Mcq questions and answers from the poem "Our Casuarina Tree" by Toru Dutt
Here are MCQs with answers based on Toru Dutt's poem Our Casuarina Tree:
1. What does the casuarina tree symbolize in the poem?
A) Strength and permanence
B) Love and nostalgia
C) Both A and B
D) The beauty of nature
Answer: C) Both A and B
2. Who wrote the poem Our Casuarina Tree?
A) Sarojini Naidu
B) Toru Dutt
C) Rabindranath Tagore
D) Kamala Das
Answer: B) Toru Dutt
3. What kind of imagery is prominently used in the poem?
A) Urban imagery
B) Pastoral and natural imagery
C) Futuristic imagery
D) Industrial imagery
Answer: B) Pastoral and natural imagery
4. What is the tone of the poem Our Casuarina Tree?
A) Light and humorous
B) Nostalgic and melancholic
C) Angry and defiant
D) Romantic and passionate
Answer: B) Nostalgic and melancholic
5. What creature is described as climbing the casuarina tree?
A) A monkey
B) A python
C) A squirrel
D) A bird
Answer: B) A python
6. What does the poet associate the tree with?
A) Childhood memories and lost loved ones
B) The struggles of life
C) The beauty of urbanization
D) The horrors of colonial rule
Answer: A) Childhood memories and lost loved ones
7. Which season is vividly described in the poem?
A) Summer
B) Autumn
C) Winter
D) Spring
Answer: C) Winter
8. Why does the poet wish to immortalize the casuarina tree?
A) To preserve its beauty for future generations
B) To honor its connection to her childhood and loved ones
C) To celebrate nature's role in human life
D) To express her desire to protect the environment
Answer: B) To honor its connection to her childhood and loved ones
9. What literary devices are prominently used in Our Casuarina Tree?
A) Metaphor and personification
B) Hyperbole and satire
C) Allegory and irony
D) Euphemism and understatement
Answer: A) Metaphor and personification
10. What does the poet mean by “a presence that disturbs me with the joy of elevated thoughts”?
A) The tree inspires her with deep, reflective thoughts.
B) The tree makes her feel uneasy and anxious.
C) The tree reminds her of her responsibilities.
D) The tree disturbs her with its towering height.
Answer: A) The tree inspires her with deep, reflective thoughts.
11. What is the primary theme of Our Casuarina Tree?
A) The beauty of nature
B) The passage of time and nostalgia
C) The importance of preserving trees
D) The joy of childhood play
Answer: B) The passage of time and nostalgia
12. What does the poet wish to achieve by writing this poem?
A) To protect the casuarina tree
B) To immortalize her memories and loved ones
C) To promote the conservation of forests
D) To criticize modern lifestyles
Answer: B) To immortalize her memories and loved ones
13. What is the poetic form of Our Casuarina Tree?
A) A sonnet
B) A free verse poem
C) A lyric poem
D) An epic poem
Answer: C) A lyric poem
14. Which classical allusion does Toru Dutt use in the poem?
A) Greek gods and myths
B) Italian landscapes
C) The immortal yew trees of literature
D) Biblical references
Answer: C) The immortal yew trees of literature
15. What role does the python play in the poem?
A) It adds an element of danger.
B) It highlights the tree’s grandeur and timelessness.
C) It symbolizes the struggle of life.
D) It represents death and decay.
Answer: B) It highlights the tree’s grandeur and timelessness.
16. What kind of relationship does the poet have with the tree?
A) A spiritual and emotional connection
B) A fear and respect for its power
C) An indifferent relationship
D) A purely aesthetic appreciation
Answer: A) A spiritual and emotional connection
17. What is the significance of the tree in the poet’s childhood?
A) It was a source of shade during hot days.
B) It was a silent witness to her childhood joys and losses.
C) It was a barrier against storms.
D) It provided fruits and resources.
Answer: B) It was a silent witness to her childhood joys and losses.
18. Why does the poet refer to the tree as “giant”?
A) To emphasize its physical size and grandeur
B) To symbolize its strength and timelessness
C) To portray it as a protector of memories
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
19. What does the casuarina tree remind the poet of?
A) Her lost siblings and their shared childhood
B) The hardships of life
C) The beauty of Indian flora
D) The cultural importance of nature
Answer: A) Her lost siblings and their shared childhood
20. What mood is evoked at the end of the poem?
A) A sense of sorrow and finality
B) A hopeful and eternal connection to memories
C) A feeling of detachment from nature
D) A longing to return to the past
Answer: B) A hopeful and eternal connection to memories
21. How does the poet describe the casuarina tree’s flowers?
A) They are small and red.
B) They are large and fragrant.
C) They are tiny and clustered.
D) They are golden and glowing.
Answer: C) They are tiny and clustered.
22. Which literary device is used in the line "like a huge Python, winding round and round"?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Alliteration
D) Personification
Answer: A) Simile
23. The casuarina tree stands as a symbol of what in the poet’s life?
A) Change and uncertainty
B) Stability, love, and memories
C) Growth and success
D) Nature’s mysteries
Answer: B) Stability, love, and memories
24. What significance does the casuarina tree hold for the poet’s siblings?
A) They used to play around it during their childhood.
B) It provided them with shade while they studied.
C) They carved their initials on it.
D) They never interacted with it.
Answer: A) They used to play around it during their childhood.
25. How does the poet immortalize the casuarina tree?
A) By planting more trees
B) By dedicating her poem to it
C) By preserving it in a photograph
D) By writing about its fruit-bearing qualities
Answer: B) By dedicating her poem to it
26. What is the significance of the phrase “a grey baboon sits statue-like alone”?
A) It reflects the stillness of the morning.
B) It symbolizes the tree’s role as a shelter for wildlife.
