MY MOTHER AT SIXTY-SIX

1. looked out at Young

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes, but after the airport’s
security check, standing a few yards
away, I looked again at her, wan, pale
as a late winters moon and felt that old
familiar ache,... ... ...
i. The phrase ‘Trees sprinting’ refers to _____.
ii. The poet’s another glance at her mother’s face filled her with the feeling of _____.
(a) anxiety and fear (b) only fear (c) sadness and guilt (d) only guilt
iii. The mother’s pale face is compared to the _____.
iv. The literary device used by the poet in the following line is _____.
... as a late winter’s moon and felt that old familiar ache, ...
(a) personification (b) allegory (c) simile (d) onomatopoeia
v. What did the poet do after the security check?
vi. Which option lists the statement that is not true according to the extract?
(a) When the poet looks at the passing green trees and young children, the world around her appears young and energetic.
(b) The poet describes the youthful scenery of the world to underscore the nature years of her mother.
(c) The beautiful scenery outside distracted the poet from her thoughts for a while.
(d) Looking at the sprinting trees the poet desires for the long life of her mother.

2. ... but soon put that thought away,

and looked out at young trees sprinting,
the merry children spilling out of their homes.
i. The above extract has been taken from _____.
ii. The poet started looking out at the young trees to _____.
iii. In the above extract, the young sprinting trees signify.
1. energy 2. fast pace of life 3. youthfulness 4. life 5. death
(a) 2, 4 and 5 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 3, 4 and 5
iv. Which thought did the poet put away?
v. The phrase ‘merry children’symbolizes
1. Pain 2. Nostalgia 3. Happiness 4. Sluggishness 5. Vitality 6. Exuberance
(a) 3, 5 and 6 (b) 1, 2, and 4 (c) 4 and 5 (d) only 6
vi. What is the most likely reason the poet capitalised ‘Young Trees’? This was to
(a) Convey a clearer meaning. (b) Highlight the adj.-noun combination.
(c) Enhance the contrast. (d) Draw a connection with the title.

3. Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday morning,

I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed,
her face ashen like that of a corpse and realized with pain that
she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away...
i. Choose the option that best applies to the given extract.
1. a conversation 2. an argument 3. a piece of advice 4. a strategy 5. a recollection
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 (c) only 5 (d) only 1
ii. Choose the book title that perfectly describes the condition of the poet’s mother.
(a) You’re Only Old Once by Dr. Seuss (b) The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister
(c) Somewhere Towards the End by Diana Athill (d) The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa
Perry
iii. Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below.
Assertion : The poet wards off the thought of her mother getting old quickly.
Reason : The poet didn’t want to confront the inevitability of fate that was to dawn upon her mother.
(a) Assertion can be inferred but the Reason cannot be inferred.
(b) Assertion cannot be inferred but the Reason can be inferred.
(c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred.
(d) Neither Assertion nor Reason can be inferred.
iv. Choose the option that displays the same literary device as in the given lines of the extract. her face ashen like that of a
corpse...
(a) Just as I had this thought, she appeared and... (b) My thoughts were as heavy as lead that evening when ...
(c) I think like everyone else who... (d) I like to think aloud when ...
v. Kamala Das would agree to all except one of the explanations given with reference to. The poet is in pain because _____.
(a) her mother looked old (b) her mother was old and weak
(c) her mother was nearing death (d) the poet feared losing her mother
vi. What is the mood of the poet in these lines?
1. frustrated 2. fearsome 3. sad 4. sentimental 5. emotional 6. fearful
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 (c) 3, 5 and 6 (d) 1, 2 and 4

KEEPING QUIET
1. Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
i. According to the above extract, Man needs to learn from
(a) death (b) earth (c) stars (d) moon
ii. Why does the poet count up to twelve?
(a) To recall the numbers (b) To take time to calm down
(c) To calculate the twelve hours (d) To memorise the events of the last twelve days.
iii. What will keeping quiet help us achieve?
1. Monotony 2. Intelligence 3. Peace 4. Tranquility 5. Vigour
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 3 and 4 (c) 2 and 5 (d) 1 and 4
iv. This poem is written in
(a) ballad form (b) blank verse (c) free verse (d) the form of sonnet
v. What does the earth teach us?
vi. What is the significance of ‘Keeping Quiet”?

