1

Poem.No.1
The Rain
Exercise Question Answers:
Q.No.5. How can a rainy day be enjoyed?
A rainy day can be enjoyed in a number of ways. We can arrange a party outside our homes
or we can visit a park. We may prepare different dishes to enjoy ourselves. It can also be enjoyed
by exposing ourselves to cool rain drops.
Q.No.6. Explain the first stanza with the help of reference to the context.
Consult explanation provided to you by your professor.

Additional Short Questions

Q .No.1: What is meant by rich leaves?
ANS: The poet calls upper leaves rich leaves as they are saturated with rain water. They are also
abundant in number. Metaphorically, rich leaves stand for rich people in our society. They receive
all benefits and advantages and transfer a very meager amount to the poor.
Q .No.2: What is meant by poor leaves in the poem?
ANS: According to the poet, lower leaves are poor leaves as they receive rain water only drop after
drop from upper leaves. Actually, by poor leaves, the poet means poor people in our society. They
only receive a meager amount from the rich.
Q.No.3: How does rain water fall on the poor leaves?
ANS: Rain water falls only in the form of drop after drop on the poor leaves. They are thin in
number. But it rains heavily on rich leaves which are on the top level and hence are saturated with
rain water.
Q.No.4: How does the scenery look after rain?
ANS: After rain, the scenery looks beautiful. Clouds vanish and the dazzling Sun appears in the sky.
The atmosphere is washed and cleaned. The sun shines brightly. Every dark thing becomes bright
and glowing in the lovely sunshine.
Q .No.5: Write the main idea /theme of the poem, “The Rain”.
ANS: It is raining and leaves are drinking it. Top thick leaves are saturated with rain water while
lower leaves receive only drop after drop. After it stops raining, the Sun shines brightly. Actually,
the poet wants to say that the rich in our society take all advantages and give very meager amount
to the poor. But the sun of hope will brighten the dark lives of the poor in future.
Q.No.6: What is the symbolic importance of the poem “The Rain”.
ANS: In this poem, rain symbolizes the blessings of Allah. Rich leaves stand for rich people who
receive all advantages. Poor leaves stand for poor people who are down trodden and under-
privileged. The sun stands for hope of prosperity for destitute mankind.
Q.No.7: How does the sound of falling rain appear to the poet?
ANS: The rain falls on leaves. It produces a sweet sound. This sound appears to be musical to the
poet. After it stops raining, the sun comes out and spreads it bright rays everywhere. The scenery
is washed up.
Q.No.8: What happens when the sun comes out?
ANS: When the sun comes out, it stops raining. A bright sunshine spreads everywhere illuminating
the whole of the atmosphere. It makes every dark object look bright and lovely. This scene is really
beautiful and charming.
Q.No.9: Describe the scene in sunshine.
ANS: When the sun comes out, it stops raining. A bright sunshine spreads everywhere illuminating
the whole of the atmosphere. It makes every dark object look bright and lovely. This scene is really
beautiful and charming.
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Poem.No.2
The Night Mail
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: What is meant by “Night Mail”?
ANS: Night Mail means the train that brings mail. As it usually travels at night, it is called Night
Mail. It brings mail for everyone regardless of their place or status. It is never late and always
reaches on time.
Q.No.2: What does the “Night Mail” bring?
ANS: The Night Mail brings the cheques, the postal orders and letters for everyone. It brings mail
for everyone regardless of their place or status. It is never late and always reaches on time.
Q.No.3: For whom does the “Night Mail” bring mail?
ANS: The Night Mail brings mail for everyone regardless of their cast, social status and area. It
brings letters for the rich and the poor. It brings letters for the shop at the corner and for the girl
who lives the next door form the shop.
Q.No.4: What is the reaction of the birds at the arrival of the train?
ANS: On the arrival of the train, the birds keep sitting in the bushes. They do not fly in fright. They
just turn their beaks and see the train. The empty coaches of the fast moving train are quite
meaningless to them.
Q.No.5: Why do the sheep dogs show no reaction at the arrival of the train? Or Why do
sheepdogs keep on sleeping at the arrival of the night mail?
ANS: Sheep dogs are habitual of the arrival of the Night Mail. They perfectly know that they can
neither bite the train nor make her turn her course. Therefore, it is useless to bark and run after it.
So, they continue to sleep.
Q.No.6: What happens when the train passes through the farm?
ANS: When Night Mail passes through the farm, it awakes no one. The huge and heavy mass of
Night Mail produces might vibration in the ground along the track and the jug placed in the
bedroom begins to shake due to it. Otherwise, It disturbs nobody and moves ahead swiftly and
silently.
Q.No.7: Through which places and things does the night mail pass?
ANS: Night Mail climbs on slopes .It passes through the cotton fields, grassy fields, moorland and
through farms. It passes by sleeping dogs and the birds sitting in the bushes. Usually it disturbs no
one and moves ahead to its destiny silently and swiftly.
Q.No.8: Write the central idea /theme of the poem, “Night Mail”.
ANS: The Night Mail brings the mail. It climbs up the slope easily. It passes through cotton fields,
grassy lands and moorlands. It whistles and emits smoke. It is always in time. It never disturbs
anyone or anything on her rout.

