ICSE

Back from the Brink BY Rita Bannerjee And Maya Khosla Class 8 English ICSE Extra Question And Answers

1) Where deep in the forest Tai had been there? What had he been doing? What did he find there?

Tai had been deep in a dense forest of North East India.

Tai had been there deep in the forest to hunt animals and birds. He belonged to the Nyshi tribe, Nyshi tribe were one of those tribe who had been hunting for
generations.

Tai extracted a dead red-bellied squirrel from the top of the tree which was trapped in a handmade trap, he had set earlier.

2) In how much time did Tai slid down from the tree? Who took the
dead squirrel?

Tai unshoed himself and grasped the trunk tightly with his arms and legs and
climbed nine meters high to extract the red-bellied squirrel from the trap he had set earlier but unfortunately slipped and fell down to the ground in less than thirty seconds.

Maga, one of the tribal companions took the squirrel and kept it in the backpack.

3) What did the companions point out for the cameras? How did they cross the river? Which sound did Jarjo make?

After the squirrel, the companions pointed out another trap they placed on
their way.

Heading towards the next trap with cameras in hand, they had to cross the river by the way of a bridge made of a single tree trunk.

Jarjo, one of the tribal companions tried to make the sound of a distressed male fawn deer just to attract the mother deer.

4) Till which time did they walk? What did the Nyshi companions prepare?

Filming the three men they walked until the evening before settling down. They
were heading with a speed much slower than expected due to the dense forest crowd around, it was impossible to see further than a few meters ahead.

Setting down after the continuous work throughout the day, the Nyshi companions brewed black tea for all and a small fire to sit around.

5) What did the author do in 2002? Why was she not confident about her work?

In 2002, the author and the group were filming the rehabilitation of two Himalayan black bear cubs who were taken care of in an orphanage. They were hunted in the Pakke National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.

The author and her group knew about the plan and even with a successful location, they couldn’t stop the bears from being hunted.

6) In which state hunting is a common thing? Which tribes hunt and for what do they hunt?

Hunting is common in seven North-Eastern states of India – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

People who belong to the Nyshi tribes have been hunting the forest for generations. Theanimals they hunt provides foods and bones, furs and feathers for decorations and rituals for their festivals.

7) What did the tribals realize about hunting? Which animals were sold as dead meat and at what price?

The tribals realized that the demand of the animals and birds they hunt were
growing steadily. They also realized that the forest was going silent, due to the frequent and vast hunting of animals and now there was only an empty sky left where the wild birds used to fly.

Animalslike hornbills, barbets, civets, squirrels and many more were ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5000 as dead meat, a barking deer was sold for Rs 6000.

8) What are the consequences of wild meat market?

The wild meat market could only mean that the forests were going silent.
Numbers of animals and birds were reduced in the forest and the only thing left
was the empty sky where the wild birds used to fly. The very next victim of hunting would be the forest itself. The wildlife population of the forest was reduced.

9) What was the main purpose of their making this documentary? Elaborate.

A document was made for the extent of hunting and to determine whether there was any hope for the Future of the wildlife in the northeast because due to frequent hunting and the wild meat market the wildlife populations were reduced and only the empty sky was left. For executing the documentary, they used to spent their time with people from different tribes, attend their festivals where they also witnessed the traditional use of the animal parts.

10) Acquaint us with the logic of the young village boy about his hunting. What kind of mind setup does it reflect?

The young boy hunted a monkey and carried that with him as he wanted to use the fur to make his new dagger case. As he was supposed to attend a marriage party he wanted his dagger case to be the best of all or else it would have been a
matter of prestige for him.

The young boy was cruel in some way, he was much more conscious about what others think that made him get the monkey killed for his dagger case just to please the people.

11) In Chizami village and Nagaland, how is there a difference between the old people and the teenage about their knowledge of animals?

The older hunters had a huge knowledge about almost all the animals and also
about their habitats, foods consumed, smell so they could easily identify the animals from their photographs. The younger hunters knew very less about the animals whereas the teenage boys had rarely seen any mammals. There was a huge difference in their knowledge about the animals and this was due to the decline in wildlife proportion.

12) In January 2007 what did the people of Ranchi decide unanimously and what was the effect of it?

In 2007, the tribal people of Ranchi arrived at a unified understanding to ban
hunting for three years and realized that this was the only way to reverse the
situation or depletion. Earlier too in Nagaland, the youths took upon themselves to ban hunting and they managed to sustain the ban for ten years to revive the wildlife population. These encouraged the tribal people, the hunters were ready to become wildlife guides.

13) How people in Manas in Assam reflect a sustainable mind setup for saving wild animals as they changed them from hunters to wildlife guides?

Due to the vast depletion of wildlife populations in forests, the tribal people
decided to ban hunting. In Manas Assam, the ex-poachers have turned themselves into forest guides putting their all knowledge about the forest and its
inhabitants to revive the wildlife population. They took the steps towards the more sustainable future. They proved and positively supported for processing and preserving our forest and all creatures.

14) How does the lesson point out the issue of depletion wildlife and at the same time, this shows a solution to the problem?

People from different tribes have been hunting for generations. The vast hunting of animals and the wild meat market led to the silent forest and the empty sky. Due to the crisis of wildlife, they were at high demand in the market. Realizing the dead situation of the forest the tribals themselves arrived at a solution, they decided to ban hunting to revive the wildlife population. The hunters turned themselves to guides putting all their knowledge for the betterment.

Back From The Brink Class 8 ICSE English Textbook Question And Answers

About the passage

A. Read to understand

1. Answer these questions.

a)Why did Jarjo mimic the sound of a baby deer in trouble?

Jarjo, one of the tribal companion tried to mimic the sound of a male fawn deer to lure the mother deer. It was nothing other than a trap for the mother deer.

b) When did the filmmaker’s sojourn in the North East begin?

The filmmaker’s sojourn in the north-east began in 2002 when they were filming the very first rehabilitation of two Himalayan black beer cubs who were hunted in the Pakke National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.

c) What goal did the filmmaker’s intend to achieve through their latest efforts?

The filmmaker’s goal was to document the extent of hunting and to determine whether there was any hope for the future of wildlife in North East India.

d) Why have generations of tribal people in the North East been hunting wild animals?

The tribal people in the North East were the wildlife hunters. Hunting was a part of their tradition, they had been hunting for a generation. The animals they used to hunt provides foods and bones, furs and feathers for decoration and rituals for their festival.

e) Why did the young boy kill the monkey?

The young boy hunted a monkey as he wanted to use the fur to make his new dagger case. As he was supposed to attend a marriage party he wanted his dagger case to be the best of all or else it would have been a matter of prestige for him. He was way more conscious about what others think that made him get the monkey killed

2. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

a)”We continued to film the three young men and walked until the evening before setting down at a clearing”.

i)Who are ‘we’ here? Who are the ‘three young men’?

‘We’ here refers to the filmmaker’s, the author and the group who were filming the three young men.

‘Three young men’ refers to Tai, Maga and Jarjo the three young hunters. They belonged to the Nyshi tribes, Nyshi tribe were one of those tribe who had been hunting for generations.

ii)Why were the three young men being filmed?

The filmmaker’s were filming the three young hunters with a goal to make a documentary to extent hunting and to determine whether there was any hope for the future of wildlife.

iii)Where were ‘we’ walking until evening?

The filmmaker’s were walking deep in the dense forest of North East India filming the three young tribal hunters. They were crowded by the dense forest which was making it impossible for them to see further than a few meters ahead.

b) ’These are first steps, but positive ones towards a more sustainable future’.

i) What steps are being talked about in the above sentence?

The vast hunting of animals led to the silent forest and the empty sky. Realizing the dead situation of the forest the tribals themselves arrived at a unified understanding, they decided to ban hunting to revive the wildlife population. The wildlife hunters became the wildlife guides.

ii)Who took ‘these steps’?

The tribal hunters of North East India arrived at a unified understanding and decided to ban hunting.

iii)How would these steps ensure a sustainable future?

Due to the vast depletion of the wildlife population in forest, the tribal people decided to ban hunting. The ex-poachers or wildlife hunters had turned themselves into forest guides putting all their knowledge about the forest and its inhabitants to revive the wildlife population. They took steps towards the more sustainable future, proved and positively supported for processing and preserving the forest and its creatures.

B. Read to infer.

1. What motivated the tribal people to hunt wildlife recklessly?

The wild animals and birds hunted by the tribal people were at high demand. The dead meat of animals was sold at very high prices in the market. The animal parts were of various traditional use. The animals they hunt provides foods and bones, furs and feathers for decoration and rituals during the festival.

2. What did the filmmaker’s realize after interviewing generations of hunters?

After interviewing different generations of hunters, the filmmaker’s came across some interesting facts about the decline of wildlife. The older generation had such a vast knowledge about almost every animal and also about their habit’s, foods and smell that they could easily identify the animals from the photograph. The younger hunters knew very less whereas the teenagers had rarely seen any mammals. There was a huge difference in their knowledge about the animals due to the decline in wildlife proportion.

