Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes Question-Answer | WBCHSE Class 12 Fourth Semester

"Hawk Roosting" by Ted Hughes is a very well‑known poem and is currently included in the syllabus of WBBHSE Class 12 fourth semester.
These are Hawk Roosting question answers. If you are a Class 12 fourth semester student, this will help you a lot. We have presented here all the important 2‑mark and 6‑mark questions from Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes, based on the latest WBBHSE exam pattern. Practising different types of questions can help students discover new ways of solving problems they may not have encountered before. This practice ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance in exams. And I got you here. You can find the answer to all your queries.

 Hawk Roosting Summary :

The poem is spoken by a hawk. It sits high in a forest with its eyes closed. The hawk is completely still. It thinks about its sharp, curved head and feet. Even in sleep, it imagines perfect ways to kill and eat.

The hawk feels that nature exists to serve it. The tall trees give it a convenient place to rest. The air helps it fly, and the sun's light is an advantage. It looks down upon the earth as if the world is waiting for its inspection.

Its feet are locked tightly onto a tree branch. The hawk believes that all of creation was needed to make its body perfect, from its foot to each feather. When the poem says, 'Now I hold Creation in my foot', it is a metaphor. It means the hawk feels it has complete power and control over the world, just by gripping the branch.

The hawk can fly up and see everything below. It kills wherever it wants because it believes the world belongs to it. The hawk is not complicated or deceptive. Its behaviour is direct and violent, described as "tearing off heads."

It sees its life's work as giving out death. Its flight path is a straight line through the bodies of living things. The hawk feels it does not need to justify its actions or prove its right to kill.

The sun is behind the hawk, as if it supports the bird. The hawk says nothing has changed since it first appeared. It has not allowed any change to happen. The hawk intends to keep things as they are forever.

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Short Answer Type Questions from Hawk Roosting : -  (2 Marks)

1. What does the hawk’s position at the top of the wood suggest about its character?
Ans. The hawk’s position at the top of the wood suggests his superiority, dominance over other creatures, and imposing control of its surroundings.

2. What does the hawk mean by ‘no falsifying dream’?
Ans. Through this phrase, the hawk conveys that it does not rely on illusions or fantasies, it accepts reality, recognizing its own power and violent nature without pretence.

3. How does the hawk’s sleep differ from human sleep?
Ans. The hawk uses sleep to rehearse killing and feeding, unlike human. It indicates the hawk's confidence in its power and that its killing instincts never rest.

4. What do the phrases ‘hooked head’ and ‘hooked feet’ emphasize?
Ans. These phrases ‘hooked head’ and ‘hooked feet’ emphasize the hawk’s physical features as a predator and how these are perfectly adapted for hunting and killing.

5. Why does the hawk praise the high trees?
Ans. The hawk praises the high trees because they allow it can easily observe the world beneath its feet and dominate from above. The top of the tree symbolizes its power and authority, giving the hawk a clear sense of superiority and control.

6. What is meant by ‘the air’s buoyancy’?
Ans. ‘The air’s buoyancy’ refers to the upward force that air exerts on objects within it, allowing the hawk to rise and remain aloft. It helps the hawk to soar and glide with little effort, maintaining its aerial dominance.

7. How does the hawk view natural elements like the sun and air?
Ans. The hawk views these elements as tools that serve its own needs. It believes that nature exists to benefit and support its goal.

8. What does the phrase ‘the earth’s face upward for my inspection’ convey?
Ans. This phrase conveys the hawk's arrogance, implying that it sees the entire earth or its creatures as something placed before it to examine and dominate.

9. What does the hawk’s grip on the bark symbolize?
Ans. The hawk’s grip on the bark symbolizes firm control and unyielding hold over its environment and power. It reflects the hawk’s arrogance and certainty that nature itself is firmly under its command.

10. How does the hawk describe the creation of its body?
Ans. The hawk claims that  the creation of its body is the result of the entire effort of nature and Creation. Every part of it has been perfectly designed for power and killing. This gives the hawk a sense of complete control and superiority. 

11. What is the significance of the line ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’?

or

What does the poet mean by "Now I hold the Creation in my foot"?

Ans. This line ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’ signifies the hawk’s arrogance. It  symbolizes that the hawk considers himself like a god who controls all creation beneath him. The hawk sees itself as the centre of existence, with the right to rule and destroy at will.

12. What does the hawk mean by ‘revolve it all slowly’?
Ans. The hawk means that it can fly over the earth and observe everything below at its leisure, as if it were its possession. This reflects the hawk’s arrogance and its sense of absolute authority over all of Creation.

13. "I kill where I please because it is all mine." - How does the line ‘I kill where I please’ reflect the hawk’s character?  (1)

Ans: This line reflects the hawk’s unapologetic control and autonomy, showing that it kills without restriction or remorse. 

14. "I kill where I please because it is all mine." - Why does he says this "it is all mine"? (2)

Ans: The hawk believes that everything beneath it exists for its use, so it can kill freely without fear. This line highlights the hawk’s arrogance, ruthless authority, and its conviction that nature itself is under its control.

or

Ans: The hawk says this to show his power and authority. By this line, the hawk means that the entire world - nature, the sky, the trees, the prey - all belongs to him. He believes that everything exists for his own use and that he has the right to control all things even life and death. 

15. What is meant by ‘There is no sophistry in my body’? (1 mark)
Ans. The phrase means the hawk does not hide his brutality, selfishness. He proudly declares his instinctive and brutal nature without any pretence or deception.

16. How does the hawk describe its manners, and what does this suggest? OR "My manners are tearing off heads" - what does it suggest?

OR How does the hawk describe its "manners"? What is its "allotment"?

Ans. The hawk describes its manners as ‘tearing off heads’.

The hawk openly declares that killing is its natural way of behaving. It believes that destruction is not cruelty but simply its rightful manner of existence.

17. What does ‘The sun is behind me’ symbolize?

or

Q. "The sun is behind me." - What does the hawk say about the sun?

or,

What does the hawk want to say by the line, "The sun is behind me"?

Ans. It symbolizes the hawk’s belief that it is supported by natural forces. By placing the sun behind itself, the hawk suggests that nature stands with it,  portraying the hawk as the centre of existence.

18. Why does the hawk claim ‘nothing has changed since I began’?
Ans. The hawk claims this to emphasize its belief in the permanence and unchallengeable nature of its rule. He believes he is even superior to God. So, he thinks that since the beginning of time, he has kept everything unchanged. 

This attitude delivers a sharp jolt to the human belief that they are powerful enough to control nature and its forces.

19. What does the line ‘My eye has permitted no change’ suggest?
Ans. The hawk sees itself as the centre of Creation. With everything under its watch, it will not allow anything in nature to change or disrupt its control without its approval.

20. Explain the last line of the poem “I am going to keep things like this…” in your own words.
Ans. The hawk sees itself as the centre of Creation, so it expresses its desire to keep everything exactly as it is and to control the life and death of others. The line shows its arrogance and strong belief in its own power.

