Test: Poem - The School Boy - Class 8 MCQ

The poem 'The School Boy' is part of William Blake's collection 'Songs of Innocence and Experience', published in 1794. This collection explores themes of childhood and education, making William Blake the correct poet for this work.

The correct answer is D, 'He is blowing his horn.' This can be inferred from the context where a huntsman might use a horn for:

• Signalling
• Communication during hunting activities

A skylark is a type of bird known for its melodious singing. It is often found in:

• Open landscapes
• Fields

The skylark is characterised by:

• Brown plumage
• Notable flight patterns

During its flight, the skylark:

• Ascends to great heights
• Sings beautifully

The question lacks sufficient context to determine the correct answer from the given options. Therefore, 'None of the above' is the most appropriate choice.

The question asks for the meaning of the word 'distant'. Let us analyse each option:

• Option A (very close): This is incorrect because 'distant' refers to something being far away, not close.
• Option B (far off): This is correct as 'distant' means being at a great distance in space or time.
• Option C (pleasant): This is unrelated to the meaning of 'distant'.
• Option D (great): While 'great' can mean large, it does not specifically convey the concept of distance.

Thus, the correct answer is B, as 'distant' means far off.

The lines describe an inability to sit in a place of learning due to a dreary, rainy environment. Option A correctly paraphrases this by mentioning a roofless classroom and rain, aligning with the poem's imagery.

The correct answer is A because the boy is unwilling to go to school as he wants to enjoy the summer mornings. This indicates a desire to continue his vacation rather than return to school.

This reasoning aligns with common experiences where students:

• Dread the end of summer break
• Prefer leisure time over academic responsibilities

In the given context, it is mentioned that the headmaster's eyes are described as being cruel in a poem about school life. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

The correct answer is option C because he describes his teacher as a:

• cruel
• weary
• old person

‘A cruel eye outworn’ refers to the dull/uninspiring life at school with lots of work and no play.