C) It highlights the mysterious atmosphere of the tree.
D) Both A and B.
Answer: D) Both A and B
27. Why does the poet reference yew trees in the poem?
A) To draw a parallel between yew trees and the casuarina tree as symbols of immortality.
B) To emphasize the casuarina tree’s historical significance.
C) To show her interest in European landscapes.
D) To compare different types of trees.
Answer: A) To draw a parallel between yew trees and the casuarina tree as symbols of immortality.
28. What emotion does the poet associate with the chirping of birds around the tree?
A) Joy and contentment
B) Nostalgia and longing
C) Sadness and regret
D) Anxiety and fear
Answer: B) Nostalgia and longing
29. What poetic technique is used in the phrase “Time the shadow, and light the intervening”?
A) Personification
B) Oxymoron
C) Metaphor
D) Symbolism
Answer: D) Symbolism
30. How does the poet describe the morning scene around the tree?
A) As noisy and crowded
B) As serene and filled with natural activity
C) As dark and gloomy
D) As chaotic and wild
Answer: B) As serene and filled with natural activity
31. What does the poet hope to achieve by writing about the casuarina tree?
A) Immortalize the tree and her cherished memories
B) Advocate for environmental conservation
C) Criticize industrialization
D) Provide a botanical description
Answer: A) Immortalize the tree and her cherished memories
32. What does the casuarina tree represent for the poet in terms of time?
A) The fleeting nature of life
B) The permanence amidst the transience of life
C) The inevitability of death
D) The gradual passage of years
Answer: B) The permanence amidst the transience of life
33. What is the poet’s connection to the casuarina tree in adulthood?
A) It serves as a reminder of her happy childhood.
B) It is no longer significant to her.
C) It becomes a symbol of her spiritual beliefs.
D) It provides her with shade while she writes.
Answer: A) It serves as a reminder of her happy childhood.
34. What does the poet describe as “a blessing on the landscape”?
A) The sunlight falling on the fields
B) The casuarina tree
C) The chirping birds
D) The baboon and its young
Answer: B) The casuarina tree
35. What aspect of the tree reflects its grandeur and age?
A) The giant trunk and winding branches
B) The sound of its leaves in the wind
C) The animals and birds it shelters
D) Its ability to produce fruit
Answer: A) The giant trunk and winding branches
36. How does the poet view nature in the poem?
A) As indifferent to human emotions
B) As a source of inspiration, solace, and nostalgia
C) As something to be controlled and tamed
D) As an object of scientific study
Answer: B) As a source of inspiration, solace, and nostalgia
37. What does the poet associate the casuarina tree with in terms of loss?
A) The death of her parents
B) The untimely loss of her siblings
C) The destruction caused by industrialization
D) The fading of her youthful innocence
Answer: B) The untimely loss of her siblings
38. How does the poet use the imagery of the python in the poem?
A) To show the tree’s danger
B) To symbolize the strength and majesty of the tree
C) To depict a scene of battle
D) To introduce an element of fear
Answer: B) To symbolize the strength and majesty of the tree
39. What does the poet’s longing for the casuarina tree signify?
A) Her regret for moving away
B) Her deep emotional bond with the past
C) Her fear of losing memories
D) Her desire to return to her childhood home
Answer: B) Her deep emotional bond with the past
40. How does Toru Dutt’s Our Casuarina Tree reflect her personal life?
A) It echoes her grief for her siblings and childhood memories.
B) It portrays her connection with Indian mythology.
C) It represents her love for traveling.
D) It mirrors her spiritual struggles.
Answer: A) It echoes her grief for her siblings and childhood memories.
41. What does the poet compare the casuarina tree to in the poem?
A) A watchtower
B) A giant sentinel
C) A wise old sage
D) A sheltering roof
Answer: B) A giant sentinel
42. What does the line "Its rugged trunk indented deep with scars" signify?
A) The tree’s long history and endurance
B) The tree’s suffering and pain
C) The tree’s struggle against storms
D) The tree’s loss of beauty
Answer: A) The tree’s long history and endurance
43. What makes Our Casuarina Tree a blend of personal and universal themes?
A) The combination of childhood memories and reflections on immortality
B) Its focus on environmental preservation
C) Its celebration of nature’s beauty
D) Its critique of modern life
Answer: A) The combination of childhood memories and reflections on immortality
44. Why is the casuarina tree described as a “blessing on the landscape”?
A) It protects the surrounding land from storms.
B) It stands as a symbol of comfort and continuity.
C) It provides economic resources to the villagers.
D) It offers fruit to animals and humans alike.
Answer: B) It stands as a symbol of comfort and continuity.
45. What does the poet hope will preserve the memory of the casuarina tree?
A) The poem itself
B) The stories told by her family
C) The tree’s ability to grow forever
D) Its fame in the local community
Answer: A) The poem itself
46. How does the poet create a sense of harmony in the poem?
A) By describing the relationship between humans, animals, and nature
B) By focusing solely on the tree
C) By emphasizing human struggles
D) By ignoring the negative aspects of life
Answer: A) By describing the relationship between humans, animals, and nature
47. What does the poet mean by “Dear is the Casuarina to my soul”?
A) The tree is significant to her identity and emotions.
B) The tree is an inspiration for her poetry.
C) The tree is important to her family’s livelihood.
D) The tree reminds her of her spiritual beliefs.
Answer: A) The tree is significant to her identity and emotions.
48. What emotion dominates the poet’s description of her siblings in the poem?
A) Regret
B) Grief mixed with nostalgia
C) Hope for reunion
D) Fear of forgetting them
Answer: B) Grief mixed with nostalgia
49. What role does the imagery of animals and birds play in the poem?
A) It highlights the life the tree supports.
B) It portrays the tree as a symbol of community.
C) It connects the tree to the broader natural world.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above.
