Poem 04: You Start Dying Slowly (By Pablo Neruda) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - Short Questions And Answers

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Poem 04: You Start Dying Slowly
By Pablo Neruda
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

Short Question Answers
From Text Book Exercise

Q.l: Why does the poet emphasize the importance of change, such as wearing different colors or speaking to people you don't know?
Ans: Neruda encourages change because it represents openness to life. Simple acts like wearing new colors or talking to strangers symbolize the willingness to break out of the comfort zones, explore new perspectives, and grow emotionally and spiritually. It avoids stagnation and includes actively engaged routine in a person's life. Without having these two aspects, a person loses his vitality and starts decling towards his ultimate doom.

Q.2: What kind of emotions or experiences does the poet value, based on the line "If you avoid feeling passion and their turbulent emotions"?
Ans: The poet values deep and intense emotions, even if they are difficult or overwhelming. He believes that feeling passion, love, anger, joy or sorrow makes life vivid and meaningful. Avoiding such emotions lead to a dull, lifeless existence. Naruda observes the challenging and chaotic aspects of intense feelings such as intense enthusiasm, love, passion, desire and affection. Life is full of energy and motivation if the intense emotions are suppressed for the sake of comfort.

Q.3: What is the significance of breaking routines according to the poet?
Ans: Ans: Routines can lead to mental and emotional numbness. The poet views breaking routines as a sign of vitality and curiosity. It keeps life dynamic and helps to prevent the slow decay of the spirit. Breaking routine is rudimentary for fulfilling dreams and vision. Having the same routine leads to a metaphorical death of a man. Breaking routine is the cause of self-discovery and moving to more vibrant and meaningful life.

Q.4: In your own life, how could following the poem's advice lead to a more fulfilling experience? Give an example.
Ans: By trying new things like learning a new skill, traveling to unfamiliar places, or opening up to other, I can grow personally. For example, speaking in public used to scare me, but when I overcame that fear, I felt more confident and alive. Fear of eyes can be curbed with the power of knowledge and information from diversified sources. Having the tips from my mentor helped me to speak confidently in public.

Q.5: How does Neruda's, poem serve as both a warning and an encouragement? Which element is stronger, in your view?
Ans: The poem warns against emotional stagnation and encourages living with boldness and awareness. While both elements are strong, the encouragement is stronger, as Neruda inspires the reader to live with passion, purpose, curiosity, desire, longing, self-discovery and self-expression. Neruda highlights the consequences of a passive existence where a man fails to engage himself with the world and his own potential. The poet encourages his readers to move towards a vibrant and fulfilling existence.

More Short Question Answers

Q.7: Why does the poet emphasize the importance of change, such as wearing different colors or speaking to people you don't know?
Ans: The poet emphasizes these small changes because they reflect our openness to life. Doing something new things, like wearing a different color or talking to a stranger, push us out of our comfort zone. These acts are symbolic of emotional courage and growth. It is not harm to put on new clothes according to the current trend and meet diversified people from different social backgrounds. New things and new friends or even strangers help a man to develop his emotional growth and diversity.

Q.8: What kind of emotions or experiences does the poet value, based on the line "If you avoid to feel passion and their turbulent emotions"?
Ans: Neruda deeply values emotions such as love, anger, joy, and sorrow. He believes that feeling passion even if chaotic is what brings color and meaning to our lives. Avoiding such emotions, to him, is the beginning of spiritual death. The poet never curbs those worthful emotions because a man flourishes himself with these emotions by and by.

Q.9: What is the significance of breaking routines according to the poet?
Ans: According to the poet, routines make us dull and numb over time. Breaking them keeps our mind alive and gives us space to grow and explore. It is through unpredictability that life becomes truly exciting. The fixed pattern of life makes a man monotonous and without any energy to do something extraordinary. It is better to break the chains of the routine of a person to execute the mind-blowing performance in the world.

Q.10: In your own life, how could following the poem's advice lead to a more fulfilling experience?
Ans: Following the poem's advice can help me live more freely and purposefully. If I take risks like trying something new or speaking up, I feel more confident and alive. These experiences shape me and make life feel worth living. The poet never curbs those worthful emotions because a man flourishes himself with these emotions thoroughly. These emotions are helpful to avoid a sense of stagnation and emptiness in life to gain the more fulfilling experience.

Q.11: How does Neruda's poem serve as both a warning and an encouragement? Which element is stronger, in your view?
Ans: The poem warns us against becoming emotionally and mentally stagnant. At the same time, it encourages us to live fully, feel deeply, and take chances. In my view, the encouragement is stronger because it inspires action and change and leads a man to take risks and pursue their dreams. It is the encouragement to embrace passion, take chances and live with purpose.

Q.12: What does the poet mean by "You start dying slowly if you do not appreciate yourself'?
Ans: The poet means that lack of self-love leads to internal emptiness. When we stop recognizing our own worth, we begin to disconnect from life. Appreciating ourselves is necessary for emotional survival. Neruda suggests that a man should not neglect his own worth, talents and accomplishments because their negligence leads him to a gradual loss of vitality and joy in vain.

Q.13: How does the poet define "dying slowly"?
Ans: Neruda defines "dying slowly" as losing the desire to grow, feel, and connect. It's not about physical death, but about fading emotionally and spiritually. A person may be alive outside but completely dull inside. This phrase means a gradual diminishing of one's zest for life. Not speaking the truth leads to not being true resulting in the stagnation of the soul.

Q.14: Why does the poet connect "travel, reading, and listening to life" with being truly alive?
Ans: He sees these actions as doors to new experiences, cultures, and feelings. They keep our minds curious and our hearts open. Through them, we stay connected to the world and to our inner selves. These activities help a man to eradicate a state of stagnation and promote self-discovery, engagement with the world, life of exploration, imagination and knowledge with emotional depth.

Q.15: What is the danger of "not letting others help you" according to the poet?
Ans: The poet believes that refusing help creates isolation and weakens our human connection. Accepting support allows growth, humility, and shared strength. Rejecting it only leads to emotional loneliness. A man can never lead this life alone and he needs the favors, appreciation, criticism and assistance from others in this world.

Q.16: What message does the poem leave for those afraid of risk and change?
Ans: The poem sends a strong message that without risk, there is no real living. Staying in a comfort zone leads to emotional death. Life begins the moment we dare to grow and feel.
A life without passion, risk and change leads to a gradual spiritual and emotional deterioration and dowfall. Change and risk urge the readers to embrace life fully, by pursuing dreams and engaging with the world around.

Poem 04: You Start Dying Slowly (By Pablo Neruda) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - (MCQs)

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Poem 04: You Start Dying Slowly
By Pablo Neruda
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
From Text Book Exercise

Read the poem carefully and choose the correct option:
1. The poet implies by repeating the phrase "You start dying slowly" that...
(a) death is a gradual physical process
(b) emotional and spiritual stagnation leads to living death✔
(c) everyone will die eventually
(d) life is short, so enjoy it

2. According to the poet, one of the following actions causes a person to "die slowly": _____.
(a) traveling frequently
(b) avoiding routine activities
(c) failing to change habits✔
(d) seeking advice from others

3. What is the poet's view on passion, as described in the poem?
(a) Passion should be avoided
(b) Passion is unnecessary for a fulfilling life
(c) Passion, though turbulent, is essential to feeling alive✔
(d) Passion leads to heartbreak and regret

4. What might Neruda mean by "becoming a slave of your habits"?
(a) Being overly disciplined in life
(b) Following routines without question✔
(c) Living freely and exploring new ideas
(d) Working hard to achieve goals

5. What message does Neruda convey about self-esteem in the poem?
(a) Self-esteem is unimportant in living a full life
(b) Strong self-esteem leads to personal stagnation
(c) Low self-esteem can contribute to emotional decay✔
(d) Self-esteem only affects relationships, not personal growth

