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Explain the following line with reference to the context. And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake - English

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प्रश्न

Explain the following line with reference to the context.

And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake

थोडक्यात उत्तर

उत्तर

  • Reference: These words are from the poem “ Macavity – the mystery cat” written by T.S. Eliot.
  • Context: The poet says these words about the ability of the mysterious cat to hoodwink everyone.
  • Explanation: Macavity is a master of deceitfulness and suavity. When he appears to “be half-asleep with his half-closed eyes, he would be wide-awake. He is an enigma to everyone.
  • Comment: Macavity is indeed a mystery.
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Poem (Class 11th)
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पाठ 4.2: Macavity - The Mystery Cat - Exercises [पृष्ठ १३०]

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सामाचीर कलवी English Class 11 TN Board
पाठ 4.2 Macavity - The Mystery Cat
Exercises | Q E. ii. | पृष्ठ १३०

संबंधित प्रश्‍न

Pick out the expressions that indicate conflicting ideas.


Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.

laugh with their eyes


Why would the referee ask whether there was a doctor in the stands? What stands is he referring to?


Explain the following with reference to the context in about 50–60 word each.

Athletes, I’ll drink to you, Or eat with you, Or anything except compete with you…


Find out the rhyme scheme of the given stanza.

One infant grows up and becomes a jockey

Another plays basketball or hockey

This one the prize ring hates to enter

That one becomes a tackle or center…


Everybody is special and everybody is a hero. Each one has a story to tell. In the light of this observation, present your views.


Find words from the poem that convey the following ideas:

  1. connected together
  2. spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner 
  3. make out or understand
  4. slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees

Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with the words given below.

The poet, in a relaxed state of mind, is sitting in a (1) ______. He reflects on how his mood brings (2) ______thoughts, which are inevitably followed by (3)______ones. He feels connected to all of nature, and senses an inherent joy in all (4)______. He has faith in the fact that all the primroses and periwinkles around him (5)______ the air they breathe. He feels that every bird in the grove moves with (6)______. As the twigs catch the breezy air, they do so with the same pleasure (7)______ all life on earth. This joy of nature seems to be heaven-sent. Nature’s holy plan is to offer joy and peace to all forms of life on earth. The poet’s pleasant train of thought slowly leads to the sad reflection of how mankind alone has wrought sorrow and (8)______ upon itself. He firmly believes that man is meant to spend his days blissfully taking part in the vitality and joy surrounding him in (9)______. He therefore concludes rhetorically, emphasizing that he has good reason to (10)______ the distress, man unnecessarily brings upon himself.

creations abundance savour
pleasant suffering grove
lament pervading sorrowful
ecstasy    

Read the poem once again. Identify the rhyme scheme and pick out the rhyming pairs of words.


How do people bring grief and sorrow to one another?


Write a letter to the Councillor of your Ward, explaining why a park is necessary in your locality.


Why is the Flying Squad frustrated?


Mention any two qualities of Macavity.


What are the mysterious ways in which Macavity acts?


Describe the appearance and qualities of Macavity.


Which quality does the speaker wish to nourish? What is his mission?


Which path should we follow in life?


Read the given line and answer the question that follow.

We are proud of the position we hold; humble as we are

  1. What is the speaker proud of?
  2. How is the speaker both humble and proud?
  3. Pick out the alliteration in these lines.

The poem does not focus on the destination but the journey towards it. Discuss


Discuss the following topic in groups of five and choose a representative to sum up the view and share them with the class.

‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal.’ It is the courage and perseverance that counts.


Work with a partner and take this short quiz to find out how well-informed you are about history.

  • Name a few wars and battles you have read about.
  • What is the difference between a war and a battle? 
  • Why do rulers wage wars and battles?
  • Is the outcome of a war always fair? 
  • Do you think rulers understand the true meaning of life – in defeat or in victory? 
  • Can you name a few kings and leaders who have fallen from glory to disgrace? 

Fill in the blanks using the words given in the box to complete the summary of the poem:

King Richard the Second, had surrendered to his (a)______cousin, Bollingbroke. He experienced deep distress at the horror of his circumstances. In that desperate situation, he speaks of (b)______, (c)______, (d)______and other things connected with death. He spoke of how people leave nothing behind and can call nothing their own, except for the small patch of (e)______, where they will be buried. King Richard yielded to dejection and talked of all the different ways in which defeated kings suffer how some had been deposed, (f)______in war, (g)______by their wives and so forth. He attributed this loss of lives to (h)______, who he personified as the jester who watches over the shoulder of every ruler, who mocks kings by allowing them to think their human flesh, was like (i)______brass. However, Death penetrates through the castle walls, silently and unnoticed like a sharp (j)______, thus bidding (k)______to him and all his pride forever. Finally, Richard appealed to his soldiers not to mock his mere flesh and blood by showing (l) ______and respect to him. He added that he too needed bread to live, felt want, tasted (m)______and needed (n)______. He concluded thus, urging his men not to call him a (o)______as he was only human, just like the rest of them.

barren-earth friends graves slain
rebellious poisoned worms grief
impregnable epitaphs death farewell
reverence king pin  

Fill in the blank with appropriate word from the box and complete the statement suitably:

The spectators died laughing at the ______of the clown.


Who is Bolingbroke? Is he a friend or foe?


What are the various functions and objects given up by a defeated king?


Explain the following line with reference to the context in about 5 to 8 line:

All murdered – for within the hollow crown

That rounds the mortal temples of a king Keeps Death his court, …”


Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following line from the poem:

“Keeps Death his court, and there the antic sits,…”


Read the poem once again carefully and identify the figure of speech that has been used in each of the following line from the poem:

“Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp,…”


Based on your reading of King Richard’s speech, answer the following questions in about 100 - 150 words each. You may add your own ideas if required to present and justify your point of view.

Death has been cited in many ways in this monologue. Identify the poetic devices used in those references.


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