Wh Type of Question ( Grammar )

Remember the Rule  :

1. While framing WH type of questions , we need to put helping verb immediately after the Wh word 

For example :

i. We are going to Mumbai.

Ans. Where are we going ?

( If you write : Where we are going ? Your answer will be wrong )

ii. They love to sing.

Ans. What do they love ?

( If you write : What they love ?

Your answer will be wrong )

2. Putting a question mark (?) at the end of each question is compulsory.

Example :

Do not write : 

i. What is your name.

Instead write 

i. What is your name ?

Examples to understand the concept :

Frame a WH type of question to get the underlined part as it's answer :

1. Radha is a good girl.

Ans. Who is a good girl ?

2. We had travelled by train.

Ans. How had we travelled ?

3. Arvind Kejriwal is the Chief Minister.

Ans. Who is the Chief Minister?

4. They are late because they missed the bus.

Ans. Why are they late?

 5. Dr. Khan had a golden touch.

Ans. Who had a golden touch?

6. We will go to Karjat.

Ans. Where will we go ?

Note : 

Sometimes we do not have the helping verbs given in the sentences.

In that case we need to identify the tense and figure out the helping verb.

A. If the tense of the sentence is simple present then we take do/does as a helping verb to put next to the WH word :

Let's understand with examples :

1. He needs breads. ( Simple present tense )

Ans. What does he need ?

( Does is used because the word/pronoun "He" is singular)

2. The teacher gives warning to Amit.

Ans Whom does the teacher give warning to ?

( Does is used because the word "The teacher" is singular)

3. Elephants walk heavily.

Ans. How do Elephants walk ? 

( do is used because the word "elephants" is plural )

4. They like red colour.

Ans. What/Which colour do they like?

( do is used because the word/pronoun "They" is plural )

5. He likes to play basketball. 

Ans. What does he like to play?

B. If the tense of the sentence is simple past then we take did as a helping verb to put next to the WH word :

Examples :

1. India got freedom in 1947. 

Ans. When did India get freedom?

2. Students went to the Red Fort. 

Ans. Where did the students go?

3. He dedicated the book “Ignited Mind” to Snehal Thakhar.

Ans. Whom did he dedicate the book "Ignited Mind" to ?

4. She bought a new car.

Ans. What did she buy ?

5. They went to the beach.

Ans. Where did they go ?

6. They visited Paris last summer.

Ans. When did they visit Paris?

7. She baked a cake for her friend's birthday.

Ans. Why did she bake a cake?

I hope it's all clear now to understand when to use do/does/did when helping verb is missing from the sentence while we frame WH type of questions :

Let's practise now !!! ( Answers are given at the end of this exercise but do not copy. First solve all the questions and then see how many of them you get right !!🙂)

1. The movie starts at 7 p.m.

2. She will buy groceries.

3. The concert was fantastic.

4. They had visited the museum last year.

5. She reads novels in her free time.

6. A beautiful picture she painted.

7. They were watching a movie at home.

8. He called his mother yesterday.

9. I saw a girl.

10. She practises Yoga every morning.

11. The book is kept on the table.

12. The cat is sleeping in the Sun.

Answers :

1. When does the movie start ?

2. What will she buy ?

3. How was the concert?

4. When had they visited the museum?

5. What does she read in her free time ?

6. What did she paint ?

7. Where were they watching a movie ?

8. Who did he call yesterday?

9. Who did I see ?

10. When does she practise Yoga ?

11. Where is the book kept ?

12. Where is the cat sleeping?

Well done🎉

The Inchcape Rock(Appreciation and poetic creativity)

 

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 04 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

The Inchcape Rock -Appreciation

          The poem " The Inchcape Rock" is penned down by Robert Southey - a poet laureate of England from 1813-1843. The poem is a ballad which tells us the story of the 14th century attempt by the Abbot of Aberbrothok to install a warning bell on Inchcape - a notorious sandstone reef off the Scottish east coast.

           Southey wrote this poem as he was inspired by the legendary story of a pirate who removed the bell placed by the Abbot and how he himself fell into the well he dug for others so he could loot them. Hence , the theme of the poem is that those who do wrong will meet with due punishment.

