Here are 25 important questions with answers based on your request for the Flamingo Textbook, specifically for prose and poetry sections:
Prose Section
Short Answer Type Questions (4+4=8)
- Question: What is the central theme of the story “The Last Lesson” by Alphonse Daudet?
- Answer: The central theme of “The Last Lesson” is the importance of language and education. The story portrays how the people of Alsace, after being annexed by Germany, realize the value of their mother tongue when they are forced to learn German instead of French. It highlights patriotism, the significance of preserving one’s culture, and the emotional bond with one’s language.
- Question: What does the character of the narrator in “The Rattrap” signify?
- Answer: The narrator in “The Rattrap” signifies the moral journey of a man who initially lives a life of cynicism and selfishness. His encounter with the kindness of an old woman and the eventual realization of his own worth shows his transformation from a petty thief to a man of integrity. The story reflects on human kindness, redemption, and the impact of compassion on a person’s life.
- Question: How does the story “The Lost Child” explore the theme of attachment and separation?
- Answer: In “The Lost Child,” the theme of attachment is explored through the strong bond between the child and his parents. The story shows how a child’s world revolves around his parents, and the moment he is separated from them, he experiences fear and longing. This separation highlights the emotional dependence children have on their families, and the story also shows how easily a child’s innocent world can be disrupted.
- Question: Why is the setting important in “The Hack Driver”?
- Answer: The setting of the small town in “The Hack Driver” is important because it provides the perfect backdrop for the protagonist’s realization of his misconceptions about rural life. The seemingly simple and carefree town contrasts with the bustling city life and creates a sense of irony when the narrator’s expectations are upturned, and he finds that the lawyer he is looking for is not what he imagined.
Long Answer Type Question (7)
- Question: Discuss the role of nature in the story “The Tiger King” by Kalki.
- Answer: In “The Tiger King,” nature plays an important role, symbolizing the themes of pride, power, and human arrogance. The protagonist, the Maharaja, believes he can control nature by killing a hundred tigers, but the irony is that his obsession with the tigers leads to his downfall. His disregard for the balance of nature reflects the consequences of human greed and the futility of trying to dominate nature for personal gain. The story emphasizes the unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects of nature, which cannot be bent to the will of humans.
Poetry Section
Very Short Answer Type Questions Based on Poetry Extract (3×2=6)
- Question: Identify the figure of speech in the line “Her hair was like a cloud.”
- Answer: The figure of speech is Simile, as the comparison between the hair and a cloud is made using “like.”
- Question: What is the figure of speech in “The fire of life is always burning.”
- Answer: The figure of speech is Metaphor, as life is compared to fire, suggesting the vitality and energy of life.
- Question: Find an example of personification in the poem “A Tiger in the Zoo.”
- Answer: The line “He hears the last voice at night” personifies the tiger by attributing the human ability to hear and respond to a voice.
- Question: Identify the figure of speech in “The moon is a silver coin.”
- Answer: The figure of speech is Metaphor, as the moon is directly compared to a silver coin without using “like” or “as.”
- Question: Which figure of speech is used in the phrase “The leaves danced in the wind”?
- Answer: The figure of speech is Personification, as the leaves are described as dancing, which is a human action.
Central Idea of the Given Poem (4)
- Question: What is the central idea of the poem “A Photograph” by Shirley Toulson?
- Answer: The central idea of the poem “A Photograph” revolves around the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. The poem reflects on the poet’s nostalgic feelings about her mother, who has passed away, and the photograph that reminds her of her childhood. It captures the pain of realizing the irreversibility of time and the death of loved ones.
- Question: What is the central idea of the poem “The Ballad of Puran Singh”?
- Answer: The central idea of “The Ballad of Puran Singh” is sacrifice, valor, and the tragic consequences of war. The poem reflects on the hardships and suffering of soldiers, particularly Puran Singh, who serves his country at great personal cost. The poem depicts the bitter irony of war, where the soldiers are often forgotten despite their sacrifices.
Figures of Speech Questions
- Question: Identify an example of Oxymoron in any of the poems studied.
- Answer: An example of Oxymoron is found in the phrase “Deafening silence,” where two contradictory terms are used together, showing a contrast between the absence of sound and the intensity of silence.
- Question: What figure of speech is used in “The thunder roared like a lion”?
- Answer: The figure of speech used is Simile, as the thunder is compared to a lion using the word “like.”
- Question: Explain Apostrophe with an example from the poems.
- Answer: Apostrophe is a figure of speech in which the speaker addresses someone who is not present or something non-human. An example could be in the poem “Ode to the West Wind” by Percy Bysshe Shelley, where the poet directly addresses the wind, as in “O wild West Wind!”
- Question: What is an example of Onomatopoeia in the poem “The Brook” by Alfred Lord Tennyson?
- Answer: An example of Onomatopoeia is the word “chatter,” used in the poem to describe the sound of the brook as it flows.
- Question: What figure of speech is used in “The road was a ribbon of moonlight”?
- Answer: The figure of speech is Metaphor, as the road is directly compared to a ribbon of moonlight.
- Question: Give an example of Hyperbole from any of the poems.
- Answer: An example of Hyperbole can be found in the line “I’ve told you a million times,” where the exaggeration of the number emphasizes the repetition.
- Question: What figure of speech is used in “Her laughter is music to my ears”?
- Answer: The figure of speech is Metaphor, as the laughter is compared to music without using “like” or “as.”
- Question: What is the figure of speech used in the line “The stars danced playfully in the sky”?
- Answer: The figure of speech is Personification, as the stars are described as if they are capable of dancing.
