Worksheet Solutions: Poem - My Mother at Sixty Six | English Class 12 PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The poetess was driving from her parents’ home to the __________ airport.
Ans: Cochin
Cochin is the specific destination mentioned in the text where the poetess was driving to.

Q2: The poetess noticed her mother dozing with her __________ mouth.
Ans: Open
The adjective "open" describes the state of the mother's mouth, indicating her unconsciousness.

Q3: The poetess saw young trees __________ past them.
Ans: Running
The verb "running" personifies the movement of the trees, emphasizing their swift motion as observed by the poetess.

Q4: The poetess felt the old familiar ache of __________ in her heart.
Ans: Childhood
The poetess experienced a nostalgic and emotional feeling, commonly associated with childhood, as described in the text.

Q5: The poetess contained herself and kept on __________ to conceal her emotions.
Ans: Smiling
The action of smiling was a conscious effort by the poetess to hide her true feelings and emotions.

Q6: The poetess bid goodbye to her mother with a hope to __________ her again.
Ans: See
The verb "see" implies the poetess's desire and expectation to reunite with her mother in the future.

Q7: The poetess looked at her mother’s face after going through __________ check.
Ans: Security
The security check is a specific event mentioned in the text, indicating the context of the situation.

Q8: The poetess’ mother’s face was as pale as a late __________ moon.
Ans: Winter’s
The simile "pale as a late winter’s moon" paints a vivid picture of the mother's complexion, emphasizing her paleness.

Q9: The poetess’ mother was standing outside a few yards away after the __________ check.
Ans: Security
The mother's location is described after a specific event, the security check, providing context to her presence.

Q10: The poetess’ mother was __________ in the car beside her.
Ans: Sitting
The verb "sitting" indicates the mother's posture, emphasizing her position inside the car as observed by the poetess.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The poetess noticed her mother's pale face during the car ride.
Reason: Her mother was feeling unwell.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans: (a)
The poetess noticed her mother's pale face, indicating that her mother was not well. The reason provided correctly explains the assertion, stating that her mother's pale face was due to her feeling unwell.

Q2: Assertion: The poetess smiled to conceal her emotions.
Reason: She didn’t want her mother to see her sad.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans: (a)
The poetess smiled to conceal her emotions, which is a common human response to hide one's true feelings. The reason provided correctly explains the assertion, stating that she smiled to avoid showing her sadness to her mother.

Q3: Assertion: The poetess bid goodbye to her mother with hope.
Reason: She believed her mother would recover soon.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans: (b)
The poetess bid goodbye with hope, indicating her desire for her mother's recovery. However, the reason provided doesn't correctly explain the assertion. The poetess bid goodbye with hope, but the text does not specify that it was because she believed her mother would recover soon.

Q4: Assertion: The poetess felt the old familiar ache of childhood.
Reason: She was afraid of traveling alone.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans: (b)
The poetess felt the old familiar ache of childhood, which is explained in the text as the fear of separation from her mother, not specifically because she was afraid of traveling alone. While traveling alone might cause anxiety, the text does not provide this as the reason for her ache.

Q5: Assertion: The poetess looked at the outside world to distract herself from her emotions.
Reason: She was not concerned about her mother’s health.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans: (d)
The poetess looked at the outside world to distract herself from her emotions, as mentioned in the text. The reason provided contradicts the text; the poetess was indeed concerned about her mother's health, as evident from her emotional response throughout the journey.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What was the poetess doing last Friday morning?
Ans: The poetess was leaving her home last Friday morning.

Q2: Who was sitting beside the poetess in the car?
Ans: The poetess's mother was sitting beside her in the car.

Q3: How did the poetess feel when she looked at her mother’s pale face?
Ans: The poetess felt emotional when she looked at her mother's pale face.

Q4: What did the poetess see outside the car window?
Ans: The poetess saw traffic and people outside the car window.

Q5: Why did the poetess smile despite feeling emotional?
Ans: The poetess smiled to hide her emotions.

Q6: What did the poetess say to her mother before leaving?
Ans: The poetess said goodbye to her mother before leaving.

Q7: Where did the poetess bid goodbye to her mother?
Ans: The poetess bid goodbye to her mother at the airport.

Q8: What did the poetess notice about her mother after the security check?
Ans: The poetess noticed that her mother's face looked smaller after the security check.

Q9: How did the poetess try to distract herself from her emotions?
Ans: The poetess tried to distract herself by looking at the newspaper.

Q10: What did the poetess hope for when bidding goodbye to her mother?
Ans: The poetess hoped that her mother would be safe during her journey.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the poetess’ mother’s condition during the car ride.
Ans: The poetess noticed her mother dozing with her open mouth, and her face was pale like that of a corpse.

Q2: How did the poetess react to her mother’s pale face?
Ans: She felt the old familiar ache of childhood in her heart, a fear of separation, and tried to hide her emotions by smiling.

Q3: What did the poetess observe outside the car window?
Ans: She saw young trees running past them and merry children coming out of their homes, providing a contrast to her emotional state.

