Textbook Solution: Upon the Songs of Whales | Class 6 English Alive PDF Download

A. Choose the correct option.

1. The song of the whales

a. woke the poet from sleep.

b. was heard by the poet at night.

c. disturbed her as she was studying.

Answer: a. woke the poet from sleep.

Explanation: The poem mentions, "The low melodic wailing touched / And roused me from my sleep," indicating that the song of the whales woke the poet from sleep.

2. The blue whale is known for its

a. whistles.

b. loud cry.

c. clicking bursts.

Answer: b. loud cry.
Explanation: The poem states, "But it is the great blue whale / That makes the loudest cry," which clearly points out that the blue whale is known for its loud cry.

3. The low melodic wailing was produced by the

a. orca.

b. beluga whale.

c. humpback whale.

Answer: c. humpback whale.

Explanation: The stanza describes, "As the humpback lithe and languid / Made a turn and sounded deep," which directly connects the low melodic wailing to the humpback whale.

B. Read the lines from the poem and answer the questions.

I. The finest singer in the sea

I heard upon this morn

a. Who does the poet refer to as the finest singer?

Ans: The humpback whale.

b. When does the poet hear the song?
Ans:  In the morning.

2. Though it is far too rare today

With such an awful why.

a. What does 'it' refer to?
Ans: It refers to the great blue whale.

b. What does the poet mean by 'an awful why'?
Ans: The poet means a terrible reason for its rarity.

C. Answer the questions briefly.

1. Why does the poet say a universe was born?

Ans: The poet feels that the whale's song is so profound and beautiful that it seems to give birth to a whole new universe of emotions and thoughts.

Explanation: The reference to a universe being born symbolizes the expansive and overwhelming impact the whale's song has on the listener, evoking a vast array of feelings as if a new world of understanding and beauty has opened up.

2. How does the melodic wailing of the whales affect the poet?

Answer: The melodic wailing affects the poet by waking him from sleep and deeply moving him, filling him with awe and admiration for the beauty and depth of the whale's song.

Explanation: The poet is emotionally stirred and roused from sleep by the song, indicating a profound connection and impact of the whale's song on his emotions and senses.

3. Why do you think the poet refers to the blue whale as a rare animal? 

Answer: The poet refers to the blue whale as a rare animal to highlight its endangered status and the critical need for its conservation.
Explanation: The mention of rarity points to environmental and human impacts that have reduced the blue whale's population, making it an urgent issue of conservation and a poignant theme in the poem.