21. How does the hawk describe its state of "Inaction"?
Ans: The hawk’s inaction is simply sitting at the top of the wood with closed eyes, free from false dreams. Even in this stillness, it silently rehearses perfect kills, showing that rest itself is part of its predatory nature.

22. What does the hawk rehearse in its sleep?

or

What does the hawk see in its dream?  

or

What kind of thoughts dominate the hawk's mind during sleep?

Ans: In its dream, the hawk silently rehearses perfect kills and eats its prey. Its mind is dominated by thoughts of violence even during sleep. Its dreams are not for pleasure but reflect its violent instinct and show its true predatory nature.

23. "Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat." - Who is the speaker? What does he mean by this line?

Ans: The speaker of the line is Hawk.

In its dream, the hawk silently rehearses perfect kills and eats its prey. Its mind is dominated by thoughts of violence even during sleep. Its dreams are not for pleasure but reflect its violent instinct and show its true predatory nature.

24. What aspects of nature are an advantage to the hawk? / What are the things that aid the flight of the Hawk?
Ans: The tall trees give it a secure perch and a commanding view, the buoyant air makes its flight effortless, the sun’s rays strengthen its presence, and the earth itself lies open beneath its gaze. Altogether, these elements reinforce the sense of natural support for its dominance.

25. How does the hawk perceive the earth from its perch?
Answer: From its high perch, the hawk perceives the earth as lying open beneath its gaze. It sees the land as something placed for its inspection and control, reinforcing the idea that all of Creation exists to serve its dominance like a king.

26. What did it take to produce the hawk's foot and feathers?
Ans: The hawk believes that it took the whole of Creation to make its foot and each of its feathers, highlighting its view of itself as the ultimate purpose of creation. 

27. Why does the hawk believe it can kill wherever it pleases?
Ans: The hawk believes it has the right to kill wherever it pleases because sees the entire world as belonging to it. From its perspective, all of Creation exists under its control, so it feels no need to justify its actions. This reflects its arrogance and absolute sense of power.

28. "For the one path of my flight is direct" - Describe the one path of the hawk's flight.

Ans: The hawk describes its flight path as direct and uncompromising. It does not wander but cuts straight “through the bones of the living,” symbolising its ruthless purpose and absolute certainty.

29. How does the hawk assert its right to act as it does?
Ans: The hawk asserts its right to act as it does by stating that no arguments are needed. It declares that its authority comes from sheer power and instinct rather than reason or morality. With the sun behind it and nature seemingly supporting its dominance, the hawk believes its actions are unquestionable and absolute.

30. Who is the speaker of the poem? What does it represent?

Ans: The speaker of the poem is a hawk, roosting (sitting) on a tree top of a forest.

The hawk represents power, control, and the ruthless aspects of nature. 

31. 'I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.' - What does it mean to say by saying so?

or

'I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.' - Who is the speaker? Why does he sit with his eyes closed?

Ans: The line shows the hawk’s supreme confidence and control. Its high perch is not just a top position of the wood, but it is implying that the hawk rules over everything beneath. It closes its eyes or rests fearlessly and believes that nothing can challenge its position.

32. Why does the speaker in the poem use first person point of view?

Ans:  The use of first‑person narration makes the hawk’s voice sound like a personal declaration. By speaking as “I,” the hawk transforms into a symbol of raw instinct and absolute authority. This perspective places the reader inside the hawk’s mind, his arrogance and belief.

33.  "The convenience of the high trees!" How are they convenient for him?

or

Why does the hawk state that his life is very convenient ?

Ans: The high trees are convenient for the hawk.

The high trees are convenient for him because from that height he takes advantage of the air's buoyancy and the sun's rays.

34. What are the advantages that the hawk mentions he possesses?

Ans: The hawk mentions that he enjoys the advantages of the high trees, the buoyancy of the air, and the sun’s rays. These elements help him to control his surroundings and show his power and dominance over nature.

35. What does the hawk inspect from above? How does the earth help him?

Ans: The hawk inspects the earth from above.

The earth helps him by always facing the sky upward, making it easy for the hawk to see and inspect it and to find his prey. 

36. Where are the hawk's feet locked? What does it indicate?

Ans: The hawk’s feet are locked upon the rough bark of the tree. This indicates its strong grip and unshakable control over its position. It shows the hawk’s determination to hold its authority and keep a watchful eye from top.

37. How does the hawk describe his manners? 

Ans: The hawk describes its manners are tearing off the heads of its pray. He says there is no sophistry in his body. It kills without hesitation and it does not pretend to be gentle. To him, brutal killing is simply his nature.

38. "The allotment of death." - What does it mean? 

Ans: The hawk expresses that it kills the way it pleases because it believes it is the ruler of this world, and everything belongs to it. It kills its prey by tearing off its head which is its nature. The line shows the hawk's absolute authority over life and death.

39. "There is no sophistry in my body" - What does the hawk imply when he says that? 

or

"There is no sophistry in my body"—explain.

or

What does the hawk say about his body? What does he want to indicate?

or

What does the hawk mean by "There is no sophistry in my body"?

Ans: With the line, the hawk wants to imply that it does not use tricks or lies to hide its nature of killing its prey by tearing off its head. The hawk means to indicate it is free to do whatever and however it pleases. It does not hide behind false justification. It does not feel guilt or remorse. The poet points out that the hawk is honest about its brutal nature, unlike humans who hide their cruelty behind lies.

40. What is the hawk's view of the world around it? / What is the attitude of the hawk?

Ans: The hawk views the world as his own possession. It believes it has the freedom to kill wherever it pleases. It believes that the world revolves around its powerful influence. This reflects its sense of absolute control and dominance over the world around it.

SIMILARLY,

Who is the “I” in the poem? How does the Hawk describe itself?

Ans: In the poem, "I" refers to the hawk. 

> The previous answer/

42. "No arguments assert my right:" - Who says this? Why does he say this?

Ans: The hawk of the poem "Hawk Roosting" says this line.

>The hawk says this because it believes in its power and thinks it is its right to kill and that this rule does not need any argument or justification. The hawk feels that its strength proves its right to dominate over others, and therefore it does not need to explain or defend its actions.

43. "Nothing has changed since I began."  - Who says this? What does he mean by "since I began"?

Ans: The hawk claims that nothing has changed since he began.

>By this line, "since I began", the hawk means since he came into existence or was born. He was born to kill and dominate over the world, and everything has remained the same. This line emphasises his endless, unchallenged power and dominance. 

44. "Nothing has changed since I began."  - What  does this statement by the hawk say about his mentality? 

Ans:  The hawk means that since it was born and became the ruler of the world, nothing has changed. This statement reflects its pride, arrogance, and overconfidence in its power. 

45. "My eyes has permitted no change." - What does the hawk mean by this statement?

Ans: The hawk says, "My eye has permitted no change", because it believes it has full control over nature. It thinks that nothing has changed since he begins because it watches everything carefully and does not allow anything to happen differently. 

46. Discuss the significance of the poem's title.

Ans: The title "Hawk Roosting" is significant because it highlights the hawk's dominant position in nature.  The poem opens with the hawk's perspective. The word 'roosting' means resting or sleeping . The hawk perches high, watching and ruling over everything below. The title reflects the hawk's pride, power, and sense of superiority. 

