Saturday 28 August 2021

WHAT DO THE MARGINS TEACH US?

What do silently teach us the Margins,

Staying vigilant on every piece of ruling paper in our notebooks?

We should be as much orderly and assiduous as the doctors, and chaste as the virgins,

We should learn with love decorum, and practise the limpidity of the brooks!


What do the Margins soundlessly teach us,

Standing erect and lying straight on each piece of paper in our copies?

'We should not go astray under any circumstances, either as a servant or as a Boss,

Success shall beckon us provided we can shoulder liabilities and nail our duties!


What do the Margins voicelessly teach us,

Sincerely staying with us in our office registers or daily keeping logs?

"Battles are won alone by the skilled, loyal, dedicated, and disciplined soldiers,

The sweet fruits of satisfaction are savoured only by the diligent and devoted farmers!"

 ©️ Shankar D Mishra


Friday 27 August 2021

REVIEWS ON MY ANTHOLOGY

 REVIEWS

1. 

Permit me to first offer my condolences to the author and his family for their painful loss, but it is a most beautiful dedication.

Reading through the poems evoke a sense of spirit, and the writing is graceful and clear. It highlights a careful selection of a body of work, each didactic and with its own message, going on to save the best poems for last. Quite a number of pieces were exceptional, not to mention the beautiful dedication to baby Dhan. 

I'll say that "How Much You Agree" alongside "Don't Ask" are among my favourites, with its economy of words and graceful turns. The author's rendition of Ozymandias also does find a place in my heart. That story is one that is beautifully said, and also full of lessons. An artiste in Nigeria (Brymo) also gave a rendition I find most pleasant.

The anthology swells to encompass humanity's love and care of nature, or lack thereof, highlighting the actions of the faux-lovers of nature. We relish the voice of the unborn child, saying: "don't suppress your inner voice to later repent!" We cannot but agree more with the assertion that  blindness is a blessing where eyesight fails to properly perceive.

The anthology also captures the spirit of the Indian: peaceful, defiant and true. It resounds the meaning of true independence and also exposes the actions of cruel beasts, and the fate deserving of rapists, that "our tears must sear their spurious heavens!" The powerful stories of the two murdered women cannot be silenced, I hear their voice demanding justice, better protection for those alive, and harsher sentences for all those found guilty. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

We hear not to ask for love, but to have patience and watch, for love doesn't lie in expression, but in realization. We are cautioned today against the vice of vanity, for self-esteem, self confidence and self-restraint are the keys to a better life.

We explore the depths of a parent's love and the severe consequences of their tears if shed in sadness. We're led on a crusade to dethrone the monarchs of cruelty and enthrone the nobles of virtue and peace. 

We are taken back to the Year 2020, indeed it was a different personal journey and experience for everyone despite our shared lockdown. Everyone learned a thing or two. We are then brought into the new year to "restrain our mistakes by the bridge of self confidence." Indeed, that's the only way to grow. To acknowledge our errors and work hard to improve them. Going back to move forward.

We hear the sirens of spouses and grateful lovers. We hear the poets called to arms. We hear the melodious ode to loving mothers, and a prayerful dirge that all men grow up with fathers.

In all, one must also commend the author's attention to detail, giving credit where due, and also for a beautiful glossary that gives a lesson of its own. I especially enjoyed the story of the four Samurai. 

A diverse body of work, capturing the essence of a strong, proud and storied race, and what makes us all humans at the very core.

The souls of the authors do sing. It sings of beauty and love, of joy and peace; it sings of warnings and pitfalls to be avoided; it sings of blessings and the music of a life worth living.

Tokede Opeyemi Iyanuoluwa is a third-year Physical and Health Education student of the Lagos State University, Nigeria. He's a Christian, an avid reader and a writer. A lover of music, poetry, football and things artistic. He loves to sing and dance as well. He runs his blog @ tokedeeliyanu.blogspot.com, and plays soccer at college and grassroot levels.

Nigeria

Review 2

Dear Sir, Hearty regards! At the outset I must congratulate you for your passion for writing and bringing out such a marvellous collection of poems spanning diverse areas. Your writings could easily win the hearts of many literary, scientific and political luminaries as well as organisaions of repute. Loss of father and penury at the early stages of life could not distract you from your indomitable spirits. Putting it candidly, a majority of us must have passed through such critical phases in life but very few can withstand and turn the tide in their favour. Your writings have moved around the lives of many great personalities, but where is the one, undoubtedly the greatest among them all – the gem of Utkala – the man who once hailed from one of your neighbouring villages? That most glorious tag must go to Suando. I presume, his selfless and towering personality would eclipse all others. Bharat Ratna must be too small an award compared to his magnanimity, eminence and excellence. Had he not been from Odisha he would have been a Nobel laureate. Now, coming to the point. It gives me much pleasure while going through your creative work. As a general rule, none of or works can be hundred percent perfect and therefore they all are prone to limitation at some points of time. Considering my capacity and to the extent possible I have marked at some places as I went through it. They chiefly involve issues like : (1) uniformity and consistence, (2) Capitalisation of the first letters of some words (As a rule, first letters of proper nouns and some particular expressions should be capitalised, while this is not the same in the case of expressions which are general in nature.), (3) some inadvertent skipping of letters and some other issues. Not that they are wrong, they are just marked to attract your attention for any possible improvement. Nice to be of some service to a great writer like you. Health permitting, eagerly looking forward to having some similar and more opportunity in future…. I am, Yours in camaraderie, Dinu.