           This ballad is composed a narrative style and all stanzas follow the rhyme scheme "aabb". The poet has beautifully embellished the poem with a number of figures of speech like alliteration , antithesis, repetition,  inversion , onomatopoeia , etc. Also , the poet has used a lot of old English words like "blest" , "cants" , etc . The language used is lucid and flawless.

         The injection of symbolic poet justice in the end of the poem is the special feature of this poem where Ralph the Rover falls in the same pit he dug for others.

          The very clear message this poem gives is that those who carry malice and wickedness for others , will cause their own doom as " As you sow , so shall you reap."

          In my opinion , this poem is very much relevant even in today's time and it timeless and it will keep reminding us all and generations to come that those who will do bad , bad will happen to them for sure.

The example given here is just a sample. It would be nice if you compose your own poem of 4 lines.

2.3 Compose four to six lines on " Sea "

Ans. Sea

The sea sees innumerable storms

Yet it remains so patient and calm

It's rising and falling waves ready fo remind

That will drown all those one day who are bad and unkind.

Indian Weavers(Appreciation and poetic creativity)

 Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 04 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

Indian Weavers - Appreciation

           The poem "Indian Weavers" is written by Sarojini Naidu who was a political activist , feminist and an important figure in India's struggle for Independence. This poem is a short poem where the poet talks about three types of garment that the weavers are weaving at three particular times of the day and it represents the three important events of life. The title of the poem is very apt as throughout the poem , the poet is in conversation with the Indian weavers.

           The central theme of the poem is parallelism drawn between the three parts of the weavers' workday and the three stages of human life that is birth ( childhood ) , adulthood ( young) and death ( old ). Also , the colours mentioned in the stanzas are very significant as they indicate the moods related to the events.

          The poem is a metaphor for the cycle of life with each stanza having a question to evoke the reader's interest. Figures of speech like alliteration "Like the plumes of the peacock..." , imagery ( vivid use of imagery paints a clear picture in reader's mind ) and simile (Blue as the wing of....new-born child ) have been beautifully infused to make the poem an interesting read. The language of the poem is very simple and lucid that helps reader to connect with it instantly.

           The poem is just of 12 lines yet so effortlessly it talks about the three stages of human life and also throws a light on importance of Indian weavers.

           The poem sends the message about human life where each stage/phase has it's unique emotions that last for a while before the next one comes along to take it's place.

          In my opinion,  this poem is a must read. The use of color scheme to portray three stages of life is worth praising.

Poetic Creativity (Comes in exam for 02 marks)

The example given here is just a sample. It would be nice if you compose your own poem of 4 lines.

2.2 Compose four lines on " Importance of clothes"

Ans. Importance of Clothes

One of the three basic needs ,

Clothes are representatives of our personalities indeed.

Just like a mother , our protective caretaker they are,

Protecting our modesty since ages and making us shine with confidence like a star.

Song of the open Road(Appreciation and poetic creativity)

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper (04 marks)

Note:

1. There are a total of 8 poems in the Std. XII Maharashtra State Board textbook, and students must prepare appreciation for all 8 poems.

2. This is just a sample. Students should understand the poem well and then write their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation must be written paragraph-wise (06 paragraphs in the proper sequence as given in the textbook).

4. The bold headings are ONLY for understanding. Students should NOT write these headings in the exam. They must write appreciation in paragraph format only.

   “Song of the Open Road” – Appreciation

   The poem “Song of the Open Road” is written by…

   The poem “Song of the Open Road” is written by Walt Whitman and is included in his famous collection Leaves of Grass. It is an inspirational poem that talks about optimism, freedom, self-love, and belief in oneself. The poet/speaker is starting a new journey on an open road, and he feels healthy, free, and confident because he can choose to go wherever he wishes. He is done with his routine life and is ready to explore new things and gain new experiences.

   The theme of the poem is…

   The theme of the poem is freedom, optimism, self-love, and above all, the joy of taking on the journey. Throughout the poem, the poet encourages his readers to break away from everything that stops them from being free and reminds them to believe in themselves. His aim is to make readers stress-free from worldly burdens, as he believes those burdens can be handled even while travelling.