3) What vital lesson did these tribal people learn?

Hunting was very common in the North Eastern states of India. Especially people who belonged to the Nyshi tribe had been hunting for generations. Future of wildlife‘s was found to be dark due to the frequent hunting. The wildlife populations were reduced and only the empty sky was left. If not taken care the very next victim would have been the forest itself.

C.Discuss

1. Do you think it was easy for the tribal people to decide on the ban? Why/ Why not?

No, it was not that easy for the tribal people to decide on the ban.

They had been hunting for generations. It was not at all easy for them to change themselves to a wildlife guide from a wildlife hunter. Realizing the dead situation they were forced to come to a unified understanding to ban hunting. They had taken such a big step to revive the wildlife population and for a sustainable future.

2. Preservation and protection of the environment is not a spectator sport. What does it mean? How should each of us be involved in the preservation of the environment?

We move towards a civilization where the growth of tomorrow-factories are considered as the basis of development, we often forget that preservation and protection is a constant effort that exists as an integral part of human lives. We unknowingly destroy forest property and lose more than what we find. Preservation and protection should start from every individual’s life. Whatever we intake are provided by the environment.

As indebted as we are to nature our duty is to protect the earth in various ways. Some simple ideas are:

• Reduce, reuse and recycle
• Stop deforestation
• Volunteer for cleanups in community
• Conserve water
• Plant trees

Word by word

1. Complete the word web for preserve

Safeguard

Preserve

Maintain

~ Preserve

Keep in safety and protect from harm

“We preserve these archaeological findings”

Synonyms-conserve, maintain, safeguard, protect, etc.

Antonyms-damage, neglect, harm, attack, etc.

 

2. Find words from the passage that mean the same as the phrases given below:

a)to take out

~ Extract

b)to imitate someone/something

~ Mimic

c) send/go to live in another place

~ Rehabilitation

d) to keep getting less and less

~ Decline

e)to strengthen and support

~ Sustain

f) one who only watches a game/ performance

~ Spectator

3. Use the words from the above exercise in sentences of your own.

• Extract- She read out a short extract from her new novel.
• Mimic- She could mimic her father perfectly.
• Rehabilitation- Rehabilitation services were offered to the handicapped ones.
• Decline- Increase in private vehicles led to the decline of public transport.
• Sustain- It was difficult to sustain the interest of the children’s.
• Spectator- The spectator always stands beside and guides.

Armero Has Disappeared From The Map! Class 8 English ICSE Extra Question And Answers

1. When and how was the news of the destruction of Armero received?

On 14th of November, 1985 the news of the destruction of Armero was received. It was a fine new morning when the author turned on his radio for the morning news and discovered the news that Armero, a town in Colombia was left devastated by a volcano.

2. What caused the destruction of Armero? How many people were affected by this?

Armero a town in Colombia was left devastated by a volcano. Lahar, a destructive mudflow whipped off Armero from the map.

Almost about 28,000 residents of Armero were affected by the disaster.

3. Describe the whole process as to how from the Nevado Del Ruiz the mud avalanche came to Almero?

Nevado Del Ruiz, a snowcapped volcanic peak exploded on the northeast side expelling out large quantities of sulfurous volcanic ash, the heat melted the snowcap. As a result, the leisurely flowing glacial streams were transformed to torrents of mud and ice. A large part of this slithering mass slipped into the Lagunilla River rolling and twisting downstream sweeping along trees and boulders with a speed descent to Armero.

4. What had been the level of destruction by the mud of avalanche?

Armero a thriving town in Colombia was left devastated by a volcano was totally swept away by a wall of mud emitted out of the narrow canyon. Almost everything got destroyed, only a few houses were left standing on the ground.

5. What had been the alarms before the destruction. How did the local and administration take it?

The smell of the sulphur in the air had been strong on the previous evening before the eruption and ashes began to fall.

Member of the emergency committee assured that there was nothing to be anxious, there was no reason for the alarm. They advised the town people to remain calmly in their home and use a damp handkerchief.

6. How at 7:30 things started to expose something unusual? How did the people react to it?

At 7:30, sudden torrential rain began to fall in Armero a town in Colombia and then suddenly stopped. It was followed by a strange fallout a fine warm and which soon covered the streets and the rooftops of the houses. It was quite unusual.

The residents of Armero were quite troubled and worried about the crisis situation. Looking at the rooftop many ran away to the higher ground for survival. But the majority stays back.

7. What did the mayor announce at 10:13? What had happened then with the atmosphere and with the people?

The Mayor of Armero interrupted a radio program at 10:13 pm saying that ” The water is here, it had taken an hour a quarter for the avalanche to travel 52m.”

Half of the residents were awakened by the heavy rain of sand and others heard the noise and shouting. Frantically, the people rushed out if their home. Vehicles
raced madly through the streets, blowing their horns, headless of people in their way. Many were run down before the wall of mud stuck.

8. How did the mud avalanche destroy the town in darkness after the people went crazy on the street?

The mud avalanche made a terrifying noise in the darkness. Everything was engulfed and swiftly carried away by the churning mass which swept down through the centre of the houses. The parents ripped their children’s by the arms and were carried helplessly to death. The survivors were coming out of mock, many were injured. They looked like zombies as if walking in their sleep. It was a horrible situation all around on the street of Armero.

9. What was the picture of devastation in the morning?

Early morning, alone crop duster surveyed the valley and he could hardly believe his eyes. Grey mud with 100 of bodies, animals and humans were found in place of a living town. Close to the mountainside, the thriving Armero was completely devastated by the volcano.

10. What did the surveyor report?

The surveyor reported that Armero, a town of Colombia was just an enormous beach. Nothing was left except few houses which were standing on the ground. People could be seen in the treetop, on walls, on hillsides etc. The situation was the worst.

11. What has been the condition of the survivors and every attempt to help them turned futile?

Survivors of the tragedy were coming up out of the muck, many were injured. They looked like zombies, walking in their sleep. Some were buried to the neck, crying for help. Those on the edge of morass were trying hard to reach those nearby. Some ventured into the muck but had to retreat as they were sucked down. Rescuers tried to drive a truck for help but unfortunately, it too was sucked under.

12. Six weeks later when the narrator visited the place of tragedy what did he witnessed?

Six weeks after the tragedy the narrator visited the place and was speechless after witnessing the condition of the place. There were only grey-white boulders strewed beach in the shape of enormous fan in place of a thriving town and resident which existed till a few days ago.

13. ”Nature a bounty and at the same time destructive”. Discuss

Often we are engrossed in approaching the various striking manifestations of the beauty of nature. For technology, we have so disconnected ourselves with the natural world that it is easy to forget nature remains as bounty as we are, even it vanishes bit by bit ignorant as we are, there is the abundance of the example of human activities causing environmental degradation. We come across such natural disasters which often lead to the destruction of the world, death of living ones. Besides fulfilling necessities it can also be harmful or destructive.

14. How far do you think modern technology can save us from the sort of natural disaster?

Technology plays a crucial role in keeping so many life alive through life support machines and other specialized types of equipment. Technology has been employed fast-track disaster relief efforts. Warning of violent storms and volcanic eruptions hours and days ahead have saved many lives and prevented property loss. Modern technologies developed has reduced exposure to natural hazard. Various instruments are used to detect and record natural calamities before saving a life.

Armero Has Disappeared From The Map! Class 8 English ICSE Textbook Question And Answers

About the passage

A. Read to understand

1. Answer the questions

a) Why was the ice melting?

Nevado Del Ruiz, a snowcapped volcanic peak exploded on the northeast side
expelling out a large amount of volcanic ash, the tremendous heat from the crater led to the melting of the snowcap or the ice covering.

b)Why were the people of Armero not really concerned when the smell of the sulphur was strong?

The people of Armero were not really concerned when the smell of sulphur was strong as they were inclined to believe the announcement made by the Emergency Committee. Member of the emergency committee assured the town people that there was no reason to be anxious and advised the people to stay calmly indoors and use a damp handkerchief.

c)Why was it difficult to save the people stuck in the morass?

Survivors of the tragedy were crying out for help. Those on the edge of morass
were trying hard to reach those nearby. Some ventured into the muck but had to
retreat as they began to be sucked down. Rescuers tried to drive a truck for help but unfortunately, it too was sucked under, it was really difficult to rescue them safely.

2. Match the series of event with the times they happened.

a) Wednesday afternoon-smell of sulphur in the air.

b) Wednesday 7:30 pm –rain starts

c) Wednesday 9 pm –volcano erupts

d) Wednesday around 10 pm –avalanche reaches the valley

e) Wednesday 10:13 pm –radio announcement by the mayor

f) Wednesday around midnight-Armero is buried under a massive avalanche of mud, ice and lava

g) Thursday morning-news of natural disaster on the radio

3. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. ”The people were urged to remain calm, to stay indoors and to cover their faces with a damp handkerchief.”

i)Who urged the people to remain calm?