6. The poet's list of things to avoid is meant to:
(a) Judge people who do them
(b) Encourage conformity
(c) Inspire awareness and conscious living✔
(d) Provide a literal checklist

7. Which line best supports the idea of emotional courage?
(a) "When you kill your self-esteem"
(b) "If you avoid to feel passion"✔
(c) "If you become a slave of your habits"
(d) "When you do not let others help you"

More Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

8. According to the poem, what does one start dying slowly from?
(a) Eating too much
(b) Not sleeping enough
(c) Avoiding change and growth
(d) Speaking too loudly

9. What is the poet's main message in the poem?
(a) Death is inevitable
-(b) A stagnant life is as good as death
(c) Travel is overrated
(d) Advice should never be followed

10. What emotion is highlighted as essential for feeling alive?
(a) Fear
(b) Sadness
(c) Passion✔
(d) Anger

11. What does the poet imply about daily routine?
(a) It gives structure to life
(b) It helps one stay disciplined
(c) It kills creativity if blindly followed✔
(d) It's the best way to avoid problems

12. What happens when you kill your self-esteem, according to the poem?
(a) You become fearless
(b) You start dying slowly✔
(c) You win respect
(d) You gain wisdom

13. What does the poet suggest about speaking to strangers?
(a) It's unsafe
(b) It's unnecessary
(c) Avoiding it is a form of slow death✔
(d) It should only happen when needed

14. What kind of life does the poet encourage?
(a) Quiet and reserved
(b) Logical and emotionless
(c) Predictable and careful
(d) Bold, passionate, and open to change✔

15. What is meant by "run away from sensible advice"?
(a) Don't listen to anyone
(b) Always break the rules
(c) Take risks and trust your dreams over safe choices✔
(d) Never follow experienced people

16. How does the poet describe a person who doesn't read or travel?
(a) Smart and safe
(b) Dying slowly✔
(c) Unaffected
(d) Always happy

17. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for 'dying slowly'?
(a) Lack of change
(b) Not feeling emotions
(c) Losing money✔
(d) Ignoring dreams

Poem 03: The Seven Ages Of A Man (By William Shakespeare) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - Text Book Exercise

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Poem 03: The Seven Ages Of A Man
By William Shakespeare
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

• Pre-Reading (Exercise 01)
• While-Reading (Exercise 02 and 03)
• Post-Reading (Exercise 04, 05, 06, 07 and 08)

Poem: The Seven Ages Of A Man
By William Shakespeare

Pre-Reading
(Exercise 01)

 EXERCISE 01: 
Look at the picture. Discuss in pairs.

1. How does life change with age?
Ans: Life changes in many ways as a person grows older. In childhood, people are dependent, emotional, and curious. As they grow into youth and adulthood, they become ambitious, responsible, and focused on love, career, and reputation. In later stages, people become wise but also begin to lose physical strength.
Finally, in old age, they return to a state similar to childhood, dependent on others and losing senses like sight, memory, and speech. Life goes through a complete cycle from helplessness to helplessness.

2. Predict what will your read in the poem.
Ans: The poem is likely about the different stages of human life, comparing it to a play where every person is an actor. It may show that people play different roles from infancy to old age, and life is full of changes, responsibilities, and ultimately ends in silence and death.

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While-Reading
(Exercise 02 and 03)

 EXERCISE 02: 
Draw the line to match stage of life with their respective characteristics.

Ans: In the poem "All the World's a Stage" by William Shakespeare, life is divided into seven stages. Each stage has its own unique characteristics, and the poem compares life to a play where a person plays different roles. Based on the poem, the correct matching of each life stage with its characteristic is as follows:
1. Infancy — Helpless and dependent
2. Schoolboy — Eager and learning
3. Lover — Passionate and emotional
4. Soldier — Brave and ambitious
5. Justice — Wise and fair
6. Old Age — Weak and reflective
7. Second Childhood — Dependent and forgetful
This cycle shows how human life moves from total dependency in childhood to strength and wisdom in adulthood, and then returns to dependency again in old age.Ans:

 EXERCISE 03: 
Deduce the contextual meaning of the following words from the poem.

Word	Contextual Meaning
Mewling	Crying softly like a baby
Puking	Vomiting (showing helplessness of infancy)
Satchel	A small school bag used by the schoolboy
Pard	Leopard (used to describe the soldier's bearded, fierce look)
Capon	A fattened rooster (symbolizing well-fed, comfortable lifestyle)
Saws	Wise sayings or proverbs spoken by the justice
Slippered pantaloons	Loose trousers and slippers worn by old men
Shrunk shank	A thin, weakened leg due to old age
Treble	High-pitched or childish voice
-Sans	Without (used for the loss of senses in old age)

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Post-Reading
(Exercise 04, 05, 06, 07 and 08)

 EXERCISE 04: 
Read the poem carefully and choose the correct option.
1. The phrase "seeking the bubble reputation" suggests that _____.
(a) reputation is easy to achieve.
(b) reputation is fragile and temporary. ✔
(c) reputation lasts forever.
(d) reputation is deceptive.

2. The poem depicts a schoolboy's attitude towards school as he _____.
(a) is excited to go to school.
(b) eagerly runs to school.
(c) drags himself unwillingly to school. ✔
(d) proudly carries his books to school.

3. In the stage of "the justice," the man is physically described as _____.
(a) bearded like a pard
(b) with spectacles on his nose
(c) full of strange oaths
(d) with a fair round belly ✔

4. Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
(a) Celebratory and joyful
(b) Bitter and accusatory
(c) Reflective and philosophical ✔
(d) Angry and rebellious

5. Shakespeare's main purpose in dividing human life into seven distinct stages in The Seven Ages of Man is to show that _____.
(a) each person's life is entirely unique.
(b) human life progresses through predictable stages ✔
(c) people are free from societal roles
(d) the unpredictability of life events
(Note: Number 2, 3 and 4 mcqs repeated at 6, 7 and 8 mcqs respectively in text book exercise)

 EXERCISE 05: 
Read the poem carefully in groups of two or three and answer the following questions in written form.
Q.l: What do the 'entrances' and the 'exits' represent in the poem "Seven Ages of Life"?
Ans: They represent birth and death. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a stage play where people enter (are born), perform roles (live their lives), and exit (die). Life is seen as a temporary performance like an actor. In this poem, human like has been compared with the theatre where actors act their roles and quit. Life is not permanent like a stage on a theatre.

Q.2: How does a man play the sixth role on the stage of life in the poem The Seven Ages of Man?
Ans: In the sixth stage, the man becomes thin, feeble, and old, often wearing spectacles and slippers. His voice becomes childish again, and his world shrinks. This stage reflects the decline of physical strength and independence. He is so thin that his stockings are loose. His eye sight becomes so weak and cannot see properly. This is the maturity stage in a man's life due to wisdom, experience and sense of responsibility.

Q.3: How does Shakespeare's metaphor of the world as a stage reflect the transient nature of human life?
Ans: The metaphor suggests that life is temporary and performative. Like actors on stage, people come and go, playing different roles. No role or moment is permanent, emphasizing the fleeting and ever-changing nature of life. This poem reflects the quality of impermanence of life and the roles we play urging and navigating a brief stay in this world and exit. It also symbolizes the transitions and transformations that a man undergoes in this world.

Q.4: What is the first stage of life mentioned in the poem, and how is it described?
Ans: The first stage is infancy. The infant is helpless, "mewling and puking in the nurse's arms," showing the total dependence and vulnerability of a newborn child. Shakespeare describes the birth of the child as the first act of the drama of human life in this world. A man makes his entry as an infant who is fully dependent upon others.

Q.5: What is the meaning of "the bubble reputation" in the context of the soldier's life?
Ans: It refers to the soldier's desire for honor, even if it is short-lived, fleeting and fragile like a bubble. He is willing to risk his life for fame, which may vanish quickly and is often hollow or meaningless. He wants a great reputation in no time and without putting efforts for it. A soldier needs honor in order to maintain his image and reputation in this world. In this stage of life, a man requires honor, fame and pride which are more momentous than his own life.