Poem.No.3
Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now
Exercise Question Answers:
Q.No.4. Explain the first stanza with the help of reference to the context.
Consult explanation provided to you by your professor.
Q.No.5. What time of year is mentioned in the first stanza?
In the first stanza, the poet has mentioned, “ Easter Tide”. Easter is a festival of the
Christians. It falls in spring season of every year. The poet starts his poem with the spring season
as nature is most attractive in this period.
Q.No.6. Read the second stanza carefully and write how old is the poet?
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After reading the second stanza carefully, we come to know that the poet is only twenty
years old. According to his belief, he has a total of seventy years to spend on this earth. So he
expects to live fifty years more to enjoy the beauty of nature in all the seasons.
Q.No.7. What is the poet trying to say in the last stanza of the poem?
In the last stanza of the poem, the poet is trying to tell us that nature is beautiful in all
seasons. He makes a firm resolution to visit the woods in all the seasons. We should not miss any
chance to feast our eyes on the beauty of nature during the whole of the year.
Additional Short Questions
Q.No.1: What is hanging along the boughs of cherry?
ANS: Cherry trees are in full bloom and white flowers are hanging along all the boughs. They
stand along the woodland ride. In white flowers it looks as if they were wearing a white dress
celebrating Easter with the Christians.
Q.No.2: Where is the cherry growing?
ANS: Cherry tree is growing along the woodland ride. One can find it easily there. It adds to the
beauty of surroundings. The poet seems to be attracted most by the beauty of cherry trees among
all the objects of nature.
Q.No.3: Why does the poet decide to go to the jungle?
ANS: The poet decides to go to the jungle to enjoy the beauty of fantastic cherry trees in white
dress in all the seasons. To him, the beauty of nature is not confined to the spring season only.
Nature is beautiful in all seasons and one must educate one’s eyes to catch it.
Q.No.4: Write the central idea/theme of the poem.
ANS: Cherry trees are in full bloom. The poet is left with only 50 years as he has spent the twenty
years of life. He says that life is too short to enjoy the things in bloom. Therefore, he decides to go
to the woods to enjoy nature in all seasons.
Q.No.5: When does cherry bloom and how does it look?
ANS: Cherry blooms in spring season and it is found along the woodland ride. It looks white as it is
covered with white flowers. It makes the whole atmosphere look lovely and beautiful. It is also the
time when Easter, the festival of the Christians, falls.
Q.No.6: Why does the poet consider his life short?
ANS: The poet considers his life short as the world is full of natural beauty and he could not relish
it in the short spam of only fifty years. To him, an endless time is required to capture the infinite
beauties hidden in all the objects of nature.
Q.7: How does the poet plan to live remaining years of his life?
ANS: The poet plans to live his remaining years of life by enjoying nature. He decides that he
would go to the jungle in all the seasons to relish the beauty of nature in particular of cherry trees.
He seems to be attracted most by the charm of cherry trees.
Poem.No.4
O Where are You Going?
Exercise Question Answers:
Q.No.1.What type of feelings does the poet create in he minds of the readers?
The poet creates the feelings of courage, bravery and perseverance in the minds of the
readers. We feel thrilled and excited. There arouses an urge in us, when we read this poem, to
face all the coming difficulties bravely and manfully.
Q.No.2. What do you feel after reading the poem?
After reading to poem, we feel thrilled and excited. We come to know that difficulties are for
those who are afraid of them. The brave face them, defeat them and move ahead to their goal.
This world belongs to effort, struggle and strife.
Q.No.3. What does the title of the poem signify?
The title of the poem signifies a sense of alarm and horror. We suddenly feel that the
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direction we are going is not right at all and someone is stopping us. This creates a sense of fear.
Q.No.5. Explain the last stanza of the poem in your own words.
Consult the explanation provided you by your professor
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: Whom does the reader represent?
ANS: The Reader represents cowards who always fear to take brave steps. They never face
difficulties and. They are not courageous. They always yield to coming dangers and do not show
any mettle. They are chicken hearted.
Q.No.2: Whom does the rider represent?
ANS: The Rider represents brave men who are ever ready to take daring steps. They face
difficulties and succeed. They never surrender and continue their strife till their last breath. They
are men of courage and mettle.
Q.No.3: What does the reader tell about the gap?
ANS: The Reader tells the rider that there is a gap on his way through the valley. It is very wide and
impassable. No one can jump over it. Those who try to cross it, fall into it. So the gap becomes
their grave.
Q.No.4: Can the reader stop the rider from undertaking his adventure?
ANS: The reader cannot succeed in stopping the rider from undertaking his adventure. The rider
remains fearless, unmoved and goes towards his destination. He is a man of great courage and
will power.
Q.No.5: Write the central idea/theme of the poem.
ANS: The poem is a story of courage. A coward tries to stop a brave man from having an
adventure. But the adventurer rejects his advice and continues his journey towards his goal. The
poem reveals the fact that win is for those of make effort for it.
Q.No.6: What does the reader tell ‘the Rider’ about the valley?
ANS: The reader tells the rider that the valley becomes fatal when the furnaces burn in it. There are
twisted trees and heaps of waste in it. Darkness prevails in it everywhere. He means to say that
the valley is impassable. It is full of trouble.
Q.No.7: How does the Reader frighten the rider?
ANS: The reader tries to frighten the rider by telling him about a fatal valley, a dunghill, a big gap,
darkness, rough tracks, ghosts and lack of eatables. He also tells the rider that he would never be
able to cross it.
Q.No.8: Who are the two imaginary persons personified in the poem?
ANS: There are two persons mentioned in the poem. One is the reader and the other is the rider.
The reader represents cowards and the Rider represents brave men.
Poem.No.5
In the Street of Fruit Stalls
Exercise Question Answers:
Q.No.7. What are the feelings of the poet standing in the dark?
The feelings of the poet, when he is standing in the dark, are not good. He is gloomy and
sad as the world is threatened with war and misery. This is reflected by the prevailing darkness in
the street. However, the fruits shining red hot and gold hot look charming to him.

Q.No.8. Why has the poet used cannon balls to describe the fruit?
The poet has used, “Cannon balls” to describe the fruit to tell that human pleasures are
faced with the danger of war. Actually, fruit stand for human pleasures and cannon balls stand for
the threat of war. Only death and hunger come in the wake of war.
Q.No.10. Make a list of the fruit mentioned in the poem?
Melon, guava and mandarin are the fruit mentioned in the poem. Symbolically, these fruit
5

represent human pleasures. The poet has compared these fruits with cannon balls to describe
that human pleasures are faced with the danger of war.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: Which fruit have been mentioned in the poem?
ANS: Melon, guava and mandarin are the fruit mentioned in the poem. Symbolically, these fruit
represent human pleasures. The poet has compared these fruit with cannon balls to describe that
human pleasures are faced with the danger of war.
Q.No.2: How do the fruit look?
ANS: The fruit look like cannonballs to the poet. They are arranged in pyramid shape. They glow
red hot and gold hot when the light of lantern falls on them. Metaphorically, these fruit stand for
human pleasure while cannon balls denote the threat of war.
Q.No.3: Who come to by fruit?
ANS: Dark children come in the street of the fruit stalls to buy fruit. They are very poor as they have
only one coin to spend. But when they enjoy fruit, they forget all about the abject misery and
affliction they are living in.
Q.No.4: What happens when the children break the fruit?
ANS: When the children break fruits, the silvery and golden juices begin to flow out from the fruit.
The juice wets their hands, noses, cheeks and chins. When they enjoy these fruit, they forget all
about the abject misery and affliction they are living in.
Q.No.5: Where is the poet standing?
ANS: The poet is standing in the dark street where there have been arranged different fruits on
different stalls. The children are unaware of him. He is watching the children who are busy in
enjoying fruits.
Q.No.6: Write down the central idea/theme of the poem.
ANS: The poem is about a street with fruit stalls. Dark children come there and enjoy fruits
forgetting all their misery. The poet means to say that the threat of war and misery has failed to
crush man’s love for his small pleasures.
Q.No.07: How do children enjoy the fruit?
ANS: The children enjoy fruit with a conscious relish. They have no manners to enjoy these fruits.
The juice of the fruit wets their fingers, mouth, cheeks, noses and chins. They began to glow like a
lantern. They enjoy these fruit forgetting all about their misery and plight.
Q.No.8: Describe the scene at the fruit street.
ANS: It is a night time. Many fruit have been stalled in the street. A lamp is burning there. Some
black children come there, buy fruits and eat them.