Members of the Emergency Committee for Civil Defense assured the people that
there was no reason to be anxious and urged them to remain calmly indoors and
use a handkerchief.

ii)Why were the people urged to remain calm?

Wednesday afternoon the smell of sulphur had been strong in the air, ashes began to fall which caused a little alarm and an uneasy situation. The town
people were asked to remain calm, to stay indoors and to cover faces with a damp handkerchief by the member of the emergency committee as they attended early evening masses and were assured there was no reason for the alarm and everything was okay.

iii)What happened after the announcement was made?

After the member of emergency committee made an announcement that there were no reasons to be anxious, a panic situation occurred. Around 7:30, sudden
torrential rain began to fall in Armero a town in Colombia and then suddenly
stopped. It was followed by a strange fallout a fine warm and which soon covered the streets and the rooftops of the houses. It was quite unusual. The residents of Armero were quite troubled and worried about the crisis situation. Looking at the rooftop many ran away to the higher ground for survival. But the majority stays back.

2. ”Frantically they called their children and other family members out of bed. The lights suddenly went out.”

i)Who are ‘they’ in these sentences?

‘They’ here refers to the residents of Armero, a town in Colombia.

ii)Why were they asking their children’s and family members to get out of bed?

The mayor of Armero interrupted a radio program exclaiming that the water was
almost in the town of Armero. Many of the people were awakened by the heavy
rain of sand on the roof and others by the noise and shouting outside. Worried
of the vulnerable situation they were frantically calling their children and family members out of bed so that they could run and get their life saved.

iii)What were they trying to run from? What happened after the lights went off?

The town people of Armero were running from the rain of sand which soon covered the rooftops and streets of Armero, for survival.

It was total panic. People started banging and kicking on doors. Thousands rushed out of their home. Vehicles raced madly through the streets, blowing their horns, headless of people in their way. Many ran down before the wall of mud stuck. In the darkness, the churning mass swept straight down through the centre of houses. Everything was engulfed and swiftly carried away.

B. Read to infer.

1. Why were the people inclined to believe the announcement by the emergency committee?

The town of Armero was in a pathetic condition. The approaching avalanche was
making a terrifying noise. It caused a terrifying situation, people were worried and were feeling helpless. The town people were in such a stage that they were inclined to believe the announcement made by the Emergency Committee. They were trusting and cooperating with them to stay back at home with a hope to get saved. The committee assured that there was no reason to be anxious.

2. After the strange occurrence of fall, some people fled to higher ground. why?

The town people were cooperating with the committee to remain at home. But sudden torrential rain of sand caused a terrifying situation. Rain of sand began to
fall and stopped, followed by a strange fallout. The sand-covered almost every
rooftops and street of Armero. Such a panic situation made the people feel uneasy, they fled to higher ground with hope for survival. They were helpless
and could barely think something for survival.

3. How were the people of Armero lulled into a false sense of security? Give two reasons.

The people of Armero were under false guidance. Trusting the announcement and guidelines of Emergency Committee led them to face death. The member of the committee gave wrong and false pieces of information to the town people, they assured that there was nothing to worry about. They advised the people to stay calm and remain indoors in such a terrifying situation.

4. Was nature alone responsible for the loss of lives ? Give a reasoned answer.

No, nature alone was not responsible for the loss of lives.

Besides nature, the Emergency Committee played a very crucial role for such a terrible outcome. The people of Armero were completely under false guidance of the committee. People might have got saved if they would have fled away the very last evening. The committee assured that there was no reason to worry, trusting the committee many choose to stay back at home and later faced death. The people were hanged between life and death. There were much loss of lives.

C. Discuss.

1. Some people fled the town when the sound drizzle started. How do you think they would have felt that night?

Mentally the town people of Armero were completely devastated, they were in a
traumatic State of mind extremely stressed for their family. They were in such
a vulnerable stage where they were completely confused about what would save
their life. People were feeling so uneasy after the sand rain that they frantically
started running for survival. They were normal people in an abnormal situation.
Many choose to stay back, having no idea of what was going to happen the very
next moment.

2. Of the majority who stayed, who do you think had greater chances of survival?

a) The people who left their house

b)Those who needed the advice to remain calm and stay indoor.

Give reasons for your answer.

The people who choose to run away had got higher chances of survival. Trusting and heading according to the advice of the Emergency Committee, to stay back home in such a crisis situation was no less than an act of foolishness. The town
people relied on security, whereas the committee kept the town people under a
false sense of security. Besides nature, the member of the committee was also
responsible for the loss of lives and for such a vulnerable outcome.

A Retrieved Reformation Class 8 English ICSE Textbook Solutions

About the passage

A. Read to understand

1. Answer these questions

a)Why did Jimmy Valentine go to Mike Dolan’s cafe?

Jimmy Valentine after getting released from the prison, takes a train to another town where he meets up with his friend and Confederate, Mike Dalon in his cafe. He picks up his keys from Mike and returns back to his room above the restaurant where he lived before Ben arrested him.

b) How did Ben Price guess that the burglaries were done by Jimmy Valentine?

A week after Jimmy Valentine got released from the prison, a string of bank safe
burglaries in the MidWest came to Ben Price’s attention. Ben Price was a detective, who arrested Jimmy for his last robbery. Ben was doubting Jimmy for
this robbery too as he was quite confident that Jimmy would surely join back
his business of robbery. So he was hiding and keeping his eyes on Jimmy’s
activities.

c)How did Jimmy get information about Annabel and the town?

Jimmy went to Elmore with an intension to rob the bank but falls in love with a
young woman. There was a boy sitting outside the bank, Jimmy called him and
asked him about the town. While talking to him, with a hope to get few pieces of information he willingly asked the boy if the young woman was Polly. Clearing his
doubts, the boy unknowingly helps Jimmy to gather informations about her that
she’s Annabel Adams, whose father owns the bank and also gathers information
about the town.

d)Why was the clerk at the Planter’s hotel impressed with Ralph
Spencer?

Jimmy registered himself in the hotel as “Ralph D Spencer”. Leaning on the desk of the clerk he declared that he was in search of a location to start his new business. He also asked whether the shoe business was good in town. The clerk was quite impressed by his clothes and manners. The clerk positively replied to Jimmy and said that Elmore does not have a shoe store and that business was good in the town. He was also said that he would find it a pleasant town to live with the sociable people.

e)What happened to Agatha in the bank?

While Mr Adams owner of the bank was busy boasting about his new safe installed and was explaining about its working, Agatha gets locked in the safe. Annabel’s niece May and Agatha the two little ones were delighted by the shining metal of the safe. While playing, May playfully locked Agatha in the bank vault and threw the bolts.

f)Why was Annabel’s father worried about Agatha?

Agatha and May were Annabel’s two little nieces. While playing, May trapped
Agatha in the safe of the bank by accident which created a panic situation. Adams got worried and exclaimed in horror that it was impossible to open the
safe as the timer and combinations were not yet set. He was worried that the little girl would soon run out of the air in the vault.

2. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1.”Everything was just as he had left it even Ben Price collar button”

i)Who is ‘he’ in the sentence?

‘He’ here refers to Jimmy Valentine. He was a skilled young safecracker who returned to society after getting released from the bank.

ii)Who is Ben Price?

Ben Price was a detective who arrested Jimmy Valentine for his robberies.

iii) How did he come in possession of Ben Price collar button?

Jimmy being burglar by profession, used to rob banks by cracking the safe or the vault using his tools. Being a detective Ben arrested Jimmy when he came to know about his robberies. While arresting him, the collar button had been torn from Ben’s collar when they had overpowered him.

2. ”With the act, Ralph D Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place.”

i)What does ‘that act’ refer to in the sentence?

Jimmy Valentine cracked the safe of the bank with his tools and skills to save Agatha, the little one who got locked in the safe.

ii)In what sense did Ralph D Spencer pass away?

Jimmy had left robbery and started a new life being Ralph D Spencer. But later
Ralph passed away and Jimmy took back his place but in a positive way. He cracked the safe of the bank, he used his robbery skills to help someone instead of committing a crime.

iii)What did Jimmy Valentine Do after taking Spencer’s place?

As Agatha the little one got locked in the safe of the bank, Jimmy decided to save the girl using his skills and tools. He kept his suitcase in the table and using his tools cracked the safe with his magic effect breaking the burglarious record, he saved Agatha. He was completely reformed, this time he used his robbery skills to help someone instead of committing a crime.

3. ”I don’t know that it makes much difference now.”

i)Who said this and to whom?

After cracking the safe of the bank and saving the little girl Agatha, Jimmy Valentine said this to the detective, Ben Price.

ii)What does ‘it’ refer to?

Here ‘it’ refers to the action Jimmy had performed. He willingly or unwillingly cracked the safe of the bank and it was witnessed by Ben Price.

iii)Why does he say so?

