BRAIN English 11 157 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK

Part I - POEMS
POEM-1
The Rain

w.H.Davies
Section I
(1) Choose the correct option in meaning in the underlined
words:
1. It will be a lovely sight: (DGK-G1)-15
(A) matteer (8) spectacle (C) issue (D) situation
2. The cherry is hung with bloom along the boughs:
(BWP-G1)-15,(LHR-G1)-19
(A) leaves (B) shades C branches (D) tents
3. I hope the sun shines bright:
(BWP-G2)-15,(DGK-G2)-17,(SWL-G1)-19
(A) bold (B) clearly (C) briefly (D) happily
(B)CHOOSE the correct answer:
4. Who was drinking rain?
(LHR-G2)-15
(B) man (C) cat (D) a tree
(A) leaves
Section II

(2) Answer (in 3-5 sentences) the following questions from

Book-III
(Poems Section)
Rain"?
1. What is the theme of the poem "The
the poem "The
OR What is the symbolic importance of
Rain"?
(SWL-G1)-17,
(BWP-G2)-14, (SGD-G1), (FBD-G1)-15,
(SWL-G2)-17, (MTN-G1)-17, (SWL-G1&G2)-19
BRAIN English 11 ON BAM
158 UP-TO-DATE QUESTIoN BANK
Ans. The theme ( ) of the poem "The Rain" is that "every ci
cloud
has a silver lining ( J i . " In other words, when a
a
short period of trial ( 6 U i ) is over, the prosperity spreads

everywhere.
2. Why does the poet call the upper leaves the rich
leaves?
(RWP- G2)-14, (DGK-G2)-17, (BWP-G1)-17
Ans. The rich leaves" mean "fresh, healthy and green leaves". As
the upper leaves have the same properties ( L ) therefore,
the poet calls ( ) them the "rich leaves".
3. How does the poet feel when he hears ( )the rain
falling on the leaves?
(FBD-G2)-14, (LHR-G2)-15
Ans. The poet says that the noise ()) of the rain falling on the
leaves is sweet and lovely (i*) to hear.
4 How does the sun shine/rise after rain?
OR What is the scene of the sunshine after rain?
OR What happens when the sun shines bright?
OR How does the sceneray look after rain?
OR What will happen when it stops raining?
OR What will happen after the rain stops? (The Rain)
(DGK-G2, BWp-62)-15, (DGK-G2,(FBD-G1,(SGD-62)-16,
(DGK-G1)-18,(LHR-G2, GUJ-G1)-19
Ans. When the rain is over (den), the bright sun rises t b)
( . It illuminates every drop of water with its glowing ( )
light. It makes the whole atmosphere (W\) lovely and bright.
5. How can a rainy day be
enjoyed?
OR According to W.H.Davies how can a rainy day be
enjoyed?
(BWP-G1)-15, (SWL-G2)-16, (Lhr-G1, MTN-G2)-17
Ans. We can enjoy (
(LHR-61)-18,(MTN-G1),
ris£l )
(FBD-G2)-19
a rainy day by observing the
beautiful scenes ( ) it creates. It creates joy and pleasure in
the hearts of ( UvL) the
people. It gives ( ) life, Joy
and pleasure ( ) to plants and humans.
ARAIN English 11 A 159 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
What is the effect of rain on
6. poor? (BWP-61)-16
Ans. As an effect of rain on poor, the rich leaves on top of the plant
gives drops of water to lower leaves. In other sense, poor
people can also enjoy the blessings of nature and become
happy.
7. Who does rain fall on poor leaves?
OR How does the rain water drop on poor leaves?
(LHR-G1)-16, (MTN-G2)-16
Ans. Rain falls on poor and feable leaves drop-by-drop. It first falls
on fresh leaves then it passes to the poor leaves drop by drop.
8. Why does the poet mean by the "poor leaves"?
OR What does the word "Poor" mean in the poem "The
Rain"? (LHR-G1)-19
(GUJ-G1)-17
Ans. In this poem, poor leaves means the weak and young leaves.
On the other hand, it also means poor people who depends on
rich people to give them what God has given them.
9. What is meant by rich and poor leaves? (MTN-G1)-18
Ans. The rich leaves denote "fresh, healthy and green leaves" while
the poor leaves means feable and weak leaves as described in
the poem The Rain".
10. What does the poet hear in the poem, "The Rain"?
OR What does the poet of the poem "The Rain'" hear?
(SGD-G1)-18,(FBD-G1),(DGK-G1)-19
Ans. The poet hears the sound of rain-drops on the leaves.

