Class 6 New Pathways Question Answers - The Ant Explorer

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is alliteration?
Ans: Alliteration is when words in a sentence or phrase start with the same sound, like "sugar ant."

Q2: Why did the little ant want to go on an adventure?
Ans: The ant wanted to explore the world outside its home after having breakfast and getting its mother's permission.

Q3: Where did the ant travel during its adventure?
Ans: The ant went up and down a fern frond, around a stone, through a gully, across a mountain, and into a dense forest of grass.

Q4: Why did the ant wish to be back home during its journey?
Ans: The ant felt tired, and its little legs were wobbly. It wished to be back home in its comfortable bed.

Q5: What was the outcome of the ant's adventure?
Ans: The ant, tired and weary, retraced its steps and returned home after exploring the outside world.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain what alliteration is and provide three examples from the poem. 
Ans: Alliteration is a literary device where words in a sentence or phrase start with the same sound. In the poem, we can find three examples of alliteration. First, the phrase "sugar ant" uses the same "s" sound at the beginning of both words. Second, the words "fearful forest" use the "f" sound repeatedly. Lastly, the term "dreadful desert" starts with the "d" sound in both words. Alliteration adds rhythm and melody to the poem, making it more engaging for the reader.

Q2: Describe the ant's journey during its adventure. 
Ans: The ant's adventure takes it through various landscapes. It starts by traveling up and down a fern frond, then going round and round a stone. Afterward, the ant navigates through a gloomy gully, which it doesn't enjoy because it feels lonely there. It then scales a mountain that, while only seven inches high, presents a significant challenge for the tiny ant. The ant continues its journey through a dense forest of grass that nearly hides the sky. It crosses a bracken bridge covered in moss, and finally, it reaches a vast and arid desert with no clear path to follow. This journey highlights the ant's determination and curiosity.

Q3: What emotions does the poem convey through the little explorer ant's journey? 
Ans: The poem conveys a range of emotions through the little explorer ant's journey. At the start, it showcases the ant's curiosity and determination to explore the unknown. As the ant faces challenges and becomes tired, it evokes feelings of weariness and longing for home. The return journey adds a sense of relief and comfort. Overall, the poem takes the reader through the ant's emotional journey, from excitement to weariness and finally, satisfaction.

Q4: How does the poet express that the ant was tiny and obedient in the poem? 
Ans: The poet subtly conveys that the ant was tiny by referring to it as a "little sugar ant." This description emphasizes its small size compared to the vast world it is exploring. To show the ant's obedience, the poet mentions that it had "his ma's consent." This indicates that the ant followed its mother's permission, highlighting its obedient nature in seeking approval before going on an adventure.

Q5: Explain the importance of repetition in the poem. Provide two examples and their significance. 
Ans: Repetition is a literary device that serves to emphasize and underscore certain aspects of the poem. In this poem, the repetition of the phrase "far away, far away, far away from home" emphasizes the ant's strong desire to venture beyond its familiar surroundings. The repetition underscores the ant's determination to explore and adds a sense of longing for the unknown. Additionally, the repetition of "Up and down a fern frond, round and round a stone" creates a rhythm that represents the continuous and adventurous nature of the ant's journey. This repetition helps the reader visualize the ant's journey, from climbing a fern frond to circling a stone, as a repetitive yet determined endeavor.