Jimmy thought that his new life was at risk. He was cracking the safe for saving someone’s life but he was also wrecking his upcoming marriage. After saving the girl he took his coat and walked towards the front door and asked Ben to take him. He knew that everything positive would come to an end. He thought that Ben Price would arrest him again for cracking the safe no matter whatever the reason is.

B. Read to infer

1.” Sorry, we couldn’t make it sooner…”.Who is the ‘we’ the speaker could be referring to?

‘We’ here refers to Mike and his group. Mike was Jimmy’s partner in crime, friend
and Confederate who was always there in back supporting him. Jimmy was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement as a safecracker in a robbery. They couldn’t release him fast still Jimmy served even less than half of his imprisonment because of Mike and other criminal connections in high places.

2. Ben Price never handles petty criminals. How do you know that?

Ben Price was a detective by profession. He arrested Jimmy and imprisoned him as he was involved as a safecracker in a robbery in a bank. Jimmy was a very skilled safecracker. Later when, a string of bank safe burglaries in the MidWest came to Ben Price’s attention he was doubting Jimmy for this robbery too as he was quite confident that Jimmy would surely join back in his business of robbery.
So he was hiding and keeping his eyes on Jimmy’s activities.

3. Even though Dolan had the key to the room, he never used the room. How do you know this?

Dolan was Jimmy’s partner in crime, friend and Confederate who always supported and helped him. Before Jimmy got arrested he was staying in Mike’s restaurant, all his belongings were left over there and the keys were safely kept by Mike. After he returned from prison he met Mike and got back the keys, returning back to his room he found his safe cracking tools still hidden in the wall
where he had left them. Everything was the same exactly as he had left.

4. Why did Jimmy Valentine decide to live a ‘straight life’?

After Jimmy got released from prison, he joined his business. He took his tools and travelled to Elmore with a plan to rob the bank but he encounters a beautiful young woman. Their eyes meet, and in that instant, Jimmy undergoes a complete reformation. He changes to a new man for his love. He decides to leave robbery and start his own business. He opened a shoe store in Elmore and achieved success in his business and also in his love life.

5. Why did Spencer show ‘ a courteous but not too intelligent interest in the safe’ ?

While Mr Admas, father of Annabel and the owner of the bank was boasting about his new safe installed, Jimmy showed courageous but little ignorance and less interest. As Jimmy had recently changed himself, he was a burglar by profession in past. He knew all the skills and it was very easy for him to crack that safe. He was a skilled safecracker, he knew no matter how much burglar proof it be, he could easily crack that if he wills to do so.

6. Why do you think Ben Price pretended not to recognize Jimmy Valentine?

Ben was sure that after being released from the prison Jimmy would again join his
business. So he was hiding and keeping his eyes on Jimmy’s activities. When he
witnessed that Jimmy again repeated the same thing but this time he used his
skills to help someone instead of committing a crime. He was happy to see that
Jimmy was reformed by his life. So, he pretended not to recognize Jimmy and
walked away leaving Valentine to marry Annabel and enjoy his new life.

C. Discuss

1. The safe had to be broken to save a life. Was it an easy decision for Jimmy Valentine to make? Why/ Why not?

No, replacing Jimmy with Ralph was not at all an easy decision.

Jimmy knew that his new life was at risk. He would crack the safe for saving someone’s life but he would also wreck his life. But he chose to save that little girl by using his skills and tools as he knew that he could do it easily. He was no more conscious about the present and using his tools, cracked the safe with his magic effect breaking his burglarious record, he saved Agatha, he saved a life.

2. Do you think Ben Price did the right thing by saying “I don’t believe I know you”? What does this show about Ben sense of Justice?

Yes, he did the right thing by denying to recognize Jimmy.

Ben understood that Jimmy has actually reformed. He understood the reason why Jimmy cracked the safe again. After witnessing the complete scenario he walked away leaving Valentine to marry Annabel and enjoy his new life. Ben was being impartial and he showed humanity and provided him with the perfect justice he deserved. He supported Jimmy and gave him the courage to live his new life happily being a good human being.

The Bees In My Backyard Class 8 English ICSE Extra Question And Answers

1. Where did the author live? How did the author enjoy different birds from his balcony?

Ans: The author lived in a building called Jaldarshan on Napean Sea Road in Mumbai. The author would spent hours watching sunbirds, tailor birds, magpie robins, koels, sparrows, crows, rose-ringed parakeets, and pigeons.

2. What does he experience in the ber tree and peepal tree and other wild plants?

Ans: He explains has he overlooked from his balcony he saw the venerable ber tree and clutch of peepal trees that swarmed with life.

3. What would the author experience at Jaldarshan garden?

Ans: The author gives a vivid description of his experience at the Jaldomarshan garden. At the dawn and dusk, there would commence a competition between the virtual army of pipistrelles and swifts, dive-bombing airspace over the author’s garden, consuming insects that grew fat on the plenty Malabar Hills. Further, when the ambience would have turned almost dark and most human residents would be engrossed in the television sets, fruit bats would come visiting to feast on thousands of figs and “false badam” fruit. Every few years, a family of barn owls raised its family in a cosy little niche, twenty meters up in our cliff wall.

4. When it was darker what would the author notice?

Ans: When it was darker the author would notice that the fruit bats would come visiting to the garden to feast on thousands of figs and ‘false badam’ fruit.

5. In spite of being highly populated and polluted how would the author never be bored?

Ans: In spite of being highly populated and polluted the author never got bored in Mumbai because even at the days when birds where not visible the author would entertain himself by watching butterflies, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, ants, wasps, and bees. In the centre of the Jaldarshan garden grew a cicada, one of the most beautiful palms the author had ever seen.

6. What is the lifelong regret of the author? How does he reflect that with example?

Ans: The lifelong regret of the author is that he knows very less about botany. He reflects that by giving the example of flowers.

7. How do flowers attract insects to make pollination possible?

Ans: Flowers use texture to attract insects to make pollination possible. Flowers manage to arrange their cells such a way as to provide visiting insects with surfaces that feel variously like cotton, silk, wool, and velvet. Some even use kind of “oily gloss” that provides their petals with a sheen that attracts insects – butterflies “smell” and “taste” flowers with their feet.

8. Why does the author like the sound of the insects’ wings? What does the author say about bees and Apis mellifera?

Ans: The the author did like the sound of the insect wings because it gave him soothing effect. It’s a calming, hypnotic sound.

On Sunday while sitting in the garden, the author suddenly heard the buzz of bees and followed several individuals Apis mellifera as they went about their chores. They were sisters, gathering food stocks for the hive and the author guessed they would around be three weeks old. They sucked honey using their proboscis, but they also managed to collect pollen that they would transport back to the hive in bristly “baskets” on their hind legs.

9. How according to the narrator we have much to learn from nature?

Ans: According to the author we have much to learn from nature. He says “We know very little, for instances, about the natural history of honeybees in the wild, despite the fact that we domesticated them for ones”. The author further asks us to learn the skill of social development from them, their strategies to survive the toughest situation, their spirit of working for the welfare of the community, their skills of communication through the medium of dance.

10. What complex questions did the author ask which are very interesting and yet be resolved?

Ans: The complex yet interesting questions asked by the author which are yet to be resolved where why did the bees discern the colour red, why is that worker
bees continue to work for the welfare of the colony, feeding the larvae though
they will never be able to reproduce young, how did bees learn to communicate
with each other using the medium of dance, hoe does bees know what to do
collectively to raise or lower the temperature in their hives.

11. How at the end of the text the author reflects about the effects of nature or him?

Ans: By the end of the story the author reflects the effect on him by nature by saying that the sight of the Jaldarshan Garden gave him the opportunity to look inwards and spend time on things we seem to have left too little time for- the sweetness of water, the softness of the breeze, the sound of birds singing, the freshness of new flowers, and the hum of bees.

12. How far do you think nature is mysterious and unknown in many ways? Discuss with reference from the text?

Ans: The nature is mysterious and unknown in many ways, it has its own diversities.

The mysterious concept of nature is portrayed by the fruit bats visiting to feast on thousands of figs and “false badam” fruit. It is further put forward by the flowers magical spell to attracts insects for pollination and the complex yet interesting gesture of the bees.

The Bees In My Backyard Class 8 English ICSE Textbook Question And Answers

I. Answer these questions:

A. Which view would the writer witness in the garden at Jaldarshan early in the morning and at twilight?

Ans: The writer would witness in the garden at Jaldarshan early in the morning and at twilight a virtual sanctuary amidst the human-dominated landscape.

B. How many kinds of birds does the writer mention in the text? Write their names.

Ans: The author means almost 9 kinds of birds in the text. They were sunbirds, tailor birds, magpie birds, koels, sparrows, crows, rose-ringed parakeets and pigeons.

C. What did the writer observe about how bees work? What does he suggest modern can learn from bees?

Ans: The bees collected honey using their proboscis, but they also managed to collect pollen that they would transport back to the hive in bristly “baskets” on their hind legs. The writer suggests that modern people can learn from the bees the concept that –“ We would consume less, waste less and live much healthier
lives”.

II. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

‘It’s a calming, hypnotic sound that is largely drowned by the rear and hum of the city’

i. What is the “calming, hypnotic sound” that the sentences above refer to?

Ans: The “ calming, hypnotic sound” referred here is the sound of the bees

ii. Which “city” is the writer talking about in the above sentence?

Ans: The “city” which the writer is talking about in the above sentence is Mumbai.

iii. What other similar contrasts does the writer make in the story?

Ans: The other similar contrasts made in the story the sound of the birds singing, the freshness of new flowers, and the hum of bees.

III. Read to infer

I . The writer says the plants ‘managed to feed such a variety of life forms(and my soul): What do you think he means?

Ans: The writer here is enchanted by the beauty and the vivacity of nature. He appreciates how plants serve as a means to a variety of life forms. On a deeper level, the author also means that the sight of the plants are so enthralling that they provide sanity to the writer’s soul.

II. What is his favourite pastime?

Ans: His favourite pastime was to watch birds from his balcony. In these highly
concrete world dominated by human civilisation, it provided him with an insight into the virtual wildlife sanctuary.

III. Why isn’t he never bored at Mumbai?

Ans: The author is never bored in Mumbai because his balcony provides him with great insight to a virtual wildlife sanctuary. More particularly he used to manage
entertaining himself by watching butterflies, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers,
ants, wasps, and bees.

IV. What is the writer’s regret? Why do you think he has this regret?

Ans: The writer’s regret is that he has the least knowledge about botany. He has this regret that although he has this deep interest and curiosity about plants and flowers he knows very less about it.

V. The writer is making an indirect appeal. What do you think it is?

Ans: The writer is making the indirect appeal to retain our love for nature. He asks
us to pay attention to the intriguing happenings of nature and spend some time for- the sweetness of water, the softness of breeze, the sound of birds, singing, the freshness of new flowers, and the hum of busy bees.

WORD BY WORD:

1. Read these idioms with the face. Match them with their meanings:

a. to have a long face – to have a discontented or sullen facial expression

b. to be wiped off the face of earth – to disappear completely

c. to blow up in your face – to go the wrong unexpectedly.

d. to have a poker face – to show no feelings on your face

e. to cut off your nose to spite your face – to o something to hurt someone else but actually, hurt yourself.

Treasure Trove Poems and Short Stories Workbook Answers

Nine Gold Medals Summary by David Roth

Nine Gold Medals Summary About the Poet

David Roth (10 October, 1954 – Present) is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author and former radio personality. He is an artist who conveys a wealth of stories, anecdotes and scenes with a physically felt intensity. He is best known as the lead singer of the Southern California based hard rock band, ‘Van Halen’.

Nine Gold Medals Summary

The poem deals with an incident which happened at a special Olympic race. ‘Nine Gold Medals’ is a beautiful poem that illustrates that sports is not only about competing, and about winning awards and medals, but also a complete institution that teaches you values like, sportsmanship, compassion and empathy. In this poem we see that how racers help a young injured competitor, to finish the race without caring about the competition. They all were rewarded with a gold medal for their outstanding display of co-operation and human kindness.

Nine Gold Explanation of the Poem

Stanza 1. “The athletes had come from so many countries
To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze
Many weeks and months in training
All building up to the games.”

Explanation: Olympics are held after every four years. Participating in Olympics and wining an award is a deeply cherished dream of every athlete. This poem describes the scene at Special Olympics where special sportsmen, i.e., who have some problem in a particular part of their body, had gathered to participate in one hundred metres race.

They had come from different countries with the dream to win gold, silver or bronze medal. They had spent hours of vigorous training. Their hopes were quite high.

Word Meanings :

1. Athletes – Sportsmen
2. Building up – Developing strength and stamina

Stanza 2. “All round the field spectators were gathered
Cheering on all the young women and men
Then the final event of the day was approaching
The last race about to being.”

Explanation: The spectators had gathered around and were cheering the contestants of all the events. They had been encouraging them all throughout. It was now time for the last event to begin. All were anxious about it.

Word Meanings:

1. Spectators – Onlookers, audience
2. Cheering – Shouting encouragement

Stanza 3. “The loudspeakers called out the names of the runners
The one hundred metres the race to be run
And nine young athletes stood there determined
And poised for the sound of the gun.”

Explanation: The next and the final event is the hundred metres race. The names of the participants are announced. The nine young athletes come and take their positions behind the starting point. They are fully determined and ready, and wait for the pistol to be fired in order to begin the race.

Word Meanings :

1. Exploded – Fired
2. Poised – Ready or prepared for something

Stanza 4. “The signal was given, the pistol exploded
And so did the runners on hearing the sound
But the youngest among them stumbled and staggered
And he fell on his knees to the ground.”

Explanation: The signal came indicated by the pistol shot, the runners began the race immediately but, unfortunately, the youngest of the athlete stumbled and lost his balance and fell with his knees on the ground.

Word Meanings :

1. Sumbled – Tripped
2. Staggered – To move unsteadily

Stanza 5. “He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish
His dreams and his efforts clashed in the dirt
But as sure as I’m standing here telling the story
Now it’s a strange one, but here’s what occurred.”

Explanation: After hours of training and hard efforts, all the dreams and hopes of the differently abled man seemed to turn to dust. He cries with pain and helplessness. He had trained hard but missed the opportunity to show his talent. But the speaker says that, something unusual yet true, happened following his fall.

Word Meanings:

1. Anguish – Extreme suffering, grief or pain
2. Dashed – Broke or destroyed

Stanza 6. “The eight other athletes stopped in their tracks
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they turned round and came back to help him
And lifted the lad to his feet.”

Explanation: The other eight athletes who had already begun their race, stopped in their tracks. To everyone’s surprise, one by one, turning around, they returned to help the fallen boy and lifted him up. This sudden change of mind was quite unexpected. After all they had been preparing for this day from a long time.

Word Meanings :

1. Tracks – Paths, trails
2. Lad – Young boy

Stanza 7. “Then all nine runners joined hands and continued
The one hundred metres reduced to a walk
And the banner above that said “Special Olympics”
Could not have been nearer the mark.”

Explanation: All the eight runners then held each other’s hand and resumed the competition, but this turned out to be a special one because all the participants were now walking together and the hundred metre race changed into a walk. Thus, the title on the banner matched with their act and could not have been a better one.

Word Meaning :

1. Joined hands – Held each other’s hands.

Stanza 8. “That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And the banner above and nine smiling faces
Said more than these words ever will
Said more than these words ever will.”

Explanation: The nine athletes reached the finishing line together hand in hand. They stood beneath the banner with smiling faces. No words would suffice to praise this act. Their act of co-operation towards their competitor actually won them nine gold medals. The poet repeats the last line to emphasize on their greatness.

Word Meaning :

1. Banner – A large strip of cloth with a design, picture or writing on it

Nine Gold Medals Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

The athletes had come from so many countries
To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze
Many weeks and months in training
All building up to the games.
All round the field spectators were gathered
Cheering on all the young women and men
Then the final event of the day was approaching
The last race about to being.
The loudspeakers called out the names of the runners
The one hundred metres the race to be run
And nine young athletes stood there determined
And poised for the sound of the gun.
The signal was given, the pistol exploded
And so did the runners on hearing the sound
But the youngest among them stumbled and staggered
And he fell on his knees to the ground.

(i) From where had the athletes come and for what purpose?
(ii) Were the contestants well prepared for the event? Pick the line that illustrates this.
(iii) Describe the scene at the Olympics.
(iv) For whom was the call made? Who turned up and what signal did they need to wait for?
(v) What does the phrase ‘so did the runners’ mean? During the race who had bad luck? What happened to him?
Answer:
(i) The athletes had come from different countries of the world to participate in various events to be held at the Olympics and win prizes. It was the ‘Special Olympic Games’, in which the differently abled athletes competed with each other.

(ii) Yes, the contestants were trained and prepared, which is proved by the lines – “Many weeks and months in training all building up to the games.”

(iii) The ground was filled with a large audience, cheering the participants of the event. The athletes who had come to participate after a strenuous training for months, were well prepared, and the people were eagerly waiting for the final event of the day i.e., the race, to begin.

(iv) The names of the participants for one hundred metres race were called out over the loudspeaker.
Nine young athletes assembled, taking their position at the starting point. They waited for the sound of gun to begin the race.

