COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
EXTRACT BASED POETRY
English-XII (PYQ’s)
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 Thing of Beauty)
(i) Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(A) Beauty provides security and peace.
(B) Beauty lies in possession of expensive things.
(C) Beauty is synonymous with power and riches.
(D) Beauty lies in our rich heritage and palaces and temples.
(ii) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
A thing of beauty never passes into nothingness because it is ___________.
(iii) ‘Quiet bower’ means a pleasant, shady, quiet place under trees or in the woods.
This creates a sense of __________.
(iv) State whether the given statement is True or False with reference to the extract.
The quality of a thing ensures that its beauty lasts forever.
(v) Based on the rhyme scheme in lines 3 and 4 of the given extract, which word will
rhyme with them?
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(A) please (B) sweep
(C) help (D) self
(vi) The use of the word ‘health’ in the extract suggests that beautiful things will give us
a happier and more wholesome life. It creates a powerful image of __________.
(A) rejuvenation (B) attachment
(C) long life (D) eternity
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.
(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)
(i) Which of the following are symbolized by the ‘tigers’ in the extract above ?
I. masculine world
II. feminine world
III. world of bold, fearless creatures
IV. world of beautiful handicrafts
(A) I, II and III
(B) II, III and IV
(C) III and IV
(D) I, III and IV
(ii) State whether the given statement is True or False.
The creator of the tigers was fearless and assertive like the tigers.
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(iii)Complete the following sentence.
The use of the word ‘topaz’ suggest that the image of the tiger on the screen is
___________.
(iv) ‘Tigers do not fear the men beneath the tree’ because they are
(A) tamed (B) in a cage
(C) fearless (D) kings of the jungle
(v) Based on the poem’s rhyme scheme evident in lines 1 and 2, which of the following
will rhyme? mean, akin, cream
(vi) Chivalric certainty refers to which poetic device?
(A) Alliteration (B) Metaphor
(C) Simile (D) Repetition
3. I looked again at her,
wan, pale as a late winter’s moon
and felt that old familiar ache, my childhood’s fear
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and smile ...
(i) The poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’ captures the __________ of the narrator.
I. happiness II. fear
III. dismay IV. anxiety
Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) Only I (b) I and IV
(c) II and IV (d) Only III
(ii) Identify the phrase from the extract that suggests the following:
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
She was overwhelmed with emotion and could not speak much.
(iii) The word ‘wan’ in the given context most nearly means
(a) pale (b) old
(c) unwell (d) anxious
Ans. (a) pale
(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly.
Trees sprinting : personification : : _________ : simile
(v) On the basis of the extract, study the two statements, I and II given below:
I. The poet accepts the reality of her mother’s declining health and old age.
II. She is nostalgic about her childhood days spent with her mother.
Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) I is true, but II is false (b) Both I and II are true
(c) II is the reason for I (d) II cannot be inferred from the extract
(vi) Explain the following statement with reference to the above extract : All I did was
smile and smile and smile.
4. 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.
It would be an exotic moment without rush,
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
without engines, we would all be together
(i) The poet counts up to twelve as a countdown to
(a) lift arms. (b) speak in different languages.
(c) stop all activities. (d) be without engines
(ii)The poet appeals to the people that they should
I. keep quiet. II. not move.
III. celebrate festivals. IV. not hibernate.
Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) Only II (b) I and II
(c) Only I (d) I and IV
(iii) Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the third line of
the extract:
(a) lightning danced across the sky
(b) greedy good doers
(c) children spilling out of their homes
(d) fight like cats and dogs
(iv) The benefits of ‘Keeping Quiet’ include
I. harmony II. non-violence
III. brotherhood IV. Meditation
Choose the most appropriate option:
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(a) I and II (b) II and IV
(c) I, II and III (d) I, II, III and IV
(v) Complete the statement with reference to the extract : The poet suggests we will all
be together when _________.
(vi)The word ‘exotic’ in the extract most nearly means
(a) unique (b) luxurious
(c) rich (d) illusive
5. “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
(A Thing of Beauty)
(i) The message in the above extract as per Keats is:
(A) For all earthly nuances, a thing of beauty is the cure.
(B) Beauty of the beloved lies in the eyes of the beholder.
(C) Nature provides ample objects to make us sad.
(D) There is beauty in death.
(ii) State whether ‘True’ or ‘False’:
‘Sweet memories bind us to this earth’.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately:
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
‘Wreathing a flowery band…’
(iv) Why has Keats used the phrase, ‘Spite of despondence’?
(v) ‘Gloomy days’ – Which figure of speech is used here?
(vi) The poet attributes the trials and tribulations one encounters in the journey of life to:
(A) unhealthy and o’er darkened ways.