   The language used in the poem is…

   The poem is a dramatic monologue. The poet has used free verse so that he does not have to worry about rhyming or metrical patterns and can express his thoughts freely. His writing style is as free as his attitude towards life, and free verse helps him connect with his readers in a natural and familiar manner. The language used in the poem is simple and lucid. The frequent use of the personal pronoun “I” emphasizes self-belief, self-motivation, and freedom from stress. The poet uses repetition to highlight the importance of beginning the journey on the open road. He also uses metaphor to compare the road of travel with the road of life, symbolizing equality, opportunity, and progress.

   The special feature of this poem is…

   One special feature of the poem is the addition of the last four lines in parentheses—written as if they suddenly came to his mind and he is speaking to his readers in confidence. Apart from this, the poem is one of the early poems written in free verse.

   The message that this poem gives us is…

   The poem gives an important message that readers should be open to moving forward and enjoying the journey of life. It teaches that one should be bold and content with whatever one has. It also highlights the importance of being free, having faith in our abilities, and understanding that worries can be managed anytime and anywhere.

   In my opinion, the poem…

   In my opinion, it is a beautiful poem that inspires us to explore the world and our lives by using our abilities. It also teaches that one should not stop progressing because of criticisms or complaints from the world.

   Poetic Creativity – Song of the Open Road (02 marks)

   Q.3.A (A5)
   The example given here is only a sample. Students are expected to compose their own 4 poetic lines based on the theme.

   2.1 Compose four lines on “The road that leads to my college”

   The road that leads to my college                 Is my gateway to a bright future—

   A future full of hopes and happiness,
   A future filled with knowledge and enlightenment.

   This road is my teacher, as it teaches me to be kind and rooted.
   

   It teaches me to be helpful and ever ready to learn new things.

Small Towns and Rivers ( Appreciation and Poetic creativity)

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 04 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

Appreciation of the poem "Small Towns and Rivers"

Ans. 

           The poem " Small Towns and Rivers" - taken from the collection "The River Poems" is written by Mamang Dai. Mamang Dai is a poet , journalist and a former civil servant and this poem is based on the belief of tribal people from Northeast India that the souls of their loved ones continue to dwell in the natural elements around. She also throws light on how life and death are transient but rituals and nature are permanent. The title of the poem is suitable because the poet talks about how small towns and Rivers are getting polluted and destroyed due to "modernization" and industrialization.

          The major them of the poem is conservation of Nature and it's resources in our surroundings. The poet says that the town's are prospering but nature is getting destroyed. Mamang Dai expresses her anxiety on the development happening in small towns.

          The poet has used simple language yet her thoughts are fragmented. She has beautifully used free verse to let her emotions flow. The use of figures of speech has enriched the overall impression of the poem. Use of repetition in line " Life and death.... permanent" , alliteration in line "We all want to walk...." , Transferred epithet in line "....sad wreath...", personification in line "River has a soul..", antithesis in life "life and death....", etc. add beauty to the poem.

            This poem is written in free verse so as to express poet's thoughts without any restrictions of rhyme, rhythm of metre. Also ,this poem is a nature poem but here the poet is not just celebrating the beauty of her small town but also lamenting how it is getting destroyed by the development.

           The message of the poem is quite clear. The poet gives us the message that small towns and nature around it remind us and make us feel the presence of our loved ones as their souls become one with nature after their departure from our world but due to the fast paced development, the nature is getting destroyed and so along with the nature are also going away the souls of our loved ones. She urges to conserve nature by saying that rivers are choking and we must pay attention to the changes before it gets too late.

           The poem with its deep meaning and strong message touches the strings of the readers' hearts. For all those who are nature lovers and even those who are not , this poem is a must read and an eye opener.

Poetic Creativity (Comes in exam for 02 marks)

Compose 4 to 6 lines on "Gifts of Seasons"

Ans. Gifts of Seasons

Spring brings buds to happily bloom,

Summer's warmth brightens the room.

Autumn's golden leaves fall with grace,

And Winter takes us in, in it's pleasant embrace.

Each season, a gift, how unique in its reasons,

Nature gifts us, the gift of changing seasons.

Money ( Appreciation of poem and poetic creativity)

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 04 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

Appreciation of the poem "Money"

Ans.

           The poem "Money" is written by a famous Welsh poet William H. Davies. This poem deals with the dual aspects of money and talks about how money affects our lives, equations and relationships. The title of the poem is apt as it gives the readers a clear insight into what lies in the poem. The poem states that it is when we do not have money or have lost our money , we realize how important money is.