(v) As soon as the pistol sounded, signalling the start of the race, the runners too charged ahead along their respective track, with firm determination. Thus, the runners charged like the gun shot towards their target. The youngest athlete among the runners had bad luck. Unfortunately, he tripped and unsteadily fell on his knees to the ground.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

He gave out a cry of frustration and anguish
His dreams and his efforts clashed in the dirt
But as sure as I’m standing here telling the story
Now it’s a strange one, but here’s what occurred
The eight other athletes stopped in their tracks
The ones who had trained for so long to compete
One by one they turned round and came back to help him
And lifted the lad to his feet.
Then all nine runners joined hands and continued
The one hundred metres reduced to a walk
And the banner above that said “Special Olympics”
Could not have been nearer the mark.
That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And the banner above and nine smiling faces
Said more than these words ever will
Said more than these words ever will

(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to here? How did his efforts dash in the dirt? What was his reaction?
(ii) In David Roth’s poem ‘Nine Gold Medals’, something strange was witnessed. Illustrate.
(iii) Did the race actually take place? How? What words were printed on the banner above ?
(iv) Could the ‘Special Olympics’ have a better name? Give reason.
(v) How did the race end? Name the poet.
Answer:
(i) ‘He’ refers to the differently abled young athlete of the one hundred metre race, who unexpectedly fell down as soon as the race began.

The long awaited dream and aspiration of the runner, to participate in and win the prestigious Olympic race, came crashing down – all the more, the serious efforts he may have put in the preparation went unfruitful / useless. He felt everything coming dashing in the dirt. The athlete cried out in dismay and disappointment because he does not, get the opportunity to show his talent.

(ii) When the young athlete fell and cried out in frustration, the other runners who had started running, suddenly stopped, turned around and very surprisingly, came back one by one and helped the fallen racer to stand on his feet.

(iii) The race did take place but this was a special one. All the nine runners walked hand-in-hand to the finish line. The banner above read, ‘Special Olympics’.

(iv) No, the ‘Special Olympics’ is the most appropriate title for this event as it witnessed something really special. All the athletes had dreamt about winning the medal. However, on seeing their fellow runner in problem, they forgot their dreams and came forward to help him and completed the race together hand-in-hand. This is an exemplary example of empathy. Thus, this event could not have had a better title.

(v) The nine athletes reached the finish line together. There were now nine winners, instead of one, and each was awarded a gold medal as a reward for the display of empathy, helpful nature and humanity.

The poet is ‘David Roth’.

Treasure Trove Poems and Short Stories Workbook Answers

Abou Ben Adhem Summary by Leigh Hunt

Abou Ben Adhem Summary About the Poet

Leigh Hunt (19 October, 1784 – 28 August, 1859) was a religious man who was educated in a Christian hospital. His first poems were published in 1801 under the title of “Juvenilia”, and introduced him into a literary and theatrical society. In 1808, he became the editor of ‘The Examiner’, a newspaper founded by his brother. He was a friend and critic to other famous writers like, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. He is known today for only a handful of delightful, short lyrics and poems like, The Story of Remine (1816), Foliage (1819, a collection of poem) etc.

Abou Ben Adhem Summary

‘Abu Ben Adheim’ describes the spiritual experience of a religious man ‘Abu’. Through this poem, the poet wishes to express to the readers the importance of kindness and love that we need to show towards our fellow beings.

Abou Ben Adhem Explanation of the Poem

“Abu Ben Adheim (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a-deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like in lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold.”

Explanation: Abu was a gentle and caring man. He did good to everyone. One night he was enjoying a sound and peaceful sleep in his room. Suddenly he woke up and saw his room flooded with moonlight. The room was brightened by the presence of an angel, who looked like a lily in full bloom. The angel was writing something in a golden book.

Word Meanings :

1. Dream of peace – Peaceful dream
2. Rich – Brightened

“Exceeding peace had made Ben Adheim bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What wriest thou?- The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abu. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abu spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”

Explanation: The extremely peaceful atmosphere of the room made Abu bold enough to ask the angel what was it writing. The angel rose its head and looked at him sweetly. Then it told him that it was making the list of all those who loved the Lord. Abu curiously enquired if his name too was mentioned in it. The angel denied in a subdued yet cheerful voice. Abu requested the angel to add his name among those who loved other fellow beings.

Word Meanings :

1. Exceeding – Increasing
2. Presence – (here) Angel
3. Vision – (here) Angel
4. Sweet accord – Harmony

“The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adheim’s name led all the rest.”

Explanation: The angel granted his request, wrote his name and vanished. The next night the angel came again into his room and showed him the names of those who were lucky enough to be blessed by God’s love. And to Abu’s joy, his name was at the top of the list.

Word Meanings :

1. Vanished – Disappeared
2. Blest – Blessed

Explanation: Thus, Abu was nearer to God because he loved his fellowmen. This poem propagates the idea that we should love humanity and this is the best worship.

Abou Ben Adhem Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

Abu Ben Adheim (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like in lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adheim bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What wriest thou?- The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”

(i) Who was Abu Ben Adheim? What did he see one night in the room when he was awakened from his deep sleep?
(ii) Why does the poet compare the moonlight to ‘a lily in bloom’? Name the figure of speech used here.
(iii) What does the poet, Leigh Hunt, mean by ‘deep dream of peace’? How could Abu have peace?
(iv) What encouraged Abu to question the Angel? What did he ask?
(v) How does the Angel respond? What terms does the poet use to refer to the Angel ?
Answer:
(i) Abu was a pious man and belonged to the tribe of good people. He was loving and gentle.
When one night he awoke from deep sleep, he saw an Angel writing something in the Book of Gold. There was moonlight and peace in his room.

(ii) The moonlight which is silvery bright, resembles a white budding lily full of beauty and freshness. Thus, this comparison is made.
The figure of speech used here is ‘Simile’.

(iii) ‘A deep dream of peace’ refers to a peaceful sleep. A restful mind sleeps soundly.
Abu could sleep in peace because he was a simple, innocent, God loving man, who cared for his fellow beings so his life was devoid of any mental stress or unhappiness.

(iv) The extremely peaceful atmosphere in the room made Abu bold enough to question the Angel what it was writing in the Book of Gold.

(v) The Angel looked up sweetly and affectionately and answered Abu’s question. It said that it was writing the names of those who loved the Lord.
The terms used to refer to the angel are ‘presence’ and ‘vision’.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

“And is mine one?” said Abu. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abu spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adheim’s name led all the rest.

(i) Why does Abu lower his tone when the angel replied to his question?
(ii) Does Abu get disheartened by the reply? What request does he make to the angel?
(iii) Does the angel comply to the request of Abu? Does it stay there for long?
(iv) What does it show Abu? What came as a pleasant surprise to him?
(v) What does the poet wish to tell the readers through this poem?
Answer:
(i) Abu lowered his tone because, when he asked the angel if his name was there among those who loved uuu, the Angel replied that his name was not on the list. Thisdepressed Abu slightly.

(ii) No, the Angel’s reply does not dishearten him for long, he cheerfully makes a request to the angel that, if his name is not on the list of those who love the Lord, then his name should be written as the one who loves his fellowmen.

(iii) Yes, the Angel accepted his request and included him in the list of those who loved their fellowmen. After, this it vanished.

Yes, the angel re-visited Abu the following night. It came with a bright light that awakened Abu from his sleep.

(iv) On its second visit, the Angel showed Abu Ben Adheim the names of those whom God had blessed with his love. And Abu’s name was on the top of the list because God loves those who love their fellow men.

(v) The message that the poet gives to his readers through this poem is that, devotion to God is directly proportional to one’s love for one’s fellow being. God resides in the heart of every human being. So to love God one needs to love other human beings.

Treasure Trove Poems and Short Stories Workbook Answers

The Patriot Summary by Robert Browning

The Patriot Summary About the Poet

Robert Browning (7 May, 1812 – 12 Dec., 1889), an eminent Victorian era poet and playwright, was considered to be the master of dramatic monologues. Browning’s masterpieces include, ‘Porphyria’s Lover1, ‘Andrea del Sarto’, My Last Duchess’, ‘The Last Right Togethef etc. Preoccupation with the inward, psychological drama of his characters is what makes Browning famous for his characterization as a poet as well as a playwright. He was married to poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

The Patriot Summary

This poem is about a man, a political leader, who was once regarded and glorified as a hero by the people but later misunderstood and killed by the same people considering him a criminal. But the poet also shows the man’s deep hope and faith in God. He believes that, though the people considered him wrong, God will surely give appropriate judgement and he shall be much safer in heaven.

The Patriot Explanation of the Poem

Stanza 1. “It was roses, roses, all the way,
With myrtle mixed in my path like mad:
The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,
The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,
A year ago on this very day.”

Explanation: In the first stanza, the poet says that just a year ago when he had entered the city, people welcomed him joyfully and decorated his path with roses and myrtles. They crowded on their roof-tops to have his glimpse. The minarets and domes of the churches shone with fiery coloured flags. The political leader thus, received a grand public welcome when he came into power a year ago.

Word Meanings:

1. Myrtle – Shrub with sweet smelling white or pink flowers
2. Heave – To swell or rise
3. Sway – Move back and forth
4: Church-spires – Church tower

Stanza 2. “The air broke into a mist with bells,
The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries.
Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels.
But give me your sun from younger skies!”
They had answered, “And afterward, what else?”