MOV, Act 1, Scene 1, 2, 3

ACT 1, SCENE 1 Extract 1. 1. Where are Antonio and his friends? What does Antonio says about his sadness? (i) Antonio and his friends are in a street in Venice. Antonio says that his sadness makes him depressed and dull. He further says that he is yet to learn about the origin and nature of his sadness. ii) Give the meaning of: (a) whereof it is born: how it originated / what is its source. (b) a want-wit sadness: a dull and absent-minded sadness whose reason is unknown. (c) That I have much ado to know myself: That I have much difficulty in recognising myself. iii) What reason does Salarino give as the probable cause of Anonio’s melancholy? (iii) Salarino tells Antonio that he is sad because his mind is preoccupied with his ships filled with cargo, which are out at sea. IV. ) State in your own words the scene on the ocean as described by Salarino, when Antonio’s ship were sailing. (iv) Salarino compares Antonio's ships sailing on the waves with the great lords and wealthy citizens, who look down on lesser men as they walk along the street. According to him Antonio's ships move swiftly on the sea with their canvas sails and look like grand spectacles or pageants of the sea . v) The play begins with the atmosphere of melancholy. Why do you think that Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character? (v) Antonio is presented as a melancholic and passive character mainly for three reasons. 1. . By portraying Antonio as a whimsical person, who is least bothered about the consequences of his actions, justifies his signing the bond-agreement. 2. Antonio's melancholy creates a tragic atmosphere suitable for a comedy which floats on brink of tragedy. 3. Antonio's melancholy creates a sense of mystery for the audience. Extract 2. i. Where would Salanio’s attention be if he had business ventures abroad ? Why would he be plucking the grass ? What else he would be doing in that context ? (i) If Salanio had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed on the dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. He would be plucking the blades of grass and casting them in the air to know the direction of wind, to see if it was blowing in a direction favourable to the course of his ships or not. Further, he would look into maps for harbours, channels and open road-steads near to the shore where his ships could anchor in case of need. ii) What would make Salanio fear some dangers in his ventures ? Give two examples. (ii) Every thought of Salanio would make him fearful of danger to his business ventures. Two examples which reminded Salarino of the danger to his ships were: 1. While cooling his soup by blowing on it, reminded him of the stormy winds at sea causing terrible damages to his ships. 2. The sandy hour-glass reminded him of the richly laden vessels wrecked on the sandy shore. iii) Give meaning of : (a) Plucking the grass to know where sets the wind : Plucking of grass and casting them in the air to see which way the wind blew. (b) Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads : Looking into maps for harbours, channels and even open road- steads near the shore. iv) In spite of the danger to his ships , why Antonio is not worried about his financial security ? (iv) Despite danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial security because his business is neither dependent on any one ship nor on any single location or commercial transactions of the current year. v) What light does the opening scene throw on the danger that sea could pose to ships ? (v) The opening scene describes the possible dangers that the sea could pose to ships such as strong winds, dangerous shallow waters, sand banks and dangerous rocks. Extract - 2 1. Where would Salanio’s attention be if he had business ventures abroad ? Why would he be plucking the grass ? What else he would be doing in that context ? (i) If Salanio had business ventures abroad, his thoughts would be fixed on the dangers to his ventures and methods of securing them. He would be plucking the blades of grass and casting them in the air to know the direction of wind, to see if it was blowing in a direction favourable to the course of his ships or not. Further, he would look into maps for harbours, channels and open road-steads near to the shore where his ships could anchor in case of need. ii) What would make Salanio fear some dangers in his ventures ? Give two examples. (ii) Every thought of Salanio would make him fearful of danger to his business ventures. Two examples which reminded Salarino of the danger to his ships were: 1. . While cooling his soup by blowing on it, reminded him of the stormy winds at sea causing terrible damages to his ships. 2. The sandy hour-glass reminded him of the richly laden vessels wrecked on the sandy shore. iii) Give meaning of : (a) Plucking the grass to know where sets the wind : Plucking of grass and casting them in the air to see which way the wind blew. (b) Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads : Looking into maps for harbours, channels and even open road- steads near the shore. iv) In spite of the danger to his ships , why Antonio is not worried about his financial security ? (iv) Despite danger to his ships, Antonio is not worried about his financial security because his business is neither dependent on any one ship nor on any single location or commercial transactions of the current year. v) What light does the opening scene throw on the danger that sea could pose to ships ? (v) The opening scene describes the possible dangers that the sea could pose to ships such as strong winds, dangerous shallow waters, sand banks and dangerous rocks. Extract - 3. i) Where does the scene takes place ? Name the people who are present there. In what mood Salarino is in this scene ? (i) This scene takes place in a street in Venice. Antonio, Salarino and Salanio are present in the scene. Salarino is in a talkative mood and wants to know the reason for Antonio's melancholy. He says that he too would be feeling melancholic if his ships were sailing on the sea. ii) What would the wind cooling the broth reminds Salarino of? (ii) It would remind Salarino of the stormy winds at sea and of the terrible damages they might cause to the ships. iii) Give meaninf of : “And see my wealthy Andrew docked in sand, Vailing her high top lower than her ribs To kiss her burial. “ (iii) Wealthy Andrew refers to a Spanish ship called Andrea captured by the British sailors in 1596. It ran aground when it was being brought to England. Since then Andrew refers to a big cargo ship. In the above lines Salarino imagines that his rich cargo ship is grounded in sand and her mast dipped down lower than her sides as if trying to kiss the sands that surround her. iv) What is sandy hour glass? What would it remind Salarino of ? (iv) Sandy hour-glass is an apparatus used to indicate time. It would remind Salarino of the dangers from hidden banks of sand at sea, on wihch a ship may run aground. v) What is referred as wealth Andrew ? Why it is referred so ? (v) Salarino refers to his richly laden ship as wealthy Andrew. It is so referred because Salarino feels that like the Spanish ship Andrea captured by the British in 1596, his ship too is majestic and rich with cargo. vi) When Salarino would goto church what would he see? What would scene make him imagine ? (vi) When Salarino would go to the church he would see the holy building made of stone. This scene would make him think of the dangerous rocks of the sea and imagine that a collision of his ship with these rocks would be sufficient to break his vessel into pieces and scatter all her spices and silks on the sea. Extract - 4. i) Who has just said that Antonio was in love ? What was reaction of Antonio ? (i) Salarino has just said that Antonio was in love. Antonio calls the remark as nonsense and completely denies that he is in love. ii) What explanation does Salarino give in extract for Antonio’s Sadness ? (ii) Salarino concludes that Antonio is sad because he is not happy. He remarks that there are some curious creatures in the world. He swears by Janus, the two-headed Roman God that some people have merry natures and are continuously laughing whether the things they see are subject for mirth or not. Again there are others with the sourest countenance who will not laugh at any thing though the gravest old warrior Nestor himself confirms the joke as most amusing. iii) What is meant by two headed Janus ? Why is he referred to in the extract ? (iii) Janus is a Roman god usually depicted with two heads looking in opposite directions — one frowning and the other smiling. He had received from god Saturn, the gift to see both the past and the future. He is referred to in the extract to show that there are two types of people — one happy and the other sad. iv) Describe the stange fellows framed by nature ? (iv) Nature has two types of people. The first type of people have happy natures and often laugh even if the subject of laughter is too trivial. The second type of people are those with serious and grave faces, who do not laugh even at the most amusing jokes. v) Who was Nestor ? Why is he referred ? (v) Nestor was the King of Pylos. He was one of the greatest generals in the Trojan War. He was famous for his wisdom, justice, knowledge of war and profound gravity. If he laughed, it meant the joke was really funny. He is referred to in the extract to describe the sad and grave people. vi) Give meaning of (a) And other of such vinegar aspect : The second type of people who are grave and serious. (b) Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable : Even if the wise and grave Nestor certify the joke as funny. vii) Why are class of people are compared to parrots ? (vii) A class of people are compared to parrots because they laugh even at a bag-piper as foolishly as a parrot laughs at anything. viii) Who comes at the end of Salarino’s speech ? Why does Salarino leave then ? (viii) At the end of Salarino's speech, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo come. Salarino leaves Antonio then because Antonio's friends, Bassanio, Gratiano and Lorenzo have come to give him company. Extract - 5. (i) Gratiano gives the example of a warm-blooded young man who represses his spirits and forces himself to stillness till he looks like the marble image of his grandfather. He does so to advise Antonio not to remain in melancholy. He is likely to be infected with jaundice due to his bad tempe. (ii) (a) Some men overcast their faces with a pale expression as still as the cream that forms on the surface of milk and as the scum that forms on the surface of a stagnant pool. (b) maintain an obstinate silence not to disturb the solemnity of their faces. (iii) In the extract, Gratiano speaks about people who try to obtain a reputation for wisdom, seriousness and deep thought by remaining silent. Such people mean to say that they speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle and they alone are infallible in their utterances. When they speak, other should keep quiet. (iv) 'I am Sir Oracle' means 'I speak with the authority of the Greek Oracle'. The Greek Oracles made known the will of Gods and were received by all without questions. 'Let no dog bark' means 'let no one speak'. It refers to the attitude of those wise men who consider themselves as the fountain of wisdom and want that when they speak, others should remain silent. (v) At the end of his speech, Gratiano advises Antonio not to be one of those who try to gain a reputation for wisdom by being silent. He further tells Antonio not to use melancholy as a bait to win the reputation of wisdom and cheap popularity. which is like a worthless cheap fish, a gudgeon. Extract - 6 BASSANIO : I urge this childhood proof Because what follows is pure innocence. I owe you much, and, like a willful youth, That which I owe is lost. But if you please To shoot another arrow that self way Which you did shoot the first, I do not doubt, As I will watch the aim, or to find both Or bring your latter hazard back again And thankfully rest debtor for the first. BASSANIO : With this example from my childhood in mind, listen to my plan, which is completely innocent. I owe you a lot, and like a rash young man I have lost the money I owe you. But if you shoot another arrow the same way you shot the first, by lending me money again, I have no doubt that I will bring both arrows back to you, because I'll watch the second one more carefully. Or at least I'll bring back the latter loan, and remain in your debt for the original sum. (i) Bassanio and Antonio are in a street in Venice. Prior to this extract Antonio asks Bassanio to tell him about his plans. He adds, that if Bassanio's plan is as honourable as he is, he then promises him everything that he has— money, influence, personal help and utmost resources. (ii) The above lines mean that at any rate Bassanio could pay the latter loan and remain his grateful debtor for the first. (iii) Earlier, Bassanio confesses to Antonio that he has spent his wealth by having a more lordly way of living than his moderate income allowed him. Therefore, he has incurred heavy debts because Of his youth and extravagance. This proves that Bassanio is a spendthrift. (iv) Bassanio says that when he was a boy at school and he lost one of his arrows while shooting, he would shoot another arrow in the same direction. Thus, by risking the second, he often regained both the arrows. (v) Bassanio proposes to pay back his previous loan as well as the present loan by carefully managing the expenditure of his second loan amount. Extract - 7. BASSANIO : Sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages. Her name is Portia, nothing undervalued To Cato’s daughter, Brutus' Portia. Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth, For the four winds blow in from every coast Renownèd suitors, and her sunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece, Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strand, And many Jasons come in quest of her. BASSANIO: I think she likes me. Sometimes the expression on her face tells me she likes me. Her name is Portia. She’s as rich as that famous Roman heroine Portia, the daughter of Cato and wife of Brutus. Her wealth is world-famous. Famous and important men have come in from all over the world to try to marry her. The hair that hangs down on her forehead is like gold, calling every adventurer to Belmont like a gold rush. Antonio, if I only had enough money to hold my own against those suitors, I know I could win her! (i) 'Fair speechless messages' mean glances which are silent messages of love. Bassanio wants to say that sometimes he received from Portia's eyes lovely silent messages. The words 'nothing undervalued' mean ‘not less precious’ or ‘no way inferior to’. Bassanio says that his Portia is no less precious than Cato's daughter. (ii) Cato, the father of Brutus' wife Portia, was the great-grandson of the famous Cato, the Censor. In the Civil War between Pompey and Caesar he supported Pompey and was defeated by Caesar. Brutus, husband of Portia, was the chief of the conspirators against Caesar and caused his assassination. They are referred to show that Portia of Belmont is as precious and great as Cato's daughter, Portia. (iii) The passage says that Portia's fame had spread throughout the world as suitors from every part of the world come to Belmont to win her hand in marriage. (iv) Jason was a Greek hero, who was sent by Pelias, his uncle who had usurped the throne, to fetch the golden fleece from Colchos. In Greek mythology, golden fleece is referred to as the fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos. It was kept at an oak tree in a grove sacred to god Ares and guarded by a dragon in Colchos. Bassanio compares Portia to the golden fleece and himself in his quest for Portia, to Jason on his voyage to fetch the golden fleece. He refers to Other suitors as Jasons. (v) Bassanio's description of Portia in the opening scene reveals that she is a paragon among women. She is rich and beautiful with golden hair. She has wonderful mental qualities and is virtuous as well. Her fame has attracted suitors from all over the world. She is in no way inferior to her namesake, Cato's daughter and Brutus' wife. Extract - 8. (i) Antonio is unable to help Bassanio at once since he has no money in hand as all his business ventures are at sea. (ii) The sum was three thousand ducats. It was required urgently for Bassanio to go to Belmont and present himself before Portia as a worthy suitor. (iii) Antonio instructs Bassanio to find out a merchant who is ready to give him money against his name. (iv) (a) The credit shall be stretched to the utmost limit. Antonio says that he is ready to stretch the credit as far as to equip Bassanio to go to Belmont to woo Portia. (b) Either on the security of my name or from feelings of personal friendship. (v) In the opening scene, Bassanio comes to Antonio to borrow money so that he can go to Belmont to win his lady love. But Antonio confesses that he has no ready cash and instructs Bassanio to borrow money from a merchant against his security or name. Thus, Shakespeare links the first scene to the Bond story which involves the loan from Shylock (vi) Antonio is introduced in the scene as a rich merchant having many shipping ventures at sea. He is in a state Of melancholy and not interested in love. Loyalty and generosity towards Bassanio are the major traits of his character. Compared to Antonio, Bassanio is shown as a spendthrift young gallant, who lives a life of luxury beyond his means. He seems to take undue advantage of Antonio's generosity. Unlike Antonio, he is a romantic man, who wants to marry Portia, a rich and beautiful heiress from Belmont. © 2021 icsehub.com ICSE Hub Ltd.