50. What is the poet’s attitude toward death in Our Casuarina Tree?
A) Fear and denial
B) Acceptance with a longing for immortality through memories
C) Indifference and detachment
D) Anger at its inevitability
Answer: B) Acceptance with a longing for immortality through memories
51. Why does the poet reference the past in Our Casuarina Tree?
A) To escape the realities of the present
B) To express her love for her childhood and her lost loved ones
C) To show her regret for leaving home
D) To highlight the historical importance of the tree
Answer: B) To express her love for her childhood and her lost loved ones
52. Which aspect of the tree’s beauty does the poet emphasize most?
A) Its leaves swaying in the wind
B) Its grand size and towering presence
C) Its flowers and fruit
D) Its location in the landscape
Answer: B) Its grand size and towering presence
53. What does the poet mean by “leafy dome”?
A) The tree’s ability to protect those beneath it
B) The tree’s widespread foliage
C) The tree’s divine or spiritual significance
D) The tree’s crown of leaves resembling a dome
Answer: D) The tree’s crown of leaves resembling a dome
54. Why does the poet describe the tree as “silent and uncomplaining”?
A) To show its strength and endurance
B) To highlight its role as a passive observer of life
C) To emphasize its contrast with human struggles
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
55. What inspired Toru Dutt to write Our Casuarina Tree?
A) Her fascination with Indian flora
B) Her deep connection to her childhood memories and siblings
C) Her desire to create awareness about conservation
D) Her admiration for Victorian poetry
Answer: B) Her deep connection to her childhood memories and siblings
56. Why does the poet say “The Casuarina tree shall be remembered”?
A) It is a unique and rare tree.
B) It symbolizes her eternal love for her childhood and loved ones.
C) It plays a significant role in her community.
D) It is famous for its strength and beauty.
Answer: B) It symbolizes her eternal love for her childhood and loved ones.
57. How does the poet’s use of the first person enhance the poem?
A) It gives the poem a universal appeal.
B) It makes the poem more personal and intimate.
C) It distances the poet from the subject.
D) It focuses on the tree’s cultural value.
Answer: B) It makes the poem more personal and intimate.
58. What kind of immortality does the poet seek for the casuarina tree?
A) Biological immortality
B) Immortality in literature and memories
C) Immortality through scientific preservation
D) Immortality through spiritual transcendence
Answer: B) Immortality in literature and memories
59. What does the poet mean by “The tree’s lament”?
A) The poet imagines the tree mourning her lost siblings.
B) The poet attributes human emotions to the tree.
C) The poet sees the tree as a silent witness to sorrow.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above
60. Why is Our Casuarina Tree considered a unique contribution to Indian poetry in English?
A) It blends Indian themes with Western literary techniques.
B) It celebrates Indian flora with a universal appeal.
C) It reflects personal and cultural nostalgia.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above
61. What does the "long and lonesome day" in the poem refer to?
A) The poet’s present life without her siblings
B) The hardships faced by the tree
C) The endless expanse of nature
D) The poet’s routine life away from her home
Answer: A) The poet’s present life without her siblings
62. Which of the following best captures the poet's feelings toward the casuarina tree?
A) Awe and reverence
B) Indifference
C) Fear and anxiety
D) Superiority
Answer: A) Awe and reverence
63. What makes the casuarina tree a universal symbol in the poem?
A) Its association with eternal life and enduring memories
B) Its representation of Indian culture
C) Its role as a source of livelihood
D) Its description as an exotic plant
Answer: A) Its association with eternal life and enduring memories
64. How does the poet use the tree to bridge the past and the present?
A) By connecting her childhood memories with her current emotions
B) By describing its changing appearance over time
C) By emphasizing its resilience despite environmental changes
D) By discussing the tree’s role in history
Answer: A) By connecting her childhood memories with her current emotions
65. What is the significance of the "shadow" of the casuarina tree?
A) It provides comfort and shade.
B) It symbolizes the protective and nurturing nature of the tree.
C) It reflects the poet’s emotional attachment to the tree.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above
66. What role does the python play in the imagery of the poem?
A) It shows the danger and mystery surrounding the tree.
B) It highlights the tree’s strength and timeless beauty.
C) It symbolizes the conflicts in the poet’s life.
D) It adds an exotic element to the tree’s description.
Answer: B) It highlights the tree’s strength and timeless beauty.
67. Why does the poet refer to the tree as "uncomplaining"?
A) To contrast it with human suffering and complaints
B) To emphasize its silent endurance over time
C) To highlight its role as a passive observer of life
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
68. What does the poet’s wish to immortalize the tree reflect about her worldview?
A) A longing for permanence in a transient world
B) A desire to return to her childhood
C) An emphasis on the importance of nature in art
D) A belief in the spiritual power of trees
Answer: A) A longing for permanence in a transient world
69. Why is Our Casuarina Tree considered a tribute to Toru Dutt’s family?
A) It celebrates her childhood memories with her siblings.
B) It reflects her love for Indian flora and culture.
C) It expresses her grief for her lost siblings.
D) Both A and C.
Answer: D) Both A and C
70. How does the poet’s description of the tree’s physical features contribute to its symbolism?
A) It highlights its grandeur and enduring presence.
B) It emphasizes its practical uses.
C) It shows the tree’s interaction with animals.
D) It compares the tree to other natural elements.
Answer: A) It highlights its grandeur and enduring presence.