47. “And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.” What is the figure of speech used in this line?
Ans. The figure of speech used in this line is personification. The earth has been personified here as it faces upward like a human being.

48. What are the physical features that made the hawk an expert hunter?
Ans. The hawk has a hooked beak, hooked feet, sharp eyesight and light feathers. These are the physical features that made her an expert hunter.

49. Where are the hawk’s feet locked? What does it mean by this?
Ans. The hawk’s feet are locked upon the rough bark of a tree.
By these, he wants to mean he holds the tree by its strong grip. No force can move him against his will.

50. ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’—What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?

Ans.  Through this line, the poet shows the hawk's confidence in its power, believing it controls creation that exists to support it. It expresses the hawk's dominance over everything like how power breeds arrogance and a belief in invincibility.

51. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting’? / Significance of the title.
Ans.  The hawk was "roosting," or resting at the top of the wood. From there, it believes everything beneath its talons is under its control. The title is ironic because the hawk’s calm rest contrasts with its violent, arrogant nature.

52. The hawk sounds arrogant. - Discuss.
Ans. Sitting on the top of a tree, when the hawk looks down on the world beneath its feet, it believes everything belongs to it and that it can kill as it pleases. The hawk acts as the most powerful, like a god, which shows its arrogance.

53. What does the poem signify with regards to the world around us?
Ans: The poem expresses the global hubris and fascism that exists now. The hawk indicates a person's desire to always be one step ahead of the competition.

54. What is the theme of the poem Hawk Roosting?
Answer: The central theme of the poem "Hawk Roosting"  is the cruel side of nature, dominance, and control. Through the voice of Hawk, the poet expresses the darker instincts of humanity.

55. How does the hawk mock the god his creator?
Answer: The hawk mocks its creator by claiming that the world, its body, and strength were made for its own benefit. Sitting at the top of the tree, it imagines holding creation in its grasp like God, having suppressed everything beneath it.

56. Why does Hughes write from the perspective of an animal in this poem?
Ans. Ted Hughes wrote "Hawk Roosting" from the perspective of a hawk to give readers an insight into the mind of an animal. Through the hawk’s voice, the poet ironically expresses the cruel side of nature and the darker instincts of humanity.

57. How is the Hawk different from a human speaker?
Ans. The hawk is a predator. It lacks emotions and sentimentality, unlike a human. It does not hesitate to kill. The hawk acts on pure instinct and power. A human speaker, on the other hand, is guided by moral responsibility and empathy.

LONG Questions-Answers From "Hawk Roosting" (6 marks)

1. Comment on the physical features of the hawk highlighted in the poem and their significance.
or
How does the poem emphasise the physical prowess of the hawk?
or
Describe the physical features of the hawk that add to its lifestyle.
or
How does the author pens down the physical appearance and power of the Hawk?

Ans: In the poem, the hawk is described as a true predator bird with a hooked head, hooked feet, locked talons, and sharp eyes. Even in sleep, it dreams of killing, because violence is not just an act but its very nature. The hawk is not guided by moral responsibility or empathy. These physical features show its raw savagery and brutal honesty. They give it a sense of control and power over the natural world. The hawk claims that God created these for its benefit, including the tall trees, sunlight, and the earth itself is for its advantage. It claims its flight and merciless killing need no justification. These features signify the hawk as a symbol of pure, instinctive power and ruthless efficiency.

2. Estimate ‘Hawk Roosting’ is a successful dramatic monologue.

Ans: Hawk Roosting is a dramatic monologue because the entire poem is spoken in the hawk’s own voice. The bird addresses us directly, sharing its thoughts and feelings without interruption from any other character. The readers become silent listeners. It speaks of its strength, sharp features, and belief that the world exists for its benefit, which shows its confidence and pride. This is the essence of a dramatic monologue, where the inner mind of one character is exposed. Through this speech, we understand the hawk’s personality in its own words. The poem successfully presents the hawk’s bold and powerful nature through its first‑person narrative, making it a proper dramatic monologue. 

3. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting”?
or
Discuss the significance of the title of the poem.
or
Throw light on the aptness of the title of the poem. / Significance of the title.

Ans: The title "Hawk Roosting" shows the hawk’s pride and sense of power. At the opening of the poem, the hawk is “roosting” or resting on a high perch in the woods. This way it is claiming its top place in nature and looking down like a ruler over its own world. Roosting here is not just about rest, but the hawk shows that its complete control of its surroundings and kills according to his choice. Through the hawk’s dramatic monologue, it speaks about its strength as a fundamental part of its nature. We see its dominance as a predator, and how it believes everything around exists for its benefit. The title truly presents both the hawk’s physical power and its commanding presence in nature. This makes "Hawk Roosting" an apt title.

4. “There is no sophistry in my body’-this statement expresses the brutal frankness of the hawk. Does the poet suggest something through this statement?

Ans: The line “There is no sophistry in my body” shows the hawk’s brutal frankness. ‘Sophistry’ means deception or clever arguments. The hawk is direct about killing its prey by tearing off its head. The hawk says it does not pretend to be gentle. It does not hide behind false justification or moral argument like human. It does not feel guilt or remorse and acts purely on instinct. By saying this, the poet suggests that the hawk's actions are straightforward, guided only by natural power and survival. The hawk is honest about its brutal nature, unlike humans who hide their cruelty behind lies or excuses. The poet Ted Hughes uses this statement to highlight the hawk’s directness as a contrast to human hypocrisy.

5. What does the poem "Hawk Roosting" signify?

Ans: The poem "Hawk Roosting" signifies the themes of power, pride, and dominance. Through the hawk’s voice, Ted Hughes presents a bird that speaks with blunt honesty, claiming complete control over its surroundings. The hawk’s confidence, violence, and lack of remorse reflect the raw instincts of nature. These also serve as a metaphor for human arrogance and cruelty. Just as the hawk believes the world exists for its benefit, humans too are influenced by their arrogance and overconfidence. They forget humility and moral values, which they should uphold unlike the hawk. The poem reminds us that nature holds all the power. The image of the hawk expresses the negative side of nature, which often remains unnoticed. Hawk Roosting serves as a powerful reflection on instinct, supremacy, and the dangers of excessive pride.

6. “It took the whole of Creation / To produce my foot, my each feather / Now I hold Creation in my foot.” – What does the hawk mean by saying that ‘the whole of Creation’ produced it? How does this statement reflect the hawk’s arrogance and sense of superiority?
or
“Now I hold Creation in my foot” explain the centrality of this assertion in the poem. What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?
or
What does the poet means by 'Now I hold the creation in my foot?

Ans: The line shows the hawk's confidence in its power and control. The hawk believes that creation exists to support it. The whole creation has shaped its perfect form to make it a dominating power of this world. The hawk believes it has surpassed creation and now controls it. To the hawk, by gripping the branch with its foot, metaphorically it is now holding Creation under its grip. It can kill as it wishes without pretence or justification because the world belongs to it. This reflects its arrogance and absolute sense of power. The line expresses the hawk's dominance over everything like how power breeds arrogance and a belief in invincibility. Through this statement, Ted Hughes suggests not only the hawk's supremacy in nature but also hints at human arrogance.