Poem.No.6
A Sindhi Woman
Exercise Question Answers:
Q.No.4. What does the poet reflect when he sees the woman?
When the poet sees the upright stature and steady gait of the woman, he reflects that the
people who carry the load of their responsibilities can walk gracefully. Idleness gives nothing but a
shabby look to one’s life.
Q.No.5. What is the main idea of the poem?
The main idea of the poem is the dignity of labor. Work keeps man active, agile and
prosperous. An idle man is good for nothing. Work creates grace, splendor and worth in life.
Q.No.6. What picture of Karachi slums do we get after reading the poem?
After reading the poem, we get a poor picture of Karachi slums. These are the areas replete
with garbage, refuse, stones and the pieces of broken glass. This spectacle makes the slums look
6

uninviting and repelling.

Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: From where does the Sindhi woman pass?
ANS: The Sindhi woman passes through the bazaar. She walks gracefully. She crosses stones,
garbage and crumbs of glass in Karachi slums.
Q.No.2: What is Sindhi woman wearing in her feet?
ANS: The Sindhi woman is bear-footed. She is wearing no shoes. Yet she is steady and erect.
Q.No.3: What is the most appealing quality of the Sindhi woman? Or Which quality of the Sindhi
woman appeals to the poet?
ANS: The most appealing quality of the Sindhi woman is her graceful walk. Though she carries a
jar on her head, there is no ripple in her walk. She is steady and smooth.
Q.No.4: What does the Sindhi woman cross?
ANS: The Sindhi woman is crossing the street. She passes through stones, garbage, excrement
and crumbs of glass in Karachi slums. Yet, she is steady and fluent.
Q.No.5: What is the condition of the poet’ body?
ANS: The poet has a stooping back. It is bent by time. He feels surprised that though he carries no
weight, he has stoop in her back.
Q.No.6: what does the poet reflect about the Sindhi woman?
ANS: The poet thinks and understands that those who do their duty well are successful in life.
Dutifulness creates respect in life. Work is the most dominant force in this world. It creates rhythm
and beauty in life.
Q.No.7: What is the theme/central idea of the poem, ‘Sindhi woman’?
ANS: A Sindhi woman is crossing the bazaar. She is carrying a stone jar on her head. Though she
is bare footed, she walks smoothly. Actually, the poet tells us the dignity of labor. Works keeps us
agile and fit. It also brings success and splendor to our life.
Q.No.8: How does the Sindhi woman walk?
ANS: The Sindhi woman walks gracefully. She walks with her head erect. She walks with steady
steps. There is no ripple in her tread. She is fluent, smooth and steady.
Q.No.9: Who walk with their head erect?
ANS: The poem tells us that those who carry the weight of life, can walk gracefully with their heads
erect. It means that those who do their duty honestly are blessed with grace and honor.
Poem.No.7
Times
Exercise Question Answers:
Q.No.1. Explain the message in the first eight lines of the poem in your own words.
The message of the poem is simple. Time is the governing power in this world. Everything
happens at its appropriate and decided time. The time of birth, death, sowing, harvesting,
construction, destruction, sewing and stitching is fix. Seasons alternate at their fixed time.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: What is Ecclesiastes?
ANS: Ecclesiastes is a book of the Bible followed by the Jews. It is a book of Old Testament. There
is a chapter in this book, Solomon, the Son of Preacher David”. It is attributed to Solomon. It has
reflection on the vanity of human life.
Q.No.2: Is there a fix time to do a thing?
ANS: Yes, under the heaven, there is a fixed time to do a thing. Nothing happens before or after its
decided time. Governing rule is of Allah Almighty only. The time of birth, death, sowing, harvesting,
construction, destruction, sewing and stitching is fix. Seasons alternate at their fixed time.
Q.No.3: What is/are the message /theme of the poem ‘Times’?
ANS: The poem says that there is a suitable time for everything. Birth, death, sowing, harvesting,
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destruction, construction, happiness, sorrow, gain and loss are all slaves to the time decided by
Allah Almighty. The poem teaches that we should do everything at its proper time.
Poem.No.8
Ozymandias
Exercise Question Answers {By Fazil Hussain}

Q.No.1. What kind of feelings does the poem create in the minds of the readers?
After reading the poem, the readers feel that this world is a place of transience and
temporary nature. Man gets proud by success but he forgets that time is a great leveler. Death is a
great reality and it brings an end to all whether they are great or small.
Additional Short Questions
Q.No.1: What did the traveler tell the poet?
ANS: The traveler told the poet that he had seen two vast and trunk-less legs of stone standing in
a desert. There was sand all around the legs. The head of the statue was lying nearby and it was
half buried in the sand. The statue was in a miserable condition.
Q.No.2: What did the traveler see in the desert?
ANS: The traveler saw two vast and trunk-less legs of stone standing in an antique land. This
statue was of the King Ozymandias who was a very proud and cruel king some thirteen hundred
B.C. The head of the statue was lying nearby half buried in the sand.
Q.No.3: What was the condition of the statue?
ANS: The condition of the statue was very poor. It was a trunk-less body of stone. It was broken
and ruined. Its head was lying half buried in the sand. The statue was of the king Ozymandias who
was a very proud King of Egypt some thirteen hundred B.C.
Q.No.4: What was the condition of the face of statue?
ANS: The condition of the face of the statue was quite pathetic. It was shattered and broken. The
lips were wrinkled. There was a frown on its forehead. There was a sneer of cold command on the
lips and all these things tell us that he was a very proud and cruel king.
Q.No.5: What was written on the pedestal of the statue?
ANS: It was written on the pedestal of the statue: “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings. Look on
my works, Ye Mighty and despair”. This inscription truly expresses the mindset and thinking of the
king. He considered that no man could ever equal him in the achievements he had secured in his
life.
Q.No.6: What is the theme/central idea of the poem, “Ozymandias”.
ANS: A traveler saw a broken statue in a desert. It was trunk-less and its condition was quite poor.
It was written on its pedestal, “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings. Look on my works, Ye
Mighty and despair”. Actually, the poet highlights human vanity. He tells that man gets proud by
success, but he forgets that time is a great leveler. Death is the greatest reality of this universe.
Q.No.7: What do we come to know about Ozymandias from his statue?
ANS: The expressions the statue bore tell us that Ozymandias was a very proud king. He was
ruthless, proud and vain. But now, its broken statue was lying all alone in the desert in a miserable
condition telling the world that all achievements of man come to nothing in the end. Only the
deeds of welfare for struggling mankind can make one’s name immortal.
Poem.No.9
The Feed
Exercise Question Answers: {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No.1.What does sparrow hold in her beak?
The sparrow holds a grain of millet in her beak. She has come to her nest to feed her ten
young hungry sparrows. The problem is that on grain is not sufficient to feed ten young ones.
8

Q.No.2. How many young ones are to be fed?