71. Why does the poet mention the “unknown land” in the poem?
A) To reflect her belief in an afterlife
B) To symbolize the spiritual connection between the tree and her siblings
C) To highlight the tree’s ability to transcend time and space
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
72. How does the poet use the casuarina tree to explore the theme of loss?
A) By portraying the tree as a witness to her siblings’ absence
B) By associating the tree with fading childhood memories
C) By showing the tree as a link to her lost loved ones
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
73. What does the poet mean by the phrase “my own loved dead”?
A) Her ancestors who planted the tree
B) Her siblings who passed away
C) The local villagers who admired the tree
D) The animals who lived near the tree
Answer: B) Her siblings who passed away
74. What poetic device is used in the line “Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime”?
A) Apostrophe
B) Simile
C) Alliteration
D) Hyperbole
Answer: A) Apostrophe
75. How does the poet view the casuarina tree’s relationship with the surrounding landscape?
A) As a dominating force that overshadows everything
B) As a harmonious and integral part of the natural world
C) As a lonely figure disconnected from its surroundings
D) As a symbol of urbanization
Answer: B) As a harmonious and integral part of the natural world
76. What is the significance of the poet’s reference to "friends who have crossed the sea"?
A) It reflects her nostalgia for distant loved ones.
B) It emphasizes the tree’s connection to people far away.
C) It shows her desire to immortalize relationships through memory.
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
77. What emotion is evoked by the tree’s association with the poet’s siblings?
A) Joy at remembering their shared childhood
B) Grief and longing for their presence
C) Hope for spiritual reunion
D) Fear of losing those memories
Answer: B) Grief and longing for their presence
78. What does the poet mean by “May Love defend thee from Oblivion’s curse”?
A) She hopes that the tree will never be forgotten.
B) She prays for the tree’s eternal physical existence.
C) She wishes the tree to remain untouched by humans.
D) She hopes that the tree will become a symbol of her legacy.
Answer: A) She hopes that the tree will never be forgotten.
79. Which of the following best describes the poet’s approach to nature in the poem?
A) Romantic and deeply emotional
B) Scientific and analytical
C) Detached and observational
D) Practical and resource-focused
Answer: A) Romantic and deeply emotional
80. Why does Our Casuarina Tree hold significance in Indian English literature?
A) It is one of the earliest examples of Indian poetry in English.
B) It blends personal and universal themes with rich imagery.
C) It represents a fusion of Indian culture and Western literary traditions.
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Mcq questions and answers from the short story The Night Train at Deoli by Ruskin Bond.
Here are MCQs with answers based on Ruskin Bond's short story The Night Train at Deoli:
1. Who is the narrator of The Night Train at Deoli?
A) A young boy traveling to Dehra
B) The girl selling baskets
C) The stationmaster at Deoli
D) An old man recalling his youth
Answer: A) A young boy traveling to Dehra
2. What is the significance of the train stopping at Deoli station?
A) It allows passengers to explore the town.
B) It is a brief halt, and no one gets off or boards.
C) It is the narrator’s destination.
D) It is where the narrator changes trains.
Answer: B) It is a brief halt, and no one gets off or boards.
3. What does the girl at Deoli station sell?
A) Flowers
B) Baskets
C) Fruits
D) Toys
Answer: B) Baskets
4. How does the narrator feel about the girl he sees at Deoli?
A) Indifferent
B) Curious and deeply attracted
C) Annoyed by her presence
D) Angry at her persistence
Answer: B) Curious and deeply attracted
5. How many times does the narrator meet the girl at Deoli station?
A) Once
B) Twice
C) Three times
D) Multiple times throughout the story
Answer: B) Twice
6. Why does the narrator not speak to the girl the first time he sees her?
A) He is shy and unsure.
B) The train does not stop long enough.
C) He is distracted by other passengers.
D) He does not notice her.
Answer: A) He is shy and unsure.
7. What happens the second time the narrator meets the girl?
A) They have a brief conversation.
B) She sells him a basket.
C) He promises to return but never sees her again.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above.
8. Why does the narrator decide not to get off the train to search for the girl?
A) He is afraid of breaking the mystery of their connection.
B) He worries about being late for his destination.
C) He is too shy to face her again.
D) He assumes she no longer works at the station.
Answer: A) He is afraid of breaking the mystery of their connection.
9. What happens when the narrator looks for the girl on his later journeys?
A) She is not there, and he never sees her again.
B) She is busy selling baskets and ignores him.
C) She waves to him but does not speak.
D) She has moved to another station.
Answer: A) She is not there, and he never sees her again.
10. What is the primary theme of The Night Train at Deoli?
A) The beauty of love and relationships
B) The inevitability of missed opportunities and fleeting connections
C) The struggles of rural life
D) The adventure of traveling
Answer: B) The inevitability of missed opportunities and fleeting connections
11. How does the narrator describe the girl at Deoli?
A) She is shy and distant.
B) She is confident and mysterious.
C) She is cheerful and talkative.
D) She is cold and indifferent.
Answer: B) She is confident and mysterious.
12. What emotion dominates the narrator’s memory of the girl?
A) Anger
B) Regret
C) Hope
D) Indifference
Answer: B) Regret
13. Why does the narrator never forget the girl at Deoli?
A) She represents a moment of unfulfilled desire and mystery.
B) She reminds him of his childhood.
C) She promised to meet him later.
D) She gave him a gift he treasures.
Answer: A) She represents a moment of unfulfilled desire and mystery.
14. What does Deoli station symbolize in the story?
A) A mundane part of the narrator’s journey
B) A place of beauty and life
C) A point of mystery, longing, and impermanence
D) A hub of commerce and activity
Answer: C) A point of mystery, longing, and impermanence
15. What literary technique does Ruskin Bond use to evoke nostalgia in the story?
A) Stream of consciousness
B) Flashback
C) Foreshadowing
D) Allegory
Answer: B) Flashback
16. What does the girl’s disappearance represent in the story?
A) The unpredictability of life
B) The hardships of rural India
C) The narrator’s lack of courage
D) The importance of seizing opportunities
Answer: A) The unpredictability of life
17. Why does the narrator choose not to investigate the girl’s fate further?
A) He prefers to preserve the memory as it is.