- Question: Identify an example of Simile in any of the poems.
- Answer: An example of Simile can be found in the line “His face was as pale as snow,” comparing the color of the face to snow.
- Question: Identify the Metaphor used in “The sea was a raging lion.”
- Answer: The figure of speech is Metaphor, where the sea is compared to a lion, symbolizing its wild and uncontrollable nature.
- Question: What is the figure of speech in the phrase “He is a shining star in the team”?
- Answer: The figure of speech is Metaphor, where the person is compared to a shining star, indicating excellence.
- Question: Identify the Onomatopoeia in the poem “The Snake Trying” by W.W.E. Ross.
- Answer: The word “hiss” in the poem is an example of Onomatopoeia, as it imitates the sound made by a snake.
- Question: Identify the Oxymoron in the phrase “Bitter sweet memories.”
- Answer: The figure of speech is Oxymoron, as “bitter” and “sweet” are contradictory terms used together to express complex emotions.
These questions and answers cover a variety of figures of speech, themes, and central ideas, helping to prepare for an exam based on the Flamingo Textbook.
Certainly! Here are the important notes for Board Exam 2025 for Class 12 English, including poetry-related short answer type questions and explanations on key figures of speech like Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Oxymoron, Apostrophe, Onomatopoeia, and Hyperbole.
Important Notes for Class 12 English (Board Exam 2025)
Poetry Section
1. Three Very Short Answer Type Questions Based on the Given Poetry Extract (3×2=6)
- Question 1: Identify the figure of speech in the phrase: “Her voice was music to my ears.”
- Answer: Metaphor. The phrase directly compares the voice to music, implying that it is soothing and pleasant.
- Question 2: What is the figure of speech in “The stars twinkled like diamonds”?
- Answer: Simile. The comparison between stars and diamonds is made using “like,” which is a clear example of simile.
- Question 3: Find an example of personification in the poem “The Snake Trying” by W.W.E. Ross.
- Answer: “The snake was trying to escape the farmer’s house.” The snake is given human-like qualities, as it is portrayed as trying to escape.
2. Central Idea of the Given Poem (4 Marks)
Question: What is the central idea of the poem “A Photograph” by Shirley Toulson?
- Answer: The central idea of the poem “A Photograph” revolves around the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. The poet reflects on the photograph of her late mother, which brings back memories of her childhood. It symbolizes how memories fade with time, and the poet expresses deep sorrow at the irreversible nature of death, showing the emotional impact of losing loved ones.
Figures of Speech in Poetry
The following figures of speech can be expected in the poetry section for Board Exam 2025:
- Simile:
- A Simile is a comparison between two things using the words “like” or “as”.
- Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
- Explanation: This compares her smile to the brightness of the sun using “as.”
- Metaphor:
- A Metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as”.
- Example: “The classroom was a zoo.”
- Explanation: This compares the classroom to a zoo, suggesting that it was chaotic, without using “like” or “as.”
- Personification:
- Personification is when non-human things or abstract ideas are given human characteristics.
- Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
- Explanation: The wind is given the human characteristic of whispering, which emphasizes its soft and gentle nature.
- Oxymoron:
- An Oxymoron is the use of two contradictory words together.
- Example: “Deafening silence.”
- Explanation: “Deafening” and “silence” are contradictory, yet they are used together to describe a powerful sense of quiet.
- Apostrophe:
- Apostrophe is when the speaker addresses someone or something that is not present or cannot respond.
- Example: “O moon, how beautiful you are!”
- Explanation: The moon is addressed directly as if it could hear, even though it cannot.
- Onomatopoeia:
- Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate the sounds they describe.
- Example: “The clock ticked away the hours.”
- Explanation: The word “ticked” imitates the sound made by a clock.
- Hyperbole:
- Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally.
- Example: “I have a million things to do.”
- Explanation: The number “million” is an exaggeration to show that the speaker is overwhelmed with tasks.
Expected Questions for Poetry Section
- Identify the figure of speech in a given line of the poem and explain it.
- Example: “The wind howled like a wolf.”
- Answer: Simile. The comparison between the wind and a wolf’s howl is made using “like.”
- Example: “The wind howled like a wolf.”
- Central Idea of the Poem:
- Focus on understanding the main theme or message of the poem. For example, if the poem is about nature, the central idea might revolve around the beauty of the natural world and the poet’s emotional connection with it.
- Example: Central idea of “A Photograph” could be loss and the passage of time as reflected in the poet’s feelings of nostalgia and grief.
- Tone and Mood:
- Understanding the tone (author’s attitude) and mood (emotional atmosphere) of the poem.
- Example: In the poem “A Photograph,” the tone is nostalgic and sorrowful, reflecting the poet’s grief over the death of her mother.
- Figures of Speech:
- Be prepared to identify similes, metaphors, personification, oxymorons, apostrophes, onomatopoeia, and hyperboles in poetry excerpts.
Exam Preparation Tips
- Practice with Poetry Extracts: Review extracts from poems, focusing on figures of speech and their impact on the poem’s meaning.
- Understand Themes: Focus on the main ideas or themes of the poems like love, loss, nature, time, and how they are portrayed through literary devices.
- Study Key Poems: Make sure to understand the central themes of the poems included in the syllabus, such as “A Photograph,” “The Tiger King,” and others, and how the poet’s message is conveyed.
- Use of Figures of Speech: Be clear on what each figure of speech means and be able to identify them in any given extract.
These notes should help you prepare for the Board Exam 2025, focusing on the poetry section and important aspects of literary devices like Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Oxymoron, Apostrophe, Onomatopoeia, and Hyperbole.