There are ten young ones in the nest to be fed. But the problem is that the mother sparrow
holds only one grain of millet in her beak. It is a symbolic poem. Through the hunger of the young
sparrows, the poet has highlighted the hunger of the world.
Q.No.3. Which line in the poem tells that the young ones are without feathers?
The fourth line in the poem, “ From head to toe they are beaks” tells us that the young ones
are without feathers. They are tiny and small and crying for feed.
Q.No.4. What has the poet described in the poem?
The poet has described the love of mother sparrow for her hungry children. She has only
one grain of millet and there are ten young ones to be fed. Actually, through the hunger of the
young sparrows, the poet highlights the hunger of the world. The world needs more grain to be
produced.
Q.No.5. Explain the last three lines of the poem in your own words.
Consult the explanation provided you by your professor
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: How do the young sparrows look?
ANS: Young sparrows look like beaks when they cry. They are very tiny and small. They have not
yet developed feathers on their bodies. They are hungry as well. Actually, through the hunger of the
young sparrows, the poet highlights the hunger of the world. The world needs more grain to be
produced.
Q.No.2: How many young ones are there in the nest?
ANS: There are ten young ones in the nest. They are so small that they have not yet developed
feathers on their bodies. They are hungry as well. Actually, through the hunger of the young
sparrows, the poet highlights the hunger of the world. The world needs more grain to be produced.
Q.No.3: How many grains are available for the ten young ones?
ANS: Only one grain is to be fed to the ten young ones. This meager amount cannot fill their empty
stomach. Actually, through the hunger of the young sparrows, the poet highlights the hunger of the
world. The world needs more grain to be produced.
Q.No.4: Whom do the young sparrows represent?
ANS: The young sparrows represent the hungry population of the world. Through the hunger of the
young sparrows, the poet highlights the hunger of the world.
Q.No.5: What does the grain of millet stand for?
ANS: The grain of millet stands for the present resources of food. It means that food is lacking.
This situation is alarming as the world has focused its attention towards the formation of
weapons of massive destruction.
Q.No.6: What has man done with the atom? How has man learnt to wail?
ANS: Man has split the atom. It means he has made atom bomb which yield nothing but
destruction. He attacks humans with his bombs. In this way he makes people weep and wail.
While the need of the hour is the production of more food to feed the hungry population of the
world.
Q.No.7: How can life be set on foot?
ANS: Life can be set on foot by splitting the grains. It means that food sources should be
multiplied to meet the needs of growing population. Unfortunately, man has focused his attentions
only towards the production of more dangerous weapons.
Q.No. 8: What is meant by splitting grains?
ANS: “Splitting grains” means that food production should be increased. We need to produce such
seeds as can give maximum production on minimum input to eradicate the hunger from the world.
Q.No.11: Which message does the poet convey in the poem, “The Feed”.
ANS: The message of the poem is very simple and meaningful. The poet wants to say that instead
of inventing weapons, humans should produce food. They should produce such things as may add
9

to human comfort.

Poem.No.10
The Hollow Men
Exercise Question Answers {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No.7. Why does the poet call modern men the hollow men?
The poet calls modern men the hollow men as their minds are filled with straw. They are
soulless. They cannot make a society. They only whisper together and their voices are dry and
meaningless. Their shape is without form and their shade is without any color.
Q.No.8. What does the poet say in the last stanza of the poem?
In the last stanza, the poet draws a comparison between modern men and their ancestors.
He says that the forefathers of modern men were violent and passionate, but modern men are
void of these feelings. They are soulless. They are idle and lazy.
Additional Short Questions
Q.No.1: What do hollow man mean?
ANS: Hollow men are the men who lack spirit and force. They seem to be fit but in reality they are
idle and lazy. They cannot make a society. They lean together and cannot even stand at their own.
They only whisper together and their voices are dry and meaningless.
Q.No.2: What do the stuffed men mean?
ANS: The stuffed men are the men whose minds are stuffed with straw. It means they have
useless ideas in their minds as they just revolve round their self-benefits. They are void of
collective welfare. They are soulless.
Q.No.3: Who has been called ‘Hollow Men’?
ANS: Modern men has been called “ hollow men “ by the poet as they are idle and lazy. They
cannot make a society. They are selfish and immoral. They just whisper together. Their voices are
dry and meaningless. Their struggle is just like the running of rats in our dry cellars.
Q.No.4: What does the phrase, ‘Headpiece filled with straw’ mean? OR what is the mental level of
‘Hollow Men’?
ANS: The phrase “Head pieces filled with straw” shows the mental level of the hollow men. Their
minds are stuffed with straw. It means that the ideas present in their minds are futile and
meaningless. They do not show any collective wisdom. They are selfish and materialistic.
Q.No.5: What is the shape of the hollow men?
ANS: The shape of the hollow men is without any definite form and their shade is without any color.
They are deformed and their personality is distorted. Actually, the poet wants to say that the colors
of symmetry and good morals which make our society beautiful are missing in them.
Q.No.6: What is the central idea/theme of the poem?
ANS: The poet laments over the idleness of modern men. He says that modern men lack zeal and
spirit. They are idle and lazy. They just whisper together. Their shape is without form and shade is
without color. Their forefathers were violent souls, but they are inactive.
Q.No.7: What is the moral lesson of the poem “The Hollow Men”?
ANS: The poem “ The Hollow Men” gives us the moral lesson to be active and agile towards a
better communal health of a society. Selfishness is really a poison which deteriorates the social
norms of our community. We must have real zeal and force in life. Life without passion, spirit ,and
action is a dead life.
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Poem.No.11
Leisure
Exercise Question Answers: {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No2. Why do you think the poet has given the title to poem when he is talking about life full of
cares with no time to stand and stare?
The poet has given the title, “Leisure” to the poem as he is of the view that the life of
modern man is full of cares. He is leading a mechanical life with no spare time to enjoy the
beauties around him. This type of life is only a burden for him.
Q.No.3. What is the poet trying to say in the last two lines of the poem?
In the last two lines of the poem, the poet draws a conclusion. He says that the life of the
modern man is a poor life if he has no time to enjoy the beauties that spread around him in the
world. This type of life is only a burden for him.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: When does life become useless /poor?
ANS: Life becomes poor and useless when it is full of cares and one has no time to enjoy the
beauty that spreads all around us. This type of life is only a burden for one. One should have ample
time to enjoy and relax to make one and others happy.
Q.No.2: For what do we have no time?
ANS: We do not have time to stand under the branches, to see the streams full of stars, to see the
beauty’s glance, to see the dancing feet and to see the smiling face. This type of life is only a
burden for a man.
Q.No.3: How do we react to beauty’s glance?
ANS: We have no time to turn and pay attention to beauty’s glance. We have no time to wait till her
mouth can enrich the smile that is begun in her eyes. This type of life is a poor life and is not worth
living.
Q.No.4: Why do we ignore the charms of life?
ANS: We live a busy life. Our life is full of worries. We have no leisure to enjoy the beauties of
nature. Therefore, we ignore the charms of life.
Q.No.5: What lesson does the poet want to convey in the poem, “Leisure”?
ANS: In this poem, the poet wants us to pay heed to the beauty spreading around. He says that life
becomes poor if it is full of cares. Life should be spent in enjoying the endless beauty and charm
that spreads all around in this universe.
Q.No.6: What is the theme/central idea of the poem, “Leisure”?
ANS: The poet criticizes the modern man. Today man is leading a busy life. His life is full of
worries and fears. He has no leisure to enjoy the beauties of nature. This type of life is only a
burden for him.
Poem.No.12
Ruba’iyat
Exercise Question Answers. {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. Who was Abraham( A.S)?
Abraham ( A.S.) was a beloved prophet of Allah Almighty. He was tested on several occasions by
Allah Almighty in the trials of heart-breaking magnitude. But he remained unmoved and came out
triumphant. Iqbal says that we must have a firm faith like him.
Q.No.2. What is worse than slavery?
According to Iqbal, to have no faith is worse than slavery. A strong and unconditional faith in Allah
Almighty is required to better the condition of the Muslims all over the world. It is only this type of faith in
Allah Almighty that can make Muslims prosperous in this world and the world hereafter.
11