           The theme of the poem is the inverse relation between money and happiness and how money does not always bring true friends and real happiness. The poet states how he had many false/fake friends when he had money and how they disappeared when he had no money and that only those who were true friends, though very less, stayed true to him and brought him real joy.

          The language used in the poem is quite elegant, lucid and easy to understand. There are total five stanzas and the poet has infused a lot of figures of speech to make this short and simple poem more attractive. Figures of speech like inversion in line "Poor men , think I...." , antithesis in line " About their work....morn till night." , alliteration in line " For many.....false man.... friend." , onomatopoeia in line "and how their wives...hum...." , etc. add more charm to the poem.

           Though it's a very short and simple poem but it sends a very strong message on how money makes people go round and how real happiness is not dependent on having a lot of money.

           This poem sends out a strong message that money is not the ultimate condition to be happy in life and that in fact having true friends gives meaning and purpose to life.

            In my opinion this poem opens our eyes and forces us to reflect on our thoughts on money and how in greed of money , our relationships can get spoilt. A must read for all , for sure.

Poetic Creativity (Comes in exam for 02 marks)

Compose a short poem on " Friendship"

Ans. Friendship 

Friends by our side, through thick and thin, 

Who keep us sane , through all noise and din.

With laughter shared and shoulders near, 

In tough times, their support is clear.

Through highs and lows, they stand right by, 

Being the wind beneath our wings , when we soar and fly.

Father returning home (Appreciation and Poetic creativity )

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 04 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

Appreciation of the poem "Father Returning Home" by Dilip Chitre

Ans.

          The "Father returning home" is written by Dilip Chitre- a celebrated bilingual poet and versatile personality. He received the prestigious "Sahitya academy award" both for poetry as well as his well known translation work, "Says Tuka". Father returning home is taken from, 'Travelling in a Cage'. It draws the portrait of a suburban commuter. It depicts his dull, monotonous, exhausting and equally pitiable daily routine and also his forced alienation at home. His children refuse to share their joys and sorrows with the hardworking father who as a result is forced into solitude. 

           The theme of the poem is the forced alienation of the father. The father who is also a commuter, is not acknowledged by anyone in the train. He rushes across the platform and crosses the railway line to come home, feeling that atleast he might be accepted there and he will not be as insignificant as 'a word dropped from a long sentence'. But alas he is welcomed at home with stale food and a weak tea, he is reading a book because there is no one to ask him about his day or misery.Even his children refuse to share their jokes and secret as they are sullen forcing him to go into solitude. Thus the theme of alienation is prominent in the poem.

           The language used by the poet is lucid and easy to understand. But once in depth ,various meanings can be uncovered. While sticking to the theme of the poem, the poet has made use of different figures of speech like simile( Now I can see him getting off the train  like l a word dropped from a long sentence), Alliteration, transferred Epithet and Onomatopoeia which enhances the beauty of the poem, unlocking various avenues for interpretation.

           The special features of the poem are the depiction of imagery and that it is written in free verse. By narrating the ambience around the father as well as describing him. One can actually picture the father and the different incidents occurring around. And Free verse helps the writer let his thoughts flow without any limitations on rhyme and meter. This makes the poem special.

           While describing the father's hard work and sacrifices for his family, the poet gives us the message to open our eyes and see the hard work of our parents. It also tells about the cruelty of the world where parents once become old are treated like they are worthless by the children and they are forced into estrangement. Through this poem which is based on the struggles of the poet's father, the poet tries to depict the reality of life with a view to pass on the message of loving and caring for our elders.

            "Father returning home" is a poem which depicts the truth. It may seem like a simple poem but once you go in the depth of the poem there are many avenues to discover. The various Symbols used in the poem underline a hidden truth in each line. For eg: The father hurries home across the railway line denotes how eager the father was to meet his family that he is not even bothered of his own safety. The use of free verse, poetic devices and imagery all add to the beauty of the poem.. Further more the messages imparted through this poem also makes it relatable for the readers. I like this poem a lot.

Poetic Creativity (Comes in exam for 02 marks)

Compose a short poem in about 4 to 6 lines on your father

Ans. To My Father

Dearest Daddy,

In your warm smiles,

I find my way.

My guiding star you are ,

And your wise words a map to my brighter days.

Your love is like a cozy embrace ,

Protecting me from all dangers of life.