B) He believes she no longer works at the station.
C) He is afraid of rejection.
D) He loses interest over time.
Answer: A) He prefers to preserve the memory as it is.
18. How does the narrator feel at the end of the story?
A) Content with his decision
B) Haunted by his inaction
C) Hopeful about future encounters
D) Indifferent to the memory
Answer: B) Haunted by his inaction
19. Which literary genre best describes The Night Train at Deoli?
A) Romantic fiction
B) Psychological thriller
C) Slice-of-life narrative
D) Adventure story
Answer: C) Slice-of-life narrative
20. What is the tone of The Night Train at Deoli?
A) Optimistic and cheerful
B) Nostalgic and melancholic
C) Tense and suspenseful
D) Romantic and idealistic
Answer: B) Nostalgic and melancholic
21. Why is the girl’s image so vivid in the narrator’s memory?
A) She represents a fleeting but meaningful connection.
B) She was the only person who spoke to him on his journey.
C) She was the only seller at the station.
D) She gifted him a basket.
Answer: A) She represents a fleeting but meaningful connection.
22. How long does the train stop at Deoli?
A) A few seconds
B) A few minutes
C) Half an hour
D) It does not stop regularly
Answer: B) A few minutes
23. What does the narrator buy from the girl during his second meeting?
A) A basket
B) A fruit
C) A book
D) A flower
Answer: A) A basket
24. What emotion does the narrator experience when he realizes the girl is no longer at the station?
A) Relief
B) Disappointment and longing
C) Anger at the girl’s absence
D) Indifference
Answer: B) Disappointment and longing
25. Why does the narrator refrain from leaving the train at Deoli to search for the girl?
A) He fears the unknown.
B) He wants to preserve the memory of her as it is.
C) He is concerned about missing his destination.
D) He believes she has forgotten him.
Answer: B) He wants to preserve the memory of her as it is.
26. How does the narrator describe Deoli station?
A) Bustling with activity
B) A sleepy, lonely place
C) A crowded and chaotic hub
D) A beautiful, well-kept station
Answer: B) A sleepy, lonely place
27. What does the narrator decide about revisiting Deoli at the end of the story?
A) He promises to search for the girl.
B) He resolves not to visit the station again.
C) He decides to leave things as they are.
D) He makes plans to stay in Deoli.
Answer: C) He decides to leave things as they are.
28. What is one reason the girl at Deoli captivates the narrator?
A) Her mysterious, quiet demeanor
B) Her beauty and charm
C) Her confidence in selling baskets
D) Her familiarity with the narrator
Answer: A) Her mysterious, quiet demeanor
29. What broader theme does the narrator’s experience with the girl reflect?
A) The joy of travel
B) The harsh realities of life in small towns
C) The fleeting nature of human connections
D) The importance of rural industries
Answer: C) The fleeting nature of human connections
30. What is the significance of the train in the story?
A) It symbolizes the continuity of life.
B) It represents the narrator’s attachment to Deoli.
C) It provides a link between rural and urban India.
D) Both A and C.
Answer: D) Both A and C.
31. Why does the girl’s absence at the station leave a lasting impact on the narrator?
A) It represents the loss of an unspoken bond.
B) It reflects the narrator’s inability to act on his emotions.
C) It symbolizes the impermanence of human relationships.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above.
32. What quality of Ruskin Bond’s writing is evident in The Night Train at Deoli?
A) Complex plot twists
B) Simple language and evocative imagery
C) Historical and political commentary
D) Detailed character development
Answer: B) Simple language and evocative imagery
33. How does the narrator feel about returning to Deoli later in life?
A) He is hopeful about finding the girl.
B) He is indifferent to the place.
C) He is nostalgic but does not want to disturb the memory.
D) He is eager to understand why she disappeared.
Answer: C) He is nostalgic but does not want to disturb the memory.
34. What emotion dominates the narrator’s tone throughout the story?
A) Excitement
B) Regret and longing
C) Anger and bitterness
D) Joyful reminiscence
Answer: B) Regret and longing
35. What is the girl’s role in the story?
A) She is a major character with a detailed backstory.
B) She serves as a symbol of fleeting beauty and mystery.
C) She represents ambition and resilience.
D) She is a symbol of hope and fulfillment.
Answer: B) She serves as a symbol of fleeting beauty and mystery.
36. How does the narrator view his own actions in the story?
A) As a failure to act courageously
B) As a wise decision to preserve the memory
C) As a meaningless interaction
D) As a lesson learned
Answer: A) As a failure to act courageously
37. What does Deoli station represent in the narrator’s life?
A) A forgotten chapter
B) A point of emotional connection
C) A symbol of regret and nostalgia
D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
38. Which of the following best describes the narrator’s relationship with the girl?
A) A fleeting, silent connection
B) A deep and lasting friendship
C) A mutual understanding with shared goals
D) A one-sided obsession
Answer: A) A fleeting, silent connection
39. Why is the narrator hesitant to inquire about the girl’s fate?
A) He fears learning she has moved on.
B) He wants to avoid spoiling his memory of her.
C) He is concerned about the practical difficulties.
D) Both A and B.
Answer: D) Both A and B.
40. What literary device is most prominent in The Night Train at Deoli?
A) Flashback
B) Symbolism
C) Juxtaposition
D) Both A and B
Answer: D) Both A and B
41. What does the narrator admit about his feelings for the girl?
A) He was indifferent to her.
B) He felt a strong but inexplicable connection.
C) He was only curious about her lifestyle.
D) He loved her deeply and planned to marry her.
Answer: B) He felt a strong but inexplicable connection.
42. Why does the narrator feel a special connection to Deoli?
A) It was his birthplace.