Q.No.3. Who cannot compete with the civilization of Makkah?

According to Iqbal, the civilization of Europe cannot compete with the civilization of Makkah.
Makkah offers unity as all the Muslims become one there on the occasion of Haj. There is no such
philosophy like Haj in the European civilization and hence it cannot afford unity.
Q.No.4. What has made the efforts of the Muslims fruitless?
The far distance between the Muslims and their religion Islam has made their efforts fruitless. They
are not passionate lovers of Allah. The blood running in their veins has become thin due to the absence of
saturation of love of Allah and Islam. Their prayers have become cold.
Q.No.5. What is the moral lesson of the poem?
The moral lesson of the poem is that we should have firm and resolute faith in Allah Almighty no
matter what type and what bulk of trial we are to face and go through. This faith will give us unity and with
this unity all the problems can be overcome.
Q.No.6. What is the present state of the Muslims as described in the last stanza of the poem?
The present state of the Muslims is very miserable and pathetic. They are disunited. Their ranks are
broken, their hearts are confused and their blood has no saturation of love of Allah Almighty. This has
made their efforts fruitless. Their prayers have become cold.
Additional Short Questions
Q.No.1: What is real faith?
ANS: A real faith is the faith which was shown by Abraham (A.S). He was tested on several occasions by
Allah Almighty. These circumstances were beyond human flesh can endure, but he remained unmoved and
resolute. He was the true lover of Allah Almighty.
Q.No.2: On what does nation’s harmony depends?
ANS: A nation’s harmony depends on the uniformity and sameness of outlook and belief. It is given by our
religion. Makkah gives the Muslims unity and uniform outlook. The European civilization can never compete
with that of Islam as it possesses no Makkah.
Q.No.3: Why is the soul of Europe empty of concord?
ANS: The soul of Europe is empty of concord as it has no Makkah. It means that the people of Europe are
not and can never be united as it is void of Makkah. Only the civilization like Islam can afford unity as it is
the sole possessor of philosophy like Haj.
Q.No.4: What is the theme/central idea of the poem?
ANS: The poet says that the Muslims must have firm faith in Allah. They should be united. But they have
lost their sincerity. Their love for Allah has weakened. This has worsened their situation. Their prayers are
cold and they are disunited. Only a firm faith like Abraham (A.S) can revive their lost glory.
Q.No.5: What are the factors which have caused the downfall of the Muslims?
ANS: There are several factors which have caused the downfall of the Muslims. The chief one is that they
have lost a true and firm faith in Allah Almighty. They are attracted by the civilization of Europe which is
void of unity. They have abandoned the golden traditions of Islam.
Q.No.7: How can the Muslims regain their glory?
ANS: The Muslims can regain their glory only through a sincere return to Islam. A firm and strong faith like
Abraham (A.S) can handle all the problems and difficulties of the moment. They must unite themselves.
The attraction of the European civilization is the basic root cause of their downfall.

A Tale of Two Cities

Poem .No.13
Exercise Question Answers. {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. Why did the people of the cities look powerless and helpless?
The people of the two cities look powerless and helpless as the atom bombs destroyed
everything there. No one was there to share their moans and groans. Flavors and flowers were all
smashed. They were left all alone at this juncture to face their unearned sufferings.
Q.No.2. Under what circumstances had the victims to pass through?
The circumstances the victims had to pass through were horrible and beyond description.
The atom bombs destroyed everything there. No one was there to share their moans and groans.
Flavors and flowers were all smashed. They were left all alone at this juncture to face their
12

unearned sufferings.
Q.No.3. describe the scene of devastation?
The scene of devastation was horrible and beyond description. The atom bombs destroyed
everything there. No one was there to share their moans and groans. Flavors and flowers were all
smashed. There were clouds of smoke and noise of drills and weapons.
Q.No.4. What is the moral lesson of the poem?
The poem teaches us the moral lesson that we should not inflict war upon the others. We
should care for basic human rights under all the circumstances. War brings nothing but
destruction, misery and pain. The atom bombs destroyed everything there.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: About which two cities is the poem written?
ANS: The poem is written about the two glorious cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They were
destroyed completely during the World War II. No one was there to share their moans and groans.
Q.No.2: What was the condition of the people of the two cities?
ANS: The people of the two cities were wounded, burnt, afraid, powerless and helpless. They could
do nothing to protect themselves. The attack of atomic bombs left them with just a tale of misery
and death. They passed through the grind beyond human flesh can endure.
Q.No.3: Who shared the moans and lessened the groans of the people of the two cities?
ANS: None shared their moans and lessened their groans. They were alone at this most difficult
juncture of their history. It may mean that the misery was too great to be shared or lessened by
any other power.
Q.No.4: How much terrible were the explosions that took place in the two cities?
ANS: The explosions were too terrible to be described. The flowers and flavors all smashed in no
time. The two cities were reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye. No one was there to share their
moans and groans.
Q.No.5: Who dropped the bombs on the two cities? OR Why did the Americans drop the bombs
on Japan?
ANS: The Americans dropped the bombs on Japan to satisfy their wild passions. They did not care
for human rights. The flowers and flavors were all smashed in no time. The two cities were
reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye.
Q.No.6: How did the Japanese bear the pains of the black day?
ANS: The Japanese bore the pains of the black day with courage. This tragedy made them even
greater. They rebuilt themselves and proved to the world that they are a great nation.
Q.No.7: What is the central idea/theme of the poem, “The Tale of the Two Cities”?
ANS: The poem is about the time when atom bombs hit Japan. Everything was destroyed. The
flowers, flavors all smashed in no time. But the Japanese bore the pains of tragedy with courage.
They rebuilt themselves from ashes.
Poem.No.14
My Neighbour Friend Breathing his Last
Exercise Question Answers. {By Fazil Hussain}

Q.No1. When does a person remember God?