Q.6: How would you divide the life of a modern human being into seven different ages?
Ans: Modern human life can be divided into seven stages as:
1. Infancy (0-3 years) – Helpless and dependent.
2. Childhood (4-12 years) – Playful, learning phase.
3. Teenage (13-19 years) – Emotional growth and confusion.
4. Young Adult (20-30 years) – Education, career beginnings.
5. Maturity (31-50 years) – Responsibility, family, and ambition.
6. Late Adulthood (51-70 years) – Reflection, wisdom, slowing down.
7. Old Age (71+) – Decline in strength, dependency, second childhood, preparing for the end of life.
(Example answer – can be adapted to personal ideas)

 EXERCISE 06: 
Read the poem carefully and write the critical appreciation of the poem.
Ans: Critical Appreciation — The Seven Ages of Man William Shakespeare's poem "The Seven Ages of Man", taken from his song As You Like it, is a profound reflection on the journey of human life. The poet compares the world to a stage and all humans to actors playing various roles through seven distinct stages: infancy, childhood, lover, soldier, justice, old age, and second childishness.

Shakespeare uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to explore each stage. For example, he describes the infant as "mewling and puking," showing helplessness. The schoolboy is reluctant, creeping "like snail," and the lover sighs "like a furnace." Each role is symbolic of the changing nature of human desires, responsibilities, and strengths.

The soldier is passionate but reckless, while the justice is wise and respected. As life progresses, physical and mental powers decline, and man returns to a second childhood—"sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything."

The language of the poem is rich in figurative speech—metaphors, similes, and alliteration enhance its dramatic and philosophical depth. It presents life as both meaningful and fleeting, making readers reflect on the inevitability of aging and mortality.

Shakespeare's universal message—that life is temporary and people are merely performers is timeless. The poem teaches us to recognize the impermanence of our roles and the importance of accepting each stage with grace and understanding.

 EXERCISE 07: 
Explain with reference to the context the following lines.

Lines No.	Lines
1-5	All the world's a stage ..... At first the infant
6-10	Mewling and puking ..... with a woeful ballad
11-15	Made to his mistress' eyebrow ..... And then the justice,
16-20	Into the lean ..... toward childish treble, pipes
21-25	And whistles in his sound ..... taste, sans everyting.

Answer: Reference To Context:
Lines: All the world's a stage ..... At first the infant (1-5)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Seven Ages Of A Man" taken from the song As you Like it. This poem is written by William Shakespeare.
Explanation: These opening lines introduce the central metaphor of the poem—life as a stage. Shakespeare states that all people are merely actors who come and go, playing different roles. The "infant" is the first role, helpless and dependent, beginning the human journey.

Lines: Mewling and puking ..... with a woeful ballad (6-10
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Seven Ages Of A Man" taken from the song As you Like it. This poem is written by William Shakespeare.
Explanation: These lines describe the early years of a schoolboy. The child is unwilling to go to school, creeping like a snail. The "lover" then emerges, expressing emotions and writing sad poetry for his beloved, showing the emotional intensity of youth.

Lines: Made to his mistress' eyebrow ..... And then the justice, (11-15)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Seven Ages Of A Man" taken from the song As you Like it. This poem is written by William Shakespeare.
Explanation: These lines depict the transformation from lover to soldier and then to justice. The soldier is full of pride and courage, even risking life for "bubble reputation". The justice, however, represents maturity and wisdom, speaking with authority and experience.

Lines: Into the lean ..... toward childish treble, pipes (16-20)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Seven Ages Of A Man" taken from the song As you Like it. This poem is written by William Shakespeare.
Explanation: Here the man moves into old age. He becomes thin, wears glasses, and loses his former strength and energy. His world becomes limited, and he slowly returns to a more dependent state.

Lines: And whistles in his sound ..... taste, sans everyting. (21-25)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Seven Ages Of A Man" taken from the song As you Like it. This poem is written by William Shakespeare.
Explanation: The final lines show the last stage: "second childishness." The man becomes like a child again weak and forgetful, losing his senses and independence. The poem ends by showing that life completes full circle, ends as it begins in helplessness.

 EXERCISE 08: 
Enact the poem through role-play on the poem. Each player/actor would play a single role out of Seven Ages of Man.
Ans: Role-play Activity: Enacting the Seven Ages of Man
Each student will take on one of the following roles and perform a short act or dialogue showing the traits of that stage of life, as described in the poem:
1. Infant:

• Action: Pretends to cry and be held in a nurse's arms.
• Lines: "Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms."

2. Schoolboy:

• Action: Wears a backpack, acts unwilling to go to school.
• Lines: "With his satchel... creeping like snail unwillingly to school."

3. Lover:

• Action: Holds a letter or sings a sad song to a beloved.
• Lines: "Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress' eyebrow."

4. Soldier:

• Action: Wears a toy sword or salutes, ready to fight for honor.
• Lines: "Jealous in honour... seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon's mouth."

5. Justice:

• Action: Wears a robe or glasses, speaks wisely.
• Lines: "With eyes severe... full of wise saws and modern instances."

6. Old Age (Pantaloons):

• Action: Walks slowly with a cane or spectacles.
• Lines: "Lean and slippered pantaloons... spectacles on nose."

7. Second Childhood:

• Action: Acts confused, dependent, and slow.
• Lines: "Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything."

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Poem 03: The Seven Ages Of A Man (By William Shakespeare) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - Short Questions And Answers

Go To Index
Poem 03: The Seven Ages Of A Man
By William Shakespeare
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

Short Question Answers
From Text Book Exercise

Q.l: What do the 'entrances' and the 'exits' represent in the poem "Seven Ages of Life"?
Ans: They represent birth and death. Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a stage play where people enter (are born), perform roles (live their lives), and exit (die). Life is seen as a temporary performance like an actor. In this poem, human like has been compared with the theatre where actors act their roles and quit. Life is not permanent like a stage on a theatre.

Q.2: How does a man play the sixth role on the stage of life in the poem The Seven Ages of Man?
Ans: In the sixth stage, the man becomes thin, feeble, and old, often wearing spectacles and slippers. His voice becomes childish again, and his world shrinks. This stage reflects the decline of physical strength and independence. He is so thin that his stockings are loose. His eye sight becomes so weak and cannot see properly. This is the maturity stage in a man's life due to wisdom, experience and sense of responsibility.

Q.3: How does Shakespeare's metaphor of the world as a stage reflect the transient nature of human life?
Ans: The metaphor suggests that life is temporary and performative. Like actors on stage, people come and go, playing different roles. No role or moment is permanent, emphasizing the fleeting and ever-changing nature of life. This poem reflects the quality of impermanence of life and the roles we play urging and navigating a brief stay in this world and exit. It also symbolizes the transitions and transformations that a man undergoes in this world.

Q.4: What is the first stage of life mentioned in the poem, and how is it described?
Ans: The first stage is infancy. The infant is helpless, "mewling and puking in the nurse's arms," showing the total dependence and vulnerability of a newborn child. Shakespeare describes the birth of the child as the first act of the drama of human life in this world. A man makes his entry as an infant who is fully dependent upon others.

Q.5: What is the meaning of "the bubble reputation" in the context of the soldier's life?
Ans: It refers to the soldier's desire for honor, even if it is short-lived, fleeting and fragile like a bubble. He is willing to risk his life for fame, which may vanish quickly and is often hollow or meaningless. He wants a great reputation in no time and without putting efforts for it. A soldier needs honor in order to maintain his image and reputation in this world. In this stage of life, a man requires honor, fame and pride which are more momentous than his own life.