Have you earned your tomorrow (Appreciation and Poetic creativity)

Ans. Q.3.B. of the HSC Board English Question Paper which comes for 4 marks.

Note : 

1. There are total 8 poems given in the course book of std. XII ( Maharashtra State Board ) and students need to prepare for appreciation of all 8 poems.

2. This is just the SAMPLE. Students are encouraged to understand the poem well and then try writing their own appreciation.

3. Appreciation needs to be written PARAGRAPH WISE. ( Total 06 paragraphs keeping in mind all points in proper sequence as given in textbook.)

Appreciation of the poem " Have you earned your tomorrow"

Ans.         

           The poem “Have you Earned your Tomorrow” is an inspirational poem written by Edgar Guest who was born in England and was brought to the United states when he was ten years old. He began writing at the age of fourteen and is known as “people’s poet"for his simple and optimistic tone of writing. In this poem , the speaker is asking the readers whether they have done anything to improve others’ lives and advises that one should consider one’s deeds and actions carefully. The title of the poem is perfect and apt as throughout the poem , the poet asks questions to readers whether they did something nice to deserve one more day.

           The theme of the poem is importance of living each day by being kind and helping fellow beings in order to earn a well deserved tomorrow. The poet , through his questions,  keeps reminding his readers whether they performed a good deed which brought a smile on someone’s face and gave courage to somebody who had lost his hopes. He encourages the readers to perform good deeds and keep a check on their actions in order to be able to answer God confidently that they deserve one more tomorrow because they spread cheers in few lives.

           The use of the figure of speech interrogation dominates the poem. The poet has beautifully asked thought provoking questions to his readers throughout the poem. The questions asked are simple , direct and need no extra efforts or skills to understand or interpret.  Use of alliteration in lines like "Were you selfish pure and simple...." or This day is...toiling time...." also helps in enhancing the beauty of the poem.The rhyme scheme used in all four stanzas is "aabb" which provides a rhythm to the poem.

           This poem has one special feature and that is the consistent use of interrogation. It’s rare to read poems where readers are asked questions almost in each line. Also , the questions asked are simple yet so effective that they force readers to reflect and shake their minds to think on how they can perform better each day in their “department of deeds.”

           The poem clearly gives it’s readers the message to make efforts to spread cheer in others’ lives and considering the value of others. That we must behave nicely when meeting people , not because we will be appreciated but because we will be confident to ask for one more tomorrow from God.

          This is a wonderful poem which forced me to look inward and ask myself if I am performing any small act of kindness each day or just rushing along. It also taught me this lesson that “ We get life only once so we must pause , smile , love and be kind along the way.”

Poetice creativity 

( Question 3A , A5.....will be asked for 02 marks...the below example is just a sample....any topic can be given in exam which will be based on the theme of the poem and you need to craft your own short poem on that topic..)

Compose 4 to 6 poetic lines of your own on "good deeds"

Ans. Good deeds

Do you know what is the power of a good deed ?

It is like growing a huge tree of kindness by just planting a small seed !

And how much does it cost to plant that small seed ?

Absolutely nothing but a warm smile of yours for people who are in need !

std. XI - Appreciation of the poems ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 and 2.5 )

Appreciation of the poems

Note : 

1. Appreciation of the poem needs to be written paragraph wise.

2. Six paragraphs keeping in mind six points.

3. First line of each paragraph needs to have 2 finger space left compulsorily.

2. These are samples. You are requested to try writing your own answers.

2.1.Cherry Tree

         The poem “Cherry Tree” is written by Ruskin Bond  who has written hundreds of short stories , essays , novellas and more than 30 books for children. He , at the tender age of seventeen , even received the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize. He also received the Sahitya Akedemi Award for English writing in India and was awarded the Padmashri in 1999. The poem ‘Cherry Tree’ is all about poet’s ecstasy over a tree which he planted which took eight years to grow. The poet minutely observes the growth of the tree and wonders at the ways of Nature. The title of the poem is so apt. The moment we read it we realize the poem is about trees and their importance in our lives.