 Extract 1 Scene 2

Extract I


1. What has Portia just said in response to which Nerissa speaks these words?


Portia has just said that she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes because the choice of her husband depends on the lottery of caskets devised according to her late father’s will.


 


2. Describe the lottery referred to in the extract.


The lottery refers to the choice of the right casket containing Portia’s portrait from a among the three caskets of gold, silver and lead. The suitor who will make the right choice as per the will of Portia’s father will win her in marriage.


 


3. Give the reaction of Portia as well as of Nerissa to the lottery.


Initially, Portia appears to be anxious over the prospect of choosing her husband through a lottery devised according to her father’s will. She feels sad as she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes as her husband. But later on she accepts her father’s will. Nerissa’s reaction to the lottery was positive. She calls Portia’s father pious and asserts that good men do have inspirations at the time of death. She consoles Portia by saying that she will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.



 

 


4. Give the meaning of “never be chosen by any rightly, but one who you shall rightly love.”



 

These lines mean that Portia will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.


 


5. Portia is melancholic in the beginning of the scene as it was the case with Antonio in the previous scene. What is the difference between Antonio’s melancholy and that Portia?


Portia’s melancholy is the result of her anxiety over the prospect of her future husband while the cause of Antonio’s melancholy is unknown.



 

 


6. How does this scene show a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense?



 

The scene show a mood of melancholy, anxiety and suspense. The mood of melancholy and anxiety is due to the prospect of Portia’s future husband to be decided by the lottery designed according to her deceased father’s will. This also creates an atmosphere of suspense. The conversation between Nerissa and Portia, Portia’s comments on the suitors and Nerissa’s reference to Bassanio as ‘the best deserving a fair lady’ increase the elements of anxiety and suspense in the scene.


Extract 2


Portia:


He doth nothing………………God defend me from these two!


1. Where are Portia and Nerissa? What are they generally discussing about? In what mood is Portia in the scene?


Portia and Nerissa are in a room in Portia’s house at Belmont. They are discussing the lottery of caskets and about the suitors who have already come to try their luck. In this scene, Portia is in a mood of melancholy and anxiety.



 

 


2. Who is County Palatine? Why has he come to Belmont?



 

County Palatine was the Count from Palatinate, the region on the west bank of the Rhine in Germany. He was a powerful lord who came to Belmont to win Portia’s hand.


 


3. Who is the first prince described by Portia? What does she say about him?


The first prince described by Portia is the Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy. Portia describes him as a dashing youngster and as wild as a young horse. He does nothing but talks of his horse. He further considers his ability to shoe a horse himself as a great accomplishment.



 

 


4. Who is the weeping philosopher? In which context is he referred to in the extract?


The weeping philosopher refers to Heraclitus of Esphesus. He was a Greek philosopher who lamented the stupidity and folly of mankind and wept at everything in the world. Portia refers to him to describe County Palatine. She feels that since County Palatine is usually gloomy in his young age, he will become a sad philosopher like Heraclitus when he grows old.


 


5. Give the meaning of:


A) An you will not have me, choose


If you do not want me , choose anyone you wish


B) A death’s-head with a bone in his mouth


 A skull with a bone in its mouth. The emblem of a skull with two bones crossed underneath was usually known as ‘death’s head.’


 


6. Give a character-sketch of the County Palatine.


County Palatine is described as gloomy and self-conceited person. He is always frowning as if to say that if Portia will not marry him, she may choose someone else. He is morose and sullen that even jovial stories don’t make him laugh. He has an abrupt manner of speech and may become a sad philosopher like Heraclitus when he grows old.


Extract III


Portia:


God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man…….I shall never requite him.


1. What has Portia said earlier about Neapolitan prince and his horse? Which characteristic is common between Monseieur Le Bon and the Count Palatine?


Earlier Portia described the Neapolitan Prince as wild as a young horse and so attached to his horse that he always spoke about the horse only. The Count Palatine and Le Bon share the common characteristic of frowning.


 


2. Give the meaning of:


A) He is every man in no man: He has every man’s characteristic but no personality of his own


B) He falls straight a -capering: He starts to jump about. Monsieur Le Bon is so fickle-minded that if he hears a thrush sing, he starts to jump about.


 


3. How does the French lord react to the singing of a thrush?


When he hears the singing of a thrush, the French Lord starts jumping immediately.


 


4. What would happen:


a) If Portia were to marry the Count?


It would be as if she were married to twenty husbands as he is never one man but twenty men by turns.


b) If he were to despise Portia?


If he were to despise Portia, Portia would not be in least angry and would forgive him.


c) If he were to love Portia passionately?


Portia could never return his love since she could never possibly love twenty husbands.


 


5. Give any three negative qualities of the French Lord, as described by Portia.


Portia says that the French Lord is more attached to his horse than the Neapolitan Prince and excels Count Palatine in frowning. If he hears a thrush singing, he starts jumping immediately. Further, if he does not have anybody to fence with, he will take his own shadow as adversary.