A person remembers God when he feels helpless and powerless. The death scene of the
near and dear ones is one of such occasions. We remember Allah as we can neither stop him nor
go with him. We could look only to Allah Almighty.
Q.No.2. What is the effect of death scene?
The effect of death scene has deep effect. We feel that the world is a temporary place. We
also feel helpless as we can do nothing to avert this decree of fate. We remember Allah Almighty
Who is solely immortal and everlasting.
13

Q.No.3. Why does a person feel helpless on the death of a friend?

A person feels helpless on the death of a friend as he can neither go with him nor stop him
from dying. He is completely helpless before the will of Allah Almighty. This makes him realize
that only Allah Almighty is the governing power in this universe.
Q.No.4. Without whose love Bullah is in loss?
Without the love of Allah Almighty, Bullah is totally in loss. If the love of Allah Almighty
discards a man, his both the worlds are destroyed. He is miserable in this world and pathetic in the
world in the world hereafter.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: What is the condition of the poet at the death of his neighbor friend?
ANS: The poet is sad and shocked at the death of his neighbor friend. He feels helpless.
Q.No.2: What are the companions ready for? What are they talking about?
ANS: The companions are ready to die. They are talking about death. In this way, they are
mourning the death of their friend.
Q.No.3: How is the poet feeling at the death of his neighbor friend? Why is the heart of Bullah
Shah burning?
ANS: The poet is very sad at the death of his neighbor friend. His heart is burning with grief. He
finds no charming sight after the death of his friend.
Q.No.4: Why is Bullah in loss?
ANS: Without God’s love, Bullah is in loss. It is because, without Allah’s love, both of the worlds of
a man are destroyed.
Q.No.5: Why can Bullah hardly dwell here or across?
ANS: If God’s love is not present with Bullah, he can hardly dwell here or across.
Q.No.6: Write down the central idea/theme of the poem.
ANS: The poet’s neighbor friend is dead. The poet is very sad. He can neither enjoy this life nor die
to bless himself the company of his friend.
Q.No.7: What is the moral lesson of the poem?
ANS: The poem teaches that this life is temporary. Everyone would die one day. It also teaches
that life with out God’s love is not worth living.
Poem.No.15
He Came to Know Himself
Exercise Question Answers. {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. Why does the poet put so much emphasis on how to know himself?
The poet puts so much emphasis how to know himself because self recognition leads to
the recognition of Allah Almighty. We must know that the recognition of Allah Almighty is the sole
purpose behind the creation of man and this universe.
Q.No.2. What makes one entangled in love?
Self recognition leads to the recognition of Allah. When one recognizes Allah, he feels that
His divine light is present in every single object of this universe and this makes him entangled in
love. He forgets his own self.
Q.No.3. Why did Mansur mount to gallows?
Mansur mounted to gallows in the love of Allah Almighty. When one loves Allah, one finds
His divine presence in every single phenomenon of this universe. Even in his death, Mansur found
His divinity and became ready to have his head cut off.
Q.No.4. What is the bare truth?
The bare truth is Allah Almighty’s stay in this world. He stays on this earth in the form of
14

light in the hearts of His beloved saints and prophets. Actually, every person’s heart is the abode
of His divine light. He who loves Him finds him.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: How and why did Allah come down on earth?
ANS: Allah is a divine light. The whole universe is the manifestation of His presence. He lives in the
heart of pious people in the form of love. In this form He came down on earth. He got enmeshed in
love to pour a cascade of love.
Q.No.2: “God became Mansur to mount the gallows” what does it mean?
ANS: Allah blessed Mansoor with His love. His heart began to glow with the divine light. He forgot
himself and got ready to mount the gallows. In Allah’s love, one fears neither slavery nor death.
Q.No.3: Which reference does the line “He treated the bazaars of Egypt” suggest?
ANS: The reference is to Hazrat Joseph (AS). He was sold as a slave in the bazaars of Egypt. In
Allah’s love, one fears neither slavery nor death.
Q.No.4: Why did Joseph get ready to be sold in the bazaars of Egypt?
ANS: Allah blessed Joseph with His love. His heart began to glow with divine Light. To please God,
he got ready to be sold as a slave in the bazaars of Egypt.
Q.No.5: What does the line, “His sojourn on earth” mean?
ANS: Allah is the creator of everything. Therefore, everything manifests His presence on earth. So,
through divine art, Allah sojourns on earth.
Q.No.6: What is the central idea/theme of the poem?
ANS: The poet says that God descended from heavens to bless humans with His love. He who
loves Him, finds Him. But for true love of Allah, self-recognition is necessary. It is self-recognition
that leads to His recognition.
Poem.No.16
God’s Attributes
Exercise Question Answers. {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. How many attributes are mentioned in the poem?
There are only three attributes which are mentioned in the poem. They are “Seeing, Hearing
and Knowing”. A strong belief in all these three attributes helps us refine our character and
everyday routine. Unfortunately, these attributes are not kept in mind generally.
Q.No.2. What makes one scared of sinning?
When one knows and believes that Allah Almighty has a keen eye and is seeing all his
actions closely, one is scared of sinning. In this way, this attribute refines our character and makes
our attitude positive. This is good for the moral health of a society.
Q.No.3. What are the effects of Attributes of God?
The effects of Attributes of Allah Almighty are very deep and lasting if kept in mind. They
make us scared of sinning. They check us from foul and immoral discourse. They even stop us
from planning something evil in our hearts against our fellow humans. This helps us greatly in
refining our character.
Q.No.4. Mention three more attributes of God ?
“Benevolent, Merciful, and Forgiving” are the three more attributes of Allah Almighty.
Actually, all the names of Allah Almighty are His genuine attributes and characteristics. These
attributes and qualities are found in Him to the greatest possible degree of perfection.
Q.No.5. How do these attributes help in refining the character of a person ?
The attributes of Allah Almighty help in refining the character of a person as he knows that
Allah Almighty is all Seeing, all Hearing and all Knowing. He will never indulge in any sin. He will
avoid all types of foul discourse and words and he will even be afraid of Him to plot an evil against
his fellow humans.
Q.No.6. Do you think that these attributes of God are kept in mind in our daily routine ?
15