Q.6: How would you divide the life of a modern human being into seven different ages?
Ans: Modern human life can be divided into seven stages as:
1. Infancy (0-3 years) – Helpless and dependent.
2. Childhood (4-12 years) – Playful, learning phase.
3. Teenage (13-19 years) – Emotional growth and confusion.
4. Young Adult (20-30 years) – Education, career beginnings.
5. Maturity (31-50 years) – Responsibility, family, and ambition.
6. Late Adulthood (51-70 years) – Reflection, wisdom, slowing down.
7. Old Age (71+) – Decline in strength, dependency, second childhood, preparing for the end of life.
(Example answer – can be adapted to personal ideas)

More Short Question Answers

Q.7: What stage comes after the lover in the poem, and how is it characterized?
Ans: The stage after the lover is the soldier. Shakespeare describes him as full of strange oaths, quick to anger, aggressive, and seeking short-lived reputation ("bubble reputation"). He is brave and even ready to face death ("even in the cannon's mouth"). He wants a great reputation in no time and without putting efforts for it. A soldier needs honor in order to maintain his image and reputation in this world. In this stage of life, a man requires honor, fame and pride which are more momentous than his own life.

Q.8: What role does the "justice" play in the Seven Ages, and what traits define him?
Ans: The justice represents the fifth age. He is mature, wise, and socially respected. He has grown fat from eating expensive meals. He shares his experiences of life and the knowledge through aphorism and good decisions. He has a fair round belly, formal beard, and is full of wise sayings. This stage reflects intellectual growth and moral authority.

Q.9: How does the seventh age reflect the cycle of life returning to its beginning?
Ans: The seventh stage is called "second childishness." It mirrors infancy, as the man becomes dependent again and loses all senses — teeth, eyes, taste, and memory. This shows the full circle of life from birth to death. Life transforms a man a figure of helplessness and dependence again like a childhood. To be precise, the seventh stage is the time to return to dependence and physical decline, and move towards loss of memory, hearing and other cognitive functions before death.

Q.10: Explain the use of the phrase "sighing like furnace" for the lover.
Ans: This phrase shows how intensely emotional the lover is. Just like a furnace produces heat, fervor, the lover's sighs reflect his burning passion and sadness over love often exaggerated and dramatic in nature. He experiences his intense and passianote emotions both joy and sorrow in his infatuation. This reflects the lover's tedencey to express his overwhelming emotions for the object of his affection.To be precise, it is woeful ballad for his mistress.

Q.11: What is the symbolic significance of "bubble reputation"?
Ans: The phrase compares fame to a bubble, it appears shiny but is fragile and temporary. It symbolizes how people, especially soldiers, often chase honor that is short-lived and may not have lasting value. He wants a great reputation in no time and without putting efforts for it. A soldier needs honor in order to maintain his image and reputation in this world. In this stage of life, a man requires honor, fame and pride which are more momentous than his own life.

Q.12: How does the use of the stage metaphor enhance the message of the poem?
Ans: The stage metaphor shows life as a performance where every person has a role to play. It makes readers reflect on the temporary and scripted nature of existence, where everyone enters and exits, leaving behind only actions. This poem reflects the quality of impermanence of life and the roles we play urging and navigating a brief stay in this world and exit. It also symbolizes the transitions and transformations that a man undergoes in this world.

Q.13: How Is the schoolboy described, and what does it tell us about that age?
Ans: The schoolboy is unwilling to go to school, carrying a satchel, and walking slowly "like a snail." This portrays childhood as a phase of resistance, boredom, and emotional sensitivity, especially toward discipline. A school child being an innocent being wants to lead his life with maximum fun and recreational activities without the boundage of school. A child Is introduced to the world of discipline, order and routine which are offered by the school.

Q.14: Why does Shakespeare call the final stage "mere oblivion"?
Ans: "Mere oblivion" means complete forgetfulness or unconsciousness. It highlights how, at the end of life, a person loses awareness, memory, and senses, becoming like a blank page, ready to exit life's play. A man loses his mental faculty and becomes forgetful and dependent much like Infants. To be precise, the seventh stage Is the time to return to dependence and physical decline, and move towards loss of memory, hearing and other cognitive functions before death.

Q.15: Which literary devices are used in this poem, and how do they strengthen the theme?
Ans: Shakespeare uses metaphor (world as a stage), imagery (mewling, sighing, creeping), simile (sighing like a furnace) and alliteration ("shrunk shank"). These devices make the poem vivid and emphasize the emotional and physical changes throughout life.

Q.16: What lesson can readers take from the Seven Ages of Man?
Ans: The poem teaches us that life is fleeting and cyclical. Each stage has its purpose and challenges. One should live meaningfully, knowing that roles change and everything youth, fame, power is temporary. Life is seen as a temporary performance like an actor. No role or moment is permanent, emphasizing the fleeting and ever-changing nature of life. This poem reflects the quality of impermanence of life and the roles we play urging and navigating a brief stay in this world and exit. It also symbolizes the transitions and transformations that a man undergoes in this world from the first childhood to the second childhood.

Poem 03: The Seven Ages Of A Man (By William Shakespeare) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - (MCQs)

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Poem 03: The Seven Ages Of A Man
By William Shakespeare
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
From Text Book Exercise

Read the following satatement and choose the correct option:
1. The phrase "seeking the bubble reputation" suggests that _____.
(a) reputation is easy to achieve.
(b) reputation is fragile and temporary. ✔
(c) reputation lasts forever.
(d) reputation is deceptive.

2. The poem depicts a schoolboy's attitude towards school as he _____.
(a) is excited to go to school.
(b) eagerly runs to school.
(c) drags himself unwillingly to school. ✔
(d) proudly carries his books to school.

3. In the stage of "the justice," the man is physically described as _____.
(a) bearded like a pard
(b) with spectacles on his nose
(c) full of strange oaths
(d) with a fair round belly ✔

4. Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
(a) Celebratory and joyful
(b) Bitter and accusatory
(c) Reflective and philosophical ✔
(d) Angry and rebellious

5. Shakespeare's main purpose in dividing human life into seven distinct stages in The Seven Ages of Man is to show that _____.
(a) each person's life is entirely unique.
(b) human life progresses through predictable stages ✔
(c) people are free from societal roles
(d) the unpredictability of life events
(Note: Number 2, 3 and 4 mcqs repeated at 6, 7 and 8 mcqs respectively in text book exercise)

More Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

9. The poem is composed by _____. OR The poem 'The seven ages of Man' is written by _____.
(a) William Wordsworth
(b) P.B. Shelley
(c) John Milton
(d) William Shakespeare ✔

10. The poem is found in his play _____.
(a) Macbeth
(b) Hamlet
(c) As You Like it ✔
(d) Othelo

11. According to Shakespeare, "All the world's a stage and all the man and women merely _____.
(a)actors
(b) players ✔
(c) artists
(d) artistes

12. According to Shakespeare, "They have _____ and their entrances."
(a) Exits ✔
(b) Gates
(c) Inlets
(d) Outles

13. According to Shakespeare, "One man in his time plays _____ parts."
(a) many ✔
(b) much
(c) more
(d) any

14. His acts being _____ ages.
(a) six
(b) seven ✔
(c) eight
(d) nine

15. According to Shakespeare, "At first the _____."
(a) infant ✔
(b) baby
(c) child
(d) infancy

16. According to Shakespeare, "Mewling and Puking in the _____ arms."
(a) mother's
(b) nurse's ✔
(c) grand ma's
(d) father's

17. Then, the _____ schoolboy, with his satchel.
(a) shy
(b) unwilling
(c) whining ✔
(d) slow going

18. With his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like _____.
(a) crocodile
(b) rabbit
(c) snail ✔
(d) swan

19. And then the _____ sighing like furnace.
(a) actor
(b) soldier
(c) lover ✔
(d) Justice

Poem 02: The Age Of Infancy (By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - Text Book Exercise

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Poem 02: The Age Of Infant
By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

• Pre-Reading (Exercise 01)
• While-Reading (Exercise 02 and 03)
• Post-Reading (Exercise 04, 05, 06 and 07)

Poem: The Age Of Infant
By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Pre-Reading
(Exercise 01)

 EXERCISE 01: 
Discuss the following statements.
1. Paradise lies under the feet of your mother.
Ans: This statement emphasizes the high status of a mother in one's life. It means that serving, respecting, and loving one's mother is the path to true success and spiritual reward. In many cultures and religions, especially Islam, it is taught that Heaven or Paradise can only be earned through obedience and kindness to one's mother. The poem reflects this idea by showing how the child finds comfort, peace, and the ower of the entire world in his mother's embriace.