 


Extract IV


Portia


 


You know I say nothing……………………and his behaviour everywhere.


1. How is the young baron’s external appearance described in the passage? What light does it throw on the national pattern of clothes of Englishmen?


The baron’s external appearance is described as odd and strange. He is oddly dressed and very odd in behaviour too. He wears an Italian jacket and breeches in the French fashion. He seems to have got his hat from Germany and his manners from everywhere. Englishmen of Shakespeare’s days had fondness for the manners and clothes of foreigners.


 


2. What shows that the English Lord has poor knowledge of the European languages? Why does Portia find it difficult to interact with him?


Portia’s sentiment that the Englishman did not know Latin, French or Italian shows that he had very poor knowledge of European Languages. Portia found it difficult to converse with him as he did not know Latin, French or Italian and Portia’s knowledge of English was very poor.


 


3. Give the meaning of:


a) He is a proper man’s picture


He is handsome and fine-looking


b) How oddly he suited: He is dressed very strangely


 


4. What is referred to as a ‘dumb show’? why is the baron said to be a dumb show?


The word dumb-show refers to a play in which all characters act without speaking , that is by gestures. A pantomime is a dumb show. Here it means that the Englishman is unable to speak foreign languages and had to converse by means of signs as in a dumb show.


 


5. Give a brief description of the Scottish Lord


The Scottish Lord is not impressive. Portia speaks about his cowardice in a sarcastic way by calling him kind-hearted as he did not return the Englishman’s blow immediately.


 


6. What type of contemporary relationship among England, Scotland and France is reflected in the description of the Scottish Lord?


The description of the Scottish Lord is a reference to the frequent alliances between the Scots and the French again England when Scotland was at war with England.


Extract V


Portia


Very vilely in the morning, when he is sober………………..ere I will be married to a sponge.


 


1. How does the young German behave when he is sober and when he is drunk? If the worse happens to Portia which would compel her to marry him, what would she do?


When sober, the young German is less than a man in behaviour and when drunk he is no better than a beast. If the worse happens to Portia, she will manage to do without him.


2. Give the meaning of:


a) When he is worst, he is little better than a beast


When is drunk, he is no better than a beast


b) Set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket


Place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket


 


3. What plan does Portia make to prevent the young German from choosing the right casket?


To prevent the young German from choosing the right casket, Portia instructed Nerissa to place a tall goblet of Rhenish wine on the wrong casket. Portia was sure that the German suitor will not be able to resist the temptation of his national drink even if the picture of the devil himself was within.


 


4. Why is the young German referred to as a ‘sponge’?


A sponge constantly absorbs water. Similarly, a drunkard, who constantly take liquor is called a sponge. Since the young German is a drunkard, Portia calls him a sponge.


 


5. After Portia’s speech, what does Nerissa say to console her about the suitors?


Nerissa tells Portia to set aside her fears concerning the suitors. She says that they have informed her of their decision to go back home and not to press their courtship further unless Portia’s father’s decree concerning the caskets can be set aside and they may woo her in an ordinary way.


 


Extract VI


Portia


If I live to be as old as Sibylla…………………..a fair departure.


1. What was Portia’s father’s will as far as Portia’s marriage is concerned?


Portia’s father’s will was that her marriage will be decided by the lottery of the three caskets. The suitor, who chooses the right casket containing Portia’s picture will be her husband.


 


2. Who is Sibylla and who is Diana? Why are they referred to in the extract?


In Ovid’s metamorphoses, Sibyl was prophetess. She was granted a wish by god Appllo that she would live for as many years as the grains of sand she held in her hand. She was the ageless old woman.


Diana was the goddess of moon and hunting. She is known as the virgin goddess. They are referred to here to explain Portia’s resolve to remain a virgin like Diana even if she lives to be as old as Sibyl of Cumae unless she is won in marriage by some suitor in the lottery of casket.


3. What does Nerissa say to introduce Bassanio? What were the feelings of Portia for Bassanio in this scene?


To introduce Bassanio, Nerissa recalls the visit of a young Venetian along with the Marquis o f Montferrat, when Portia’s father was alive. He was a scholar and a soldier. In this scene, Portia’s feelings for Bassanio are quite positive. She recalls his name and tells Nerissa that he fully deserves her praise. Her simple reply shows that she is already in love with Bassanio.


 


4. In what scene can we say that the opening of the first two scenes of Act I give the plots of the play?


The opening of the first two scenes of Act I gives the plot of the paly. The two main plots of the play are the bond-story and the casket -story. The bond-story is initiated in Scene I while the casket-story is initiated in Scene 2 of Act I.


 


5. Name the six suitors given in this scene. Give two characteristics of each suitor described by Portia.


i) The Neapolitan Prince from Naples, Italy, was a dashing youngster, as wild as a horse. He always talked about his horse.


 


ii) The County Palatine was always frowning and unusually gloomy.


 


iii) Le Bon is from France, who had the characteristic of every man and had no personality of his own.


 


iv) Falconbridge from England, though handsome was strangely and unmannerly dressed and did not know Latin, French or Italian.


 


v) The Scottish Lord, was a coward and did not repay the Englishman who gave him a blow.


 


vi) The Duke of Saxony was drunkard. He in his sober moments, behaved less than a man and when drunk no better than a beast. 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


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Question Answers


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1. What has Portia just said in response to which Nerissa speaks these words?




Portia has just said that she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes because the choice of her husband depends on the lottery of caskets devised according to her late father’s will.


2. Describe the lottery referred to in the extract.


The lottery refers to the choice of the right casket containing Portia’s portrait from a among the three caskets of gold, silver and lead. The suitor who will make the right choice as per the will of Portia’s father will win her in marriage.


3. Give the reaction of Portia as well as of Nerissa to the lottery.




Initially, Portia appears to be anxious over the prospect of choosing her husband through a lottery devised according to her father’s will. She feels sad as she can neither choose the one she likes nor refuse the one she dislikes as her husband. But later on she accepts her father’s will. Nerissa’s reaction to the lottery was positive. She calls Portia’s father pious and asserts that good men do have inspirations at the time of death. She consoles Portia by saying that she will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.


4. Give the meaning of “never be chosen by any rightly, but one who you shall rightly love.”


These lines mean that Portia will be chosen correctly by a person whom she truly loves.


5. Portia is melancholic in the beginning of the scene as it was the case with Antonio in the previous scene. What is the difference between Antonio’s melancholy and that Portia?


Portia’s melancholy is the result of her anxiety over the prospect of her future husband while the cause of Antonio’s melancholy is unknown.


Bassanio: 


For the which, as I told you…………………


Bassanio:


Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?


1. Give the conditions to which Antonio is bound. How wise was Antonio to bind himself to such conditions?


Antonio is bound to a bond according to which if he fails to repay the amount in due time, Shylock will be entitled to take an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body that he may wish. It was very unwise of Antonio to misjudge Shylock’s intentions and sign such a fatal bond.


 


2. Give the meaning of:


May you stead me? Will you pleasure me?


Can you help me and will you do me this favour?


 


3. Shylock says that Antonio is a good man. What does Shylock mean with the connotation ‘good’?


When Shylock says the above words, he means that Antonio is a reliable man, whose surety is sufficient to give a loan. 


 


4. Enumerate the possible threats to Antonio’s business ventures as stated by Shylock, after the above extract.


Shylock enumerates the possible dangers to Antonio’s merchandise-ships being only planks of wood are apt to be broken; the mariners being merely human beings, are liable to be drowned; there are pirates on the waters; and there are all the dangers of the ocean from the gales, tempests and dangerous rocks. 


 


5. How can it be proved that Antonio is a prudent businessman but he is overconfident?


Antonio can considered as a prudent businessman as his wealth is distributed over the whole world. one of Antonio’s ship is on its journey to Tripolis, another is bound for the Indies, a third is voyaging to Mexico, fourth to England and others to various other distant places. He is so overconfident of his riches that he agrees to an unreasonable and dangerous bond. 


Extract II


Shylock:


How like a fawining publican……….most do congregate


1. What is meant by ‘a fawning publican’? Give three reasons why Shylock hates Antonio.


Publicans were tax collectors for the Romans and were generally oppressive. They were hated by the Jews because they were the agents of Rome, who collected taxes also from the Jews. Publican is a natural term of contempt and loathing in the mouth of a Jew. Shylock hats Antonio because he is a Christian, lends money without interest and hurls abuses on him. 