        The theme of the poem revolves around the importance of trees in our lives and the lessons they teach us. The poem narrates how the poet planted a cherry seed in the grass as he wanted to have his own tree and how the plant grew on its own though nobody cared about it except rain and the sun. The poem further tells us how the little plant faced all problems head on and emerged as victorious by turning itself into a huge six feet tall tree laden with flowers and fruits. When poet returns back from Kashmir , he receives a pleasant surprise as he sees the tall tree and as he lies under it , he feels proud of the fact that he had planted the cherry seed.

           Ruskin Bond has used easy and lucid language throughout the poem and what makes it an interesting read is the fact that the poem is written in a story form and that makes it a narrative poem. The figures of speech like alliteration in line '.....green growing pain' , personification '.....singing crickets...' add to the beauty of the poem and the rhyming words provide much needed rhythm. The poem also has run on lines (where sentences end in second line).

        The very special feature of the poem is that it’s a narrative poem with a proper beginning, middle and an end. The poet has stuck to the topic right from the beginning till the end. The poem also makes the readers aware about the fact that if small efforts are nurtured carefully , with determination , can bring us great rewards. This poem is also a fine example of "Nature Poem."

         The very first message this poem gives is never let go of hope and keep striving hard without giving up as there is always light at the end of each tunnel. The poem also teaches us to have trust on our wings and never let any obstacle ever stop us from achieving what we wish to achieve. Apart from this , the most important message from the poem is to respect trees , plant as many of them as we can , to not cut them and that be patient with plants because once they grow , they give us back the sweetest fruit of all our hard work.

        Being a hard core nature lover , this poem has made a permanent place in my heart. It was interesting to read about how a sapling grows into a tree and also realize how important trees are and impossible it is to survive without them.

2.2. The Sower

Ans.

         The poem "The Sower" is written by Victor Hugo in French and is translated in English by Torulata Dutt - A Bengali poet. Victor Hugo was a poet ,novelist and dramatist of 19th century and Toru Lata Dutt is considered to be "The First Indian Poetess" to write verses in English and French. This poem is a poem about a farmer who is sowing seeds. He has seen many bad harvests in his life however he is very optimistic of having good harvest every time he tosses grain. The title of the poem is very apt and well suited to the poem as throughout the poem the poet is talking about the Sower and his hard work and perseverance.

        The theme of the poem "The Sower" revolves around hard work, perseverance, consistency , dedication and hope. In the poem, the poet explains how the sower is different from other people. As soon as the darkness falls, all other people start back for home except the sower who is in field moving to and fro withoutcaring about the time. He has seeds in his hands and hope of reaping the fruit of his hard work. He is determined to finish his work for the day no matter what.

         The poet has beautifully used a simple rhyme scheme "abab" throughout the poem and has also made an effective use of figures of speech like alliteration in line " Muse I , as I see him stride." , Imagery in line " Black and high ,his silhouette dominates the furrows deep!" , etc. to make the poem a rich experience for all readers ! The language of the poem is very simple and lucid and hence it becomes an easy poem to understand.

          The poem is originally written in French but is translated in English without changing the feel and essence of the poem. That itself is a great feat! Also, it is a short poem yet very effectively makes us - tbe readers realize the importance of a Sower in our lives.

           The clear message that we get from this poem is selflessness of the sower who is working really hard so he bears the fruit of his hard work and be able to feed not just his family but the world. The poem also teaches us how our hard work and perseverance with honesty wins people's heart and automatically gets rewarded.

            In my opinion , this poem is a must read for all for it's simplicity and effective way of making us aware about the hard work a Sower puts and the respect he deserves. 

2.3. There is another sky 

Ans.

            The poem " There is Another Sky" is written by a renowned poet Emily Dickinson who lived a lonely life and whose poems are motivational and philosophical. Her poems are unique to her era that are characterized by simple and short lines. This poem gives us a message to never say die. The poet is communicating to her brother through a letter and requests him to return home. The poem ends on an optimistic note. The title of the poem is apt because just the way we know every cloud has a silver lining , there is another sky full of hope and positive vibes.

            The theme of the poem is how life is full of challenges and one can tackle these challenges with positive attitude. The poet is trying to tell her brother how there is another place/opportunity which is as beautiful as heaven and he must stay positive.

            The language of the poem is very vivid and simple. Poetic devices like alliteration,  antithesis , inversion,  hyperbole are used to add beauty to the lines.

            It is a Petrarchan sonnet of 14 lines with an octave ( a stanza of 8 lines ) and a sestet ( another stanza of 6 lines ).

