CBSE Class 12 English HOTs A Thing Of Beauty Set 02

Question. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
Answer: The poet, John Keats, lists many things of beauty. All objects of nature including the Sun, the moon, old and young trees, daffodil flowers, small streams with clear water, masses of ferns and blooming musk-roses. Further, according to the poet, the tales of our heroic and mighty ancestors are also a thing of beauty as they all add joy to our life.

Question. List the things that cause suffering and pain. Or What, according to Keats, causes a pall over our spirits?
Answer: According to Keats, there are many things that cause us suffering and pain. Malice, disappointment, lack of noble qualities and our unhealthy and evil ways all give birth to many troubles and sufferings.

Question. What does the line, ‘Therefore, are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Answer: The act of “wreathing/a flowery band to bind us to the Earth” suggests how people naturally seek out and celebrate beauty as a way to stay connected to the natural world. The ‘flowery band’ symbolises humanity’s connection to the natural world and its beauty. By adorning themselves with this metaphorical band, people affirm their bond with the Earth and the beauty it offers.

Question. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
Answer: Human beings love life in spite of all the troubles and sufferings they face because of all the things of beauty which surround them. These things remove our despondent state and allow us to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Question. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’? Or In the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’, how is grandeur connected with the mighty dead?
Answer: ‘Grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because the revered individuals from history or mythology are remembered for their impressive or majestic qualities, often attributed to their achievements, deeds or the impact they had on society. The stories and legends around these people often portray them in a grand or noble light, elevating them to a status of reverence and admiration. Therefore, the association of grandeur with the mighty dead reflects the perception of their remarkable and awe-inspiring attributes.

Question. Do we experience things of beauty only for a short moment or do they make a lasting impression on us? Or How is a things of beauty a joy forever?
Answer: Things of beauty make a lasting impression on us because they are a source of pleasure and motivation forever. The happiness they give never fades away but keeps on increasing.

Question. What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth?
Answer: The poet uses the image of a ‘bower’ to describe the beautiful bounty of the Earth. This metaphor conveys the idea of beauty providing a tranquil refuge or shelter for individuals, filled with sweetness, health and peace. A bower typically refers to a leafy shelter in a garden or wooded area, suggesting a serene and natural environment abundant with beauty. By invoking this image, Keats emphasises beauty’s nurturing and comforting qualities in the natural world.

Exam Pattern Questions

Extract Based Questions

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.”
Therefore, on every morrow are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to the Earth

Question. By the phrase ‘joy forever’ the poet refers to things
(a) that make people extremely happy,
(b) that are a feast to eyes,
(c) that are a constant source of happiness,
(d) that are beautiful but transient.
Answer: (c) that are a constant source of happiness,

Question. Choose the correct option. By using the expression ‘never pass into nothingness’ the poet states that nature’s beauty will create a .......... (lasting/temporary) impression on man’s mind.
Answer: lasting

Question. How does Keats make it evident that there is a link between man’s wellness and nature’s beauty?
Answer: Keats makes it evident that there is a link between man’s wellness and nature’s beauty by describing how beautiful things provide a sense of peace, health, and quiet breathing, offering relief from life’s struggles.

Question. Read the Assertion and the Reason below with reference to the given extract.
Assertion: Keats states that man derives strength and inspiration from the beauty of nature.
Reason: Nature gives physical, emotional, and mental solace to man.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship.
(a) Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
(d) The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
Answer: (a) Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Question. Select one phrase from the extract which implies that man wants to continue his life on this earth despite innumerable problems.
Answer: The phrase that implies man wants to continue his life on this earth despite innumerable problems is ‘a flowery band to bind us to the Earth’.

Question. Complete the following sentence. ‘A sleep full of sweet dreams’ implies .............
Answer: peace, comfort, and a life free from worries and troubles

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.

Question. What makes our life full of inhuman dearth?
Answer: According to the poet, we ourselves make our lives full of inhuman dearth due to our selfish and self-centered nature.

Question. Pick the option that is NOT an example of ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways.’
(a) A person who is egoistic and looks down upon others,
(b) A person who seeks God’s help for all his problems,
(c) A person who uses evil ways to deceive others,
(d) A person who is corrupt and manipulative.
Answer: (b) A person who seeks God’s help for all his problems,

Question. Complete the following sentence appropriately. We wreathe for ourselves a flowery band every morrow because ..........
Answer: it help us remain attached to the Earth and the nature, just like how a wreathe binds all the flowers.