Explanation: The poet further describes the festive environment. The air was filled with the resounding of the bells and the old walls swayed due to the loud cries of the people who had gathered to watch their great leader who had brought laurels to their nation. The patriot tells the people that instead of the noise that seems to be repelling and also temporary, if they loved him, they should get the sun from the skies for him, which was the symbol of permanence and power. At that time, the crowd that was extremely zealous, asks him what else would he require, other than the sun. They were ready to fulfill any of his demand.

Word Meanings:

l. Mist – Light fog
2. Rocked – Shook
3. Repels – Repulse, discourage
4. Yonder – Over there

Stanza 3. “Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun
To give it my loving friends to keep!
Nought ‘man could do, have I left undone:
And you see my harvest, what I reap
This very day, now a year is run.”

Explanation: This stanza illustrates a sudden transition of the man from a leader to a traitor in the eyes of the same ‘ people. He realizes that he had been over-ambitious and over-confident as he tried to get the sun to gift to his loving people. He tried to accomplish the impossible for them. But he is disappointed and regretful to see the result presently just after a lapse of one year.

Word Meanings :

1. Alack – Used to express sorrow or regret
2. Leaped – To jump over, to move quickly
3. Nought – None

Stanza 4. “This very day, now a year is run.
There’s nobody on the house-tops now
Just a palsied few at the windows set;
For the best of the sight is, all allow,
At the Shambles’ Gate., or, better yet,
By the very scaffold’s foot, I trow.”

Explanation: Here the poet remarks that the same patriot who was once welcomed with open hearts and hands, is branded as a traitor by the same people and is being taken for execution. The house-tops which were once over-crowded with overwhelming excitement to watch him, are now empty. Only a few paralysed ones are standing at the windows watching him march towards death. The rest are assembled at the slaughter¬house, for the best sight will be there, where this man will be hanged to death.

Word Meanings :

1. Palsied – Paralysed
2. Shambles gate – Slaughter house
3. Scaffold – A platform on which criminals are killed by being hanged or beheaded.

Stanza 5. “I go in the rain, more than needs,
A rope cuts both my wrists behind;
And I think, by the feel, my forehead bleeds,
For they fling, whoever has a mind,
Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.”

Explanation: Here the poet draws the imagery of the patriot, now a convict, walking in the rain towards the scaffold. His hands are tied at the back, the tight rope making wounds in his wrists. He suffers injuries as the people hit him with stones. He can feel the blood dripping down his forehead Tt is highly ironical that the hands which welcomed him once with roses are now pelting stones at him. And more interestingly he says that, these were people with brains, who judged him for his year’s misdeeds.

Word Meanings :

1. Fling – To throw or push forcefully.
2. Misdeeds – A morally wrong or illegal act.

Stanza 6. “Thus I entered, and thus I go!
In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.
Paid by the world, what dost thou owe
“Me?”—God might question; now instead,
‘Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.”

Explanation: The concluding stanza ends on an optimistic note. The leader says that he traveled the same path when he entered the town and when he is leaving the town as well as the world. A public hero, once upheld w-ith great pomp and shows, now suffers utter humiliation and his life approaches an unexpected climax. The speaker discusses his religious belief, his meeting with God after death. He says that he will tell God that he did the best possible for his people, yet they misunderstood him and treated him shamefully.

He believes in God’s justice. God will understand that he has already been punished on the earth for his misdeeds, and he will give the man the best reward in his world for his services. Thus, he will completely surrender to God and feel content and safe with Him ever after.

Word Meaning :

1. Triumphs – A great success or achievement

The Patriot Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
It was roses, roses, all the way,
With myrtle mixed in my path like mad:
The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,
The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,
A year ago on this very day.
The air broke into a mist with bells,
The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries.
Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels.
But give me your sun from younger skies!”
They had answered, “And afterward, what else?”

(i) What kind of reception does the patriot receive one year ago?
(ii) Describe the atmosphere of joy and triumph.
(iii) How does the patriot prove that the people’s love for him was beyond limit?
(iv) Explain the meaning of- (a) heave and sway (b) air broke into a mist
(v) Why do you think the patriot is thinking of asking for the sun?
Answer:
(i) One year ago the patriot received a grand reception. His walking path was paved with numerous rose petals with myrtle flowers mixed with it. The housetops were crowded with people and they were moving and swinging like mad people. The minarets and domes of churches were shining with light. They were decorated with colourful flags.

(ii) The people welcomed the patriot with so much happiness and excitement, that their voices mingled with one another and produced a sort of music. The air became misty and saturated because of the loud slogans and the ringing bells. The walls of the road-side houses trembled due to such a loud noise.

(iii) The patriot tells that the people held him in such high esteem that had he asked them for anything, may be the sun, on which their life depended, they would have readily agreed and asked him what else they could do for him.

(iv) (a) So many people had crowded over the roofs of houses that the roofs seem to be swinging due to the load, (b) The air seemed misty with the sounds of the bell that were ringing everywhere.

(v) The patriot says that he tells the people he doesn’t want cheers and applause as the extravagant celebrations will fade away with time. He wants power and glory like the sun, he wants to st.ay immortal in the heart of his people so he thinks of asking for the sun, which is the symbol of ultimate power and eminence.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun
To give it my loving friends to keep!
Nought man could do, have I left undone:
And you see my harvest, what I reap
This very day, now a year is run.
There’s nobody on the house-tops now
Just a palsied few at the windows set;
For the best of the sight is, all allow,
At the Shambles’ Gate., or, better yet,
By the very scaffold’s foot, I trow.

(i) How does the patriot reciprocate the love of his people?
What does the word ‘Alack’ signify?
(ii) What is the difference between what happened one year ago and the present day? Why?
(iii) Where does he expect the people to be? Why?
(iv) Give meaning of –
(a) Palsied (b) Shambles gate
(v) What kind of impression of the people is formed here?
Answer:
(i) The people loved and trusted the patriot so much that they were instantly ready to fetch the sun for him. But he loved his people so much that it was he who leaped for it and presented it to them, i.e., he did the impossible, what no man could do.

The word ‘Alack’ shows a tone of regret. He says with great sorrow that only one year has lapsed and what reward is he getting for his great accomplishments and deeds.

(ii) It has been just one year, the Patriot is being lead on the same path, but unlike then, the roof-tops are empty, no cheering, no rejoicing and only a few paralysed ones are gazing from the windows.

The reason is that, a year ago, he was welcomed as a hero, a Patriot, and now he has been branded as a traitor by the people of his nation.

(iii) The people would have gathered at the Shamble’s Gate; the gate of the slaughter house or at the foot of the scaffold.

The reason was that the speaker who was once held as a Patriot has now been convicted for his supposed misdeeds and is being taken to the gallows to be punished. The people have assembled there to see him die.

(iv) (a) Paralysed due to a disease called palsy and marked by uncontrollable tremor of the body or any part.
(b) A place where people assemble to witness public hangings.

(v) As per the speaker, the people’s fickle mindedness is highlighted here. The same people, just a year ago were filled with exuberance for the same person. He says he had left no stone unturned for them but they misunderstood him and now they are waiting for the best of the sight i.e., his hanging. It is all the reward of his good deeds, which have been misunderstood.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow ;

I go in the rain, more than needs,
A rope its both my wrists behind;
And I think, by the feel, my forehead bleeds,
For fling, whoever has a mind,
Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.
Thus I entered, and thus I go!
In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.
Paid by the world, what dost thou owe
“Me?”—God might question; now instead,
‘Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.

(i) Explain the humiliation the patriot is made to undergo.
(ii) Why does the poet say, “whoever has a mind?”
(iii) What does the speaker say about his entry and exit? Explain ‘In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.’
(iv) Give the meaning of-
(a) Misdeeds (b) Triumphs
(v) Why does the speaker say he will feel safer in God’s hands? What does this reflect about the speaker’s character?
Answer:
(i) The speaker highlights his sad condition. He says that people are carrying him to the gallows in the rain. They have unnecessarily tied his hands behind his back with a tight rope, which is, cutting his both hands at wrists. The supposed culprit i.e., the speaker feels his forehead is bleeding because people are petting stones at him.

(ii) The speaker says that those who had mind were throwing stones at him, which means that probably they were those with some sort of understanding, whether right or wrong, or some passion. The others were merely idle and ignorant ones and had collected there as dormant spectators.

(iii) In the concluding stanza the speaker speaks about his entry and exit from the life of power and glory. He says he is leaving the same way as he entered. He walks down towards his death through the same streets on which he had entered the town and was hailed as a hero.

This line means that, some people die from doing good things. He is victorious even in his defeat. Here we find an optimistic view of the speaker. He says, sometimes great heroes fall from their climax and die. The most highly held, the most loved, also lose their charm and glory in the eyes of people and suffer such an end.

(iv) (a) Wrong deed, offense
(b) Great success or achievement

(v) The speaker shows his complete trust in God. He believes that, after enduring so much insult from the people on Earth, he will be received by God lovingly for the services he has given to his nation. He feels safe in Heaven because he knows morally he has done right and God will reward him for his deeds, as God is just. This reflects that the speaker is an optimistic man with a religious bent. He has complete faith in God’s love and justice.