2. Look at the following picture and predict what the poem is about?

Ans: The picture and the title suggest that the poem is about early childhood and the relationship between a child and his mother. It appears to explore the child's innocent experiences, curiosity about the world, and emotional attachment to his surroundings, especially his mother. The poem likely captures the purity of infancy and how a child sees the world through wonder, love, and imagination.

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While-Reading
(Exercise 02 and 03)

 EXERCISE 02: 
Read the poem carefully and choose the correct option.
1. The first two lines convey the poet's acknowledgement of _____.
(a) lack of awareness of the vast world
(b) mother's lap as its entire world ✔
(c) sense of complex emotions
(d) the world as blessing in disguise

2. Which of the following statements contains the use of metaphor?
(a) Mother's bosom was a world to me. ✔
(b) Speech was like a meaningless word to me.
(c) Door chain would comfort me.
(d) Stared at the moon for long hours.

3. The phrase "meaningless word to me" in line no. 4 expresses that an infant's _____.
(a) voices without purpose;
(b) sounds with complexity
(c) words without any logical interpretation; ✔
(d) words without any emotions;

4. The lines 5-6 point out that a crying child gets _____.
(a) easily comforted with any sound
(b) only comforted with door chain sound ✔
(c) hardly comforted with any sound
(d) annoyed with the door chain sound

5. The words the moon' and 'silent journey among broken clouds' metaphorically points out _____.
(a) mother, mother's struggle in life
(b) life, and life's ups and downs ✔
(c) peace, tranquillity in life
(d) they are not metaphors

6. The phrase "that prudent lie" in line no. 10 refers to _____.
(a) the silent journey of the moon
(b) the answers he got were wrong
(c) the answers on mountains and plains ✔
(d) the answers he got in the school

7. What theme is primarily explored in the poem "Age of Infancy"?
(a) The complexities of adulthood
(b) The innocence of childhood ✔
(c) The relationship between nature and humans
(d) The speaker's fear of growing up

8. The poem reflects the contrast between infancy and adulthood by/through emphasizing the child's _____.
(a) strong knowledge of the world
(b) simplicity, curiosity, and reliance on sensory experiences ✔
(c) deep understanding of abstract concepts
(d) Communication of mature ideas

 EXERCISE 03: 
Deduce the contextual meaning of the following words and use them in your sentences:

No.	Word	Contextual Meaning	Sentence
1.	Infancy	The early stage of a child's life	*During infancy, simple sounds bring comfort to the child.  *The vaccination is given in early infancy.
2.	Bosom	Mother's chest, symbol of love and care	*The child feels safe in his mother's bosom his whole world.  *The bosoms of his parents were filled with pride on his success.
3.	Expanse	Wide open area	*The only known expanse to the child is his mother's embrace  *She gazed at the immense expanse of the sea.
4.	Meaningless	Without sense or understanding	*The child's own words are meaningless to him at that stage.  *His apology seemed meaningless, as he continued to ignore her concerns.
5.	Plains	Flat land surfaces	*He imagines the moon having plains and mountains like the Earth.  *The vast plains stretched out as far as the eye could see, covered with tall grasses and wildflowers.
6.	Prudent	Wise or careful	*It’s always prudent to save some money for emergencies.  *She made a prudent decision to consult with experts before signing the contract.
7.	Devoted	Fully committed or focused	*His eyes are devoted to seeing everything around him.She is devoted to her family and spends every free moment with them.  *The soldier was devoted to his duty and never wavered in the face of danger.  *
8.	Prone	Likely or inclined to do something	*His lips are prone to speak as he groes more curious.  *He is prone to making impulsive decisions without thinking them through.
9.	Inquisitiveness	Desire to learn or know more	*The child's heart is filled with inquisitiveness.  *The child's inquisitiveness about space led her to read numerous books about planets and stars.
10.	Personified	Given human qualities	*His curiosity is personified in the form of emotional wonder.  *The artist personified hope and freedom in her sculpture by giving it flowing, graceful lines.

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Post-Reading
(Exercise 04, 05, 06 and 07)

 EXERCISE 04: 
Read the poem carefully in groups of two or three and answer the following questions in written form.
Q.1: How does Dr. Allama Muhammad lqbal depict the theme of innocence and simplicity in the poem "Age of Infancy"?
Ans: Dr. Allama lqbal portrays innocence and simplicity by reflecting on the early stage of life when the child has no understanding of the world, no ego, and no concerns about success, failure, or social status. The poem highlights, during infancy, a child lives freely, unburdened by responsibilities or awareness of worldly complexities. The infant's world is limited to the mother's lap, simple objectSs like a door chain, and natural sights like the moon, showing pure innocence, simplicity, humility, truth, honesty, emotions and uncorrupted perceptions.

Q.2: What role does curiosity play in the poem, and how does it shape the speaker's experience of the world?
Ans: Curiosity is central to the speaker's experience in infancy. The poem suggests that although the child does not fully understand the world, he has a natural eager to explore it desirouesly: Objects like the moon, clouds, and stars capture his imagination. Even without intellectual understanding, the child's heart is full of questions and wonder. lqbal emphasizes that curiosity is not informed by reason but by a spiritual and emotional desire to connect with the world inquisitive, wondering and ready to figure out anything with eagerness.

Q.3: How does the poem evoke feelings of nostalgia for infancy?
Ans: The poem evokes nostalgia through its reflective tone and vivid imagery of early childhood experiences. The speaker looks back longingly at a time when life was simple, pure, and peaceful. The contrast between the complexity of adulthood and the carefree nature of infancy creates a strong emotional pull. By mentioning the innocent joys, like being comforted by a door chain or staring at the moon, lqbal brings out a deep yearning for the lost peace, harmony and innocence of the early years.

Q.4: What can be inferred about the speaker's understanding of the world during infancy from the line "The earth and sky were unknown worlds to me"?
Ans: This line shows that the speaker had no intellectual or scientific knowledge of the world during infancy. It emphasizes the limited understanding of space, geography, or even his surroundings. Yet, it also suggests wonder and awe, as these unknown worlds' sparked curiosity and amazement. The infant's perception was emotional rather than rational, showing that the world was a vast mystery, waiting to be discovered.

Q.5: How 'does the metaphor "My heart was no less than reader's inquisitiveness personified" shape the reader's understanding of the speaker's emotional state? Elaborate.
Ans: This metaphor compares the child's heart to the active and intense curiosity of a reader who is always seeking knowledge. It highlights that even without the ability to read or think intellectually; the infant's heart was full of longing and emotional exploration. The use of this metaphor conveys the speaker's deep, natural desire to engage with and understand the world around him not through facts and logic, but through feelings and imagination. It emphasizes the purity and emotional depth of a curious and prying child's perception to the tranquil world.

 EXERCISE 05: 
Work In groups of three. Read the poem carefully and write the figurative meaning of the words used in the poem.

Words	Figurative Meaning
Moon	Life or mother — a symbol of calm beauty, comfort, and mystery
Broken coluds	Life's obstacles or fragmented thoughts that the moon (mind / spirit) passes through.
Door chain	A symbol of small things that bring unexpected comfort in the childhood.
Silent journey	The quiet progression of time, especially childhood or the moon's path or a man's quiet journey of life
Prudent lie	A wise or gentle untruth told to protect innocence or satisfy a child's curiosity
Inquisitiveness personified	Curiosity shown as a living being — representing the child's deep desire to explore.

