Extract Based Questions: A Roadside Stand | English Class 12 PDF Download

Read the given extract and answer the questions:
Extract:
The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.
(A Roadside Stand)

Question (i) What is the rhyme scheme of the extract?
(A) ABABCC
(B) ABBAAB
(C) AABBCC
(D) ABCABC
Ans: Answer written by student: (A) ABABCC
Step-by-step explanation:

• To find the rhyme scheme of a poem, we need to look at the last words of each line and assign them letters based on their sounds. For example, if two lines end with words that rhyme, we give them the same letter. If a line ends with a word that does not rhyme with any other word, we give it a different letter.
• In this extract, the last words of the first two lines are "shed" and "sped," which rhyme with each other. So we give them the letter A. The last words of the third and fourth lines are "pled" and "bread," which also rhyme with each other. So we give them the letter B. The last words of the fifth and sixth lines are "supports" and "faint," which do not rhyme with any other word. So we give them different letters, C and D.
• Therefore, the rhyme scheme of the extract is ABABCC.

Question (ii) What does the use of the word "pathetically" suggest about the roadside stand?
(A) It is very poor and desperate
(B) It is very angry and frustrated
(C) It is very happy and cheerful
(D) It is very proud and arrogant
Ans: Answer written by student: (A) It is very poor and desperate
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand the meaning and tone of the word "pathetically." "Pathetically" means in a way that arouses pity or sadness. It has a negative connotation and implies that something is weak, helpless, or ineffective.
• In this extract, the poet uses the word "pathetically" to describe how the roadside stand pleads for customers. This suggests that the stand is very poor and desperate, and that it does not get much attention or business from the passing traffic. The poet sympathizes with the plight of the stand and its owners, who are struggling to make a living in a modernized world.

Question (iii) Select the option that is NOT true about the lack of punctuation at the end of line 1 in the extract.
(A) It creates a sense of continuity
(B) It creates a sense of urgency
(C) It creates a sense of confusion
(D) It creates a sense of contrast
Ans: Answer written by student: (C) It creates a sense of confusion
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to analyze how punctuation affects the meaning and rhythm of a poem. Punctuation marks such as commas, periods, semicolons, etc., help to organize and clarify the ideas and emotions in a poem. They also indicate pauses and breaks in the flow of speech.
• In this extract, the poet does not use any punctuation at the end of line 1, which reads "The little old house was out with a little new shed." This creates a sense of continuity, as it connects this line with the next one without any interruption or separation. It also creates a sense of urgency, as it reflects how fast the traffic speeds by without noticing or stopping at the stand. It also creates a sense of contrast, as it juxtaposes the old house with the new shed, and the rural setting with the urban one.
• However, it does not create a sense of confusion, as it does not make the meaning or structure of the poem unclear.

Question (iv) What is the meaning of the phrase "the flower of cities" in line 5 of the extract?

(A) The beauty and prosperity of urban life
(B) The pollution and decay of urban life
(C) The diversity and culture of urban life
(D) The fragility and vulnerability of urban life
Ans: Answer written by student: (A) The beauty and prosperity of urban life
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the figure of speech and the connotation of the phrase "the flower of cities." A figure of speech is a word or phrase that is used in a non-literal or imaginative way to create a special effect or meaning. A connotation is the implied or suggested meaning or emotion associated with a word or phrase.
• In this extract, the poet uses the phrase "the flower of cities" as a metaphor to compare the cities to flowers. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things without using "like" or "as." A flower is a symbol of beauty, growth, and vitality. It also has a positive connotation and evokes a pleasant feeling or impression. Therefore, by using this phrase, the poet implies that the cities are beautiful and prosperous, and that they attract and benefit from the money that flows from the countryside.

Question (v) Which line in the extract shows that the roadside stand owners are not asking for charity but for fair trade?
(A) Line 1: The little old house was out with a little new shed
(B) Line 2: In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped
(C) Line 3: A roadside stand that too pathetically pled
(D) Line 4: It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread
Ans: Answer written by student: (D) Line 4: It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to understand the difference between charity and fair trade. Charity is the act of giving money or goods to help someone who is poor or in need. Fair trade is the practice of buying and selling goods at a fair price that respects the rights and dignity of the producers and workers.
• In this extract, the poet shows that the roadside stand owners are not asking for charity but for fair trade in line 4, which reads "It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread." A dole of bread is an expression that means a small amount of money or food given as charity. The poet says that it would not be fair to say that the stand owners are begging for a dole of bread, because they are offering their products for sale in exchange for some money. They are not looking for pity or handouts, but for recognition and respect.

Question (vi) What is the tone of the speaker in the extract?
(A) Sympathetic and critical
(B) Humorous and sarcastic
(C) Angry and bitter
(D) Indifferent and bored
Ans: Answer written by student: (A) Sympathetic and criticalStep-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the tone of the speaker in the extract. Tone is the attitude or emotion that a speaker or writer conveys through their words and style. Tone can be determined by looking at the choice of words, punctuation, imagery, figurative language, etc.
• In this extract, the speaker uses words and phrases that show sympathy and criticism towards the roadside stand owners and their situation. Sympathy is the feeling of understanding and caring for someone who is suffering or in trouble. Criticism is the expression of disapproval or disagreement with something or someone. For example, the speaker uses words such as "pathetically," "plead," "not fair," "marred," etc., to show sympathy for the stand owners who are poor and desperate. The speaker also uses words such as "cash," "flow," "flower," "polished," etc., to show criticism for the city people who are rich and indifferent.