Treasure Trove Poems and Short Stories Workbook Answers

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Summary by Maya Angelou

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Summary About the Poet

Maya Angelou (4 April, 1928 – 28 May, 2014) was an American poet, story teller, actress and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. Her memoir, ‘I know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, made a literary history as the first non-fiction best-seller by an African-American woman. Her volume of poetry, ‘Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water’ fore I Die’ (1971), was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She had gone through a lot of roughness and disparity in her life, which is reflected in her writings.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Summary

Angelou, with the metaphor of a caged bird, represents the social differences of her time, between the African- American community and the White-Americans. She illustrates truthfully, both, the feeling of freedom and of captivity through a bird that is free and a bird struggling to fight against adverse surroundings. The free bird is referred to the free White people and the caged bird whose wings are cut off and feet entangled, refers to the Black community.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Explanation of the Poem

Stanza 1. A free bird leaps
On the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

Explanation: The opening lines of the poem describe the actions of a free bird. He takes a jump and hovers himself over the wind and travels along with the current, relishing in the sea of orange sunlight and proclaiming its freedom. Here, the ‘free bird’ refers t < the people who enjoy the right to take their decision in life independently and enjoy the bliss of freedom.

Word Meanings:

1. Leap – Jump
2 Downstream – In the direction on the flow
3. Dares – Show sufficient courage
4. Claim – Require

Stanza 2. “But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing. ”

Explanation: The second stanza highlights the plight of the caged bird for whom freedom is a mere dream. He the lost hope of flying freely in the sky with his wings wide open because his wings are clipped and feet are tied. He is forced to live in a confined space and peep between the bars to have a glimpse of the Outside world. He is deprived of the joy of freedom. The only thing he can do is open his mouth and sing. Here, Maya Angelou shares her frustration of being restricted to enjoy the freedom which should have been her right as a human being.

Word Meanings:

1. Stalks – Keep a continuous watch by moving slowly and quietly
2. Seldom – Rarely
3. Rage – Anger

Stanza 3. “The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.”
Explanation

The caged bird lacks confidence and enthusiasm. Although he sings, his voice is full of pain, anger and fear. He sings about the unknown surroundings; about his liberty. He dreams of a better life; dreams which cannot be fulfilled. His voice is heard far and wide, but none comes to his rescue. This stanza reflects Maya’s frustration and helplessness.

Word Meanings:

1. Trill – A quick high sound that is repeated
2. Longed for – Desired

Stanza 4. “The free bird think’s of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.”

Explanation: The focus of the poem again shifts to the free bird which is cherishing his ride in the sky. The lovely breeze caress his body and he longs for yet another breeze, which make the trees sigh while passing through them. The free bird has ample food to feed on, the big fat worms in the lawn which they can prey on any time.

Here, the poet again emphasis that the free people have the entire world to claim as their own and wander about.

Word Meaning :

1. Sighing – To utter a mourning sound

Stanza 5. “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.”

Explanation: On the inverse side, the caged bird, who is a captive, knows that his desire of flying free is futile. His dreams culminate into a nightmare. He feels that the agony he’s going through will make his shadow also scream. This reveals that the poet had her own dreams which got crushed due to lack of freedom to achieve them. The poet restates the idea that the bird opens its mouth to sing, to voice his desire for freedom and expression.

Word Meanings :

1. Nightmare – A frightening dream
2. Scream – A sudden laud cry

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
A free bird leaps
On the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

(i) Describe the actions of the bird that is free.
(ii) How does the poet contrast the life of a captured bird to that of a free bird?
(iii) Explain the line- ‘can seldom ………… bars of rage’.
(iv) What do the ‘bars of rage’ signify?
(v) What does the word ‘clipped’ mean with a special reference to the poem?
Answer:
(i) A free bird enjoys its freedom completely. He glides freely through the air, climbing on the stream of wind and floating downwards upto the end of the current through the sky that illuminates with bright sunlight.

(ii) The free bird has the liberty to capture the sky with its flight, while on the other hand, a captured or caged bird moves around uncomfortably in his narrow cage. His wings are clipped, making him unable to fly and feet are tied, making his movement restricted. It is deprived of the free open sky, rather made a slave. He can only use its mouth to sing. Thus, he is held in a very sad position.

(iii) The caged bird is filled with anger and frustration due to his situation. He desires whole heartedly to escape from his miserable condition. But he can do nothing beyond looking through the bars of the cage.

(iv) The ‘bars of rage’ are symbolic of the bird’s confinement. The line, ‘his bars of rage’, suggests that the cage is the bird’s own creation. Bars are a metaphor for anger that trap the bird and keep it away from being free. Whatever outside force may be acting upon the bird to curb its freedom, the bars around it are of the birds own making.

(v) In a general sense, ‘clipping’ involves trimming a bird wing’s feathers so that they cannot fly. They can just glide for a short distance. In Angelou’s poem, the word ‘clipped, refers to being ‘clipped’ in society on the basis of race or some other discrimination. The black Americans were prevented from exploiting their capability for progress. They were prevented from schooling. They were differentiated in jobs. Thus, ‘clipped’ from attempting to achieve success in life.

Question 2.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting cm a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

(i) What does the caged bird sing about?
(ii) On the contrary, what does the free bird think about?
(iii) Where is the song of the caged bird being heard? What does it signify?
(iv) What is meant by ‘fearful trill’?
(v) Describe the world of the free bird.
Answer:
(i) To sing, is the only freedom available to the caged bird. Though his heart is fearful unmet, the bird continues to sing of liberty, something he does not have. The caged bird’s song is not of sadness but of inspiration and hope.

(ii) The free bird revels in his freedom. He has dreams and can imagine freely of other things. He can feel the soothing breeze through his body and also the trade winds that pass through the trees producing sound. He not only enjoys the ride in the sky but has ample food like, the fat worms, waiting in the lawn. Thus, the free bird has different things to think and imagine about.

(iii) The caged bird’s cries are heard far and wide. His songs were more of a scream in a dreaded tune. This was a way to rebel and protest against its enslavement. This is paralleled to the struggle of the African Americans in Maya Angelou’s time. She states that the black Americans wrote and sang, danced and cried out for the liberty they deserved, but they were only heard as a distant voice.

(iv) ‘Trill’ refers to a quavering or vibratory sound which means that note on which the bird sings is not definite or certain. This uncertainly could be a result of his thoughts that it can never achieve the freedom which it yearns for; the freedom of flight. Maya Angelou refers to the freedom on all levels, physical, mental and spiritual, for the Black Americans.

This fear becomes a part of his song.

(v) At an instance, the free bird is up in the sky and at the next he’s floating effortlessly along with the current of the wind. With another breeze he is ready to take off and bathe himself with the warmth of the sun. The whole world seems to belong to him. He flies unrestrictedly. He hears the ‘singing trees’ and whenever he is hungry, he can feed on the fat worms waiting in the lawn.

Thus, the world of the tree birds consists of boundless sky, rivers and streams and the whole earth.

Question 3.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

(i) How does a caged bird stand on a ‘grave of dreams’?
(ii) Why does ‘his shadow shout on a nightmare scream’?
(iii) What does the refrain in the last stanza highlight? What does the poet wish to convey?
(iv) What is imagery? Give example of imagery used in the poem.
(v) Who and what does the five bird symbolise?
Answer:
(i) ‘Grave’ symbolizes death. The bird is in a way losing its hopes and feels as if his dream of freedom is going to be buried in the grave since it seems it will never be accomplished. He knows that he can never fly freely in the sky. His wings are clipped and feet are tied. Thus, his dream to fly is futile. Though he has never experienced freedom, but somewhere deep down he knows that it was his right to fly, he was created to fly.

(ii) The caged bird’s condition is quite pitiable. Instead of happy and optimistic dreams, the bird undergoes nightmares making it to scream. The bird is so shaken with his crumbling hopes that he feels as if his shadow will also scream out of agony and the suffering he is going through.

(iii) The refrain in the last stanza highlights that in the midst of hopelessness and gloominess, the bird is still determined to keep pursuing his dream of freedom. He chooses to continue singing and exert the only right it has.

This states the poet’s message to raise our voice against injustice; to express ourselves even if our opponent keeps subduing us. Never should one give up under any circumstance rather, make use of whatever right one has.

(iv) Imagery is used for the sensory words by the poet, to create a mental picture in the readers’ mind. It consists words or phrases that evoke the five senses namely, touch, sight, taste, sound and smell. Imagery helps in a better understanding of the concept portrayed by the poet.

In the poem, the poet uses the following imagery ‘free bird … leaping on the back of the wind’, ‘bird floating downstream’ and ‘dipping its wings in the orange sun rays.’ As for the caged bird, ‘his wings are clipped and his feet are tied’.

(v) In Maya Angelous’s poem, the free bird stands for the people in this world who are free from any type of racial, socioeconomic or psychological. They are free to make their own decisions and choices. They relish life as an enjoyable adventure and they are away from the struggles of survival.