 


2. Give the meaning of the following:


a) Low simplicity: Childish foolishness


b) Gratis: Free of interest


c) Rate of usance: rate of interest


 


3. Write the meaning of the following in your own words:


I can catch him once upon the hip,


I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him


The above words mean that if Shylock could get hold of Antonio at a disadvantage or in a weak spot, he will satisfy fully the long-standing hatred he has against him. 


 


4. What old grudge does Shylock have against Antonio?


Shylock had a long-standing grudge against Antonio because Antonio was a Christian and looked upon the holy Jewish race with contempt. He used to lend money without interest. He even spat on Shylock, kicked him and called a ‘cut-throat dog.’


 


5. What does the ‘sacred nation’ refer to? What insults has Antonio heaped upon Shylock? 


‘The Sacred Nation’ is a reference to the holy Jewish race. Antonio insults Shylock for his business deals and for earning profit by lending money on interest. 


 


6. How does Shylock plan to get the money immediately? What light does this extract throw on Shylock’s character?


Shylock plans to get money immediately from a wealthy fellow-Jew, Tubal. It shows that Shylock wants to execute the bond as soon as possible and use the chance to take his revenge on Antonio.


Extract III


Shylock:


When Jacob grazed……….


Shylock:


Should fall as Jacob’s hire.



1. What topic is referred to in the extract? Who were Jacob and Abhraham?


The topic referred to in the extract is lending money for interest. Jacob was the second son of Issac who became the third successor to Abraham. Abraham was the founder of the Hebrew nation and Jacob’s grandfather.


 


2. Give the story of Jacob who got his share as his payment from Laban.


Laban was Jacob’s uncle. Jacob and Laban entered into an agreement that Jacob would receive as his wages the lambs which were born with spots or stripes. During the breeding season, Jacob arranged the wooden rods in such a way that the shadows of the rods should fall on the sheep. Consequently, most of the lambs were born spotted or stripped, and thus, they became Jacob’s property.


 


3. What is the difference between taking interest and receiving payment for one’s labour?. 


Taking interest means to charge specific amounts on the money given as loan for a specified period. Receiving payment for one’s labour means to take remuneration for one’s service rendered. This is legitimate while taking interest is not in order. 


 


4. What role did Jacob’s wise mother play to make him the third possessor?


Esau and Jacob were Issac’s sons. Issac wanted to bless his elder son Esau but would do so after he brought him some savoury meant. Jacob’s mother Rebecca overheard this conversation. She wanted to get this blessing for Jacob. She told Jacob to fetch two goats to make a savoury dish. Rebecca then asked Jacob to go to his blind father with the savoury meat. In this way, Jacob, through the crafty assistance of his mother, got the blessing of his father.   


 


5.How does Antonio interpret Jacob’s success after this extract?


After this extract, Antonio tells Shylock that it was purely a matter of chance in Jacob’s case. He had no control over it himself, but providence guided and governed the event. It was not a matter in the hands of men, like the taking of interest. 


Extract IV


Antonio: 


 Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?


….for all use of that which is mine own.


1. What is meant by ‘shall we be beholding to you’? What is Rialto?


‘Shall we be beholding to you’-this statement was made by Antonio and he wants to say to Shylock, “Are you going to lend us money?”


Rialto was the Venetian Stock Exchange where the merchants met for the transaction of business.


 


2. Give some examples to show that Shylock was ill-treated by Antonio. How did Shylock react to Antonio’s insults?


Shylock speaks of his ill-treatment at the hands of Antonio. He says that Antonio had spat upon his Jewish robe in contempt and called him an unbeliever and a cur. He had also spat upon his beard. On another day, he had pushed him aside with his foot as if he were a stray dog being kicked out of his house. Shylock reacted to Antonio’s insults patiently.


 


3. Why did Shylock bear Antonio’s insults patiently?


Shylock bore Antonio’s insults patiently since, as a shrewd Jew, he was waiting for an opportune time to take revenge on Antonio. Earlier, in the scene Shylock admits that patience is the badge of his race.


 


4. Give the causes, financial and racial, for Shylock’s hatred for Antonio.


Financially Antonio is a threat to Shylock’s money lending business because he lends money without charging interest and thus brings down the rate of interest charged by money lenders. Besides, he hates Antonio since he is a Christian, who despises the Jewish race.


 


5. What is the need for Antonio to borrow money from his enemy?


Antonio needs to borrow money from his enemy Shylock to give it to Bassanio, his friend so that he can go to Belmont to woo the rich lady Portia. 


 


6. Which trait of Shylock’s character emerges in this scene?


In this scene, Shylock is presented as shrewd, cunning and crafty. However, the most evident trait of his character is that of revenge- to take revenge on Antonio for all the insults heaped on him by Antonio. He is eager to execute the bond-document for this purpose.


Extract V


Shylock: 


Why, look you, how you scorn!


…..kind I offer.


1. What were the ‘shames’ which stained Shylock?


Shylock is referring to the insults hurled on him by Antonio such as speaking abusively of him and his money-lending, spitting on him, kicking him, calling him a dog and ridiculing the Jews.


 


2. What is meant by ‘the present wants’? On what terms is the speaker willing to supply the wants?


‘The present wants’ refer to the immediate need of Antonio-three thousand ducats to provide for Bassanio’s trip to Belmont to woo Portia. The speaker is ready to supply the wants provided Antonio signs a bond, according to which if Antonio is unable to pay him the money on the specified date, the penalty to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.


 


3. How does Antonio storm Shylock? Why was Shylock willing to lend money without interest? 


Antonio storms Shylock by saying that in future too he is likely to abuse and disgrace him and that he should lend the money as to an enemy rather than a friend. He challenges him exact the penalty if he fails to repay on time. Shylock is willing to lend the money without interest because he wants to trap Antonio in a fatal bond and take his revenge.


 


4. What did the speaker propose to do immediately after this?


Immediately after this, the speaker proposes to Antonio to accompany him to a lawyer and execute a bond with his signature wherein the forfeit to be paid will be an exact pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.


 


5. What is meant by Shylock when he says: “This is kind I offer’?


‘This is kind I offer you’ means this is the kindness that I offer you. This refers to his lending of money without charging any interest on it. 


 


6. Who is the third person, present at the scene? Why is he reluctant to agree to Shylock’s terms?


The third person present at the scene is Bassanio. He is reluctant to agree to Shylock’s terms because he did not trust the kind words uttered by Shylock. He tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an agreement on his account. He would rather remain as poor as he is now and do without his wants supplied at such a price. 


 


Extract VI


Shylock;


Go with me to a notary…….pleaseth me.


1. Who is a notary? Whom does Shylock want to take to the notary? Why?


A notary is a lawyer who has the authority to execute official and legal dealings and agrrements. Shylock want to take Antonio to the notary to sign the bond document which stipulates that the forfeit to be paid will be a pound of flesh from any part of Antonio’s body.


 


2. Give the meaning of:


a) Single bond: agreement in which Antonio will be the only signatory


b) Merry sport: for a pleasant joke.


3. What does Bassanio say to prevent Antonio from signing the bond?


Bassanio tells Antonio that he will not have him make such an agreement on his account. He adds that he would rather remain as poor as he is now and do without his wants supplied at such a price.


 


4. Why is Antonio confident that there is no danger in signing the bond? What aspect of Antonio’s character is shown in this incident?


Antonio is confident that there is no danger in signing the bond because he is confident that one month before the date of payment, his ships will have brought nine times the amount they are borrowing and they will not have to pay the penalty. This incident shows Antonio’s overconfidence and generosity towards Bassnio.


 


5. Why does Shylock insist on a pound of Antonio’s flesh in the bond? Which aspect of his character is shown in his absurd demand?


Shylock insists on a pound of Antonio’s flesh to take revenge on him and to put him completely at his mercy. Shylock’s hatred for Antonio and Christians is shown in his absurd demand. Taking advantage of the situation, he wants to take revenge on Antonio and all Christians, who persecuted him and his race. 

In an aside, what does Shylock confess?


He hates Antonio

He hates Bassanio

 

He hates his daughter

 

He hates Venice

2

of 5

What is it that Antonio criticizes and that Shylock does as a regular business practice?