No, I do not think that these attributes of Allah Almighty are kept in mind by us in our daily-
routine. The deterioration, immorality and dishonesty found in our society are the assurance of
this fact. However, only the true lovers of Allah Almighty keep all His attributes in their minds.
Additional Short Questions
Q.No.1: What is meant by God’s attributes?
ANS: Allah’s attributes mean the personal qualities of Allah Almighty. There are as many as ninety-
nine names of Allah Almighty mentioned in the Holy Quran. These are not mere accidental names
of Allah Almighty. These are His genuine characteristics.
Q.No.2: What is the purpose/benefit of God’s attribute?
ANS: The purpose of Allah’s attributes is a pure refinement in the character of human beings.
They also stop us from doing evil deeds. They check us from indulging in foul discourse. They
even stop us from devising vicious planning against our fellow human beings.
Q.No.3: What are the three attributes of God mentioned in the poem?
ANS: The three attributes of Allah Almighty mentioned in the poem are that Allah Almighty is the
Seeing, the Hearing and the knowing. All these attributes are His genuine qualities and are found in
Him to the perfection. These attributes help refine our character.
Q.No.4: Why does God call Himself the “Seeing”?
ANS: Allah Almighty calls Himself the “Seeing” to stop us from sinning and evil deeds. When we
know that Allah Almighty is all “Seeing”, we are afraid of Him as we are aware that He is watching
us. Consequently, we will abandon the deed which may infuriate His anger.
Q.No.5: Why does God call Himself the “Hearing”?
ANS: Allah Almighty calls Himself the “Hearing” to stop us from foul and immoral talk. When we
know that Allah Almighty is hearing all our talks and words, we become afraid of Him and do not
use foul language or words. Our talks are refined in this way.
Q.No.6: Why does Allah Almighty call Himself the “Knowing”?
ANS: Allah Almighty calls Himself the “Knowing” to stop us from plotting and designing an evil in
our hearts against our fellow humans. Allah Almighty even knows the deepest secrets in our
hearts and this stops us. Our character is refined and society is prosperous.
Q.No.7: Are God’s attributes mere His accidental name?
ANS: No, Allah’s attributes are not mere His accidental names or vain titles. All the names of Allah
Almighty point out and indicate His qualities and attributes. They are His genuine qualities and are
found in Him to the perfection.
Q.No.8: What is the central ides/theme of the poem?
ANS: Allah Almighty has certain attributes. These attributes show the qualities of Him. They either
urge us to do something good or stop us from doing something bad. If these attributes are kept in
mind in our daily routine, our life will be refined completely.
Poem.No.17
The Delight Song
Exercise Question Answers {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. What do you understand when the poet says I am a shadow that follows a child?
When the poet says that he is a shadow that follows a child, he means to say that he is
leading his life in the manner of a child. A child has no responsibility to carry out and leads a
burden free life, so is the case with the poet. He is carefree and unburdened.
Q.No.2. How can the crust of snow glitter?
When the rays of the sun fall on the crust of snow, they are reflected back and the crust of
snow appears to be glittering and glowing. It is really a very beautiful sight. Metaphorically, glow
and sparkle stand for happiness, delight and pleasure. The poet wants to say that he is leading a
happy and contented life.
16

Q.No.3. What is the dream of the poet?

The dream of the poet is liberty, freedom and happiness. He dreams of a life free of cares,
responsibilities and tensions. According to him, only the carefree are able to live a happy and
healthy life. Tensions and worry consume us slowly but steadily.
Q.No.4. What is the effect of man’s good relation with the earth and the lords ?
If man has good relation with the lords and the earth, he stands in complete harmony with
all the natural objects. It simply means he is in good relation with beauty and charm. He enjoys his
life fully and joyously.
Q.No.5. What are the things that keep a person alive?
A carefree life, good relation with the lords, the earth, beauty and nature are the things that
keep a person alive. According to the poet, only these people who are free from cares of life are
living and only they are able to enjoy the endless beauty and charm this life has to offer.
Q.No.6. Write down your opinion in a few lines based on the theme of the poem?
The theme of the poem is very simple. The poet compares himself with different objects of
nature to tell us that he is as carefree and joyous as all of these objects are. He has an optimistic
approach towards life and is of the view that only this type of life is worth-living.
Additional Short Questions
Q.No.1: How does the poet express his feelings of delight?
ANS: The poet expresses his delight by identifying himself with many lovely things. He has relation
with all beautiful and fruitful things. This keeps him alive, happy and resourceful. He has no burden,
tension or worry to tackle and so his life is a life worth living and worth having.
Q.No.2: What is the central idea/theme of the poem, “The Delight Song”?
ANS: It is a song of delight and happiness. The poet identifies himself with many lovely objects of
nature. He says he is alive. Ha has good solid relation with all beautiful and fruitful things. He has
no tension, worry or frustration to tackle or to face.
Q.No.3: What is the moral lesson of the poem, “The Delight Song”?
ANS: The poet says that man should be happy in his life. He should have good relation with the
earth and with beautiful and fruitful things. He should be care free. Burdens and tensions of life
chain us completely and deprive us of the charms that life has to offer us.
Poem.No.18
Love-An Essence of All Religions
Exercise Question Answers {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. What is the effect of love?
The effect of love is magical. It can change everything into your desired form. It can change
negativity into positivity. It can transform bitterness in sweetness and darkness in light. The
change through love is of permanent nature.
Q.No.2. Is life worth-living without love?
No, life is not worth-living without love. It is love that makes us able to face trouble,
misfortunes and difficulties of life. Without love, we will be helpless before the hammers of life.
Love gives meaning to our life and without this love no one can live a prosperous life.

Additional Short Questions

Q.No.1: What is the effect of love on thorns?
ANS: Through love, thorns become roses. The thorns here stand for the worries of life. The roses
here stand for joys of life. It is love that turns the worries into joys. It may also mean that the
people who are pinching like thorns become fragrant like roses.
17

Q.No.2: What becomes of vinegar through love?

ANS: Through love vinegar becomes sweet wine. Here vinegar stands for the bitter hardships of
life, while sweet wine stands for happiness in life. It is only the effect of love that has such power
to do so. It is the accepted fact that love is the most dominant passion of this universe.
Q.No.3: What is effect of love on misfortune?
ANS: Through love misfortune becomes good fortune. The magical power of love sustains us
throughout the period of tension and misery till it is over and days of happiness are restored to us.
It is only love which supports us and without it tensions would be unbearable.
Q.No.4: What is effect of love on grief?
ANs: Grief becomes joy through love. It means love can turn a gloomy heart into a heart full of joys.
Love anchors us while there is a period of grief and sorrow. It continues to support us and at last
this period is over and happiness returns to us.
Q.No.5: What is the effect of love on king?
ANS: The kings are usually cruel and authoritative. It is really hard to make a king kind and caring.
But through love one can win a king’s heart. Love is the real remedy for cruelty and autocracy
present in any higher authority. And it is only love that possesses such power.
Q.No.6: Write the central idea/theme of the poem?
ANS: The poem highlights the magical and superb effects of love. He says that love is the essence
of all religions. It can change everything into your desired form. It can change negativity into
positivity. It can change negativity into positivity. It can transform bitterness in sweetness and
darkness in light. The change through love is of permanent nature.
Q.No.7: What is the effect of love on sickness?
ANS: Love changes sickness into health. Love is a treatment of our all sorrows. If love is not there
with us, the attack of sickness would be unbearable and may claim our life. Through love we can
endure any trouble of whatever magnitude it possesses.
Q.No.8: What is the effect of love on wrath?
ANS: Through love, wrath seems to be mercy. Love can convert anger into kindness. Actually, love
gives strength to our hearts and they can stand the intensity of wrath, anger and exasperation. It is
love that makes life worth living.
Q.No.9: What is the effect of love on burning fire?
ANS: Through love, burning fire becomes pleasant light. Love can change negativity into positivity.
It can transform bitterness in sweetness and darkness in light. The change through love is of
permanent nature and it is the most dominant power in this universe.
Q.No.10: What is the effect of love on lions?
ANS: Through love, lions become harmless. The fierceness of wild lines changes into kindness
through the kind effect of love. Love can change everything into your desired form. It can change
negativity into positivity. It can transform bitterness in sweetness and darkness in light. The
change through love is of permanent nature.
Q.No.11: How does love affect the dead?
ANS: Through love, the dead rise to life. Love can put life into the dead. Love can change
everything into your desired form. It can change negativity into positivity. It can change negativity
into positivity. It can transform bitterness in sweetness and darkness in light. The change through
love is of permanent nature.
Q.No.12: What is the effect of love on stake?
ANS: Through love, the stake becomes a throne. Love can make burning fire a pleasing home.
Love can change everything into your desired form. It can change negativity into positivity. It can
change negativity into positivity. It can transform bitterness in sweetness and darkness in light.
The change through love is of permanent nature.
18

