Flamingo A Thing of Beauty - Test Papers

 CBSE TEST PAPER - 01

Class – 12 English Core (A Thing of Beauty)

General Instructions:

  • All questions are compulsory
  • Question No.1 to 3 carries 4 marks each.
  • Question No. 4 to 10 caries 3 marks each.
  1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
    And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
    We have imagined for the mighty dead;
    All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
    An endless fountain of immortal drink,
    Pouring unto us from heaven’s brink
    1. What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines?
    2. What image does the poet use in these lines?
    3. What is the effect of this ‘immortal drink’ on us?
    4. What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines?
  2. “Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
    From our dark spirits”.
    1. How does beauty help us when we are burdened with grief?
    2. Explain; “Some shape of beauty.”
    3. Identify the figure of speech in the above lines.
    4. What makes the mid-forest brake rich?
  3. 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.
    1. Why are we despondent?
    2. What removes “the pall from our dark spirits”?
    3. Explain, “the inhuman dearth of noble natures.”
    4. What are we doing every day?
  4. What pleasure does a beautiful thing give us? Are beautiful things worth treasuring?
  5. List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.
  6. List the things that cause suffering and pain.
  7. What does the line, 'Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth' suggest to you?
  8. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?
  9. Why is 'grandeur' associated with the 'mighty dead'?
  10. Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us?

CBSE TEST PAPER - 01
Class – 12 English Core (A Thing of Beauty)
Answers

    1. The thing of beauty mentioned in these lines is the group of stories celebrating the glory of our powerful ancestors, which we have read or heard.
    2. The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’ coming down to us from heaven. According to him, Nature and other beautiful things around us are like a gift from God, which give us infinite delight and Joy.
    3. The "immortal drink" gives us an immense joy. A joy that is everlasting and one that will never come to an end.
    4. The lovely tales of mighty men are the beautiful things mentioned in the lines.
    1. Human life is full of trials and tribulations. We add to our troubles and make our lives more difficult by following evil ways. We hurt others as well as ourselves. This makes us despondent.
    2. The various objects of beauty around us remove the pall from our dark spirits. Beautiful things have the power to make us happy.
    3. Metaphor is used in 'pall from our dark spirits'. Pall means a cloud, here, it is a dark cloud of gloom and sadness. It is the beauty, creation of God that removes the sadness and darkness from our mind and soul.
    4. The blooming of beautiful musk roses makes the mid-forest brake rich.
    1. Whenever we look at a beautiful object, we are filled with comfort and joy. When we are burdened with grief, a thing of beauty comes as a ray of hope and makes us forget our sorrow and suffering at least for some time.
    2. Beauty is an abstract idea and has no specific shape. The poet here means beauty in some form or some beautiful object which pleases us.
    3. The above lines present an example of metaphor. Our souls are steeped in sadness and disappointment which are compared to a pall or shroud covering the dead.
    4. We are weaving a flowery wreath everyday to bind us to the beauty of earth.
  4. The world is filled with negative elements which make our life dull, sad, depressing and bereft of hope. In such moments, a beautiful thing gives us an everlasting joy and helps us forget our sorrows. Yes, a beautiful thing is worth treasuring because even its memory soothes our nerves and inspires us to overcome the challenges of life.
  5. The things of beauty are the sun, the moon, old and new trees, daffodils, clear rills, musk roses that bloom among the thick forest ferns.
  6. The things that cause suffering are dark phases of our life, adverse circumstances, gloomy days, death of noble people and bad health.
  7. This line suggests that things of beauty bind us to the earth with a beautiful connection. According to the poet, even if the world is not worth living because of the innumerable reasons that ultimately result in gloom and depression, the zeal to live a happy and content life can be derived from the sight of the beautiful bounties of nature around us.
  8. Human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings because of the existence of several natural and beautiful things around them. These things of beauty never fade. They give joy and optimism to human mind, and thus, help in overcoming or bearing the troubles and sufferings.
  9. The 'grandeur' of the 'mighty dead' lies in their noble deeds. They have left behind the beautiful legacy of their brave acts. Their selfless sacrifice for their nation and deeds for the welfare of mankind still continue to inspire us.
  10. The poet believes that when we encounter a beautiful thing, even for a small moment, but the pleasure remains with us forever. It leaves a lasting impression that inspires us to live life with hope and optimism.