Loans

 

Usury

 

Advertise his services

 

Bribery

3

of 5

What does Shylock say that Antonio has done to him in the past?



Failed to repay money

 

Been a good friend

 

Spat on him

 

Told him jokes

4

of 5

In what capacity does Antonio insist Shylock lend him the money?



As a friend

 

As a business partner

 

As a shareholder

 

As an enemy

5

of 5

How does Bassanio feel about the arrangement and the conditions of the loan?



Grateful

 

Indifferent

 

Suspicious

 

Angry

 

Thursday 26 August 2021

MCQS CBSE ANNIE FRANK

 Q1- Why was writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne?


A) she had never written anything before

B) she didn’t know how to write

C) neither she nor anyone else would be interested in it later

D) Both A and C


Q2- Who would Anne allow to read her diary?


A) her sister

B) her parents

C) a real friend (if she got one)

D) no one


Q3- Why does Anne want to keep a diary?


A) she has no close friends

B) she loves to write

C) she wants people to read about her later

D) she likes the idea of it


Q4- What did she name her diary?


A) Anne

B) Catty

C) Kitty

D) Kitten


Q5- Why does she give a brief sketch about her family in the diary?


A) no one would understand it if she dove right in

B) to introduce Kitty to her family

C) she would forget facts about her family

D) she liked talking about her family


Q6- Which subject was she not sure of passing?


A) Maths

B) science

C) english

D) all of the above

Q7- Why was Mr Keesing annoyed with her?


A) she was not a good student

B) she was talkative

C) she was rude

D) all of the above

Q8- Which topic was she to write an essay on as a part of her punishment?


A) A Chatterbox

B) An incorrigible chatterbox

C) Quack, Quack, Quack, said Mistress Chatterbox

D) all of the above 

Q9- What language was the diary originally written in ?


A) Spanish

B) English

C) Dutch

D) French



 Q10- How did Anne justify her being talkative in the essay?


A) she disussed the subject topics in class

B) it is a habit

C) it is an inherited trait from her mother and you can’t do much about it

D) the class is boring


Q11- What shows Anne’s love for her grandmother?


A) she still thinks about her

B) she misses her

C) she let her birthday pass with little celebration

D) both 1 and 2

Q12- Why does Anne think she was lonely?


A) she had no friends

B) she had no real friends

C) she was all alone

D) she was an introvert


Q13- Why was she unable to get closer to her already existing friends?


A) she didn’t like her friends

B) her friends are not understanding

C) she can’t bring herself to talk about personal stuff

D) all of the above

Q14- What would the kids bet about in class?


A) who is more talkative

B) who would pass the class

C) football matches

D) baseball matches

Q15- What did she write in her last essay?


A) a poem

B) a joke

C) a paragraph

D) a funny poem


Q16- When was the diary given to Anne?


A) 11th birthday

B) 12th birthday

C) 13th birthday

D) 14th birthday

Q17- What name was her book published with?


A) From the Diary of Anne Frank

B) The Diary of a Young girl

C) Anne Frank

D) Anne Frank’s Diary

Q18- Why did she not want to give a brief in the diary at first?


A) she didn’t want to be formal

B) she wanted the diary to be her real friend

C) She did not like the idea

D) both 1 and 2

Q19- How many siblings did Anne have?


A) 1

B) 2

C) 3

D) 4

Q20- What was Anne Frank’s full name?


A) Anneliese Marie Frank

B) Anna Mariam Frank

C) Anne Mark Frank

D) Anneliese Martina Frank

Q21- Who was the only survivor from Anne’s family


A) Anne

B) Anne’s father

C) Anne’s mother

D) Anne’s sister

Q22- What was the name of Anne Frank’s sister?


A) Margaret

B) Margot

C) Marrie

D) Martina

Q23- In which city were Anne and Margot sent to live with their grandmother?


A) Berlin

B) Aachen

C) Munich

D) Bonn

Q24- How old was Anne’s father when he married her mother?

A) 34

B) 35

C) 36

D) 32

Q25- On which date did Anne record the incident in Mr Keesing’s class in her diary?


A) 12 June, 1942

B) 21 June, 1942

C) 20 June, 1942

D) 22 June, 1942

Question 1.

What was the subject on which she had to write?

(a) Necessity of Walking

(b) Necessity of Running

(c) Necessity of Talking

(d) Necessity of Studying


Answer

Question 2.

What was topic of the essay written by Anne?

(a) My Diary

(b) A Chatterbox

(c) A letterbox

(d) None of the Above



 

Answer

Question 3.

How does the Anne explain his father?

(a) Most Adorable father

(b) Most Angry Father

(c) Most delicate Father

(d) None of the Above


Answer

Question 4.

Who is Anne’s long awaited friend?

(a) Her pen

(b) Her cat

(c) Her diary

(d) Her Dog


Answer

Question 5.

How does she want to begin her diary?

(a) By writing her name

(b) By giving an introduction

(c) By writing about her hobby

(d) None of the Above


Answer

Question 6.

On which date did Anne record the incident in Mr Keesing’s class in her diary?

(a) 12 June, 1942

(b) 21 June, 1942

(c) 20 June, 1942

(d) 22 June, 1942


Answer

Question 7.

In which city were Anne and Margot sent to live with their grandmother?

(a) Berlin

(b) Aachen

(c) Munich

(d) Bonn


Answer

Question 8.

Who was the only survivor from Anne’s family

(a) Anne

(b) Anne’s father

(c) Anne’s mother

(d) Anne’s sister


Answer

Question 9.

How many siblings did Anne have?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(c) 3

(d) 4


Answer

Question 10.

What name was her book published with?

(a) From the Diary of Anne Frank

(b) The Diary of a Young girl

(c) Anne Frank

(d) Anne Frank’s Diary


Answer

Question 11.

What did she write in her last essay?

(a) a poem

(b) a joke

(c) a paragraph

(d) a funny poem


Answer

Question 12.

Why was she unable to get closer to her already existing friends?

(a) she didn’t like her friends

(b) her friends are not understanding

(c) she can’t bring herself to talk about personal stuff

(d) all of the above


Answer

Question 13.

What shows Anne’s love for her grandmother?

(a) she still thinks about her

(b) she misses her

(c) she let her birthday pass with little celebration

(d) both 1 and 2


Answer

Question 14.

What language was the diary originally written in ?

(a) Spanish

(b) English

(c) Dutch

(d) French


Answer

Question 15.

Why was Mr Keesing annoyed with her?

(a) she was not a good student

(b) she was talkative

(c) she was rude

(d) all of the above


Answer

Question 16.

Why does she give a brief sketch about her family in the diary?

(a) no one would understand it if she dove right in

(b) to introduce Kitty to her family

(c) she would forget facts about her family

(d) she liked talking about her family


Answer

Question 17.

Why does Anne want to keep a diary?

(a) she has no close friends

(b) she loves to write

(c) she wants people to read about her later

(d) she likes the idea of it


Answer

Question 18.

Why was writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne?

(a) she had never written anything before

(b) she didn’t know how to write

(c) neither she nor anyone else would be interested in it later

(d) Both A and C



MCQS ICSE THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

 1. Who narrates The Little Match Girl?

GOD

AN UNNAMED NARRATOR

THE LITTLE GIRL

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

2. Who wrote The Little Match Girl?

EDGAR ALLEN POE

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

THE BROTHERS GRIMM

WALT DISNEY

3. In what century is The Little Match Girl set?

21ST

19TH

17TH

18TH

4. In what day of the year is The Little Match Girl set?

JANUARY 1

DECEMBER 24

DECEMBER 31

NONE OF THESE

5. What is the protagonist's name?

LILLITH

CYNTHIA

SHE IS NOT NAMED

H.C.