 EXERCISE 06: 
Work in groups. Write the detailed critical appreciation of the poem.
Ans: This beautiful poem by Allama lqbal is a nostalgic reflection on the innocence, curiosity, and emotional world of infancy. The poet recalls his earliest memories where the vast universe, the earth and sky meant nothing to him, and the only reality he knew was the comfort and Warmth of his mother's bosom. This immediately establishes the central themes of motherhood, purity, and emotional dependency.

lqbal uses simple yet powerful imagery to depict how a baby views the world. The sound of a door chain brings comfort, and the moon becomes a source of fascination and wonder. The poet presents infancy as a time when emotional perception is stronger than intellectual understanding. The baby is unaware of logic or science but is deeply curious and emotionally alive.

The poem is rich with figurative language, including metaphors such as "inquisitiveness personified," and personification like "silent journey of the moon." The tone is tender, reflective, and slightly melancholic, as the poet looks back longingly at a time when life was simple, peaceful, and untouched by the burdens of adulthood.

Structurally, the poem flows smoothly and builds a vivid picture of how a child experiences the world, full of questions, observations, and emotional connections. It celebrates the purity of childhood, the central role of a mother, and the natural human urge to explore and understand the unknown.

In essence, lqbal's poem reminds us that childhood is a sacred phase of life, where the heart leads more than the mind, and where even the smallest things hold deep emotional meaning .

 EXERCISE 07: 
Work In groups and explain the following lines of the poem with proper reference to the context. Ensure that your response mentions the words from the poem as aer need.

Lines No.	Lines
1-2	The earth and sky ..... a world to me
3-4	Every movement ..... a world to me.
5-6	During infancy's ..... comfort me.
7-8	Oh! How I started ..... broken clouds.
9-10	I would ask ..... that prudent lie.
11-12	My eye was ..... inquisitiveness personified.

Answer: Reference To Context:
Lines: The earth and sky ..... a world to me. (1-2)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Age Of Infancy" written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Explanation: These lines reflect the speaker's early childhood, where he had no awareness of the outside world. His only known universe was his mother's bosom, showing total emotional dependence.

Lines: Every movement ..... a world to me. (3-4)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Age Of Infancy" written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Explanation: The poet conveys that every small gesture around him brought him joy, but his own speech was meaningless highlighting his innocence and limited understanding.

Lines: During infancy's ..... comfort me. (5-6)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Age Of Infancy" written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Explanation: In times of pain or crying, even a simple sound of the door chain brought the child emotional comfort. This emphasizes how easily pleased and sensitive infants are.

Lines: Oh! How I started ..... broken clouds. (7-8)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Age Of Infancy" written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Explanation: The speaker recalls his fascination with the moon. He watched it silently move through broken clouds, reflecting his deep curiosity and imagination.

Lines: I would ask ..... that prudent lie. (9-10)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Age Of Infancy" written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Explanation: In these lines, the poet reveals that out of curiosity, an infant asked many questions about the moon. Adults responded with prudent lies—wise, harmless stories meant to satisfy a child's imagination.

Lines: My eye was ..... inquisitiveness personified. (11-12)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "The Age Of Infancy" written by Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Explanation: These lines show how fully devoted the child was to observing, speaking, and learning. His heart was filled with pure curiosity, making him a symbol of Inquisitiveness.

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Poem 02: The Age Of Infancy (By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - Short Question Answers

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Poem 02: The Age Of Infant
By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

Short Question Answers
From Text Book Exercise

Q.1: How does Dr. Allama Muhammad lqbal depict the theme of innocence and simplicity in the poem "Age of Infancy"?
Ans: Dr. Allama lqbal portrays innocence and simplicity by reflecting on the early stage of life when the child has no understanding of the world, no ego, and no concerns about success, failure, or social status. The poem highlights, during infancy, a child lives freely, unburdened by responsibilities or awareness of worldly complexities. The infant's world is limited to the mother's lap, simple objectSs like a door chain, and natural sights like the moon, showing pure innocence, simplicity, humility, truth, honesty, emotions and uncorrupted perceptions.

Q.2: What role does curiosity play in the poem, and how does it shape the speaker's experience of the world?
Ans: Curiosity is central to the speaker's experience in infancy. The poem suggests that although the child does not fully understand the world, he has a natural eager to explore it desirouesly: Objects like the moon, clouds, and stars capture his imagination. Even without intellectual understanding, the child's heart is full of questions and wonder. lqbal emphasizes that curiosity is not informed by reason but by a spiritual and emotional desire to connect with the world inquisitive, wondering and ready to figure out anything with eagerness.

Q.3: How does the poem evoke feelings of nostalgia for infancy?
Ans: The poem evokes nostalgia through its reflective tone and vivid imagery of early childhood experiences. The speaker looks back longingly at a time when life was simple, pure, and peaceful. The contrast between the complexity of adulthood and the carefree nature of infancy creates a strong emotional pull. By mentioning the innocent joys, like being comforted by a door chain or staring at the moon, lqbal brings out a deep yearning for the lost peace, harmony and innocence of the early years.

Q.4: What can be inferred about the speaker's understanding of the world during infancy from the line "The earth and sky were unknown worlds to me"?
Ans: This line shows that the speaker had no intellectual or scientific knowledge of the world during infancy. It emphasizes the limited understanding of space, geography, or even his surroundings. Yet, it also suggests wonder and awe, as these unknown worlds' sparked curiosity and amazement. The infant's perception was emotional rather than rational, showing that the world was a vast mystery, waiting to be discovered.

Q.5: How 'does the metaphor "My heart was no less than reader's inquisitiveness personified" shape the reader's understanding of the speaker's emotional state? Elaborate.
Ans: This metaphor compares the child's heart to the active and intense curiosity of a reader who is always seeking knowledge. It highlights that even without the ability to read or think intellectually; the infant's heart was full of longing and emotional exploration. The use of this metaphor conveys the speaker's deep, natural desire to engage with and understand the world around him not through facts and logic, but through feelings and imagination. It emphasizes the purity and emotional depth of a curious and prying child's perception to the tranquil world.

More Short Question Answers

Q.6: What was the child's world limited to in the poem?
Ans: The child's world was limited to the mother's bosom. The earth and sky were unknown and unfamiliar, but the mother's embrace felt like the entire universe to him. His vision to the world was restricted and had limited understing of space, geograpyhy, or even his whole surroundings except the lap of his mother. To be precise, his mother was the whole world to the child and he had emotional attachment with the memories of his mother's bosom.

Q.7: How did the poet express the idea of emotional comfort in infancy?
Ans: The poet recalls that when he cried during infancy, the simple sound of a door chain gave him comfort. This shows how small, ordinary things gave him emotional relief. lqbal highlights when a child felt himself alone and someone made him scared, the sound of the door comforted him and a child knew his mother would open the door and she was there to protect him. lqbal emphasizes the infant's heart was full of longing and emotional exploration.

Q.8: What fascinated the child about the moon?
Ans: The child was fascinated by the moon's silent journey through the clouds. He stared at it for long hours and asked questions about its mountains and plains, showing his deep curiosity. By mentioning the innocent joys, like being comforted by a door chain or staring at the moon, lqbal brings out a deep yearning for the lost peace, harmony and innocence of the early years how a child was indulged in his vision to soothe himself like looking at the moon in the poem.

Q.9: What does the line "My own speech was like a meaningless word to me" mean?
Ans: This line shows that the child has not yet developed language or self-expression. His speech was not understandable, even to himself a symbol of his innocence and early development. lqbal's poem is very well crafted piece manifesting from total dependence to the development of self-awareness and growth. Without the speech and words, the infant's heart was full of longing, emotional exploration, purity and emotional depth of a curiosity matching the prying child's perception to the tranquil world.

Q.10: What qualities of the child are reflected in the last two lines of the poem?
Ans: The last two lines reflect the child's sensory and emotional engagement with the world. His eyes were always observing, his lips eager to speak, and his heart was full of natural curiosity. His curiosity is personified in the form of emotional wonder. The last two lines show how fully devoted, enthusiastic and prying child was observing, speaking, and learning. His heart was filled with pure curiosity, making him a symbol of inquisitiveness and questioning mind.

