Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :

Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.

Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.

(a) Name the poem and its poet. 1

(b) What does the Earth teach us? 1

(c) What does the poet want to achieve by counting up to twelve?

(d) Give an example of what now seems to be dead but later on becomes alive.

OR

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never

Pass into nothingness; but will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

(a) Name the poem and its poet. 1

(b) How does a thing of beauty remain a joy forever? 1

(c) Explain: ‘never pass into nothingness’.

(d) How does the bower help us in our life? Give two examples.

(a) This extract is taken from the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ written by Pablo Neruda.

(b) Earth teaches us the lesson of life under stillness. It shows that stillness doesn’t imply inactivity or death. Objects that seem to be dead or inactive later prove to be alive. People assume inactive things to be dead but just like the Earth is also rotating despite its stillness it proves that there is life in stillness. The poet wishes to observe a moment of silence that unites everyone and gives a minute of quiet self introspection.

(c) The poet feels that observing silence will allow one to take a while off from the monotonous schedule and by keeping quiet and counting up to twelve everyone will get to understand each other better. The quietness will help us understand the significance of peace and tranquillity better in this age of futile activities. Thus, they will help us in introspection and self-analysis.

(d) One of the best examples of things that now seem to be dead but later becomes alive comes from nature. Like the eggs laid by the bird are still until they get the required warmth and a little bird pops out of it. Another example can be of a seed which when sown in the soil seems to be still but during the spring season it grows out with beautiful leaves and flowers.

OR

(a) This extract is taken from the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ written by John Keats.

(b) The beauty helps us when we are burdened with grief. Beauty has the power to give us joy and lift our spirits. A thing of beauty removes all sad thoughts. It gives our mind a soothing effect. The Earth would be full of gloom and sadness, without a thing of beauty. It removes the pall of sadness and darkness from our mind and soul. It is timeless and it never fades away.

(c) A thing of beauty is timeless. Its beauty never fades away and increases more with time. According to the poet such things of beauty include: the sun, moon, vegetations, animals like sheep, flowers like daffodil, water in the river, forest fern and the musk rose. These things give us an everlasting joy.

(d) A ‘bower’ refers to a shady place usually under the trees. It helps us in life by giving fresh oxygen and taking away carbon dioxide keeping us healthy. It also gives us shade in harsh weather be it scorching heat or heavy rains. It creates a peaceful environment and many people prefer to lie down under bowers to re-energise and rejuvenate themselves.