Write explanation with context: 2 questions, attempt any 1 (3 marks) MCQs Quiz | Class 9

This quiz is designed for Class IX-X students, focusing on the Subject: Textbook (Poetry). It covers the Unit: Poetry – Reference to Context Explanation (Sandarbhasahit Spashtikaran) – LAQ (2 asked; attempt 1). The topic for this page is: Write explanation with context: 2 questions, attempt any 1 (3 marks) MCQs Quiz | Class 9. Prepare to test your understanding of poetic extracts, their meaning, context, and literary devices. Complete the 10 multiple-choice questions, submit your answers to see your score, and then download a detailed PDF of your responses and the correct answers for revision.

Understanding “Reference to Context” in Poetry

Reference to context questions in poetry aim to test your comprehensive understanding of a given poetic extract. This goes beyond mere memorization, requiring you to delve into the lines, understand their literal and figurative meanings, identify the poem and poet, and analyze the literary techniques employed. Mastering this skill is crucial for a deeper appreciation of poetry and for scoring well in examinations.

Key Components of a “Reference to Context” Answer

  • Reference: Identify the name of the poem and the poet. This sets the stage for your explanation.
  • Context: Explain the background or situation in which these lines appear. What is happening in the poem at this specific point? Who is speaking, and to whom? What is the mood or setting?
  • Explanation: This is the core of your answer. Paraphrase the lines in simple language, explaining their literal meaning. Then, elaborate on the deeper, underlying meanings, themes, or messages conveyed. Discuss any significant poetic devices (e.g., simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, imagery) and their effect.
  • Critical Comment (Optional/Brief): You might briefly add your interpretation of the lines’ significance, their impact, or how they contribute to the poem’s overall theme.

Tips for Writing Excellent Explanations

  1. Read Carefully: Go through the given lines multiple times. Pay attention to every word and punctuation.
  2. Identify Keywords: Look for key words or phrases that hint at the poem’s theme, mood, or setting.
  3. Recall the Poem: Try to remember the entire poem from which the extract is taken. This helps in establishing the correct context.
  4. Understand the Speaker: Determine who is speaking these lines. Is it the poet, a character, or an inanimate object?
  5. Analyze Literary Devices: Actively look for figures of speech, sound devices, and imagery. Explain their purpose and effect.
  6. Maintain Clarity: Use clear, concise language. Avoid jargon where possible, or explain it if necessary.
  7. Structure Your Answer: Follow the Reference, Context, Explanation format. A well-structured answer is easy to read and understand.

Example of Poetic Devices and Their Function

Poetic Device Definition Function in Context
Metaphor Direct comparison without ‘like’ or ‘as’ Adds depth, creates vivid imagery, expresses complex ideas concisely.
Simile Comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’ Makes abstract ideas relatable, enhances description, evokes emotions.
Alliteration Repetition of initial consonant sounds Creates rhythm, musicality, emphasizes words, adds mood.
Personification Giving human qualities to non-human things Makes concepts relatable, adds drama, brings inanimate objects to life.
Imagery Language that appeals to the senses Creates mental pictures, evokes sensory experiences, draws reader into the poem.

Quick Revision Checklist

  • Do I know the poem and poet?
  • Can I explain what is happening before and during these lines?
  • Have I explained the literal meaning of each line?
  • Have I identified and explained any poetic devices?
  • Is my explanation clear, coherent, and well-structured?

Practice Questions for Reference to Context Explanation

Practice explaining the following poetic extracts with reference to the context. Focus on identifying the poem/poet (if you know it, otherwise focus on the general meaning), context, and poetic devices.

1. Explain with context:
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
2. Explain with context:
“When the humid shadows hover
Over all the starry spheres
And the melancholy darkness
Gently weeps in rainy tears,”
3. Explain with context:
“He went on cutting and cutting for so long
Till he fell down unconscious among the debris.”
4. Explain with context:
“Let us remember, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.”
5. Explain with context:
“The little kitten, small and soft,
Played on the floor and then aloft,
Chasing dreams of yarn and string,
A joyful, fluffy, purring thing.”