6. What color is the little girl's hair?

BLACK

BROWN

SHE IS BALD

BLONDE

7. Whose slippers was the girl wearing?

HER FATHER'S

HER OWN

HER MOTHER'S

HER GRANDMOTHER'S

8. In what season is the story set?

AUTUMN

WINTER

SUMMER

SPRING

9. Who steals the girl's slipper?

A BOY

HER FATHER

THE GOOSE

HER MOTHER

10. What country is the story likely set in?

CANADA

ENGLAND

THE US

DENMARK

11. What genre does the story best fit?

MURDER MYSTERY

FAIRY TALE

NOVEL

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

12. When was the story first published?

1945

1855

2000

1845

13. What does the girl sell?

PERFUME

MATCHES

ONIONS

FIREWOOD

14. What does the girl wear?

NOTHING

AN APRON

AN EVENING DRESS

PYJAMAS

15. What color does the girl's feet become?

YELLOW AND PURPLE

RED AND BLUE

GREY

BLACK

16. What medical condition is the girl suffering from?

CARDIAC ARREST

CRUELTY

HYPOTHERMIA

SUICIDE

17. What will happen if the girl returns home?

HER FATHER WILL BEAT HER

HER MOTHER WILL BEAT HER

SHE WILL BE TOO EMBARRASSED TO NOT HAVE MADE MUCH MONEY

SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO GET IN BECAUSE SHE LOST HER KEYS

18. What does the girl run out of the way of when crossing the road?

BULLIES

TRUCKS

CARRIAGES

BICYCLES

19. What does the boy intend to do with the girl's stolen slipper?

USE IT AS A MITTEN

USE IT AS A CRADLE FOR HIS CHILD ONE DAY

GIVE IT TO HIS LITTLE SISTER

USE IT TO WARM HIS EAR

20. How many matches does the girl sell?

ONLY TWO BOXES

ZERO

TRICK QUESTION, SHE SELLS ONIONS

A DOZEN

21. What smell pervades the air around the girl?

ROAST CHICKEN

ROAST BEEF

ROAST GOOSE

ROAST LAMB

22. The roast food smell in the air is an example of...

VERBAL IRONY

OLFACTORY IMAGERY

VISUAL METAPHOR

SIMILE

23. Why are rags and straw stuffed into gaps in the girl's roof at home?

SUPERSTITION

TO STOP THE WIND

AS DECORATION

NONE OF THESE

24. The "R-r-ratch!" sound the first match makes is an example of...

SIMILE

IRONY

METONYMY

AUDITORY IMAGERY

25. What is the first vision of?

HER MOTHER

A STOVE

A DOG

A TREE 


The Little Match Girl


1. After reading the line below, where did this story take place?

"Most terribly cold it was; quite dark, and evening-the last evening of the year."


On a cold New Years eve night.

In a small town at night.

On a cold new years day.

During a warm summers day.


2. Why did the young girl sell matches?


To save up money to buy new slippers.

To earn money to help support her poor family.

To earn enough money to buy a christmas tree.

To buy a roast goose.


3. What is the theme of, " The Little Match Girl"?

answer choices

Learn to take care of yourself.

Greed is necessary to survive.

Never lose hope because it can guide you and help solve your problems.  

Conflict makes you stronger.


4. What did the visions represent to the little match girl each time she lite a match?

answer choices

Each match represented the cold weather.

The matches represented the fear she had going home without any money for her family.

Each match is a vision of her hopes and dreams.  

Each match represents her family members, 


5. What does the falling star represent?

answer choices

The upcoming snow storm.

Her soul going to heaven.

The lights on the tall Christmas tree she envisioned.

It is close to sunrise.  


6. "She had not sold any matches and could not bring a farthing of money home." What does farthing mean in this sentence?


The least possible amount of money.

A large sum of money.

A fake amount of money.

Any additional monetary items.


7. How do you know the little girl is poor?


She saw a delicious roast goose in a window through the candle light.

At home it was cold too, above her the roof, through which the wind whistled, the largest cracks were stopped up with straw and rags.

Her little hands were numbed with cold.

She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron. 


8. Who was the one person who loved her but was now no more?


Her sister

Her mother

Her Grandmother

Her dog


9. What does it mean, "with her grandmother she had entered on the joys of a new year"?


It was morning and the little girl was no longer cold,

The little girl died and entered heaven with her grandmother.

Her grandmother found her and took her home.

The little girl feel asleep and someone gave her a blanket to stay warm.


10. What is the central idea of, "The Little Match Girl"?  


Wishing on a falling star made the little girls dreams come true.

The little poor girl never gave up hope.

Having food and warmth is what saved the little girl.

Poor children don't have the same luxuries as rich children. 

1.Which smell emanating from the houses reminds the girl of the time of year? (from Pages 1 - 12)

 Pie.

 Roast Goose.

 Pound cake.

 Roast Chicken.

2.What do the passers-by think about the matches in the girl's hand? (from Pages 23 - 30)

 She was playing with them.

 She was trying to sell them.

 She used them to keep herself warm.

 She found them on the street.

3.Who do the little girl's slippers belong to? (from Pages 1 - 12)

 Her father.

 Her sister.

 Her grandmother.

 Her mother.

4.What does a shooting star mean to the little girl? (from Pages 23 - 30)

 That bad fortune awaits.

 That someone is dying.

 That good fortune awaits.

 That someone has just been born.

5.On which holiday does this story take place? (from Pages 1 - 12)

 Christmas.

 Thanksgiving.

 New Year's Eve.

 Easter. 

6.What is the third vision that the girl imagines? (from Pages 13 - 22)

 Her grandmother.

 One large candle.

 A roast goose.

 A christmas tree and candles.

7.What does the little boy steal from the girl? (from Pages 1 - 12)

 Her matches.

 Her money.

 Her hat.

 Her slipper.

8.Why is the little girl scared to go home? (from Pages 1 - 12)

 She does not want to disappoint her mother.

 She does not want to confront the little boy again.

 Her father would beat her.

 It is dark outside.

9.What does the girl do to keep the vision of her grandmother present? (from Pages 23 - 30)

 She tries to grab her grandmother.

 She closes her eyes and hopes for the best.

 She chases after her grandmother.

 She lights all the matches.

10.What does the girl see in real life that reminds her of her grandmother? (from Pages 23 - 30)

 A happy family.

 An old lady.

 A shooting star.

 Her slipper. 

11.What does the little girl decide to do in order to get warm? (from Pages 13 - 22)

 Find some clothes.

 Light a match.

 Sneak into a house.

 Return home.

12.When the girl lights her first match, what does she compare the flame to? (from Pages 13 - 22)

 A large candle.

 A star.

 A little candle.

 A bonfire.

13.What is the final vision that the girl imagines? (from Pages 23 - 30)

 Her grandmother.

 Her mother.

 The Christmas tree.

 The roast goose.

14.What is the second vision that the girl imagines? (from Pages 13 - 22)

 Her grandmother.

 A roast goose dinner scene.

 A brass stove.

 Her mother.

15.What is the first vision that the girl imagines? (from Pages 13 - 22)

 Her mother.

 A large brass stove.

 A roast turkey.

 Her grandmother 

Wednesday 25 August 2021

MCQS, with Qs As ICSE "I know why the caged bird sings."




Following are the important MCQ from "I know why the caged bird sings." 

Q1. The poem was written by :

a. Robert Browning

b. Robert Frost

c. Maya Angelou

d. David Roth

 

Q2. What does the "grave of dreams" signify?

a. A feeling of hopelessness

b. Death of the birds

c. A place where humans are buried

d None of the above

Q3. What does the "caged bird" represent?

a. The loss of freedom

b. An encaged bird

c. Hope for a bright future


d. Endless opportunities



Q4. With what purpose does the caged bird sing?

a. Because it likes to sing

b. To call another bird

c. It is the nature of birds

d. Because it has only this way to express its pain


Q5. What does the caged bird long for?

a. Freedom 

 

b. Food

c. Other birds

d. None of the above

Answer: a

Q6. How many stanzas are there in the poem?

a. Six

b. Seven

 c. Four

d. Eight
 

Q7. What happens when the wings of the bird are clipped?

a. It dies

b. It cannot fly

c. It cannot eat

d. None of the above

Q8. Name the literary device used in:

"Bars of rage."

a. Irony

b. Personification

c. Auditory imaged. 

d. Metaphor

Q9. What do "bars of rage" represent?

a. Imprisonment of the innocent blacks

b. Freedom of blacks

c. Anger of rich peopled.

d.  None of the above

Q10. Which stanza of the poem is repeated?

a. Stanza 1

b. Stanza 3

c. Stanza 4

d. None of the above


Q11. Name the literary device used in

"orange sun rays."

a. Personification

b. Alliteration

c. Imagery

d. Simile

 

Q12. Name the literary device used in

"Sighing trees."

a. Personification

b. Alliteration

c. Metaphor

d. Imagery


Q13. The song sung by the bird is the symbol of 

a. Freedom

c. Imprisonment

d. Hopelessness

d. None of the above



Q14. Which bird is mentioned singing?

a. Caged bird

b. Free bird

c. Both of them


d. None of them


Q15. Which physical activity does the caged bird do before singing?

a. Drinks water

b. Opens its throat

c. Eats something

d. Does nothing

Q16. According to the poetess, the free bird could be best described as 

a. Anxious

b. Confident

c. Ambitious

d. Content


Q17. What is the theme of the poem?

a. The lives of the birds

b. Freedom and slavery

c. Joy and happiness

d. None of the above


Q18. Name the title of the poem.

a. "I know why the caged bird sings."

b. "I know the caged bird sings."

c. "The caged birds sing."

d. None of the above


Q 19. Upto where is the bird's song heard?

a. Cities

b. Distant hills

d. Villages

d. Nowhere

 

Q20. Choose the word which defines the features of the cage?

a. Narrow

b. Broad

c. Small

d. Large

Figures of speech

21. and floats downstream
till the current ends

22. free bird” and “caged bird”. 