7. “No arguments assert my right: The sun is behind me” – How can these lines be interpreted as a metaphor for dictatorship or absolute authority?
or
What does the poet imply by the following lines?
-"The sun is behind me. Nothing has changed since I began, my eye has permitted no change, I am going to keep things like this."

Ans: In these lines, the hawk arrogantly expresses its confidence in its power and dominance. Calling itself the ruler of the world, the hawk declares that the sun is behind it. It means the sun, which is the source of life and light on earth, is supporting the hawk, giving it strength and authority. Moreover, the hawk claims that it will not allow any change in its control over the earth and will keep it as it is. Its sharp eyes will watch over the earth and control it. The hawk will continue to kill like before without moral justification and pretence. Through these lines the hawk expresses its determination to maintain absolute control forever.

8. The hawk has been personified in the poem ‘Hawk Roosting’-How does this literary device impact the reader’s understanding of the poem?
or
Explain the Hubris nature of the hawk in the poem "Hawk Roosting"?
or
Discuss the narcissistic personality of the hawk.

Ans: In the poem, "Hawk Roosting" the poet gives the hawk a human-like voice and thoughts to help readers directly understand its arrogance and ruthless mindset. Personification makes the hawk's character more vivid and striking. The hawk, perched on a high tree branch, thinks itself to be the ruler of the world. It dreams of murdering and eating its prey showing no guilt or pretence in its violence. It thinks that the nature and his perfect features work in its favour. The dramatic monologue or first-person point of view shows the hawk’s narcissistic traits—its pride, dominance, and belief in invincibility. By personifying the hawk, Hughes makes the poem a powerful reflection on both natural instinct and human cruelty.

9. Draw a comparison between the hawk in the poem and the humans.
or
Bring out the parallel suggested between the predatory instincts of the bird and human behaviour.

Ans: In Hawk Roosting, Ted Hughes uses the hawk as a symbol to reflect human behaviour. The hawk’s predatory instincts—its arrogance, violence, and belief in absolute control—mirror the way humans often act toward others and their environment. Just as the hawk claims that creation exists to serve it, humans too frequently see themselves as rulers of the world, driven by pride, ego, and the desire to dominate. The hawk kills without guilt or justification, guided purely by instinct, while humans often hide their cruelty behind excuses or false reasoning. Both the hawk and humans reveal a narcissistic tendency to place themselves at the centre of existence, forgetting humility and moral responsibility. Through this parallel, Hughes suggests that unchecked power breeds arrogance, whether in nature or in human society, and warns against the dangers of believing in invincibility.

THANK YOU ~

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Down to the Rabbit-Hole : Alice in Wonderland Question & Answers : Here

Ozymandias - P. B. Shelley Questions and Answers for all Classes - Short 1/2/3/5 marks Q_A & RTC

OZYMANDIAS

Who wrote Ozymandias : Percy Bysshe Shelley

Short and very short questions-answers (1/2 marks) of Shelley's 'Ozymandias': 

Q. Which king is referred to in the poem ‘Ozymandias of Egypt’? (Ozymandias meaning)

Ans: King Ramesses II.

Q. What type of a poem is ‘Ozymandias’?

Ans: Sonnet.

Q. Who tells the poet about the shattered statue?

Ans: The traveller.

Q. What is the rhyme scheme of ‘Ozymandias’?

Ans: ABABA CDCEDEFEF.

Q. What is ironic about the inscription on the pedestal of Ozymandias’s statue?

Ans: The inscription on the pedestal of Ozymandias statue is ironic because here, Ozymandias proudly claims that his power is unmatched and everlasting. In reality, his kingdom has vanished and his statue lies broken in the desert. This clearly shows that human power and glory do not last.

Q. What is the only thing remaining in the vast desert?

Ans: The trunkless legs, the visage half-sank in the sand and the words on the pedestal are the only things remained in the vast desert.

Q. Who was Ozymandias?

Ans: Ozymandias was a powerful king of Egypt. He was proud and arrogant. He claimed himself to be the king of kings.

Q. What quality of Ozymandias does the narrator represent?

Ans: The narrator represents Ozymandias’s pride and arrogance. Through the description of the statue and its inscription, he shows how Ozymandias believed himself to be all-powerful and superior to others. This quality is later exposed as meaningless because time has destroyed his kingdom.

Q. “The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed”. Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line? 

Ans. In this line the hand and heart of the sculptor, who made the statue of the Ozymandias, has mentioned here. 

[The sculptor’s hands, seemingly an instrument of the statue, have “mocked” the all-powerful chieftain, meaning both to imitate and ridicule. Lines 6 to 8 are grammatically ambiguous, and different meanings are possible, but one interpretation is that the artist’s “heart,” his sense of compassion and morality, still throbs in the otherwise lifeless head. In other words, love and truth ultimately triumph over cruel, autocratic intelligence.]

Q. “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings “. Why does Ozymandias refer to himself as ‘king of kings’? What quality of the king is revealed through this statement?

Ans. Ozymandias calls himself the “king of kings” because he thinks that he is greater and more powerful than all other rulers. This statement shows his extreme pride and arrogance.

Q. “Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair “! Who is Ozymandias referring to when he speaks Mighty? Why should they despair?

Ans. Ozymandias by the word “Mighty,” refers to other powerful kings and rulers. He believes that no one else can be as great or powerful as him so he asks other kings to look at his works and feel despair.

Q. 'Nothing beside remains.' What does the narrator mean when he says these words?

Ans. By saying “Nothing beside remains,” the narrator means that apart from the shattered statue, nothing of Ozymandias’s empire survives. His once‑great power has vanished, leaving only ruins in an empty desert.

OR The narrator means that apart from the ruined statue, everything Ozymandias built has vanished. His empire is gone, leaving only empty desert, showing how time erases human pride and power.

Q. What message is conveyed through this poem?

Ans: This poem conveys the ultimate truth of human lives that nothing lasts forever. Like Ozymandias's once-great power has vanished. However, the poet also conveys the power of art, which can outlive its creators and becomes immortal.

Q. ‘The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed’. Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line?

Ans: The ‘hand’ refers to the sculptor’s hand and the ‘heart’ refers to the King’s heart.

Q. How does the poet describe the expression on Ozymandias’s face?

Ans: The face of ‘Ozymandias’ statue was shattered yet the sculptor of the statue was such a skilful artist that the expressions on his face were still very clear. The frown and hostility on the face of the statue revealed that Ozymandias was an arrogant and boastful king who looked down upon others.

Q. Explain the lines from the poem: 'The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;'

Ans: In the line, "the hand" refers to the sculptor's skill in mocking king’s arrogance by capturing his haughty expression on his face. The "heart that fed" refers to how Ozymandias's pride and arrogance inspired the sculptor to build the statue.