2. 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.
i. The number twelve signifies
(a) the twelve days (b) the twelve minutes (c) the twelve hours mark on the clock to calculate time (d) the twelve seconds
ii. The expression – “not move our arms” refers to
(a) sit quietly (b) not eat anything (c) be inactive (d) sit still without any movement
iii. With reference to the poem “Keeping Quiet”, which of the following is TRUE?
(a) The poet requests people to keep quiet to maintain silence.
(b) The poet’s request to keep quiet is to avoid noise.
(c) By asking to keep quiet, the poet means to be friendly.
(d) The poet request to keep quiet in the hope of becoming more thoughtful and peaceful.
iv. How long is the poet expecting everyone to stay still?
(a) for 12 hours (b) for 10 minutes (c) for 15 minutes (d) for few seconds till we count twelve
v. Who wrote the poem ‘Keeping Quiet”?
vi. In this extract the word ‘let’s’ is used to _____.

3. Perhaps the Earth can teach us

As when everything seems dead
And later proves to be alive
Now I will count upto twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go.
i. Pick out the option that is not correct with reference to the poem.
(a) Silence teaches us to live in harmony.
(b) By remaining silent, we can spread peace and be productive at the same time.
(c) The Earth nurtures life and ensures that the cycle of life goes on unhampered.
(d) The poet appeals to be chaotic and create noises and have fun.
ii. Which poetic device has been used by the poet in the line – “Perhaps the Earth can teach us”.
(a) Metaphor (b) Alliteration (c) Personification (d) Antithesis
iii. The poem discusses the need of
(a) having conversation with each other. (b) maintaining peace and silence.
(c) maintaining social relations. (d) Fulfilling the generation gap.
iv. The poem is written by_______.
v. According to the poet, what can we learn from the earth?
vi. What is the title of the poem from where this extract is taken?

A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER

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.
i. Pick out the option that best explains the expression – “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
1. Its loveliness decreases day by day.
2. It lasts forever.
3. It makes a person dull.
4. It never passes into nothingness.
(a) Only 1 (b) Both 2 and 3 (c) Only 4 (d) Both 2 and 4
ii. This poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ has been taken from
(a) Ode to the West Wind (b) Ode on Melancholy (c) Ode to Psyche (d) Endymion, Book I
iii. What does the poet mean by ‘a bower quiet for us’?
(a) It is as beautiful as a rose. (b) It is as quiet as a mouse.
(c) It is as cool and pleasant as a quiet lover. (d) It is as temporary as happiness.
iv. Who is the poet of this poem?
(a) P.B. Shelley (b) John Keats (c) Tennyson (d) Robert Frost
v. What will never pass into nothingness?
vi. When the poet says that a thing of beauty will never pass into nothingness, he means that it is

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 o’er darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
i. Pick the option that is NOT an example of ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways.
(a) A person who is egoistic and looks down upon others. (b) A person who is innocuous and inoffensive towards
others. (c) A person who uses evil ways to deceive others. (d) A person who is corrupt and manipulative
ii. Pick the option that enumerates what ‘noble natures’ would include.
1. selflessness 2. callousness 3. enthusiasm 4. antagonism 5. meticulousness 6. prudence
(a) 1, 4 and 5 (b) 2, 3 and 6 (c) 2, 4 and 5 (d) 1, 3 and 6
iii. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The earth without beautiful things is a place full of despair and unpleasantness.
Statement 2: The ornate band created by human beings; ushers hope in their lives.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false. (b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred. (d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred
iv. Pick the option that matches the words / phrases with the literary device.

Word/phrase Literary device

1 band to bind us A Metaphor
2 wreathing a flowery band B Personification
3 Some shape of beauty moves away the pal C Hyperbole
D Alliteration
(a) 1. C, 2. A, 3. B, (b) 1. D, 2. B, 3. A (c) 1. A, 2. C, 3. B (d) 1. D, 2. A, 3. B
v. The meaning of ‘despondence’ as used in the stanza by the poet is _____.
(a) feeling low (b) shortage (c) discouragement (d) glut
vi. What does the review show?
(a) The review shows no dearth of evaluations of health products.
(b) The dearth of sales clerks at the billing counter during the lunch hour annoyed us.
(c) There was a dearth of usable firewood at the campsite as it was too crowded.
(d) There is a dearth of genuine kindness towards the working class.