            The poem teaches us to stay positive through tough times as those times don't last forever. It also conveys the sense of happiness and comfort that one's home provides.

            I absolutely loved this poem for it's simple yet powerful language. The poem taught me to never let go of hope and to always be near to the family as family plays an important role in helping us tackle the tough times fearlessly.

2.4. Upon the Westminster Bridge

Ans.

               The poem " Upon the Westminster Bridge" is written by the world famous poet William Wordsworth who was a major English Romantic poet and poet Laureate of United kingdom from 1843 until his death in 1850. He is a leading English nature poet and this poem is one of the best examples of his romantic poems. The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet in which the poet describes the beauty of the bridge in London as seen at dawn. The poet was mighty impressed with the panoramic landscape,  beauty and calm nature before him. The title of the poem is very apt as throughout the poem the poet is seen praising the beautiful Westminster Bridge and the view he sees from there.

                The theme of the poem revolves around the beauty of London through poet's eye as he happily and vividly describes the calm and quiet nature which enticed him.

                The language used by William Wordsworth in this poem is simple yet loaded with beautiful words to attract the readers. Figures of speech like inversion , personification and alliteration are brilliantly used to provide a rhythm to the poem.

                This poem is one of the best nature poems written in English literature. It's a Petrarchan sonnet of 14 lines which has an octave ( first 8 lines ) and a sestet ( last 6 lines ).

                The message is how beautiful the city of London looks in it's natural setting without an interference of humans. 

                It's a must read poem for all nature lovers as it beautifully paints a picture before readers' eyes.

2.5. Nose vs Eyes 

Ans. 

                The poem " Nose vs Eyes" is written by William Cowper who was one of the most popular 18th century English poets and composers of hymns. His poems deal with nature and everyday life and he is aptly described as " Best Modern Poet" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This poem is a satire on the judiciary system and it mocks at the stone blind justice in humorous manner emphasizing upon the lack of empathy and common sense.

             The theme of the poem revolves around the fact that how blind and helpless the judiciary system has turned that it gives the verdict in favor of the wrong. The poem deals with argument between nose and eyes and how tongue very unfairly decides to prove the wrong nose right !!

            The language of the poem is super engaging with a lot of  humor infused. Th poet has added charm to the poem by adding poetic devices like alliteration , repetition and inversion.

            The poem is a beautiful example of a satire which indirectly hits out at the blind judiciary system.

            The message that this poem gives is how as humans we are going down the drain when it comes to our common sense and empathetic nature and how we can stop being blind and be sensible.

            Overall, the poem is a delightful read. The humor used in the poem makes it a light read with a strong message to make proper use of their sensory organs.

2.6.The Planners

            The poem "The Planners" , penned by Body Kim Cheng is a sharp critique on how modernization brings along the destruction of heritage and history. Body , widely regarded as one of the most promising Singapore poets to emerge in 1990s , has four collections of poetry to his credit and is the recipient of "National Arts Council Young Artist Award" which he bagged in 1996. He begins the poem by stating what the planners do. The title of the poem is pretty apt because throughout the poem , the poet talks about the dominance of the planners and how they will achieve what they aim for.

            Through this poem , Boey laments on the disturbing and loss of humane elements in his surrounding and expresses his disapproval on how his beloved city of Singapore is transforming from a lively and vibrant city to a dull and lifeless one. He expresses his concern over how his old city is rapidly turning into a concrete jungle and losing its beautiful past in this process. The poem revolves around the preservation of nature and history against the onslaught of urbanization.

            The language used by is quite simple yet full of sarcasm. By portraying history and heritage as flawed, useless and blemished , he is actually taking a dig at the planners. The poet has used many figures of speech like alliteration in line " Filled with permutations of possibilities" , antithesis in line " so history is new again" , oxymoron in line "....of our past's tomorrow." , etc. for better poetic effect.

            Boey has written this poem in free verse which quite aptls suits to the free expression of his feelings. Apart from this , literary devices like imagery and extended metaphor help in conveying his thoughts more clearly.

            Boey conveys the message of preserving the history and heritage in this time and age of modernization and urbanization for a country/city without its past is like a cluster of lifeless structures.

            In my poem , this poem , though very short and simple , touches the heart. It beautifully depicts the severe consequences of urbanization on the history and heritage of the country.