Q. Bring out the irony in the poem. 

Ans. In the poem 'Ozymandias', the irony irony lies where the so called 'great king' wanted everyone to admire his power and achievements forever, but what remains of him today is only a broken statue in the desert. The irony is that his boast about lasting glory now teaches that nothing lasts forever, and time destroys even the strongest rulers and empires. 

Q. What does sand symbolise in the poem “Ozymandias”? 

Ans. In the poem, sand symbolizes both nature’s power and the passage of time. It shows how Ozymandias’ statue and creation were destroyed and buried, reminding us that no matter how great human achievements seem, time and nature eventually erase them.

Q. What does the statue symbolise in the poem “Ozymandias”? 

Ans. The statue of Ozymandias represents the power of human political institutions. It also symbolizes the strength of art, since the sculptor’s skill captured emotions and preserved truth beyond rulers’ intentions, even after decay.

Q. “Tell that its sculptor well those passions read / Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things”- What do you understand by the word “passions” in the above lines? 

Ans. In these lines, “passions” means Ozymandias’s strong feelings, like pride and arrogance. The sculptor noticed these emotions and carved them into the statue skilfully. So, even after the statue was broken, they are visible even today.

Q. What does the poem suggest about Ozymandias’ pride and ambition?/How is Ozymandias’ pride revealed through the statue and inscription?

Ans. Ozymandias’ pride is shown in his boastful inscription and statue. He thought his power eternal, but the ruins prove that pride and empires fade with time.

Q. What is the theme of ‘Ozymandias’?

Ans. The central theme of P. B. Shelley's poem ‘Ozymandias’ is that human power and pride do not last forever. Even the strongest kings and empires eventually fade away. Nature and Time outlast all human achievements. 

OR

Q. What message is conveyed through this poem? 

Ans- The poem teaches us that human pride and power do not last forever. Time and nature eventually destroy all achievements, leaving only ruins as a warning against arrogance.

Q. What is the setting of the poem, ‘Ozymandias’? 

Ans. The setting of the poem Ozymandias is an antique land. The traveller described the place as vast expanses of sand, and this ancient region has no signs of human civilization.

Q. What is the antique land that the poet talks about?

Ans: The “antique land” refers to Egypt, the place from which the traveller came. It is where the ruins of Ozymandias’s statue, once symbolizing his great power, now lie buried in the desert sands.

Q. What did the traveller see?

Ans: The traveller saw the remnants of a colossal statue in the desert. Two vast, trunkless legs of stone stood in the sand, and a shattered face lay half‑sunk nearby, still showing the king’s proud expression. He also saw the pedestal with an inscription boasting the king's greatness, surrounded by a barren landscape that stretched endlessly.

OR

Q. Describe the statue of Ozymandias in the desert. 

Ans. The statue of Ozymandias lies broken in the desert. Two huge legs stand without a body, and the shattered face half-buried in sand still shows the king’s pride and arrogance. The pedestal’s boast contrasts with the empty desert around it, proving how time destroys even the greatest rulers.

Q. What was inscribed on the pedestal of the statue?

Ans: The inscription on the pedestal read:  

"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:  

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Q. How did time deal with the king?  

Ans: Though Ozymandias once believed his power eternal, time reduced his mighty empire and grand statue to ruins. Only broken fragments remain in the desert, showing that pride and achievements cannot withstand the passage of time.

Q. What sort of poem is this?

Ans: This is a sonnet. It follows the rhyme scheme of Petrarchan sonnet.

Q. What do the expressions on Ozymandias’ face reveal about him? 

Ans. The expressions on Ozymandias’ face are of sneer and cold command. It reveal his arrogance, pride, and sense of superiority. The sculptor captured his scornful smile and commanding look, which reflect his belief in his own greatness, which contrasts with the ruined state of his statue and empire.

Q. How can we say that the sculptor was a master artist?

Ans. The sculptor was a master artist because he had copied the king’s facial expressions of sneer and cold command well, onto the statue so perfectly that was even noticed when it turned to wreak.

Q. What is the setting of the poem, ‘Ozymandias’?

Ans. The setting is a vast expanse of desert where one can see the ruined remains of the statue of king Ozymandias.

Ozymandias longer question [3/4 marks Q-A]

Q. How does the poet bring out the difference between the mortal and the immortal?

Ans: The poet contrasts mortal achievements with the immortal forces of time and nature. While Ozymandias's pride and achievements were meant to last forever, they were ultimately destroyed by time. The broken statue serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of human life and the enduring power of time and nature.

Q. What does it mean : “The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.” ?

OR How can we say that the sculptor was a master artist? 

OR “The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.” Whose hand and heart has the poet referred to in this line? 

Ans. “The hand that mocked them” refers to be the sculptor’s hand, delineating the vainglory of his subject in “these lifeless things”; and “the heart that fed” must be Ozymandias’ own, feeding on perhaps its own arrogance. The shattered statue of Ozymandias had as cowl and sneer of icy authority on its visage. The king’s haughtiness was evident in the knit brow and wrinkled mouth. The accuracy with which the sculptor had caught all the subtle facial details of the haughty ruler was indicative of his skill.

Q. Bring out the irony in the poem.

Ans: - The poem Ozymandias is full of irony because the great king wanted everyone to admire his power and achievements forever, but what remains of him today is only a broken statue in the desert. He proudly ordered the words, “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” to be carved on the statue, but instead of showing his greatness, the ruins show how time destroys even the strongest rulers and empires. The irony is that his boast about lasting glory now teaches the opposite lesson: nothing lasts forever, and human pride fades away with time.

Q. What does the poem suggest about Ozymandias’ pride and ambition?

Ans: - Ozymandias’ pride is shown in the boastful words carved on his statue: “Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!” He believed his power and empire would last forever. However, the ruined statue in the empty desert proves the irony of his pride—time and nature have destroyed his achievements, leaving only broken pieces. His arrogance now serves as a lesson that human greatness cannot escape decay.

Ozymandias RTC with Answers:

Answer these questions with reference to the context.

"I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies."

(i) Whom did the poet meet? 

Ans- The poet met a traveller.

(ii) Where was he coming from? 

Ans- The traveller came back from an ancient land.

(iii) What did he see there? 

Ans- The traveller saw the remnants of a colossal statue in the desert. Two vast, trunkless legs of stone stood in the sand, and a shattered face lay half‑sunk nearby, still showing the king’s proud expression. He also saw the pedestal with an inscription.

(iv) Find a word from the given extract that means the same as “the manifestation, image, or aspect of something.” 

Ans- Visage

"Whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read" 

(i) Whose face lies on the sand? 

Ans- King Ozymandias’s face lies on the sand. 

(ii) What sort of expression did the face have? 

Ans- The face had a harsh and proud expression — a frown, a wrinkled lip, and a sneer of cold command. These show Ozymandias’s arrogance and haughty nature.

(iii) Who understood the emotions well? 

Ans- The sculptor understood well the emotions or passions of Ozymandias.

(iv) Find words in the given extract which convey that King Ozymandias was arrogant, conceited, and egoist. 

Ans- "Sneer of cold command". 

"Which yet survive stamped on these lifeless things. The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;"

(i) Find a word in the given extract which means the same as "impress a pattern or mark” 

Ans- Stamped

(ii) Whose hands mocked them? 