Poem 02: The Age Of Infancy (By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - (MCQs)

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Poem 02: The Age Of Infant
By Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
From Text Book Exercise

Read the following satatement and choose the correct option:
1. The first two lines convey the poet's acknowledgement of _____.
(a) lack of awareness of the vast world
(b) mother's lap as its entire world ✔
(c) sense of complex emotions
(d) the world as blessing in disguise

2. Which of the following statements contains the use of metaphor?
(a) Mother's bosom was a world to me. ✔
(b) Speech was like a meaningless word to me.
(c) Door chain would comfort me.
(d) Stared at the moon for long hours.

3. The phrase "meaningless word to me" in line no. 4 expresses that an infant's _____.
(a) voices without purpose;
(b) sounds with complexity
(c) words without any logical interpretation; ✔
(d) words without any emotions;

4. The lines 5-6 point out that a crying child gets _____.
(a) easily comforted with any sound
(b) only comforted with door chain sound ✔
(c) hardly comforted with any sound
(d) annoyed with the door chain sound

5. The words the moon' and 'silent journey among broken clouds' metaphorically points out _____.
(a) mother, mother's struggle in life
(b) life, and life's ups and downs ✔
(c) peace, tranquillity in life
(d) they are not metaphors

6. The phrase "that prudent lie" in line no. 10 refers to _____.
(a) the silent journey of the moon
(b) the answers he got were wrong
(c) the answers on mountains and plains ✔
(d) the answers he got in the school

7. What theme is primarily explored in the poem "Age of Infancy"?
(a) The complexities of adulthood
(b) The innocence of childhood ✔
(c) The relationship between nature and humans
(d) The speaker's fear of growing up

8. The poem reflects the contrast between infancy and adulthood by/through emphasizing the child's _____.
(a) strong knowledge of the world
(b) simplicity, curiosity, and reliance on sensory experiences ✔
(c) deep understanding of abstract concepts
(d) Communication of mature ideas

More Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

9. What was the only world known to the poet in infancy?
(a) The sky
(b) Nature
(c) His mother's bosom ✔
(d) The moon

10. What comforted the poet when he cried in his infancy?
(a) His mother's lullaby
(b) The moonlight
(c) The noise of the door chain ✔
(d) A toy

11. What does the poet compare his early speech to?
(a) A sweet song
(b) A silent cry
(c) A meaningless word ✔
(d) A whispering wind

12: What did the poet stare at for long hours?
(a) The stars
(b) The sun
(c) The moon ✔
(d) The clouds

13. What journey does the moon take in the poet's imagination?
(a) A noisy journey through storms
(b) A silent journey among broken clouds ✔
(c) A bright journey through darkness
(d) A wandering through stars

14. What quality of the poet is highlighted by the line: "My heart was no less than inquisitiveness personified"?
(a) His love for nature
(b) His kindness
(c) His curiosity ✔
(d) His sadness

15. The phrase "prudent life" refers to:
(a) A clever story adults told the child ✔
(b) A harmful trick
(c) A forgotten truth
(d) A joke he didn't understand

16. What does the poet mean by "my eye was devoted to seeing"?
(a) He was interested only in watching TV
(b) He observed everything with full focus ✔
(c) He had poor eyesight
(d) He cried a lot

17. What literary device is used in the line "My heart was no less thane inquisitiveness personified"?
(a) Simile
(b) Alliteration
(c) Personification
(d) Metaphor ✔

18. What does the poem mainly explore?
(a) Love for nature
(b) Memories of early childhood and curiosity ✔
(c) The meaning of dreams
(d) Pain and loss

Poem 01: If (By Rudyard Kipling) - English Paper II (Compulsory) - For Class XII (All Groups) - Text Book Exercise

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Poem 01: If
By Rudyard Kipling
English II (C)
For Class XII (All Groups)

• Pre-Reading (Exercise 01)
• While-Reading (Exercise 02, 03 and 04)
• Post-Reading (Exercise 05, 06 and 07)

Poem: If
By Rudyard Kipling

Pre-Reading
(Exercise 01)

 EXERCISE 01: 
Discuss The statement.
1. "Success is the failure redefined."
Ans: This statement means that success is not always about winning on the first try. Often, successful people fall many times, but they learn from their failures and use those lessons to eventually succeed. In this way, failure becomes a step toward success. It is "redefined" because instead of seeing failure as the end, it is seen as a necessary part of the journey. The poem "If" reflects this idea. It talks about staying strong, patient, and humble even in the face of defeat, lies, hate, and setbacks.

2. Predict what kind of poem are you going to read.
Ans: The poem seems motivational and inspirational. The use of the word "if" in the title suggests that it will offer advice or conditions for becoming a better person. It may focus on values like patience, honesty, self-control, resilience, and leadership, that providing moral lessons or guidelines for personal growth and success in life.

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While-Reading
(Exercise 02, 03 and 04)

 EXERCISE 02: 
Read the poem carefully and choose the correct option.
1. Which quality does the poet suggest is most important for dealing with the adversity?
(a) Intelligence
(b) Strength
(c)Patience
(d) Resilience ✔

2. What does Kipling mean by line no.12 "and treat those two impostors just the same;" in reference to Triumph and Disaster?
(a) Both are equally significant
(b) Both are temporary ✔
(c) Both lead to success
(d) Both are to be proud of

3. What is suggested in line no. 18 by "And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,"?
(a) recklessness leads to ruin
(b) life is about taking chances ✔
(c) risks should be avoided
(d) winning is essential to happiness

4. The "heart and nerve and sinew" in line no. 21 most likely implies _____.
(a) emotional fragility
(b) physical strength alone
(c) the conscious endurance ✔
(d) the body's natural limitations

5. The poem's message about self-control and perseverance apply to personal growth as it _____.
(a) limits personal freedom
(b) suggests emotional responses as weakness
(c) encourages steady improvement ✔
(d) discourages seeking advice from others

6. The "unforgiving minute" in line no. 29 symbolize _____.
(a) the rapid passage of time
(b) a moment of opportunity ✔
(c) time's cruel nature
(d) moments of regret

7. One of the following is the central theme of the poem _____.
(a) the importance of winning at all costs
(b) the power of self-control and balanced life ✔
(c) the significance of wealth and status
(d) the inevitability of failure

8. What internal conflict is the poem encouraging individuals to overcome?
(a) Doubt versus confidence ✔
(b) Failure versus pride
(c) Emotions versus logic
(d) Personal versus social responsibility

 EXERCISE 03: 
Deduce the contextual meaning of the following words and use them in your sentences:

No.	Word	Contextual Meaning	Sentence
1.	Allowance	Tolerance for others' mistakes	*You must make allowance for others' fears when they're under pressure.  *The teacher has some allowance for mistakes in the students' answers.
2.	Deal in	Be involved with something bad	8He refused to deal in lies even when everyone else was dishonest.  *He refused to participate in dishonesty, even when others were being deceitful.
3.	Imposters	Pretenders	*Triumph and disaster are imposters which aren't the true measure of a person.  *People with impostor feelings often forget or diminish their accomplishments.
4.	Knave	Dishonest man	*A knave twisted his words to fool the innocent.  *He was a knave, always playing tricks on his friends.
5.	Disaster	Terrible failure	*He faced disaster with the same calmness as he welcomed success.  *Technology is useless during natural disasters.
6.	Heap	A big mess / pile	*He lost everything and stood in the heap of broken dreams.  *the kids jumped into a heap of leaves
7.	Nerve	Courage	*It takes nerve to remain calm when everyone else is panicking.  *
8.	Will	Determination	*When all else fails, only will can push you forward.  *She has a strong will to succeed despite the obstacles.
9.	Virtue	Moral goodness	*Even in a crowd, he held on to his virtue and never did wrong  *Humility is considered a virtue.
10.	Sinew	Strength / toughness	* With nothing but sinew and will, he rebuilt what was lost.  *He strained every sinew to help us, but didn't succeed.