Question. The use of the word ‘dearth’ creates a powerful image of ..........
Answer: lack of noble values

Question. Based on the rhyme scheme in lines 4 and 5, which of the following words will rhyme with ‘days’ and ‘ways’?
(a) Craze
(b) Pays
(c) Haste
(d) Waste
Answer: (b) Pays

Question. The lack of punctuation at the end of line 3 in the extract is to
(a) create a sense of continuity and flow that connects it with the fourth line,
(b) encourage the reader to understand grammar,
(c) forewarn the reader of gloomy days ahead,
(d) keep us connected to this Earth.
Answer: (a) creates a sense of continuity and flow that connects it with the fourth line.

“Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days.
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching,”

Question. Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(a) The Beautiful Things in Nature
(b) Things that Cause Unhappiness
(c) The Immortality of Human Beings
(d) The Early Morning Fragrance of Flowers
Answer: (a) The Beautiful Things in Nature

Question. State whether the given statement is True or False, with reference to the extract. The paths we follow are often not worthy of our noble nature.
Answer: True

Question. The poet says that we wreath a flowery band that binds us to Earth. He means to state that nature’s beauty fills man with ...........
Answer: a spirit of living

Question. Select the correct option from those given in bracket to fill in the blank. The ‘flowery band’ symbolises humanity’s connection to the natural world and its beauty. By adorning themselves with this metaphorical band, people .......... (affirm/applaud) their bond with the earth and the beauty it offers.
Answer: affirm

Question. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The Earth without the beautiful things is a place full of despair and unpleasantness.
Statement 2: The ornate band created by human beings; ushers hope in their lives.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false,
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true,
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred,
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
Answer: (c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.

Question. What does ‘noble natures’ include?
Answer: The ‘noble natures’ include selflessness, enthusiasm and judiciousness.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
pass into nothingness :but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health and quiet and breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth;
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways Made for our searching,

Question. Keats defines beauty as
(a) transient
(b) eternal
(c) illusionary
(d) short lived
Answer: (b) eternal

Question. ‘Will keep a bower quiet for us’ means all of the following, EXCEPT
(a) create a peaceful, shady place
(b) provide shelter
(c) will decrease noise pollution
(d) nature’s canopy
Answer: (c) will decrease noise pollution

Question. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
1. Beautiful things uplift the soul.
2. Beauty is everchanging.
(a) 1 can be inferred from the extract but 2 cannot,
(b) 2 can be inferred from the extract but 1 cannot,
(c) Both 1 and 2 can be inferred from the extract,
(d) Both 1 and 2 cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer: (a) 1 can be inferred from the extract but 2 cannot.

Question. The things that cause unhappiness are
1. lack of noble nature
2. old tunes
3. dull days
4. calm mind
5. a flowery band
6. strong relationships
Choose the most appropriate option.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 4 and 5
(d) 3 and 6
Answer: (b) 1 and 3

Question. Complete the analogy. Do not repeat from used example. Flowery band : Metaphor :: ............. : Noble nature
Answer: Alliteration

Question. According to the poet, every morrow we are .............
Answer: wreathing a band of flowers to help us stay connected to the Earth.

“Such the Sun, the Moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘Gainst the hot season.”

Question. Which of these provide joy and respite in the hot season?
(a) Shades of trees in forests
(b) Daffodils
(c) Clear water streams
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (c)

Question. Identify the phrase from the extract that suggests the following: ‘All living beings’
Answer: ‘simple sheep’

Question. Describe the role of clear rills.
(a) Cool and clear streams
(b) Cooling shelter
(c) Flowing in green surroundings
(d) Getting away our thirst
Answer: (b) Cooling shelter

Question. Complete the following analogy. Do not use the same example. Sprouting a shady boon : Consonance :: ............ : Alliteration
Answer: Cooling covert/Simple sheep

Question. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
(1) Poet is a nature lover.
(2) Nature has healing qualities.
(a) (1) is true (2) is false
(b) (2) is true (1) is false
(c) (2) is the reason for (1)
(d) Both (1) and (2) are true
Answer: (d) Both (1) and (2) are true

Question. Fill in the blank appropriately. The function of daffodils as in mentioned in the extract is .............
Answer: to beautify the Earth and it lively