SECTION C : LITERATURE class 12 English with ANSWERS

Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 6

A. And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;

All lovely tales that we have heard or read:

An endless fountain of immortal drink,

Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

(A Thing of Beauty)

i Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?

A. The beauty of nature

B. The power of imagination

C. The immortality of art and literature

D. The inevitability of death

1

ii State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract.

By referring to the dead as "mighty", the poet emphasizes their importance and the power 

they exerted on the people.

1

iii Complete the sentence appropriately.

The "endless fountain of immortal drink" is an apt analogy for the tales of the mighty dead 

because ____________________________.

1

iv The use of the word "brink" in the extract suggests that the immortality that is being poured 

onto us is on the verge of overflowing. This creates a powerful image of ___________.

1

v Based on the poem rhyme scheme, evident in lines 2-5, of the given extract, which word 

would rhyme with line 1?

 said  think  tombs

1

vi Select the option that is NOT true about the lack of punctuation at the end of line 1 in the 

extract.

A. Creates a sense of continuity and flow that connects the line with the second line.

1

B. Encourages the reader to continue reading seamlessly without any pause.

C. Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader.

D. Encourages a revisit to the ideas in the preceding lines. 

OR

B. …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......

(My mother at Sixty-six)

i What is the speaker's emotional state when looking at her mother?

A. Confused and disoriented

B. Nostalgic and longing

C. Empathetic and understanding

D. Fearful and apprehensive

1

ii What does the use of the word "but" at the beginning of the line, ‘ but all I said..’, 

suggest ? 

1

iii Select the word that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.

The description of the mother as "wan, pale / as a late winter's moon" creates a vivid image 

of ________ .

A. vulnerability

B. sensitivity

C. frailty

D. mortality

1

iv State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.

The poetic device used in the line, ‘pale as a winter’s moon’ is the same as the one used in 

the line, ‘the winter wind wistfully wailed at night’.

1

v What message do these lines highlight, in the context of familial relationships, and the 

speaker’s sense of anxiety and fear at the prospect of losing her mother?

1

vi Complete the sentence appropriately.

The repetition of the word, ‘smile’ suggests that _______________.

C. The immortality of art and literature. 

 [The extract emphasizes the idea that the tales of the mighty dead are an "endless fountain of immortal drink" that pour down to us from the heavens, suggesting that these stories and legends are timeless and will never truly die. This theme speaks to the enduring power of art and literature to transcend time and space and to continue to inspire and move people long after their creators have passed away.] 1

 ii FALSE [The dead are referred to as "mighty" in the poem because they have achieved greatness in their lifetime. They may have contributed to society in a significant way or achieved great things in their respective fields. It is not about the power they exerted on the people. By referring to them as "mighty," the poet emphasizes their importance and the positive impact or influence they have had on the world.] 1 

iii ...just as a fountain constantly pours forth water, the tales of the mighty dead pour forth endless inspiration and wisdom for the living.  [The term "immortal drink" suggests that the stories are never-ending and that they have the power to nourish and sustain us in much the same way that water does.] 1

  iv abundance [ The use of the word "brink" in the poem suggests that the immortality that is being poured onto us is on the verge of overflowing. This powerful image suggests that the beauty and grandeur of the dooms are so great that they are overflowing from heaven. This image of   abundance reinforces the idea that the beauty and grandeur of the dooms are endless and that there is an infinite supply of it.]

 v tombs [rhymes with dooms , which is the last word of line 1]      1

 vi D. Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader [ the lack of punctuation at the end of the first line has a subtle yet significant impact on the poem, creating a sense of flow and continuity while also building anticipation and engaging the reader's imagination.] 1 

 B) i D. Fearful and apprehensive [The speaker mentions feeling an "old familiar ache" and "childhood's fear" when looking at her mother. This suggests a sense of fear or apprehension that is rooted in the speaker's past experiences with her mother.] 1 

ii It suggests a contrast between the speaker's internal emotional response and her outward behaviour. 1 

iii B. sensitivity 

 iv FALSE [the poem’s line  holds a simile/metaphor whereas the other line is an example of alliteration - w sound] 1

 v The poem highlights the importance of cherishing and appreciating the people we love,  while we still can. [quality time -life is transient and similar] 1 

vi ...the speaker is trying to hold back her emotions and remain composed, despite the pain she feels at parting from her mother