(B) a flowery band.
(C) we wreathing.
(D) on every morrow
6. ... and realized with pain
that she was as old as
she looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at Young
Trees sprinting……….. (My Mother At Sixty-six)
(i) What does the use of the word ‘and’ at the beginning of the line, ‘and realised with
pain…’ suggest?
(ii) Why was the poetess’s heart in pain?
(A) She saw her enfeebled mother.
(B) The poetess herself was unwell.
(C) She did not want to go back to Cochin.
(D) The jerks of the car caused the pain
(iii) What does the line ‘but soon she put that thought away’ mean?
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(iv) She started ‘looking out’ because :
(A) she wanted to distract herself.
(B) she found interesting visuals.
(C) the colourful flowers caught her attention.
(D) she was feeling impatient.
(v) Which poetic device is used in ‘Trees sprinting’?
(vi) There is a contrast between the images within the car and outside. What does the
image of ‘Young Trees’ signify?
7. 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 realised with
pain that
she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes.
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(i) Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the extract.
(a) deafening silence (b) swaying softly and slowly
(c) pitter-patter rain (d) as white as snow
(ii) What does the phrase ‘realise with pain’ indicate?
(a) guilt (b) anguish
(c) wounded (d) revelation
(iii) The poet describes her mother as
I. old II. wise III. Quick
IV. weak V. strong
Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) I and IV (b) II and V
(c) III and IV (d) I and V
(iv) Answer in one word.
On seeing her mother dozing, open mouthed, the poet felt ___________.
(v) The merry children symbolise all of the following except
(a) freedom and energy
(b) playfulness and cheerfulness
(c) vigour and health
(d) maturity and innocence
(vi) Which of the following is an apt title for the extract?
(a) Spring and Winter (b) Merry Thoughts
(c) Trip to Cochin (d) My Beautiful Mother
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
8. It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
(i) What does ‘it’ refer to?
(a) travelling in the train (b) spending time together
(c) moment of silence (d) without rush
(ii) Complete the analogy correctly.
Without rush, without engines : repetition :: Sudden strangeness : ___________.
(iii) Identify the phrase from the extract which suggests ‘no hustle and bustle’.
(iv) Who is ‘we’ referred to?
(a) all human beings (b) fishermen
(c) people who create war (d) poets who write poems
(v) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to I and II.
I. There is an urgent need for mankind to introspect and live in harmony.
II. We should put an end to all destructive activities.
(a) I is true but II is false
(b) II is true but I is false
(c) Both I and II are true
(d) Both I and II are false
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(vi) Fill in the blank with one word with reference to the context. The moment when
everyone keeps silent will be __________.
9. 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,
Just one to inquire what a farmer's prices are
And one did stop, but only to plow up grass
In using the yard to back and turn around;
And another to ask the way to where it was bound;
(i) Select the option that has the same literary device as in The sadness that lurks near
the open window there'.
(A) Lucy moved across the room like a warship sailing into battle.
(B) Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
(C) The water-wraith was shrieking.
(D) The pen is mightier than the sword.
(ii) They prayed for the stopping of a car. When one car finally stopped, it brought to the
people of the roadside stand.
(A)help (B)happiness
(C) disappointment (D) cash flow
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(iii)Explain one inference that can be drawn from the line,
‘…..childish longing in vain.’
(iv)Complete the sentence appropriately.
The emotion of the poet reflected in the above extract is__________.
(v)The expression “selfish cars” suggests that____________.
(vi) Based on the rhyme scheme evident in the last two lines of the extract, which word
would rhyme with the last line?
10. 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.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
(i)The poet counts up to twelve as a countdown to
(a) lift arms. (b) speak in different languages.
(c) stop all activities. (d) be without engines.
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(ii)The poet appeals to the people that they should
I. keep quiet. II not move.
III. celebrate festivals. IV. not hibernate.
Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) Only II (b) I and II
(c) Only I (d) I and IV
(iii)Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the third line of
the extract:
(a) lightning danced across the sky
(b) greedy good doers
(c) children spilling out of their homes
(d) fight like cats and dogs
(iv) The benefits of Keeping Quiet' include
I. harmony II. non-violence
II. brotherhood IV. meditation
Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) I and II (b) II and IV
(c) I, II and II (d)I, II, III and IV
(v) Complete the statement with reference to the extract:
The poet suggests we will all be together when_____________.
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
COMMERCE PATHSHAALA (XI-XII)
CA Shubham Sethi
Prof. Sheena Gupta
(vi) The word 'exotic' in the extract most nearly means
(a) unique (b) luxurious
(c) rich (d) illusive
JUNIOR PATHSHAALA (IX-X)
8588-95-3495, 9811792114
