What fear is referred to in the extract?

Answer a.Mini's mother feared the world like a silly woman. She considered that the world is full of htieves, bandits, drunkards, malaria and crockroaches.

Question b. Why is the lady not able to overcome the fear?

Answer b.The lady is not able to overcome the fear because she has been hearing about instances of child abductions, theft and robbery sbout the welfare of her family.

Question c. Why is she full of suspicion about the kabuliwala?

Answer c.Mini's mother is full of suspicion about Kabuliwala because she has heard tales of child abduction and robbery prevalent in Afghanistan.

Question d. What is her reaction to her daughter's accepting things from the kabuliwala?

Answer d.The lady was annoyedat her daughter's act of accepting money from a stranger.She had the fear that Kabuliwalaa was trying to befriend her daughter by giving her gifts.

Question e. What are the'pointed questions' that the lady asks the narrator?

Answer e.THe'pointed questions' hurled by lady on the narrator included-"Were there no instances of child abduction?, was not slave trade in practice in Afghanistan? and was it not easy for Kabuliwala to kidnap Mini?".

Question f. What is the narrator's response to her doubts? does he succeed in allaying her fear?

Answer f.The narrator had to agree to the doubts of his wife because her doubts were not impossible No he did not exceed in allaying her wife's fear.

4-"Rahamat was in the midst of hurling abuse in obscene.........be going to your in-laws house?"
Question a. Who is the dishonest man?Why is Rahamat hurling abuses at him?

Answer a.The dishonest man was the narrator's neighbour who had brought a Rampuri shawl from the kabuliwala on credit. Rahmat was hurling abuses at him because when he asked for his payment for the shawl,the man denied having bought a shawl.

Question b. What is the usual exchange referred to in the extract?

Answer b.The usual exchange refers to mini's questioning Kabuliwala about the contents in his bag.

Question c. What does the Kabuliwala reply to Mini's question?

Answer c.When Mini asked Kabuliwala if he was going to his in laws house to which he replied he was going right there only.

Question d. What crime is the Kabuliwala charged with?How is he punished for the wrong done?

Answer d.Kabuliwala was charged of murder. He was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment for his crime.

Question e. What time of year is it?Describe the weather?

Answer e.It was the end of winter season. The weather was freezing cold and almost unbearable especially in the morning hours with little warmth after the sunrise.

5-"There was a lotn of hubbub in the house since visitors....... stood before me with a salaam."
Question a. Whose house is being referred to here?What is the reason for the noise and bustle pervading it?

Answer a.The narrator's house is being referred to in the extract. The noise and bustle persuading the house is because of the narrator's daughter wedding.

Question b. Describe briefly the scene at the house.

Answer b.There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the house because of the narrator's daughter wedding.The visitors were continuously walking in and out. A tent was being put in the courtyard of the house. The sound produced by the chandeliers being put up in the verandah. The wedding music was being played in the house since dawn.

Question c. Describe Rahamat's physical features at this point of time.

Answer c.Rahmat's physical features had changed in the eight years he had been in prison.He no longer possessed his long hairand his old vigour.The usual bag he carried on his shoulder was almost missing.

Question d. Why couldn't the narrator recognise him first?How did he recognise him a little later?

Answer d.The narrator could not recognise him first because his looks had changed from what it used to be eight years ago.He did not have his long hair , his old vigour and the bag on his shoulder. The narrator recognised him from his smile.

Question e. Where has Rahamat come from?How did the narrator treat him?State why the narrator does not like his visit to the house.

Answer e.Rahmat had come from jail after being released from the prison. The narrator was little annoyed with Kabuliwala and asked him to come on some another day.

Question f. What was Rahamat's reaction to the treatment given to him in the narrator's house?

Answer f.Rahmat was little hut by the indifferent attitude of the narrator and was stunned on hearing that he would not be able to meet Mini, as she was getting married that day.

6-"Every year Rahamat came to peddle merchandise on the streets of ........he was a father and so was I."
Question a. what is referred to as the' memorabilia of his daughter' ? Why does the Kabuliwala carry it with himself?

Answer a.The impression of the hand of Kabuliwala's daughter ona piece of paper, created with burnt charcoal was the memorabilia of his own daughter. Kabuliwala carried it with himself as a mark of love and remeembrance from his daughter.

Question b. What are some of the 'merchandise' that the Kabuliwala sells in the streets of Calcutta?

Answer b.The merchandise that was sold by Kabuliwala on the streets of Calcutta included dry fruits like almonds, raisins and apricots.

Question c. What has the Kabuliwala requested of the speaker? Does the speaker accept his request/Give a reason for your opinion.

Answer c.Kabuliwala requested the speaker to hand over the grapes and raisins which he has brought for Mini. The speaker accepted Kabuliwala's request because he realized a father longing for his daughter and that kabuliwala saw a reflection of his own daughter in Mini.

Question d. Why is the Kabuliwala shocked when MIni finally appears before him?

Answer d.Kabuliwala was shocked when Mini finally appeared before him. it is because the little chirping girl had grown into a young beautiful girl and was dressed up like a bride.

Question e. What realisation dawns upon the Kabuliwala when he sees Mini?

Answer e.On seeing Mini, it dawnwd on Kabuliwala that his own daughter at home away in Afghanistan must have grown up like Mini.

Question f. Explain how the narrator helps the Kabuliwala.

Answer f.The narrator helped Kabuliwala by cutting down the expenses of his daughter's wedding and providing the money to Rahmat so that he can return to his home again.

Question g. What was common to the Kabuliwala and the narrator?

Answer g.Both tha narrator and kabuliwala are doting fathers to their daughters. Both of them also suffer the pangs of separation from their daughters. Kabuliwala got separated from his daughter when he was imprisoned in jail for eight years whereas the narrator was about to be separated from his daughter.

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