1.

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Why are we 'despondent'?
(c) What removes 'the pall from our dark spirits'?

2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
........... And yet, for these
Children, these windows, not this map, their world.
Where all their future's painted with a fog,
A narrow street sealed in with a lead sky
Far far from rivers, capes, and stars of words.
(a) Who are the 'children' referred to here?
(b) Which is their world?
(c) How is their life different from that of other children?

3.

What was the poet's childhood fear?

4.

What is the sadness the poet refers to in the poem 'Keeping Quiet'?

5.

How are Aunt Jennifer's tigers different from her?

6.

Why did Sophie long for her brother's affection?

7.

Why did Edla plead with her father not to send the vagabond away?

8.

What job did Saheb take up? Was he happy?

9.

Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom?

10.

Why did the Maharaja order the dewan to double the land tax?