Monday, September 9, 2024

20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the poem, covering comprehension aspects such as inferential, factual, vocabulary, and literary devices

Which animal is described as "large and tawny"?
a) Bengal Tiger
b) Asian Lion
c) Leopard
d) Bear
Answer: b) Asian Lion
What will help you identify a Bengal Tiger?
a) Its roar
b) Its noble appearance
c) Black stripes on a yellow ground
d) Its large size
Answer: c) Black stripes on a yellow ground
Which animal is known for hugging very hard?
a) Leopard
b) Crocodile
c) Bear
d) Hyena
Answer: c) Bear
How can you tell a Crocodile from a Hyena?
a) By their size
b) Hyenas smile; Crocodiles cry
c) Hyenas roar; Crocodiles are silent
d) Crocodiles are larger than Hyenas
Answer: b) Hyenas smile; Crocodiles cry
What feature does the Chameleon lack?
a) Eyes
b) Ears and wings
c) Tail
d) Spots
Answer: b) Ears and wings

What does the word "tawny" in the poem most closely mean?
a) Green
b) Brownish-yellow
c) Black
d) White
Answer: b) Brownish-yellow
What is the meaning of "discern" as used in the line "The Bengal Tiger to discern"?
a) Escape
b) Notice
c) Capture
d) Fear
Answer: b) Notice
In the line "’Twill do no good to roar with pain," what does "'Twill" mean?
a) It is
b) They will
c) It will
d) She will
Answer: c) It will
What does the word "nonplus" mean in the context of the poem?
a) To confuse
b) To amaze
c) To frighten
d) To challenge
Answer: a) To confuse
The phrase "peppered with spots" refers to which animal?
a) Bengal Tiger
b) Leopard
c) Chameleon
d) Asian Lion
Answer: b) Leopard

What is implied when the poet says, "If he roars at you as you’re dyin’"?
a) The lion roars after attacking its prey.
b) The lion roars to scare people away.
c) The lion roars to protect its territory.
d) The lion is a gentle creature.
Answer: a) The lion roars after attacking its prey.
What can be inferred about the Leopard from the line "He’ll only lep and lep again"?
a) The Leopard attacks multiple times.
b) The Leopard flees after one attack.
c) The Leopard is weak.
d) The Leopard is friendly.
Answer: a) The Leopard attacks multiple times.
Why does the poet suggest "If they weep they’re Crocodiles"?
a) Crocodiles are known to cry when eating.
b) Crocodiles are emotional animals.
c) Crocodiles and hyenas cry in the same way.
d) Crocodiles weep to show sadness.
Answer: a) Crocodiles are known to cry when eating.
Why would meeting a Chameleon be tricky, as described in the poem?
a) It moves too fast to see.
b) It blends perfectly into its surroundings.
c) It flies away quickly.
d) It hides in water.
Answer: b) It blends perfectly into its surroundings.
What does the poet mean by "If there is nothing on the tree, ’Tis the chameleon you see"?
a) The tree is empty.
b) The chameleon has camouflaged so well that it's invisible.
c) The chameleon has left the tree.
d) The chameleon is hiding behind the tree.
Answer: b) The chameleon has camouflaged so well that it's invisible.

Which poetic device is used in "If he roars at you as you’re dyin’"?
a) Simile
b) Alliteration
c) Personification
d) Rhyme
Answer: d) Rhyme
What literary device is used in the line "A noble wild beast greets you"?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Irony
d) Hyperbole
Answer: b) Metaphor
Identify the rhyme scheme of the first stanza.
a) ABAB
b) AABB
c) ABCD
d) ABBA
Answer: a) ABAB
The phrase "peppered with spots" is an example of which literary device?
a) Simile
b) Alliteration
c) Imagery
d) Hyperbole
Answer: c) Imagery
What is the tone of the poem?
a) Serious
b) Humorous
c) Sad
d) Angry
Answer: b) Humorous

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Here’s a simple explanation, line by line, for John Donne’s poem "A Lecture upon the Shadow":

Stand still, and I will read to thee
A lecture, love, in love's philosophy.

These three hours that we have spent,
Walking here, two shadows went
Along with us, which we ourselves produc'd.

In the last three hours, as we walked together, we saw two shadows following us, created by our own bodies.

But, now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread,
And to brave clearness all things are reduc'd.

Now the sun is directly overhead, so the shadows are beneath our feet, and everything around us is clear and bright.

So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadows, flow
From us, and our cares; but now 'tis not so.

When our love was young and growing, we had hidden feelings and pretended (represented by shadows), but now those are gone.

That love has not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.

Love hasn't reached its highest point if it still worries about being seen or judged by others.

Except our loves at this noon stay,
We shall new shadows make the other way.

If our love doesn't stay perfect at this midday moment, new shadows (doubts or problems) will appear in the other direction.

As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind
Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.

The first shadows were meant to hide things from others, but now the new shadows will deceive us, confusing our own judgment.

If our loves faint, and westwardly decline,
To me thou, falsely, thine,
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.

If our love weakens and starts to fade (like the sun setting), you will act falsely towards me, and I will hide my true feelings from you.

The morning shadows wear away,
But these grow longer all the day;
But oh, love's day is short, if love decay.

Morning shadows disappear as the sun rises, but as the day goes on, shadows grow longer, and if love fades, its "day" is short.

Love is a growing, or full constant light,
And his first minute, after noon, is night.

Love should be like the light that grows stronger or remains steady. But if it starts to fade after reaching its peak (noon), it quickly turns into darkness (night).