 EXERCISE 04: 
Work in groups of three. Read the poem thoroughly and identify the following figures of speech in the poem and use them in your sentences:

Figure OF Speech	Poem Lines	Line Number	Sentence
Metaphor	"And treat those two impostors just the same"	12	*The poet compares Triumph and Disaster to impostors, suggesting they are deceptive illusions.  *He treated failure like a person, just another impostor.
Personification	1. "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs."	1 and 2	*The poem attributes the human action of "losing" to "their heads," giving human qualities to abstract concepts.
	2. "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same;"	11 and 12	*Success and failure are impostors pretending to define us.
Anaphora	1. "If you can," (repeated at the beginning of several lines)	3-Multiple (1, 3, 5 etc.)	*The repetition of "If you can" at the beginning of lines emphasizes the conditions for resilience.
	2. "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too"	3-4	*If you can" be patient and strong, then greatness follows.
Alliteration	1. "And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise"	8-9	*The repetition of the "t" sound in "talk too wise" creates a musical effect.
	2. "talk with crowds and keep your virtue"	21	*He could talk and touch lives with calm and virtue.

Answer: Figure OF Speech
1. Metaphor

• Poem Lines: "And treat those two impostors just the same"
• Line Number:12
• Sentence: *The poet compares Triumph and Disaster to impostors, suggesting they are deceptive illusions.
  *He treated failure like a person, just another impostor.

2. Personification

• Poem Lines: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs"
• Line Number: 1 and 2
• Sentence: The poem attributes the human action of "losing" to "their heads," giving human qualities to abstract concepts.
  

• Poem Lines: "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same;"
• Line Number: 11 and 12
• Sentence:Success and failure are impostors pretending to define us.

3. Anaphora

• Poem Lines: "If you cam.," (repeated at the beginning of several lines)
• Line Number: Multiple (1, 3, 5 etc.)
• Sentence: *The repetition of "If you can" at the beginning of lines emphasizes the conditions for resilience.

• Poem Lines: "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too"
• Line Number: 3-4
• Sentence: *If you can" be patient and strong, then greatness follows.

4. Alliteration

• Poem Lines: "And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise"
• Line Number: 8-9
• Sentence: The repetition of the "t" sound in "talk too wise" creates a musical effect.

• Poem Lines: "talk with crowds and keep your virtue"
• Line Number: 21
• Sentence: He could talk and touch lives with calm and virtue.

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Post-Reading
(Exercise 05, 06 and 07)

 EXERCISE 05: 
Read the poem carefully in groups of two or three and answer the following questions in written form.
Q.1: How does Kipling suggest one should deal with both success and failure?
Ans: Ans: Kipling advises that one should treat both success (Triumph) and failure (Disaster) the same way with calm and emotional balance. He believes that neither should overly affect a person's character. Success should not lead to arrogance, and failure should not cause despair. Instead, one should stay steady and composed through both situations, understanding they are temporary and beyond full control.

Q.2: Why does the poet consider "Triumph and Disaster" as "impostors"? Justify with some reasons.
Ans: The poet calls Triumph and Disaster "impostors" because they are not what they seem. Triumph may give a false sense of success, while Disaster may seem like total failure, but both are temporary and misleading. They do not define a person's true worth. Kipling emphasizes that placing too much value on either can lead to emotional imbalance or ego, they should not be trusted completely.

Q.3: Which quality described in the poem do you find most challenging to uphold in your own life, and why?
Ans: The most challenging quality for me is "keeping calm when others are blaming you." It's hard not to react emotionally when being unfairly criticized. It takes a lot of emotional strength and maturity to stay calm, listen patiently, and respond wisely instead of reacting with anger or frustration.
(Students can personalize above answer or write their own answer)

Q.4: What is the significance of maintaining one's integrity while interacting with both "crowds" and "kings"?
Ans: Kipling highlights the importance of humility and. integrity by stating that a person should be able to walk with "crowds" without losing his virtue, and also walk with "kings" without becoming arrogant, This means treating everyone equally, whether they are rich or poor, powerful or ordinary. A truly balanced and mature person respects all people and remains true to his values regardless of the company he is in.

Q.5: Why does the poet place emphasis on patience, truthfulness, and self-discipline in achieving personal growth?
Ans: The poet emphasizes these values because they form the foundation of a strong character. Patience helps one deal with delay and difficulty, truthfulness builds trust and moral strength, and self-discipline allows one to stay focused and consistent.
These qualities help a person grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and prepare them to face life's challenges with grace and courage.

 EXERCISE 06: 
Read the poem carefully and write a detailed critical appreciation of the poem.
Answer: Critical Appreciation of the Poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling:
Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" is a timeless piece of moral instruction, presented in the form of advice from a father to his son. The poem outlines the qualities of a mature, resilient, and morally grounded individual. Through conditional "If" statements, Kipling sets up various challenges that life may throw at a person and the ideal way to respond to each.

Theme and Message:
The central theme of the poem is endurance, self-discipline, and moral strength. Kipling emphasizes the importance of remaining calm under pressure, being honest in the face of lies, and staying humble in times of success. He advocates for inner strength, emotional control, patience, and the will to persevere.

Tone and Mood:
The tone is inspirational and didactic. It carries a sense of fatherly wisdom and calm authority. The mood is uplifting, as the poem encourages the reader to rise above life's hardships with grace and strength.

Language and Style:
The language is simple yet powerful. The poem uses literary devices like anaphora ("If you can..." repeated), personification (e.g., Triumph and Disaster as impostors), metaphor, and alliteration. These enhance the musical quality of the poem and deepen its philosophical impact.

Structure:
The poem is written in iambic pentameter and consists of four stanzas of eight lines each. The regular rhythm and rhyme (ABABCDCD) make it memorable and reflective, mirroring the logical progression of thought.

Impact and Relevance:
Despite being written in the early 20th century, the poem remains relevant today. Its advice transcends time, culture, and age. It teaches values that are essential for personal growth and leadership in any era.

Conclusion:
"Ir is not just a poem, but a guide to life. Its inspirational tone, universal values, and practical wisdom make it one of the most cherished and quoted poems in English literature. It is a celebration of human potential and the power of character.

 EXERCISE 07: 
After you have read and understood the poem In detail, explain the following lines with reference to the context in written form.

Lines No	Lines
1— 8	If you can keep your head .......... talk too wise.
9 —16	lf you can dream .......... with worn-out tools.
17 — 24	lf you can make one heap .......... says to them: 'Hold on!'
25 — 32	If you can talk with crowds .......... be a Man, my Son!

Answer: Reference To Context:
Lines: If you can keep your head .......... talk too wise. (1-8)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "If" written by Rudyard Kipling.
Explanation: These lines advise the reader to stay calm when others are . panicking, and not to appear arrogant even when one is right. The poet emphasizes emotional control, humility, and, self-belief during chaos.

Lines: lf you can dream .......... with worn-out tools. (9 —16)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "If" written by Rudyard Kipling.
Explanation: These lines highlight the value of dreams and goals, but also warn against becoming a slave to them. The poet urges the reader to accept failure, rebuild from loss, and persevere with whatever strength remains.

Lines: lf you can make one heap .......... says to them: 'Hold on!' (17 — 24)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "If" written by Rudyard Kipling.
Explanation: Here, Kipling describes the strength to risk everything for a dream and to start over without complaint. Even when physically and mentally exhausted, one must continue with sheer willpower.

Lines: If you can talk with crowds .......... be a Man, my Son! (25 — 32)
Reference: These lines are taken from the poem "If" written by Rudyard Kipling.
Explanation: The final lines summarize the ideal person. If someone can balance humility with greatness, stay unshaken by praise or insult, and make the most of time then they truly become a complete and noble human being.

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