Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Read the poem once again and complete the summary using the words given in the box.
‘Macavity – The Mystery Cat’ is a humorous poem, where the poet T.S. Eliot describes the mysterious (a) _______of a shrewd vile cat. He commits a crime at every possible opportunity. He is an elusive master (b)______who leaves no evidence after he commits a crime. Even the Scotland Yard, the London (c) ______ agency is unable to arrest him. The Flying Squad is (d) ______ because every time they rush to the crime spot to seize Macavity, he is not there. He breaks the human law as well as the law of (e) ______. He baffles even a (f) ______ with his powers of levitation. Macavity appears tall and thin with (g)______ eyes. He is always preoccupied with some serious (h) ______. His coat is dusty and his (i)______are unkempt. Macavity is a (j) ______in the guise of a cat. He appears to be outwardly (k) ______ but his actions disprove it. Macavity loots the (l)______, ransacks the jewel-case, and breaks the (m)______glass but wonder of wonders he is not to be found anywhere there. He is always a mile away from the scene of crime, happily relaxing or doing difficult (n) ______ sums. He is clever at making up an (o) ______every time he plots a crime. All the notorious cats are nothing but the (p) ______Macavity, the Napoleon of Crime.
larder | whiskers |
respectable | criminal |
devil | thought |
sunken | division |
agents | detective |
alibi | desperate |
fakir | qualities |
gravity | greenhouse |
Solution
‘Macavity – The Mystery Cat’ is a humorous poem, where the poet T.S. Eliot describes the mysterious (a) Qualities of a shrewd vile cat. He commits a crime at every possible opportunity. He is an elusive master (b) Criminal who leaves no evidence after he commits a crime. Even the Scotland Yard, the London (c) Detective agency is unable to arrest him. The Flying Squad is (d) Desperate because every time they rush to the crime spot to seize Macavity, he is not there. He breaks the human law as well as the law of (e) Gravity. He baffles even a (f) Fakir with his powers of levitation. Macavity appears tall and thin with (g) Sunken eyes. He has always preoccupied with some serious (h) Thought. His coat is dusty and his (i) Whiskers are unkempt. Macavity is a (j) Devil in the guise of a cat. He appears to be outwardly (k) Respectable but his actions disprove it. Macavity loots the (l) Larder, ransacks the jewel case, and breaks the (m) Greenhouse glass but the wonder of wonders he is not to be found anywhere there. He is always a mile away from the scene of the crime, happily relaxing or doing difficult (n) Division sums. He is clever at making up an (o) Alibi every time he plots a crime. All the notorious cats are nothing but the (p) Agents Macavity, the Napoleon of Crime.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
What pleasantries does the poet use to fake cordiality?
What does he desire to unlearn and relearn?
How is the poet’s laugh reflected in the mirror?
Interpret each of the following expression used in the poem, in one or two line.
like a fixed portrait smile
Read the line given below and answer the question that follow.
‘But now they only laugh with their teeth, While their ice-block-cold eyes…’
- Who are ‘they’?
- Explain: ice-block-cold eyes
- Identify the figure of speech used here.
Are the athletes conscious of the feelings of others? Why do you say so?
Read the given lines and answer the questions that follow in a sentence or two.
With all my heart I do admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire
- Whom does the poet admire?
- For what reasons do the athletes sweat?
Why do accidents usually happen in the playground? Give your own examples and explain
Find words from the poem that convey the following ideas:
- connected together
- spread over the surface of the ground in a straggling manner
- make out or understand
- slender woody shoots growing from branches or stems of trees
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
And ‘tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes…
- What is the poet’s faith?
- What trait of Nature do we see here?
Read the lines given below and answer the question that follow.
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan.
- What does ‘heaven’ refer to?
- Why does the poet call it ‘holy’?
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.
What makes the fakir stare in wonder?
Describe Macavity’s appearance.
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw…
- Does the poet talk about a real cat?
- Why is he called the Hidden Paw?
Read the given lines and answer the question that follow.
For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity
- How is the cat described in this line?
- Explain the phrase ‘monster of depravity’.
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s
Explain the following line with reference to the context.
He always has an alibi, and one or two to spare
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 blank with appropriate word from the box and complete the statement suitably:
Shravan never keeps his promises. His friends know that his words are ______.
What do the three words, ‘graves, worms and epitaphs’, refer to?
What does the executor mentioned in the poem do?
Are all deposed kings slain by the deposer?
What does the crown of rulers stand for?
What does ‘flesh’ mean here?
Working with your partner, discuss the following adages and share your views with the class. You may need to give your ideas and justify your point of view. Remember to take turns while making your presentation/short speech.
War begets war
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:
“Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!”
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.
How are eternal truths and wisdom brought to the reader here?
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.
Who does the future generations remember easily - the victor or the vanquished? Give reasons. Also, cite relevant references from King Richard’s speech.