B) It was an ordinary station made extraordinary by the girl.
C) He frequently visited it with family.
D) It was where he completed his studies.
Answer: B) It was an ordinary station made extraordinary by the girl.
43. How does Ruskin Bond portray the girl’s character?
A) As talkative and outgoing
B) As mysterious and grounded
C) As timid and fearful
D) As selfish and indifferent
Answer: B) As mysterious and grounded
44. What does the narrator notice about the girl’s appearance?
A) She is dressed in simple clothes.
B) She wears expensive jewelry.
C) She has a confident smile and sharp features.
D) She carries an air of sadness.
Answer: A) She is dressed in simple clothes.
45. What recurring thought haunts the narrator throughout the story?
A) He regrets not asking the girl her name.
B) He wishes he had gotten off the train to talk to her.
C) He wonders if the girl was a figment of his imagination.
D) He regrets not staying longer at Deoli.
Answer: B) He wishes he had gotten off the train to talk to her.
46. What does the narrator believe might happen if he investigates the girl’s whereabouts?
A) He will discover she has moved on, breaking the magic of their connection.
B) He will find her and rekindle their bond.
C) He will realize she was never significant.
D) He will create unnecessary drama.
Answer: A) He will discover she has moved on, breaking the magic of their connection.
47. Why is the girl’s disappearance symbolic in the story?
A) It represents the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.
B) It shows how life moves on, often leaving unanswered questions.
C) It highlights the narrator’s inability to take control of his life.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above.
48. What does the train journey symbolize in the story?
A) The monotony of routine life
B) The passage of time and the transient nature of experiences
C) The unpredictability of human connections
D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
49. How does the girl’s profession add depth to her character?
A) It reflects her simplicity and independence.
B) It symbolizes the economic struggles of rural life.
C) It contrasts with the narrator’s privileged life.
D) Both A and B.
Answer: D) Both A and B.
50. How does the story The Night Train at Deoli end?
A) The narrator finds closure and moves on.
B) The narrator remains haunted by the memory of the girl.
C) The narrator revisits Deoli and meets the girl again.
D) The narrator writes a letter to the girl.
Answer: B) The narrator remains haunted by the memory of the girl.
51. What does the girl’s silence convey in her interactions with the narrator?
A) Confidence and mystery
B) Shyness and fear
C) Disinterest in the narrator
D) Superiority over the narrator
Answer: A) Confidence and mystery
52. How does the narrator describe the train’s stop at Deoli?
A) It is a lively moment full of activity.
B) It is a brief, uneventful halt.
C) It is a mundane yet magical moment.
D) It is a significant point of his journey.
Answer: C) It is a mundane yet magical moment.
53. What literary genre does The Night Train at Deoli belong to?
A) Romance
B) Coming-of-age
C) Nostalgic realism
D) Historical fiction
Answer: C) Nostalgic realism
54. How does the narrator’s relationship with Deoli evolve over time?
A) It becomes less significant as he grows older.
B) It transforms into a symbol of longing and nostalgia.
C) He starts resenting the place for its mystery.
D) He plans to revisit and make sense of his memories.
Answer: B) It transforms into a symbol of longing and nostalgia.
55. How does the simplicity of Ruskin Bond’s writing enhance the story?
A) It makes the emotions universal and relatable.
B) It highlights the rural backdrop of Deoli.
C) It focuses on the narrator’s inner conflict.
D) All of the above.
Answer: D) All of the above.
56. What is the narrator’s age when he recalls his journey to Deoli?
A) He is a young boy.
B) He is a middle-aged man reflecting on his youth.
C) He is an elderly man recounting his life story.
D) His exact age is never mentioned.
Answer: B) He is a middle-aged man reflecting on his youth.
57. What feeling dominates the narrator’s memory of the girl?
A) Regret for missed opportunities
B) Joy at having met her
C) Frustration over her disappearance
D) Fear of losing connections
Answer: A) Regret for missed opportunities
58. What message does The Night Train at Deoli convey about life and relationships?
A) Relationships always offer closure.
B) Some connections are brief yet unforgettable.
C) Life always grants second chances.
D) Nostalgia is a burden one should avoid.
Answer: B) Some connections are brief yet unforgettable.
59. Why is the girl never given a name in the story?
A) To emphasize her role as a symbol of mystery and fleeting connection.
B) To show the narrator’s lack of interest in her identity.
C) To highlight her unimportance to the story.
D) To make her more relatable to the readers.
Answer: A) To emphasize her role as a symbol of mystery and fleeting connection.
60. What makes The Night Train at Deoli a classic Ruskin Bond story?
A) Its complex narrative structure
B) Its focus on simplicity, nostalgia, and human emotions
C) Its adventurous plot twists
D) Its historical and political commentary
Answer: B) Its focus on simplicity, nostalgia, and human emotions
Long Questions and Answers from 'Shall I Compare Thee' for Class 12.
Long/ broad/ descriptive Suggestive Questions and Answers from 'Shall I Compare Thee' for West Bengal Board Class Xii students.
Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?
1) "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?...all too short a date"- Explain.
Ans:- These lines have been taken from " Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" written by William Shakespeare. The poet expresses his deep faith in the immortality of his friend's beauty.
The poet emphasizes that his friend's lovliness is much superior to that of a summer's day. He is more even-tempered than the summer season. He is more attractive and impressive than it. Sometime rough winds violently shake the tiny buds of May. But the beauty of the poet's friend is enduring and everlasting. It never fades away and it does withstand the ravages of time. So the poet hesitates to compare his friend to a summer's day.
2) "Some times too hot the eye of heaven shines...By chance or nature changing course untrimmed"- Why does the 'eye of heaven' mean here? Why does the poet use the word 'fair' twice? How does 'every fair' decline?