EXPLANATION WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

1. Explain the following lines with reference to the
context:
I hear leaves drinking rain;
I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
SGD-G2,(FBD-G2)-15,(MTN-G1)-16,(MTN-G1)-18,(LHR-G2)-19

REFERENCE from the poem "The Rain"

These verses have been taken
This is a beautiful poem of a popular
poet of the twentieth
Davies.
century William Henry
BRAIN English 11 160 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANY
CONTEXT
The poet hears the sound of rain-drops on the leaves. He
He ea.
says
that top leaves sprinkling drop by drop on the lower leaves..

PARAPHRASE
The poet hears the sound of the rain drops on the leaves
which are full of rain-water. He says that the rich leaves on ton
are full of water. The sprinkling of water which falls drop by
drop on the leaves below creates a music which is sweet to
hear.
EXPLANATION
The first stanza describes the beauty of watching and listening
to the rain fall onto leaves, first onto the leaves at the top, and
eventually making their way down to the lower leaves.

The poet is listening to the sound of rain falling on the leaves.

He says that the leaves seem to be absorbing rain-water. The
top leaves are fresh, healthy and green. The poet calls them
rich leaves. The lower leaves are feeble, weak and wethered;
thus, the poet calls them poor leaves.

zfLsUAipt-UipsvSs7u,-u
These lines may offer a metaphor as well; the rich at the upper
level get a golden chance first and whatever remains trickie
down to the people at the level beneath.

2. Explain the following lines with reference tothe

context:
Drop after drop;
Tis sweet noice to hear
a
These green leaves drinking near.
(MTN-G2)-14
BRAIN English 11
161 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
REFERENCE
These verses have been taken from the
poem The Rain". This
is a beautiful poem of a
popular poet of the twentieth centurY
William Henry Davies.

cONTEXT
The poet hears the sound of
rain-drops on the leaves. He says
uiat top leaves sprinkling drop
by drop on the lower leaves.
dtguRLIFÄZdULseeisLLUFL;S¢
-U
PARAPHRASE
The leaves at the top are sprinking water
drop by drop to the
leaves below. The sprinkling of water on the leaves beloW
creates a music which is sweet to hear.

-tN
EXPLANATION
The poet describes that the rich green leaves are
sprinkling
over the poor leaves a small amount of water. It seems as if
they are giving alms. The poet concluded that the noise of the
rain is however sweet and lovely to hear.

ErUU-4UAA{URUItnzahLrst/okt
3.
-
Explain the following lines with reference tothe
context
A wondrous light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;
It will be lovely sight.
(AJK-G1)-15,(RWP-G1)-16,(MTN-G61)-17,(FBD-G1)-19
REFERENCE
These verses have been composed by Wiliam Henry Davies
BRAIN English 11 162 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
inhis poem "The Rain". In these verses, the poet describes a
wonderful phenomena of Nature.

cONTEXT
The poet says when it rains on the leaves, it produces / )
(ea sweet music. After rain, the sun shines bright. It makes
a lovely sight.

-/eriVz-Zei
PARAPHRASE
A strange light will illuminate each dark round drop of rain.
The poet hopes when the sun shines, it will be a lovely sight.

EXPLANATION
The second stanza shows how, after the rain, the sun comes
out again, cutting through the darkness and bringing light thus
making everything more beautiful.

The poet says that soon after the rain is over, the bright sun
appears and illuminates every drop of water with its glowing light. It
will make the whole atmosphere lovely and bright. The dark round
drops of water will begin to shine in the glowing rays of sun. The
poet says that it will indeed be a lovely sight.

These lines also have symbolic meaning that is "every cloud

has a silver lining." In other words, when a short period of trial is
over the prosperity spreads everywhere. The poet advises us to be
patience and wait for the blessings of Allah.

-et/e
POEM-2
Night Mail ($?Ei)
W.H.Auden
Section - I
)Choose the correct option in meaning in the underlined|
words:

1. This is the Night Mail crossing the Border:

(RWP-G1)-14
(A) boundary (B) bound (C) limits (D) march
2. Stare from bushes at her blank-faced coaches:
(LHR-G2)-14, (DGK-G2)-15
(A) brown (B) passionless (C) empty (D) ugly
4. Shovelling white steam over her: (BWP-G2)-15, (LHR-G2)-19
(A) lifting (B) shifting (C) showing
(D) throwing
5. Shovelling white steam over her shoulder: (MTN-G1)-15
(AJK-G1)-19
(A)throwing (B) paying (C) moving (D) shaking
6. But a jug in a bedroom gently shakes. (MTN-G2)-17
(A) sleeps (B) falls (C) turns (Dvibrates
7. The Night Mail snorts. (GUJ-G1)-17
(A) starts (B) stops Cwhistles (D) reaches
8. They slumber on with paws across. (BWP-G1)-17
OR The sheep dogs slumber on with paws across.
(SGD-G2),(AJK-G2, FBD-G2)-19
(A) enjoy (B) walk Csleep (D) awake
The gradients against her but she's on time: (FBD-G1)-18

(A hurdles (B) saviours (C) friends (D) farmers

0.
Sheep dog cannot turn her course (RWP-61)-18
(A route (B) speed (C) mood D) goal
11. Shovellin white steam over her: (MTN-G2)-19
(C) opening D throwing out
(A) inhaling (B) closing
BRAIN English 11 MGA 164 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
Section- II

(2) Answer (in 3-5 sentences) the following questions from

Book-III
(Poems Section)
1. What does the train bring?
OR What does the train bring for people?
OR Enumerate the duties that Night Mail performs.
OR What functions does the Night Mail perform?
OR What does the night mail bring for people?
OR What does the "Night Mail" bring?
OR What function does the Night Mail perform?
(FBD-G2),(RWP-G1)-14
(SGD-61),(BWP-G2),(FBD-G1),(MTN-G1&2),(AJK-G2)-15,
(BWP-62)-16,(MTN-G1)-16,(AJK-G1&62)-18,(GUJ-G2)-19
(FBD-G1)(DGK-G1)-19
Ans. The train brings a variety (UII*) of letters to the people. It
is always on time despite ( L) the "steady climb". It
performs ( e r t ) its duty.
2. Which places does the night mail pass? (RWP-G2)-15
Ans. The night mail, passes by the meadows (U:ulis?), pastures
(unbog), grassy lawns, cotton fields, towns, steep hills, farms
and over the lakes, streams and rivers flowing white steam
behind it.
3. Write a brief note on the Night Mail.
OR Give the central idea of the poem "Night Mail."
(FBD-G1)-14, (LHR-G2)-18
Ans. Night Mail is a train that carries ( d ) letters, parcels, postal
orders, cheques etc. Night Mail works ( eK) whole
heartedly (eU'u), devotedly (a-) and never comes late.
4. What is Beattock? (SWL-G1)-14
Ans. Beattock is a small village (Uss) in Scotland. The village was
once a fuel station (*E) for the locomotive engines Uz3
(LUHI, Later, the railway station was closed.
5. How do the birds react as the Night Mail approaches
them?
ARAIN English 11
165 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK

(RWP- G2)-14
AnS. The birds are used to (g») the noise ( ) of the train, hence,
they do not react the Night Mail approaches. They simply
as
turn their heads sitting ( É) in the bushes (Ui) and
stare ( )at the coaches ((Ut) of the train.
6. The poet calls the coaches of the mail "blank faced".
Why? (LHR-G2)-14
Ans. Blank-faced means that the coaches of Night Mail do not
possess any kind of feelings. These are passionless. It also
reflects the dull and drab colour of the coaches.
7. How do the sheep-dogs react at the arrival of the Night
Mail? (LHR-G1)-15
OR Are the sheep dogs disturbed by the passing of the
train? (AJK-G1)-17
Ans. The sheep-dogs know that they cannot bite (u£K) the
train nor (E) turn her course ( ) , Therefore, they do not
show any reaction ( ) and continue (EK) to sleep.
8. What happens when the train passes by the farm?
(BWP-G1)-14, (DGK-61)-17
OR How does the train, Night Mail, affect the life in the

farm? (GUJ-G2)-17
Ans When the train passes ( U7) by the farm, no one wakes.
Only a jug lying in the bedroom shakes ( ) slowly.
9. For whom does the "Night Mail" bring mail?
(DGK-G1)-16
Ans. the Night Mail brings mail for the rich, for the poor, the shop

at ther corner and the girl next door.