Read the given extract and answer the questions
Extract:
Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
(A Roadside Stand)

Question (i) What is the mood of the extract?
(A) Joyful and optimistic
(B) Gloomy and hopeless
(C) Curious and adventurous
(D) Calm and peaceful
Ans: Answer written by student: (B) Gloomy and hopeless
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the mood of the extract. Mood is the feeling or atmosphere that a writer or speaker creates for the reader or listener. Mood can be determined by looking at the choice of words, punctuation, imagery, figurative language, etc.
• In this extract, the poet creates a mood of gloom and hopelessness by using words and phrases that express sadness, despair, and frustration. For example, the poet uses words such as "hardly bear," "childish longing in vain," "sadness that lurks," "almost open prayer," "selfish cars," etc., to create a mood of gloom and hopelessness. These words and phrases show how the roadside stand owners are unhappy and disappointed with their situation, and how they have little or no hope of changing it.

Question (ii) What is the imagery used in line 4 of the extract?
(A) Visual imagery
(B) Auditory imagery
(C) Olfactory imagery
(D) Tactile imagery
Ans: Answer written by student: (A) Visual imagery
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the imagery used in line 4 of the extract. Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Imagery can be used to create vivid pictures in the reader's or listener's mind, and to evoke emotions and sensations.
• In this extract, the poet uses visual imagery in line 4, which reads "That waits all day in almost open prayer." Visual imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the sense of sight. Here, the poet uses visual imagery to create a picture of how the roadside stand owners wait near the open window with their hands clasped together in a gesture of prayer. This visual imagery shows how desperate and hopeful they are for a customer to stop by and buy their products.

Question (iii) What is the alliteration used in line 5 of the extract?
(A) The repetition of the sound of b
(B) The repetition of the sound of s
(C) The repetition of the sound of w
(D) The repetition of the sound of p
Ans: Answer written by student: (B) The repetition of the sound of s
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the alliteration used in line 5 of the extract. Alliteration is a figure of speech that involves the repetition of the same or similar sounds at the beginning of words that are close together. Alliteration can be used to create rhythm, emphasis, or mood in a poem.
• In this extract, the poet uses alliteration in line 5, which reads "For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car." Here, the poet repeats the sound of s at the beginning of several words: "squeal," "sound," "stopping." This alliteration creates a hissing or screeching sound that mimics the noise of a car braking. This alliteration also creates a sense of anticipation and excitement for the roadside stand owners who hope that a car will stop at their stand.

Question (iv)What is the paradox used in line 6 of the extract?
(A) The contrast between childish and vain
(B) The contrast between open and prayer
(C) The contrast between selfish and cars
(D) The contrast between thousand and pass
Ans: Answer written by student: (C) The contrast between selfish and cars
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the paradox used in line 6 of the extract. A paradox is a figure of speech that involves a statement or situation that seems contradictory or absurd, but actually reveals a deeper truth or meaning. A paradox can be used to challenge or provoke the reader or listener to think differently or critically about something.
• In this extract, the poet uses a paradox in line 6, which reads "Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass." Here, the poet contrasts two words that seem incompatible: "selfish" and "cars." "Selfish" is an adjective that describes a person who cares only about themselves and not about others. Cars are inanimate objects that cannot have feelings or motives. However, by using this paradox, the poet implies that the cars represent the city people who drive them, and that they are selfish because they ignore or disregard the roadside stand owners and their needs. This paradox also shows how the poet personifies the cars as "greedy good-doers" or "beneficent beasts of prey" in other parts of the poem.

Question (v)What is the theme of the extract?
(A) The conflict between nature and civilization
(B) The exploitation of the poor by the rich
(C) The loss of tradition and culture
(D) All of the above
Ans: Answer written by student: (D) All of the aboveStep-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the theme of the extract. Theme is the main idea or message that a writer or speaker wants to convey through their work. Theme can be expressed as a word, a phrase, or a sentence.
• In this extract, the poet conveys multiple themes that are related to each other. The theme is the conflict between nature and civilization, which is shown by how the rural people live close to nature and wait for customers near an open window, while the city people speed by in their cars and pollute and destroy their landscape. The theme is also the exploitation of the poor by the rich, as the roadside stand owners struggle to make a living while the city people prosper and ignore their plight. Additionally, the theme is the loss of tradition and culture, as the rural people lose their way of life and identity in the face of modernization and urbanization.

Question (vi) What is the point of view of the speaker in the extract?
(A) First person singular
(B) First person plural
(C) Second person singular
(D) Third person omniscient
Ans: Answer written by student: (A) First person singular
Step-by-step explanation:

• To answer this question, we need to identify the point of view of the speaker in the extract. Point of view is the perspective or angle from which a story or poem is told. Point of view can be determined by looking at the pronouns and verbs that the speaker or narrator uses.
• In this extract, the speaker uses the first person singular point of view, which means that he or she tells the story or poem from his or her own perspective, using pronouns such as "I," "me," "my," etc. For example, in line 1, the speaker says "Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear." This shows that the speaker is expressing his or her own feelings and thoughts about the situation of the roadside stand owners. The speaker also uses verbs such as "feel," "think," "wonder," etc., to show his or her personal involvement and opinion.