C. 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.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth
i. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the first line of the extract.
A. I’m as happy as I can be. B. Life is a roller coaster ride.
C. Nature is God’s gift to us. D. The dazzling divas enchanted all.
ii. What does the phrase ‘a bower quiet’ indicate?
A. serenity B. morality C. superiority D. diversity
iii. The benefits of a thing of beauty for humans include.
(i) healthy body
(ii) calm mind
(iii) struggle-free life
(iv) better relationships
(v) hope to carry on
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. Only (v) B. (i), (ii) and (v) C. (i), (iii) and (iv) D. (ii) and (iv)
iv. Answer in ONE word. When the poet says that ‘a thing of beauty’ will never pass into nothingness, he means that it is . v.
On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) We are surrounded by beautiful things.
(2) Beautiful things provide us joy.
A. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot. B. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.
C. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract. D. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract. vi.
Which of the following is an apt title for the extract?
A. Full to the Brim with Joy B. Beauty Galore C. Live Life King Size D. Hope Floats

A ROADSIDE STAND
A. It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
I. What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?
(i) aggressive (ii) tolerant(iii) sarcastic (iv) resigned (v) sentimental
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. Only (i) B. (ii) and (iii) C. (i), (iv) and (v) D. Only (iii)
ii. Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following:
No one bothers to take ‘their’ consent before pushing the promise of a better life, their way.
iii. What quality of the villagers can be inferred through these lines?
A. gullible B. futuristic C. hypocritical D. ambitious
iv. Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example.
greedy good doers: alliteration: ............ oxymoron
v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
(1) The city dwellers make promises for the betterment of the villagers.
(2) The city dwellers have ulterior motives.
A. (1) is true but (2) is false. B. (2) is true but (1) is false.
C. (2) is the reason for (1). D. Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
vi. Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract.
‘… calculated to soothe them out of their wits’ implies that ‘them’ are being ________________.

B. “No, in country money, the country scale of gain,

The requisite lift of spirit has never been found,
Or so the voice of the country seems to complain,
I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.
And then next day as I come back into the sane,
I wonder how I should like you to come to me
And offer to put me gently out of my pain.”
i. The ‘country money’ contextually here refers to
A) money kept aside for rural development. B) wealth accumulated by the whole country.
C) meager income earned by the countryside people. D) riches collected by the ancestral farmers over time.
ii. Pick the option that mentions elements justifying the monetary aspect as the ‘requisite lift of spirit’.
1. confidence
2. ego
3. self-esteem
4. status
5. Fame
A) 1, 2, 4 B) 2, 4, 5 C) 1, 3, 4 D) 1, 3, 5
iii. Choose the correct option with respect to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet is agitated and depressed.
Statement 2: The poet realizes the futility of his thought about giving up
A) Statement 1 can be inferred but Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
B) Statement 1 cannot be inferred but Statement 2 can be inferred.
C) Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
D) Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred
iv. Choose the option that correctly paraphrases the given lines from the above extract.
“I can’t help owning the great relief it would be
To put these people at one stroke out of their pain.”
A) The poet wants to kill the impoverished people. B) The poet feels that death is better than living such a miserable life.
C) The poet wants to eliminate poverty from society. D) The poet states that it is important that these people become rich

C. “The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong…”
i. The polished traffic in particular refers to the
A) sophisticated city dwellers in their vehicles. B) shiny cars that the poet sees on the road.
C) extremely affluent people living in the neighbourhood. D) civilized manner in which traffic is coordinated.
ii. ‘The urban and educated people have their minds ahead.’
Choose the option suggesting the correct meaning behind this line.
1. The people are well educated and 2. The people are concentrating on the road that is
knowledgeable about the condition of the poor. ahead in order to drive safely.

3. The people are preoccupied only by the thoughts 4. The people are focused on their goal of bettering
of their lives and nothing else. the country.

A) Option 1 B) Option 2 C) Option 3 D) Option 4

3. What do the urban rich feel about the S and N signs that have been painted wrong?
A) Tolerant B) Amused C) Sympathetic D) Annoyed

4. The passers-by find the sign artless but the landscape ___________.
A) animated B) aesthetic C) amusing D) ancient

D. “The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flowers of cities from sinking and withering faint.”
1. Where was the new shed put up? What was its purpose?
2. Why does the poet use the word ‘pathetic’?
3. Explain: ‘too pathetically pled’.
4. Who are referred to as ‘the flower of cities’?

E. “Or beauty rest in a beautiful mountain scene,

You have the money, but if you want to be mean,
Why keep your money (this crossly) and go along.
The hurt to the scenery wouldn’t be my complaint
So much as the trusting sorrow of what is unsaid”

1. What attraction does the place offer?

2. What should one do if one wants to be mean?
3. What does the poet not complain about?
4. What do you think is the real worry of the poet?

F. “Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear

The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass.”
1. What cannot be borne by the poet and why?
2. What is ‘childish longing’?
3. Why the longing has been termed as ‘vain’?
4. Why do the people driving in the cars stop sometimes?

