Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
The Fun They Had — Isaac Asimov
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "The Fun They Had"? (Isaac Asimov) 2. In what year is the story set? (2157) 3. What did Tommy find in the attic? (An old physical book) 4. What subject was Margie studying? (Geography) 5. Who came to fix the mechanical teacher? (The County Inspector) 6. How old is Margie? (11 years) 7. How old is Tommy? (13 years)
3 Marks
1. How is Margie's school different from the school of the past? 2. Why does Margie become interested in the old book? 3. Explain the significance of the mechanical teacher in the story.
5 Marks
1. Compare the school of 2157 with the traditional school as described in the story. 2. What message does Isaac Asimov convey about technology and education?
The Road Not Taken — Robert Frost
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "The Road Not Taken"? (Robert Frost) 2. What season is described in the poem? (Autumn) 3. What does the fork in the road represent? (A life choice) 4. What does the speaker say he will keep the other road for? (Another day) 5. What did the choice make? (All the difference)
3 Marks
1. What is the dilemma faced by the speaker and how does he resolve it? 2. Explain the metaphor in "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." 3. Why is the title ironic?
5 Marks
1. Explain the theme of choices and individuality in "The Road Not Taken." 2. Write a detailed appreciation of the poem.
The Sound of Music
1 Mark
1. What instrument does Evelyn Glennie play? (Percussion) 2. At what age did she lose her hearing? (11) 3. Who taught her to feel music through vibrations? (Ron Forbes) 4. What award did Bismillah Khan receive? (Bharat Ratna) 5. What instrument did Bismillah Khan play? (Shehnai) 6. Where did he grow up? (Varanasi)
3 Marks
1. How does Evelyn Glennie hear music without ears? 2. How did Bismillah Khan contribute to Indian classical music? 3. What quality do Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan share?
5 Marks
1. Compare the lives and achievements of Evelyn Glennie and Ustad Bismillah Khan. 2. What does the story of Evelyn Glennie teach us about disability and determination?
If — Rudyard Kipling
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "If"? (Rudyard Kipling) 2. To whom is the poem addressed? (His son) 3. What does the poet call Triumph and Disaster? (Impostors) 4. What is the last line of the poem? ("You'll be a Man, my son!") 5. What literary device is used in "If you can... If you can..."? (Anaphora)
3 Marks
1. What does Kipling say about Triumph and Disaster? Why call them impostors? 2. Explain the last stanza of the poem. 3. Identify two literary devices used in the poem with examples.
5 Marks
1. Explain the qualities of an ideal man as described in "If." 2. How does "If" celebrate resilience and self-discipline?
The Dear Departed — Stanley Houghton
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "The Dear Departed"? (Stanley Houghton) 2. What did Mrs Slater ask Henry to move? (Abel's bureau) 3. What does Abel announce at the end? (Change his will / remarry) 4. What is the name of the Slaters' daughter? (Victoria) 5. What does "dear departed" normally mean? (A beloved dead person)
3 Marks
1. How does Mrs Slater show greed? 2. What is the dramatic impact of Abel's entrance? 3. Explain the irony in the title.
5 Marks
1. How does Houghton use irony and satire to criticise greed in "The Dear Departed"? 2. Compare Mrs Slater and Mrs Jordan as characters.
A Triumph of Surgery — James Herriot
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "A Triumph of Surgery"? (James Herriot) 2. What was wrong with Tricki? (Over-fed, no exercise) 3. What did Mrs Pumphrey send to the hospital? (Luxury food parcels) 4. What cured Tricki? (Diet and exercise) 5. Who is Tricki? (Mrs Pumphrey's dog)
3 Marks
1. How did Mrs Pumphrey's over-indulgence harm Tricki? 2. What did Mr Herriot actually do to cure Tricki? 3. Explain the irony in the title.
5 Marks
1. What is the message of the story about pet care and over-indulgence? 2. Describe the character of Mrs Pumphrey and what she represents.
The Trees — Adrienne Rich
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "The Trees"? (Adrienne Rich) 2. Where are the trees at the start of the poem? (Inside the house) 3. What do the roots do during the night? (Work to detach from the veranda) 4. What do the branches press against? (The glass windows) 5. What happens to the forest by the end? (Trees return; forest is full)
3 Marks
1. Explain the central symbol of the trees. 2. How does the poet describe the trees' struggle to be free? 3. Identify two literary devices with examples.
5 Marks
1. Explain how Adrienne Rich uses trees to symbolise liberation and freedom. 2. Write a detailed appreciation of the poem.
No Men Are Foreign — James Kirkup
1 Mark
1. Who wrote "No Men Are Foreign"? (James Kirkup) 2. What does the poem say about the earth? (Shared by all) 3. What is the poem's view on war? (It betrays humanity) 4. What literary device is "Remember, no men are foreign, no countries strange"? (Anaphora / repetition) 5. What do all humans share according to the poem? (Same body, earth, air, experiences)
3 Marks
1. List four things humans share according to the poem. 2. How does the poet warn against hatred and war? 3. Explain the central message in your own words.
5 Marks
1. Explain the theme of universal brotherhood in this poem. 2. How does imagery of the body and earth argue against war?