Ans- These were the hands of the expert sculptor who had so perfectly carved and brought out the contempt and brutality of a haughty ruler.

(iii) Whose expressions are carved on these lifeless things? 

Ans- King Ozymandias’s expressions are carved on these lifeless things.

(iv) What message is conveyed through these lines? 

Ans- The sculptor’s skill preserved Ozymandias’s pride and feelings upon the ruined statue, showing the truth of his character even though, ironically, his empire and power were reduced to ruin with time.

"And on the pedestal these words appear; “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” 

(i) Explain: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair? 

Ans- Ozymandias believed his empire and achievements were so great that even powerful rulers would feel small and hopeless in comparison. The inscription shows his haughty confidence and desire to be remembered as the supreme ruler, the “king of kings.”

(ii) What do the words written on the pedestal reflect about Ozymandias? 

Ans- The words reflect Ozymandias’s arrogance and boastful pride. He believed his empire was so vast that even powerful rulers would feel hopeless in comparison. Ironically, time has destroyed his empire, leaving only ruins. His proud words now stand as a reminder that human power and glory are temporary.

(iii) Find a word in the given extract which means the same as "the base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted.“ 

Ans- Pedestal.

"Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away." 

(i) Why does he say ‘nothing beside remains’? 

Ans- The narrator means that apart from the broken statue, there is no trace of Ozymandias’s empire or achievements. All his grand monuments and power have vanished, leaving only ruins surrounded by endless empty desert. This highlights the futility of human pride and the supremacy of time, which reduces even the mightiest rulers to nothing.

(ii) Find a word in the given extract which means the same as “extremely large or great.” 

Ans- Colossal

(iii) Explain the last line. 

Ans- The line shows that Ozymandias’s once‑great empire has completely disappeared, leaving only endless desert. The image of the “lone and level sands” conveys the power of time and nature, which erase all human pride and achievements, reducing them to nothing.

(iv) What is the poetic device used in the second line? 

Ans- Alliteration.

"Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,"

(i) What does the poet refer to here?

Ans: The poet refers to the broken remnants of the statue of Ozymandias, including the "shattered visage" and "trunkless legs," which are lifeless but still hold traces of the king's once-powerful and haughty personality.

(ii) What is it that survives? 

Ans: What survives is the artistic skill of the sculptor who captured the king’s arrogance and passion in the expression of the statue, that still visible on the ruins, as well as the inscription on the pedestal.

(iii) What is the significance of 'yet' in this line?

The word "yet" emphasizes that while the king's empire has vanished, the sculptor’s artistry and the king’s arrogance are still evident in the ruins of the statue.

(iv) What are the lifeless things?  

The "lifeless things" are the broken and inanimate pieces of the statue, such as the shattered face and trunkless legs.

"Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies,"

(i) Explain them in the lines stated above.

Ans: The word "them" refers to the two vast and trunkless legs of stone standing in the desert. Near these legs lies the vast and shattered face of the statue on the sand.

(ii) Whose 'shattered visage' is being talked about in the given lines?
Ans: The "shattered visage" refers to the broken face of the statue of Ozymandias, the king whose statue was built to glorify him but now lies in ruins.

"Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

(i) In the aforementioned line, who is addressing whom?

Ans- Ozymandias, is addressing other powerful rulers by the word “Mighty,” and boasting about his greatness in the inscription on the pedestal of his statue.

(ii) What is the meaning of the expression 'Mighty, and despair'?

Ans- Ozymandias believes that no one else can be as great or powerful. The expression means that other mighty rulers should look at Ozymandias’s achievements and empire and feel inferior or despair at their inability to surpass his greatness.

(iii) Why does the poet refer to it as the 'colossal Wreck'?

Ans- The poet calls broken parts of the statue a “colossal Wreck” because it was once a huge and magnificent monument, but now lies broken and ruined in the desert. The shattered remains of the statue symbolize the fall of Ozymandias’s pride and the destruction of his empire by time.

(iv) What moral does the poet wish to convey through this poem?

  

Ans- The poet conveys through this poem that human power, pride, and glory are temporary. No matter how mighty a ruler may be, time eventually destroys all empires and achievements. Only art and nature remains, showing that human pride is futile and time is the strongest.

Preposition - Easy Lesson for those who hate it | English Grammar | Preposition in Bengali

PREPOSITION LESSON - EASY TO UNDERSTAND & REMEMBER

Preposition Basic Level Lesson

REMEMBER THESE BENGALI TERMS

on/upon →উপরে

above→ অনেক উপরে

under/down/below / beneath→নীচে

near→ কাছে

across - আড় আড়ি ভাবে / অপর ধারে

over→ উপর দিয়ে

against বিরুদ্ধে

in front of - সামনে

in/inside মধ্যে

out → বাইরে

into ভিতরের দিকে

to - দিকে/তে

toward / towards দিকে (direction)

between - দুজনের মধ্যে 

among - অনেকের মধ্যে

onto→ উপর থেকে এসে কিছুর উপরে পড়া

before→ আগে / সামনে

along বরাবর / মিশে যাওয়া

by - পাশে / দ্বারা

beside → পাশে

beyond - ছাড়িয়ে/ পেরিয়ে

by -> যানবাহনের মাধ্যমে

within- সময়ের মধ্যে

upto→ উপর নির্ভর বোঝাতে

about→ সম্বন্ধে

during সময়কাল

down - নিম্নগতি

through - মধ্য দিয়ে/ মারফত

under, beneath (position). - নিচে 

behind→পেছনে

on- নির্ভরশীলতা বোঝাতে-We live on rice.

from -থেকে

for→জন্য

at দাম বোঝাতে> Rice 30rs at kilo.

Of- এর 

to -দিকে, প্রতি (গন্তব্যস্থল) destination).

off - দূরে 

with→ সাথে, দিয়ে

away → দূরে 

around - চারিদিকে, আশেপাশে 

এটা বই পরে নয়, এমনিই আমরা জানি যে Preposition দুই ধরণের (i) One word,  (ii) Complex 

PREPOSITION FORMs:

1) One word Preposition : before, into, on, at, after

2) Complex Preposition : according to, in spite of, on account of

PREPOSITION USES TYPES: 

Place : The Book is on the table. The cat is under the table.

Time : I will be back on Sunday.

Movement : The bus is going towards the station. 

Manner : I came here by train.

Means : The man was  trying to cut the fruit with a blunt thread.

Accompaniment : What can he do without a job?

Possession : This belongs to a friend of mine.

Purpose : He has done everything for charity. 

**মনে রাখা ভালো :  Pronoun after preposition should be in OBJECT Form (me, her, them) not subjective form (I, she, they)

Ex: That's between him and her.

This is from my brother and me.

Preposition after object / at the end of the sentence. ( object-এর পরে বা sentence-এর শেষে Preposition কখন বসে ?)