G. It is in the news that all these pitiful kin

Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
i. What is the tone of the poet in the above lines?
(1) aggressive
(2) tolerant
(3) sarcastic
(4) resigned
(5) sentimental
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. Only (1)
B. (2) and (3)
C. (1), (4) and (5)
D. Only (3)
ii. Identify the phrase from the extract, that suggests the following: No one bothers to take ‘their’ consent before pushing the
promise of a better life, their way.
iii. What quality of the villagers can be inferred through these lines?
A. gullible B. futuristic C. hypocritical D. ambitious
iv. Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example.
greedy good doers: alliteration ::…………………………….. Oxymoron
v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
(1) The city dwellers make promises for the betterment of the villagers.
(2) The city dwellers have ulterior motives.
A. (1) is true but (2) is false. B. (2) is true but (1) is false.
C. (2) is the reason for (1). D. Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
vi. Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract. ‘… calculated to soothe them out of their wits’
implies that ‘them’ are being.

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

1. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
i. What do Aunt Jennifer’s fluttering hands through her wool tell us
(a) about her old age
(b) about her love for embroidery
(c) about her for mastery over art and craft
(d) about the lost freedom and fear of Jennifer’s mind because of marital restraints
ii. The expression ‘Massive weight of the wedding band’ implies
(a) the overweight body of uncle (b) the burden of her failed marriage bond (c) the heavy weight of marriage band she is
wearing (d) none of these
iii. What is the rhyme scheme of the above stanza?
(a) abba (b) ccdd (c) abcd (d) aabb
iv. Which poetic device has been used by the poet in the phrase ‘fingers fluttering’?
(a) Antithesis (b) Assonance (c) Alliteration (d) Apostrophe
v. What does the poet try to convey through Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?
vi. Which form of art does Aunt Jennifer use to express her inner emotions?

2. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen

Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
i. Why are the tigers called ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers?
ii. Match the following correctly:
(i) Prance (a) to walk with long steps in a direction.
(ii) Pace (b) move about in a predatory manner.
(iii) Stride (c) to move quickly with exaggerated steps.
(iv) Prowl (d) to walk up and down in a small area many times.
(a) (i)-c, (ii)-d, (iii)-a, (iv)-b (b) (i)-d, (ii)-a, (iii)-b, (iv)-c
(c) (i)-b, (ii)-a, (iii)-d, (iv)-c (d) (i)-a, (ii)-c, (iii)-b, (iv)-d
iii. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prancing across the screen?
(a) Because they are showing their actions. (b) Because they love her.
(c) Because they are real animals. (d) Because they are the product of her imagination
iv. Name the poem and the poet of the given extract
v. Match the following stones with their colour characteristics.
(i) Diamond (a) Yellow and orange
(ii) Topaz (b) Green
(iii) Emerald (c) Colourless
(iv) Ruby (d) Red
(a) (i)-b, (ii)-c, (iii)-a, (iv)-d (b) (i)-c, (ii)-a, (iii)-b, (iv)-d
(c) (i)-a, (ii)-b, (iii)-c, (iv)-d (d) (i)-d, (ii)-c, (iii)-a, (iv)-b
vi. What is the meaning of the word ‘denizens’?

3. When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie

Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid
i. The tigers in the poem symbolise
1. Splendour 2. Strength 3. Threat 4. Ferociousness 5. Chaos 6. Weakness
(a) 4 and 5 (b) 3 and 4 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 2 and 6
ii. The rhyme scheme of the above extract is _____.
iii. In the poem, Aunt Jennifer’s represents _____.
iv. The significance of ‘are as shown in the poem is –
(a) it has shown the skills of the poet. (b) it has become a medium for her to escape from the reality
(c) it shows how much leisure she has (d) it shows her love for animals.
v. Which of the following CANNOT be inferred from the given extract?
(a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers will keep her alive in everyone’s memory.
(b) Aunt Jennifer feels oppressed and constricted in her marriage.
(c) Even in death, Aunt Jennifer cannot escape patriarchal subjugation.
(d) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance as a lasting symbol of her desires.
vi. What makes the tigers “proud and unafraid”?

4. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
i. How would you describe Aunt Jennifer based on the above extract?
ii. Uncle’s wedding band sits heavily on Aunt Jennifer’s hand because _____.
iii. Which of the following is an example of an alliteration?
(a) Finger fluttering through the wool (b) Upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand
(c) Ivory needle hard to pull (d) Massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
iv. What is the meaning of the word, ‘fluttering’?
(a) The falling of raindrops (b) The palpitations of one’s heart
(c) Moving unsteadily and irregularly with trembling (d) The swift movements of one’s hand
v. What is the rhyming scheme of the extract?
5. When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.
(i) Who is the aunt afraid of?
(ii) What do the tigers represent here?
(iii) How has Mrs. Jennifer failed in her aim?
(iv) Name the figure of speech used in the second line.