10. What qualities of the Night-Mail have been described in the

poem? (SGD-G1)-16
Ans. The Night Mail is dutiful train that follows a time schedule. It a

order and letters

careful person that brings cheque, postal
she's on time.
carefully. No matter what are the circumstances,
when the train
. Why does the jug in the bedroom shake
passes?
(FBD-G2)-16
BRAIN English 11 166 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
Ans. The jug in the bedroom shakes by the tremble that the Niahe
Mail makes when she passes through the farm. ight
12. What kind of train is "Night Mail"?
(RWP-G1)-17
Ans. Night Mail is a goods delivering train that carries (-du
letters, parcels, postal orders, cheques etc. Night Mail worke
( 6 ) whole heartedly (a UJ) and devotedly (
and never comes late.
13. What happens to the "Night Mail" when the gradient is
against it? (BWP-G1)-18
Ans. When there are gradients against the Night Mail, she does not
stop. She reaches at time at its destination.

EXPLANATION WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

Explain the following lines with reference to the

context:
This is the Night Mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,
Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner, the girl next door.
(MTN-G2)-15,(DGK-G2)-19
REFERENCE
These lines have been taken from the poem Night Mail wriiten
by W. H. Auden".

cONTEXT
The poet has been visiting through different parts of the world.
In this poem, he describes the journey of the Night Mail. He
says that the train passes through mountains and plains. It
carries letters, cheques and postal orders. He says that the
train faces many hurdles on the track but it is always on time
It also follows the time schedule.
BRAIN English 11 167 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
PARAPHRASE

The Night Mail is crossing the bordar. It is bringing the

cheques, postal orders, letters for the rich and for the poor. It
also brings letters for the shopkeeper and the neighbouring
girl.

EXPLANATION
The train is crossing the border overnight with mail. It brings postal
letters. There are letters of all sorts and for all people
business letters, love letters, personal letters, news letters,
condolences, receipts, invitations, applications, cheques and
postal orders etc. all written on papers for rich and poor. The
letters have all tones and styles. Some are typed, some

printed, some are misspelled letters.

gLyhg'yeiKpVL~sisisginetee
Explain the following lines with reference to the
context:
Snorting ( 2 r i ) noisily, she passes
Silent miles of wind-bent ( ) grasses. (RWP-G1)-17
Birds turn their heads as she approaches
Stare from bushes at her blank-faced coaches.
(BWP-62)-14, (GUJ-G1)-17
REFERENCE
These lines have been taken from the poem Night Mail wriiten
by W. H. Auden".
CONTEXT of the world.
The poet has been visiting through different parts
He
In this poem, he describes the journey of the Night Mail.
mountains and plains. It
says that the train passes through
that train
carries letters, cheques and postal orders. He says
time. It
faces many hurdles on the track but it is always on
also follows the time schedule.
BRAIN English 11 168 UP-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK

PARAPHRASE
The train is snorting noisily as a horse. She passes by the
grassy lawns and green fields. When the Night Mail arrives, the
birds look at her. They just stare at the dull coaches of the
train sitting behind the bushes.

EXPLANATION
Snorting and howling, the train passes by grassy fields bent
with wind pressure and stretched over hundreds of miles
speedily. Th birds, sitting in the bushes, turn their beaks and
gaze at (C) the bogies (-3) of the train as it comes near
them.

Luiyh-rLsGkUku»n2ZVZti*
ESirtJAUNsLGIKs£tuL dee-Ue
-¢ LUÍGKUL
Explain the following lines with reference to the
context:
Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb;
The gradient's against her, but she's on time.
(BWP-G2)-16
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem "Night Mail
written by W.H. Auden.

CONTEXT
The poem, describes the journey of the Night Mail. The poet
says that train faces many hurdles on the track but it is always
on time. It aiso follows the time schedule.
BRAIN English 11 169 Up-TO-DATE QUESTION BANK
EXPLANATION

The Night Mail travels on upward and downward slopes, but it

does not get late. It reaches its destinations on time. The poet
teaches us that a man, like a train, sees different periods of
ife. He has to face hard days. He also enjoys pleasures of life.
Whatever the circumstances are, like a train, he should be
regular, punctual and sturdy. He should do his duty earnestly.
It will bring him success and fame.

-SLPNdtleu
Explain the following lines with reference to the
4.
Context:
In the farm she passes; no one wakes,
But a jug in a bedroom gently shakes.
(LHR-G1)-16
Reference
These lines have been taken from the poem "Night Mail"
written by W.H. Auden.

-lerPinsUosiGt
CONTEXT:
The poem, describes the journey of the Night Mail. The poet
says when the train passes near the houses, nothing moves
but only a jug lying on a table shakes slightly.

EXPLANATION
When the train passes through a farm. People continue to
sleep. They are used to-its noise. Therefore, its noise does not
disturb them. However, vibration created by train moves
a jug in a bedroom.
slightly
UULLALn-UELrII -tz}SK