Q4: Why did the poetess smile despite feeling emotional?
Ans: She smiled to conceal her emotions and not make her mother worry or feel sad about her departure.

Q5: How did the poetess bid goodbye to her mother?
Ans: She said, “See you soon, Amma” and bid goodbye to her mother with a hope to see her again.

Q6: What was the poetess’ emotional state after the security check?
Ans: The old familiar ache of childhood returned, and she felt the fear of separation from her mother intensify.

Q7: What did the poetess hope for while bidding goodbye to her mother?
Ans: She hoped to see her mother again, indicating her wish for her mother’s recovery and reunion.

Q8: Why did the poetess try to distract herself by looking at the outside world?
Ans: She tried to distract herself from her emotions by observing the lively and vibrant scenes outside, finding relief in the contrast of life and vitality.

Long Answer Type Question

Q1: Describe the poetess’ emotional journey during the car ride with her mother.
Ans: Throughout the car ride with her mother, the poetess goes through a rollercoaster of emotions. Initially, she is filled with excitement and curiosity, eagerly looking out of the window at the passing scenery. Her senses are heightened as she takes in the vibrant colors and sounds of the outside world. There is a sense of joy and wonder in her voice as she describes the trees, birds, and even the smell of the air.

• However, as the car ride progresses, the poetess's emotions start to shift. She begins to feel a sense of sadness and melancholy. Her thoughts become introspective as she contemplates the passing of time and the changes that come with it. The poetess becomes acutely aware of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of growing older.
• As the car ride comes to an end, the poetess's emotions become more complex. She experiences a mix of nostalgia, gratitude, and a tinge of sadness. She realizes that the time spent with her mother in the car was a precious moment, and she cherishes the bond they share. The emotional journey during the car ride with her mother is a reflection of the complexities of human emotions and the ever-changing nature of our inner world.

Q2: Explain the significance of the contrast between the outside world and the poetess’ emotional state.
Ans: The contrast between the outside world and the poetess's emotional state serves to highlight the theme of internal struggles and the dichotomy between the external and internal realities. While the outside world is depicted as vibrant, alive, and full of beauty, the poetess's emotional state is characterized by a mix of emotions, including sadness, nostalgia, and contemplation.

• The stark contrast between the two emphasizes the poetess's internal turmoil, as she grapples with her changing emotions while being surrounded by the liveliness of the outside world. It suggests that appearances can be deceiving, and one's emotional state may not always align with the external circumstances.
• Furthermore, the contrast also serves to amplify the poetess's solitude and isolation. Despite being surrounded by the beauty of nature and the presence of her mother, she feels a sense of detachment and introspection. This contrast highlights the internal struggles and complexities of the human experience, as well as the inherent loneliness that can accompany it.

Q3: Reflect on the poetess’ hope while bidding goodbye to her mother.
Ans: As the poetess bids goodbye to her mother, there is a glimmer of hope in her voice. She looks forward to the future with optimism and expresses her desire to embark on her own journey of self-discovery. This hope is reflected in her words as she mentions that she will travel far and wide, exploring the world and discovering her own path.

• The poetess's hope while bidding goodbye to her mother signifies a sense of independence and a longing for personal growth. It represents her aspiration to carve out her own identity and make her mark in the world. It also reflects the universal human desire for freedom and the pursuit of one's dreams.
• Despite the bittersweet nature of parting ways, the poetess's hope serves as a source of strength and motivation. It symbolizes her resilience and determination to embrace the future, even in the face of uncertainties. It is a testament to the human spirit's ability to find hope and purpose, even in moments of separation and change.

Q4: Analyze the poetess’ attempt to conceal her emotions and its significance.
Ans: The poetess makes a conscious effort to conceal her emotions throughout the car ride, and this attempt holds great significance in the poem. By concealing her emotions, she presents a facade of composure and strength, despite the underlying emotional turmoil she experiences.

• The significance of the poetess's attempt to conceal her emotions lies in the themes of vulnerability and the complex nature of human emotions. It reflects the poetess's desire to maintain a sense of control and dignity, even when faced with overwhelming feelings. This attempt to conceal her emotions highlights the universal human tendency to hide vulnerability and present a stoic exterior to the world.
• Furthermore, the poetess's attempt to conceal her emotions can also be seen as a reflection of societal expectations and norms. In many cultures, there is a pressure to suppress emotions and maintain a composed demeanor, especially in public settings. The poetess's struggle to conceal her emotions resonates with the internal conflicts faced by individuals who feel the need to conform to societal expectations.
• However, the poetess's attempt to conceal her emotions also reveals the limitations of such efforts. Despite her best attempts, her true emotions seep through the cracks in her composure. This suggests the futility of hiding one's emotions and the inevitable vulnerability that lies beneath the surface.

Overall, the poetess's attempt to conceal her emotions serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human emotions, the societal pressures to hide vulnerability, and the inherent difficulty in masking true feelings.