Ans:- These lines have been taken from 'Shall I Compare Thee' written by William Shakespeare. The 'eye of heaven' means 'the sun'.
Shakespear uses the word 'fair' twice to refer to every beautiful object or nature and to suggest fairness as a whole.
According to the poet, every beautiful thing of nature loses its beauty either by chance or by nature's changing course. Rough winds in summer destroy the buds which adorn every tree in May. Again, the gold complexion of the sun is dimmed when it goes behind the clouds. Every fair element of nature loses its beauty in course of time. No beauty can exist forever. It means that summer is short lived.
3) " But thy eternal summer shall not fade... When in eternal lines to time thou growst"- Who is the poet? What is meant by 'thy eternal summer'? Whose eternal summer is referred to here? How does the poet suggest that 'the eternal summer' shall never end?
Ans:- These lines have been taken from "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?" written by William Shakespeare.
The phrase 'eternal summer' means the immortality of the youth.
The 'eternal summer' of the poet's friend who is 'the world's fresh ornament' is referred to here.
According to the poet, summer is undoubtedly beautiful, but it loses its beauty with the passages of time. The poet thinks that his friend is more lovely and moderate than the beauty of summer. The poet here boldly affirms that his friend is the embodiment of eternal beauty. Nothing can steal away his summer nor defile the sublimity that his friend is possessed of. His friend will remain beautiful for ever. Here the poet wants to immortalize his friend through his verse.
Long notes for class 12 from "Thank You Ma'am".
Ans:- Roger was caught red-handed by the Mrs. Jones was exceptionally a strong lady. She wanted to teach him the difference between right and wrong. Therefore, in a tone of irony Mrs. Jones told him, once she got through with him, Roger was going to remember her. Hearing that, Roger was going to remember her. Hearing that, Roger got frightened, and thought she would certainly take him to prison. Then sweat popped on his face.
The boy began to struggle to free himself from the grip of Mrs. Jones.
Mrs. Jones jerked Roger in front of her. She put a half-nelson about Roger's neck, and continued to drag him up the street. Finally she took Roger home.
2) "Eat some more, son,"- Who is the speaker? What is offered to the listener? What picture of the speaker's character is revealed in this line?
Ans:- Mrs. Jones is the speaker.
The listener is offered some lima beans, ham, cocoa and a half of her ten-cent cake.
Mrs. Jones could understand that Roger was hungry. Moreover, it was about midnight then. She at once played the role of a perfect host. She had known earlier that Roger was alone in the world. For that a motherly feeling awakened from the bottom of her heart for the boy. She too felt a sort of attachment for the boy. Therefore, she fed the boy affectionately, sincerely and with love and care with what she had ready at hand.
3) "I wanted a pair of blue suede shoes,"-What reply did the speaker get and how did he react?
Ans:- In the course of conversation at the home of Mrs. Jones, Roger said he had a desire to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. For that reason, he made an attempt to steal the purse of Mrs. Jones for money. Hearing that, Mrs. Jones said he could have asked her for the money.
Hearing that reply, Roger was absolutely surprised. He looked at Mrs. Jones in wonder. The water was dripping from his face. He became speechless for a moment. He forgot if he had dried his face. Though he had dried his face once, not knowing what to do next, he dried his face once again.
4) " I were young once and I wanted things I could not get."- Who was the speaker and to whom was it spoken? Why did the speaker comment so? How did the person spoken to react?
Ans:- The speaker was Mrs. Jones and it was spoken to Roger.
The incident of Roger reminded Mrs. Jones how she had passed her days in her youth. She told Roger that she, like any other girl, also wanted things that she could not get. And she said she too had to do something unfair in her life. She looked thoughtful, and she wanted Roger not to go in the wrong. Perhaps she thought to help the boy so that he would not make mistakes anymore. That's why, Mrs. Jones commented so.
Roger reacted strangely. His mouth opened, and he frowned unwittingly.
Long notes for class 12 from "On Killing a Tree" by Gieve Patel.
Ans: Leaves grow from the leprous hide of the tree.
The hide of the tree looks like the discolored skin of a leprosy patient.
By personifying the tree, the poet compares the rough bark of the tree to the rough skin of a leprosy patient. Leprosy is an infectious disease that hinders the normal growth of a patient , whereas the leprous hide does not prevent the growth of a tree. Leaves sprout from that hide and help the tree grow normally. The poet ironically indicates that the bark may appear leprous, but it is the symbol of growth not destruction.
2) "The root is to be pulled out-
Out of the anchoring earth"- What does the expression 'anchoring earth' mean? Bring out the comparison implied here. What does the poet want to say in the quoted lines?
Ans: In the poem On Killing a Tree the expression anchoring earth means that the roots have sunk firmly into the earth and secured the tree.
The poet here compares the root of the tree to an anchor. An anchor keeps a boat or a ship in one place. Similarly the roots hold the tree firmly fixed into the earth.
In the quoted lines, the poet wants to say that if a man wants to kill a tree completely, he should pull its roots out from inside the earth where they have held the tree firmly fixed.
3) "so hack and chop
But this alone won't do it"- what does 'it' refer to? Why cannot hacking and chopping alone do it?
Ans:- Here 'it' refers to the act of killing a tree.
At the time of hacking and chopping, a tree feels severe pain. But the pain and bleeding last for a short period of time the bleeding bark heals itself rapidly. In course of time green twigs appear from the part that remains close to the ground, and they grow into miniature boughs gradually. If the boughs remain unchecked, they will expand again, and the tree gets back its former size. So hacking and chopping cannot kill a tree.
4) " The source white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden"- what is the 'source' referred to here? Why does the poet call the source the most sensitive?
Ans:- Here the 'source' refers to the root of the tree.