1. Who, Where, What question : Where are you from?

2. Relative Clause : This is the plan (that) they are working on.

3. Infinitive : Do you have someone to go with?

4. Passive: She hates being stared at.

"to" preposition হিসেবেও বসতে পারে  infinitive হিসেবেও বসে - তাহলে কখন কোনটা হবে ? Check this: 

'to' preposition vs 'to' infinitive

I look forward to lunch. 

I look forward to seeing you. (seeing is gerund)

(used as preposition) 

They love to sing. (used as infinitive)

Preposition vs adverb 

* Preposition:

The cat is under the table. → “under” links the cat to the table.
We arrived at noon. → “at” shows time.

* Adverb:

The cat sat outside. → “outside” tells us where, no noun follows.
She sings beautifully. → “beautifully” describes how she sings.

The trick: if the word is followed by a noun/pronoun, it’s a preposition; if not, it’s usually an adverb. [ যদি শব্দটির পরে কোনো noun/pronoun থাকে, তবে সেটি preposition; আর না থাকলে সাধারণত সেটি adverb।]

Example: 

He went inside the house → “inside” is a preposition (followed by noun). [Prepositions অর্থ সম্পূর্ণ করতে একটি object (noun/pronoun) প্রয়োজন।]

He stayed inside → “inside” is an adverb (no noun after it). 
[Adverbs একাই বসে, কোনো কাজ (verb) বা বৈশিষ্ট্য (qualities) - কে modify করে।]

POSITION অনুযায়ী Prepositions

On - স্পর্শ করে তল ছুঁয়ে থাকা - The cat sat on a mat.

Above- সোজাম্বুজি অনেক উপরে বোঝালে-The fan is above our head.

Over- খানিকটা উপরে সাধারণত গতিশীল - The aeroplane is flying over Kolkata

into - বাইরে থেকে ভিতরের দিকে - The fox ran into the jungle.

Out of - ভিতর থেকে বাইরের দিকে - The mouse came out of its hole

between - দুই-এর মধ্যে - She sits between her two friends

Among - অনেকের মধ্যে বোঝালে - The nun distributed clothes among the poor

across- আড়াআড়িভাবে অতিক্রম করা - The boy ran across the field

along- সমান্তরালে অতিক্রম করা - He walked along the bridge.

Below - অনেক নীচে- A river is flowing below the hill

under - ঠিক নিচে বোঝালে - The boy is sitting under the tree.

in front of - সামনে- he stood in front of me

behind - পিছনে - The garden was behind the house.

beside-পাশে-The house was beside the tree.

inside-বেস্টিত জায়গার ভেতর - Put the money inside the purse.

TIME অনুযায়ী Prepositions: 

in - মাস, সাল/ বছর, ঋতু, দশক, শতাব্দীর আগে - 

in January

in 1947

in Winter

in 21st century.

in a few decades

[Answered] "The Face on the Wall" by E.V. Lucas - Short Questions and Reference to the Context - ICSE Class 8

 Questions-Answers based on "The Face on the Wall" :

The Face on the Wall Q-A for class 8 :

Q. Where and when were the narrator and his friends talking?   

or,

What was the topic of discussion at Dabney’s? 

 Ans. The topic of discussion was events that could not be explained naturally, which were more supernatural in nature. 

Q. What did Dabney do to include the short man into their conversation?   

 Ans.  Dabney asked the little man if he had any unusual experiences to share, drawing him into the discussion.

Q. What did the people at Dabney’s ask the little man to do? What was his reply? 

 Ans. The little man was asked whether he had any story or event to share.

He replied that he had a true story which was of the supernatural in nature that had occurred to him very recently, but nothing like most of the stories that had been shared earlier.

Q. What kind of story did the little man claim he would tell?

 Ans: The little man claimed he would tell a true incident from his own life which had strangely completed itself only that afternoon.

Q. What was the setting and time period of the short man's story?   

 Ans:  The short man's story took place a year or two earlier, in his room in an old house on Great Ormond Street.

Q. Describe the condition of the room in Great Ormond Street.

 Ans: The room in Great Ormond Street was damp, and the bedroom walls had been painted by the previous tenant. It had great patches on them.

Q. Why did the face on the wall attract the narrator’s attention?

 Ans: The face attracted his attention because it looked exactly like a human face and, unlike other patches, never changed its shape.

Q. How did the narrator’s illness affect his thoughts about the face?

 Ans: While suffering from influenza, he had nothing to do but read or think, and the face gradually filled his thoughts day and night.

Q. How did he spend his time when he was ill with influenza?   

 Ans: While ill with influenza, the little man spent time observing and thinking about the face on his wall, which became an obsession for him.

Q. What made the narrator believe that the face belonged to a real man?

 Ans: The face appeared too real and individual to be imaginary, and he became convinced that the real man must exist somewhere.

Q. What was the man's explanation as to why the face had to exist?   

 Ans: The man believed that the face existed because of a mysterious, fated connection to a real person, Mr. Ormond Wall, whose life events seemed linked to the face.

Q. How did the man try looking for the face? Was he successful?   

 Ans: The little man searched relentlessly, watching crowds and attending public gatherings, driven by a compulsion to find the real person. 

Finally, he did find a man who resembled the face, Mr. Ormond Wall, but only briefly before the man's tragic accident.

Q. How did the search for the man affect the narrator’s life?

Ans: The search became an obsession for the little man; he neglected everything else and spent his time watching crowds in public places.

Q. Where did the narrator finally see the man he was searching for?

Ans: The narrator finally saw the man travelling in a taxi along Piccadilly.

 Q. What did he find on the wall of his room? 

 Ans. The man found the likeness of a face of a man on the wall of his room. The face seemed to be so realistic that it was almost like having a roommate.

 Q. Why and where all did the narrator look for the man? 

 Ans. When the narrator fell ill with influenza, the face began to get a firmer hold of him. It grew more and more remarkable. It seemed like the face of an uncommon man, one in a thousand. The narrator began to search for this man, convinced that the real man and he were in some way linked by fate. He often went to places where people gathered in large numbers- political meetings, football matches and railway stations. He stood at busy corners watching the crowd until people thought he was mad and the police began to be suspicious. The narrator finally saw this man in a taxi, driving east along Piccadilly. 

 Q. What did the narrator ask the man? What happened after the narrator read the card? 

 Ans. The narrator asked the man to give him his card because he wanted to know about him and find out how his face resembled the patch on the wall. 

On reading the name on the card, the narrator fainted and remembered waking up in a hospital, where he stayed in broken condition for weeks. 

Q. What happened to the narrator after he read the visiting card?

Ans: After the narrator had read the visiting card, he could not remember anything and later found himself in a hospital at Boulogne, where he remained for several weeks in broken condition.

 Q. What happened to the face on the wall ultimately? 

 Ans. The face on the wall started fading slowly and then it disappeared indefinitely after the death of the man who shared the same face whom the narrator had met. 

Q. What news did the narrator read in the newspaper?

Ans: In the newspaper the narrator read about an American millionaire, Mr. Ormond Wall, and his party while motoring in Italy, were hit by a wagon and the car overturned. Mr. Wall’s condition was critical.

Q. How did the listeners react to the narrator’s story?

Ans: The listeners found the story most remarkable and extraordinary and were deeply impressed by it.