23. can seldom see through 

24. and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

25. his shadow shouts on a nightmare screams

26. Orange sun rays’,

27.  ‘distant hills’, 

28. fat worms’ 

29. sighing trees’, 

30. ‘nightmare scream’ 

31. dips his wing’, 

32. ‘dares to claim the sky’, 

33.;‘name the sky his own’,

34.  ‘opens his throat to sing’,

35. ‘sings of freedom’ 

36. ‘fearful trill’ 

Page 1


Page 2


Page 3
Page 4


O MY LOVE! I DO FEEL



O MY LOVE! I DO FEEL....

O my Love! I'm neither a grisly ghost nor a gruesome spook;

Still, I do feel, as a betrayed brook,

Too scared of the scorching Midday Sun,

Away from me, as fast as light you ever recede and run!


O my Love! I am neither a ferocious lion nor a frightful bear;

Still, I do feel, you gallop with so much fear,

As if I were a foul, tricky and treacherous Fowler,

And you, a soft, gullible target, like an easy to hunt hare!


O my Love! I am neither a sinister snare nor a traitorous trap, 

Still, I do feel, you seal your sight, as the dark clouds of distrust envelope,

The serene, scintillating and credulous Full Moon,

So as to devour her charming sparkles as a perfidious goon! 


O my Love! I do feel, henceforth you will cast off your sloughs of solicitude and suspicion,

And follow me as my own shadow with a smile and warmth until we attain salvation!

Copyright: Shankar D Mishra

Tuesday 24 August 2021

SOLACE OF MY SERENE SOUL

 


1. A PRAYER TO LORD JAGANNATH

O Lord! How great Thou art,

And greater Thy Art, Skill and Intelligence,

Behind Thy Creation of air, water and land

Thy creation of millions of Stars, Suns and Moons,

Thy creation of living showers in the monsoons,

Thy creation of springs, rivers and oceans,

Thy creation of sweetness, bitterness and salt,

Thy creation of rocks, peaks, pebbles and sand,

Thy creation of joyous laughters, and sorrowful tears

Thy creation of heat, cold, fortitude and fears,

Thy creation of a newly wed bride’s charm, grace and blushes,

Thy creation of thunders, lightnings, floods and flashes,

Thy creation of a pious and unalloyed smile on a baby’s face,

Thy creation of bio-abiotic kingdom, flora and fauna with the human race,

Thy creation of good and bad as well as days and nights,

Thy creation of rockets, planes, buses, bikes, cycles and kites,

Thy creation of victory's soaring joy as well as defeat's boring plight,

Thy creation of vice and virtue as well as fall and rise,

Thy creation of the insane and the sane as well as the dull and the wise,

Thy creation of seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, years and ages,

Thy creation of Gurus, Saints, Seers, Popes, Priests, Prophets, Nuns, and Sages,

Thy creation of light and dark as well as dusk and dawn,

Thy creation of birth and death as well as hell and heaven,

Thy creation of Temples, Guru Dwars, Shrines, Churches and Mosques,

Thy creation of deserts, oases, fruits, vegetables, kernels and husks,

Thy creation of kings and queens in palaces, homes with kids, fathers and mothers,

And Thy creation of a great many innumerable creatures

May I thus be blest, to reach Thy Realm, with some Divine Feathers?

N.B:- Inspired by an Odia Bhajan on Lord Jagannath  


2.  A HYMN ON LORD SHIVA

O Lord! No mundane wound is too incurable for You to efficaciously heal,

No mundane ditch is too bottomless for You, in a trice, to fill,

No mundane grief is too intense for You to effortlessly mitigate,

No mundane demon is too formidable for You to easily relegate!

O Lord! No mundane darkness is too thick for You to instantly dispel,

No mundane circumstance is too adverse for You to prevail,

No mundane venom is too pernicious for You to safely devour,

No mundane power is too potent to inevitably need Your favour!

O Lord! No riddle is too complicated for You to rightly solve,

No mundane matter is too subtle for You to unavoidably involve,

No mundane place is too inaccessible for You to immediately reach,

No mundane Knowledge is too intricate for You to convincingly preach!

O Lord! No mundane thing is too impossible for You to miraculously do,

No mundane puzzle is so teasingly mazy that You won’t have the Clue!

*Relegate - banish


 3. A PRAYER TO LORD GANESH

O Lord! Only for Your infinite Mercy, the water in the rivers ceaselessly flow,

Only for Your boundless Mercy, man incessantly and abundantly grow,

Only for Your illimitable Mercy, away misfortune in an instant flee,

Only for Your endless Mercy, lasting happiness smiles as the verdant tree!

O Lord! Fathomless mains of sorrows turn into nectars only at Your graceful glance,

Health, wealth, prosperity and contentment do steadily enhance,

Your bounty rains to dispel the world's dark, bleak and deadly ignorance,

And, Your generosity keeps pouring on Earth the much needed sustenance,

O Lord! May You shower Your celestial blessings upon all till eternity,

May Your sweet blessings remove from the world all sordid negativity,

May Your rare blessings infuse in every being purity, integrity and impartiality,

May Your unique blessings establish love, fraternity, harmony and humanity,

May Your heavenly blessings bring an end to vice, cruelty, sorrow and poverty,

May Your Panacean blessings preserve the Earth from all evils till perpetuity!


4. A HUMBLE PRAYER TO GODDESS SARASWATI

O Maa! It is my humble, demure admission:

I will only disrespectfully plagiarize,

I will only discourteously publicize,

I will only apparently justify myself unwise,

I will only prove myself mad in the human guise,

To dare to describe You, what is indeed past description!

O Maa! I am really shivering at the thought of praising You,

I am shuddering at the thought of glorifying You,

I am stammering at the thought of extolling You,

I am shaking at the thought of exalting You,

I am trembling at the thought of applauding Your Miracles,

I am absorbed at Your Heavenly, subtle spectacles!

O Maa! It will be an utter impudence to eulogize You,

It will be a sheer insolence to belaud You,

It will be an outright imprudence to deify You,

It will be an out –and-out audacity to adore You,

It will be a complete dare-devilry to adulate You,

For, all the earthly epithets are too indecorous to glorify You!

O Maa! Without Your Magnanimous Grace,

I am a reprehensible fool in life's race!

Without Your Generous Grace,

I am a contemptuous figure without a face!

Without Your luminous Enlightenment,

I am a knowledge bulb without a filament!

O Maa! Without Your rapturous and radiant Light:

I am a gloomy gorge of ignorance,

I am a hollow husk without sustenance,

I am a dull, disdainful entity,

I am a void naught without utility,

I am too weak to brace up for life's fight!

O Maa! Without Your unfathomable Blessing:

I am, indeed, an ignoble, unwanted creature,

I am the most unwanted rubbish in Nature,

I am the most senseless cartoon caricature,

I am a mobile mortal minus any significant feature,

I am too brazen and bizarre a metal to be a coveted ring!

O Maa! Without Your bounteous Shower of Knowledge:

I am, undoubtedly, a derisive, unfilled and blank page,

I am the uncalled for swamp and sedimentary dredge,

I am a groping traveller in life’s mysterious maze,

I am a perplexed wayfarer in the confusion haze,

Without Your Elysian Boon I am accursed forever in this birth and death cage!