The poet says that root of the tree lies hidden inside the earth for years. It acts as its anchor and it is the source of its life. This source is white and wet. It is white because it is kept under the ground for years, and does not get sunlight. It is wet because it always absorbs water and other minerals to make the tree alive. The poet calls the root the most sensitive because its not only supplies food to the tree but also clings the tree firmly to the earth.
Short notes for class 12 from "Asleep in the Valley".
Arthur Rimbaud
1) Where does the slow stream flow?
Ans: The slow stream flows through the small green valley.
2) "...they fill the hollow full of light".- What are 'they' referred to here?
Ans: In the poem "Asleep in the Valley", 'they' refer to the rays of the sun.
3) What is the soldier's pillow made of?
Ans: The soldier's pillow made of fern.
4) Who lies stretching in the heavy undergrowth?
Ans: The young soldier lies stretching in the heavy undergrowth.
5) What is the smile of the young soldier compared with?
Ans: The smile of the young soldier is compared with the smile of an infant.
6) "The humming insects don't disturb his rest;"- Why?
Ans: The humming insects don't disturb the rest of the young soldier because he is dead now.
7) What does the expression 'sun-soaked' mean?
Ans: It means the grasses are made hot by the scorching heat of the sun.
8) Who is asked to keep the soldier warm?
Ans: The nature is asked to keep the soldier warm.
9) "...there are two red holes."- Where are 'two red holes' seen?
Ans: Two red holes are seen in the side of the dead young soldier.
10) What does the word 'rest' sihnify?
Ans: The word rest signifies death.
Suggestive Short answer type questions from "Strong Roots".
1) Who was Kalam's father's helpmate?
Ans: Kalam's father's helpmate was Kalam's mother.
2) What did Kalam think of prayers as a child?
Ans: Kalam did not have any idea about the Arabic prayers chanted there but he thought they reached God.
3) What was Kalam's father's answer when he asked about the relevance of prayer?
Ans: Kalam's father opined that prayer made possible a communion of the spirit between people.
4) "I do not recall..."- What Kalam recall?
Ans: Kalam can not recall the exact number of people his mother fed everyday.
5) Why was Rameswaram famous to pilgrims?
Ans: Rameswaram was famous to pilgrims for the Shiva temple.
6) Where is there no division of wealth, age, caste or creed?
Ans: There is no division of wealth, age, caste or creed in the cosmos.
7) What did Kalam try to understand from his father?
Ans: Kalam tried to understand the fundamental truths of life revealed to him by his father.
8) "This is not a correct approach at all..."- What is not a correct approach?
Ans: To propitiate demonic forces with prayers and offerings by a go-between is not a correct approach.
9) What, according to Kalam did his father possess?
Ans: According to Kalam, his father possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit.
10) What is Kalam's belief about divine power?
Ans: Kalam firmly believes that there exists a divine power that controls our life.
Ans: Abul Kalam's father took his son to a local mosque for prayers.
Short questions and answer for class xii from "The Poetry of Earth".
Short Answer Type Questions From "On Killing A Tree".
Long questions and answers for class 12 from "Strong Roots".
A.P.J Abdul Kalam
1) "despite these disadvantages...innate wisdom..."- Who is 'he' referred to here? What were the disadvantages of the person spoken to? And what were the advantages received from the person spoken to?
Ans: ★ Here 'he' refers to Kalam's father Jainulabdeen.
★Kalam said that his father, Jainulabdeen, had no formal education. He was not also a man of rich wealth. These were supposed to be the disadvantages of his father.
★Jainulabdeen was a man of extraordinery wisdom. He was a man of generous thinking. He had an ideal helpmate in Kalam's mother. He was dutiful to every member of his family. Due to economic limitations, he avoided all inessential comforts and luxeriesin life. Yet, he provided everyone all the necessities, like food, medicine and clothing. These were the advantages received by Kalam's family from his father.
2) "One of the most vivid memories, of my early childhood is of the two men"- Who were the 'two men' referred to here? How were the two men related? What did they discuss? What impression do you form of them from their discussion?
Ans:
★The 'two men' referred to here were Pakshi Lakahmana Sastry and Jainulabdeen.
★Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry was the high priest of Rameswaram temple. He was a very close friend of Jainulabdeen, Kalam's father. In this way, they were related.
★Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry and Jainulabdeem discussed spiritual matters according to their capacity.
★ I think Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry and Kalam's father discussed spiritual matters in free, open, friendly and pleasant atmosphere.They did not believe in division of man based on cast, creed and community. Religion to them was a wider range where thoughts and ideas of people found expression irrespective of diversity.
3) "Adversity always presents opportunities for introspections"- Who said this and to whom? How did the speaker's attitude to adversity influence the person spoken to?
Ans:
★Kalam's father said this to him.
★Kalam had deep affection and respect for his father. According to Kalam's father, when troubles come, we should neither hold God responsible for it, nor should we get afraid of the suffering. We should keep our head and must try to understand the relevance of our sufferings. When adversity appears before us, we should not be hopeless. We should find a way out with our sincere thoughts, sense of reason and deep feeling as adversity always presents opportunities for introspection.
4) "His answer filled me with a strange energy and enthusiasm"- Whose answer is referred to here? Who was filled with a strange energy and enthusiasm? What was the answer given by the person spoken to?
Ans:
★The answer of Kalam's father is referred to here.
★ Kalam's father answered in a low, deep voice.
★ Boy Kalam was filled with a strange energy.
★Kalam wanted to know from his father why he did not say to the people coming to him for help and advice that there was nothing mysterious about praher. His father answered that every recurrent anguish, longing and desire finds its own helper. And he only played the role of that helper to appease people's demonic forces with offerings and prayers. He merely wanted to give them nothing but mental strength. Hearing the answer, Kalam was filled with wonder.