 Q. There were three things that were extraordinary about the story. What were they? 

 Ans. The three extraordinary things were: 

 • It was possible for a patch on a wall in London to bear the likeness and shape of the face of a man in America and be so closely associated with his life.  

• It was extraordinary that the real name of the man would bear such a strong influence over the place where the likeness existed. 

 • The third extraordinary thing was that the little man had made up the entire story and none of it was true.

"The Face on the Wall" by E.V. Lucas Reference to the Context:

1. "We begged him to begin."

a. Who is 'him'? Where are 'we'?   

Ans:  "Him" refers to the little man who was a stranger to the group with anxious face.

They are at Dabney’s place, where people are sharing stories of strange events.

b. How was the room where he was living? What was one usual thing about this room?   

Ans:   His room was in an old, damp house in Great Ormond Street, with walls showing damp patches. One patch looked exactly like a human face.

c. How was it unusual?   

Ans:   The face-like patch remained constant in shape, where the other damp patches typically changed over time.

d. How did he spend his time when he was ill with influenza?   

Ans:   When he was ill with influenza and had nothing to do but keep looking at the face on the wall laying on the bed. It was at that moment that the face took a very strong hold over him. 

e. What was remarkable and curious about this unusual thing?   

Ans:   The face on the wall had distinctive features, giving the impression of an uncommon, unique man’s face.

2. "The search became a madness with me."

a. How did the search become 'a madness' for the narrator?   

Ans:  The narrator was obsessed with finding the man in real life. He was convinced that the real man must exist and that he must meet him. So, he spent hours watching crowds, going to public gatherings, and neglecting everything else. In this way, the search became a madness to him.

or

The narrator became obsessed with finding the man in real life. He spent hours watching crowds and went to public places and neglected everything else, and gradually the search turned into a madness.

b. Where did the narrator see him at last?   

Ans:   He saw the man in a taxi driving east along Piccadilly.

c. How did the narrator catch up with the man and where?   

Ans:   He took a taxi and followed the man to Charing Cross station. As he could not approach him there, he bought a ticket to Folkstone hoping to catch him before he boarded the ship. However, he failed, and so the little man boarded the ship himself by buying a ticket to Boulogne.

d. Where was the man going?   

 Ans:  The man was heading to France with his family.

e. What did the narrator do in haste so as to not lose the man from Charing Cross?   

 Ans: The narrator quickly bought a ticket to Folkestone, hoping to approach the man before he boarded the boat.

3. 'Excuse me, I stammered, but do you mind giving me your card? I have a very important reason for asking it!'

a. Who is being addressed here in the aforementioned lines?   

Ans:   The narrator is addressing the man whose face resembles to the face on the wall.

b. What was the very important reason for asking it?   

Ans:   The narrator wanted to confirm if the man’s identity had any connection to the face.

c. What was written on the card?   

Ans:   The card read: "Mr. Ormond Wall," with an address in Pittsburgh, U.S.A.

4. 'I went back to my room and sat on the bed looking with unseeing eyes at the face on the wall. And even as I looked, suddenly...'

a. What were the changes visible on the face on the wall, with time?   

 Ans:  The face on the wall grew fainter and eventually disappeared entirely.

b. What did the headlines of the early editions of the paper read?

Ans:  The headline of the early edition of the newspaper read : ‘American Millionaire’s Motor Accident.’

c. What did the man notice when he went back to his room?   

Ans:   The man noticed that the face on the wall had become very faint.

d. What did he find out later?   

Ans:   He learned that Mr. Ormond Wall had died of his injuries and guessed that it was around the same time the face disappeared.

e. What were the reactions of the listeners when the story was complete?   

 Ans:  The listeners found the story remarkable and extraordinary, but the narrator then surprised them by revealing he had made it up.

5. Truth, I always believe, is not only stranger than fiction, but also more interesting. 

 a. Who said this and to whom? 

Ans. The strange little man at said this to the people at Dabney’s who were discussing events that cannot be explained by natural causes. 

b. When did the speaker say this? 

Ans. The speaker said this when Dabney asked him to join the conversation by asking if he had any story or event to narrate which cannot be explained by natural causes. 

c. What was he talking about? 

Ans. He was talking about an event that happened in his life and seemed so strange despite being a true occurrence that it seemed even stranger than fiction. The event ended yesterday afternoon.

6. It was then that the face began to get a firmer hold of me. It grew more and more real and remarkable. 

a. What is referred to as ‘the face’ here? 

Ans. The ‘face’ refers to the patch on the wall that closely resembled a real face.

b. When did the face begin to get a firmer hold of the speaker? 

Ans. When the speaker was ill in bed with influenza and had nothing to do but keep looking at the face on the wall, it was at that moment that the face took a very strong hold over him. 

c. Why did the speaker call the face ‘remarkable’? 

Ans. The speaker called the face remarkable as it seemed to look so real and uncommon like the face that one might see as one in a thousand. There was a curious curve of the nose and the forehead was remarkable, that of an uncommon man. 

d. How did this affect the speaker’s thoughts?

Ans: The face filled his thoughts day and night. Naturally he became obsessed with it and somehow convinced that the real man must exist and that he must meet him.

7. “One of these – as indeed often happens – exactly like a face.”

a) What does the word “these” refer to?

Ans: “These” refers to the great damp patches on the bedroom wall of the little man’s room in Great Ormond Street.

b) Where was this face seen?

Ans: The face was seen on the wall of the speaker’s bedroom in Great Ormond Street.

c) Why did this particular patch attract the speaker’s attention?

Ans: It attracted attention because it looked exactly like a human face.
d) What was strange about this patch compared to the others?

Ans: Unlike the other patches, this one never changed its shape with time.

8.“There was no mistaking the face, every line was the same.”

a) When does the speaker say this?

Ans: The speaker says this when on the ship, he meets the man whose face resembles to one of the patches in his house wall.

b) Whom is he referring to?

Ans: He is referring to Mr. Ormond Wall.

c) What did he do then?

Ans: The speaker gathered his courage and approached the man and asked for his identity card.

9. “My eyes grew dim; my head reeled.”

a) What caused this reaction?

Ans: The shock of reading the name on the visiting card of the person whose face resembles to the patch on the wall, caused this reaction. 

b) What did the speaker read at that moment? / What was written on the visiting card?

Ans: The name Mr. Ormond Wall with an address in Pittsburgh, U.S.A.

c) Where did he find himself afterwards?

Ans: He later found himself in a hospital at Boulogne.

10. “Last night it had been clear as ever – almost I could hear it speak.”

a) What is being referred to here?

Ans: It refers to the face on the wall.

b) What change does the speaker notice in the morning?

Ans: In the morning, the speaker notices that the had become faint and ghost-like.

c) How does this affect his mood?

Ans: He feels confused and sad.

d) What discovery he made after that?

Ans: After the speaker notices that the had become faint and ghost-like, the man discovered through the newspaper that Mr. Ormond Wall, an American millionaire, had met with a serious motor accident and his condition was critical.

The Face on the Wall MCQ with Answers : FIND HERE

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