Poem.No.19
A Man of Words and not of Deeds
Exercise Question Answers: {By Fazil Hussain}

Q.No1. How does the life of man pass through different phases.?
The life of man of words and not of deeds passes through the phases of laziness, fear to
take the decisive steps, failure and ultimately death. He spends a life of laziness and inactivity.
This man is no more better than a dead one.
Q.No.2. What happens to life when it is spent with the help of words and not of deeds?
When a life is spent with the help of words and not of deeds, it is not worth-living. It is dull,
boring, colorless, and without respect. All the hustle and bustle of life is with the charm of positive
deeds and acts.
Q.No.3. What does the garden look like when the weeds begin to grow?
When the weeds begin to grow, it looks like a garden which is full of snow. A garden full of
snow can yield no fruit. Similarly, man full of words can do no act of positivity and fruitfulness
Q.No.6. What is the moral lesson of the poem ?
The moral lesson of the poem is action and deeds. All the hustle and bustle of life is with
the charm of positive deeds. A dull and lazy life is not worth-living. It lends life a color of dullness
and boredom.

Additional Short Question

Q.No.1: What is meant by “A man of words and not of deeds”?

ANS: “A man of words and not of deeds” means a man who only speaks and does nothing. He
does not put his talk into action. He is dull, lazy and inactive. This life is not worth living. And a
man with this type of approach is no more better than a dead one.
Q.No.2: Who is like a garden full of weeds? OR What is the reality of a man of words and not of
deeds?
ANS: “A man of words and not of deeds” is like a garden full of weeds. It means that such an idle
person is like a garden that does not bear fruit but is only full of thorns and bushes. He has no
value.
Q.No.3: What happens when the weeds begin to grow?
ANS: When the weeds begin to grow, it is like a garden full of snow. When the snow falls, the trees
become bare. The greenery disappears. It means death.
Q.No.4: What happens when the snow begins to fall?
ANS: When the snow begins to fall, it covers everything. It freezes activity. It means the greater
you talk, the harder it is to act upon.
Q.No.5: How does the roaring sky look?
ANS: The roaring sky looks horrible. It looks like a lion roaring at the door. It means when the
coming difficulties roar, the man of words and not of deeds is frightened.
Q.No.6: What happens when the door begins to crack?
ANS: When the door begins to crack, it is like a stick across your back. The door is the only
hindrance in the talkative person and the lion waiting outside. When it cracks, it means the time
has come to face that lion.
Q.No.7: How does a man feel when his back begins to smart?
ANS: When the back of a man of words begins to smart, he feels a penknife cutting into his heart.
It means when the miseries of life are on your back, they hurt you with stinging pain.
Q.No.8: What is the main idea/theme of the poem?
19

ANS: The poem highlights the harms of laziness. Man should not be talkative only. He should be
agile and active. He should put his words into deeds. Otherwise, he would be destroyed.

Poem.No.20
In Broken Images
Exercise Question Answers {By Fazil Hussain}
Q.No1. What is the state of the two persons, one who trusts his clear images and the other who
mistrusts his broken images?
The person who trusts his clear images is dull, slow, fail and confused. His results are
always contrary to his assumptions. While, the person who mistrusts his broken images is sharp,
active, successful and confident. Both are poles apart in their thinking and approach.
Q.No.2. Why does a person question his senses when the facts fail him?
A person questions his senses when the facts fail him as the result is quite contrary to his
assumptions. He finds his images wrong and this makes him feel confused. This is because he is
dull and never tries to judge his clear images in the light of search and inquiry.
Q.No.3. Who is in a new confusion of his understanding?
The person who trusts his clear images is in a new confusion of his understanding. He is
confused as the results are quite contrary to his assumptions. This makes him perplexed and it is
always the result of hasty jump on conclusions without any effort of inquiry about the images
given to him.
Q.No.4. What is the moral of the poem?
The poem teaches us the moral lesson of a deep inquiry about all the images given to us. A
quick supposition based illogically and hastily will lead to failure and confusion. One should
always consider one’s images broken.
Q.No.7. What conclusion does the poet draw in the last two lines of the poem?
In the last two lines, the poet draws the conclusion that images taken as clear, when given,
may lead one to sheer confusion if trusted and not verified. While an immediate inquiry about the
authenticity of image after it is given to us will guide us from confusion to understanding.
Additional Short Question
Q.No.1: The poet calls himself slow why?
ANS: As the poet thinks in broken images, he calls himself slow. He is slow in assuming thoughts
which are given to him. He never rushes to the conclusions quickly. Assumptions are acceptable
to him only after a deep inquiry.
Q.No.2: How does a quick person think?
ANS: A quick person thinks in clear images. He is ready to believe all thoughts given to him. He
does not care for proofs. Therefore, the poet calls him quick. He is quick in assuming things
without considering their relevance to reality.
Q.No.3: What happens when a man assumes the relevance of his images?
ANS: When a person assumes the relevance of his images, he also assumes the fact. He
considers that his assumptions are related to the facts. He conceives relevance and this leads to
confusion in the end.
Q.No.4: How does the poet continue?
ANS: The poet continues slow and sharp in his broken images. It means he continues to be dull in
assuming thoughts, but he is quick in making inquiries and searches about the authenticity of his
assumptions. This makes him sharp with the passage of time.
Q.No.6: What is the central idea/theme of the poem “In Broken Images”?
ANS: The poem tells us that we should not assume facts. We should make a thorough inquiry
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about the validity of these assumptions. This will end our confusion and make us sharp. The poet
conveys his standpoint by comparing himself with a sharp person.
Q.No.7: What happens when the fact fails a man?
ANS: When the fact fails a man, he doubts his understanding. He becomes confused and puzzled.
His findings leave him nowhere but in the middle of crisis. While the person who has always made
inquiry and search about the assumptions given to him, is always led to understanding and
perception.