PASSAGE-3 It paused as with suspicion of my pen, And then came racing wildly on again To where my manuscript was not yet dry; Then paused again and either drank or smelt With loathing, for again it turned to fly. (i) When did the poet notice the reality of the speck on his page? Answer: The poet noticed the reality of the speck when it moved across his paper, indicating it was a living mite. (il) What is the significance of the word ‘suspicion’ in Line 1 here? Answer: The significance of ‘suspicion’ suggests the mite was wary or cautious of the poet's pen, as if aware of potential danger. (ili) How did the mite seem to drink or smell the ink? Answer: The mite seemed to investigate the ink with dislike or disapproval, as indicated by its subsequent reaction to flee. (iv) Explain the third line. Answer: The third line indicates the mite approached the part of the manuscript where the ink was still wet, showing curiosity or an attempt to interact with it (v) What did it do in terror? Answer: in terror, the mite turned to flee.PASSAGE-4 Plainly with an intelligence | dealt. It seemed too tiny to have room for feet, Yet must have had a set of them complete To express how much it didn’t want to die. It ran with terror and with cunning crept. It faltered: | could see it hesitate; (i) What do you mean by ‘an intelligence’ in Line 1? Why does the poet assert this? Answer: ‘An intelligence’ refers to the mite’s ability to think, make decisions, and react to its environment. The poet asserts this to emphasize that even a tiny creature can possess significant mental capabilities. (il) What was it that refuted the poet’s thinking that the mite had ‘no room for feet’?Answer: The mite’s actions, like running and creeping with apparent purpose and reaction to stimuli, refuted the poet's initial thought that it was too small for such complex behavior. (ili) ‘It ran with terror and with cunning crept’. Explain. Answer: The phrase describes the mite’s movements as being driven by fear and also strategic, indicating it was trying to survive in a situation it perceived as threatening. (iv) What is it that the poet satirizes later in the context? Answer: Later in the context, the poet satirizes the indiscriminate acceptance and love for all beings, irrespective of their mental capacity, prevalent in collectivist ideologies. (v) What does the poet appreciate in others? Answer: The poet appreciates the display of intelligence and mind, valuing independent thinking and creativity in others.PASSAGE-5 Then in the middle of the open sheet Cower down in desperation to accept Whatever | accorded it of fate. | have none of the tenderer-than-thou Collectivistic regimenting love With which the modern world is being swept. But this poor microscopic item now! Since it was nothing | knew evil of | let it lie there till | hope it slept. (i) What position did the mite take eventually? In what state was it? Answer: The mite eventually cowered down in the middle of the sheet, in a state of desperation and acceptance of whatever fate the poet might decide for it. (ii) Explain ‘Collectivistic regimenting love’? Answer: ‘Collectivistic regimenting love’ refers to a universal, undiscriminating affection and acceptance for all members of society, regardless of individual traits or abilities, often enforced or encouraged by collectivist ideologies. (iii) Which ideology is implicitly criticised here? Answer: Collectivism, especially the aspect that promotes indiscriminate equality and acceptance without regard to individual merit or intelligence, is implicitly criticised. (iv) What made the poet let the mite ‘lie there till .... it slept’?Answer: The poet let the mite lie there until it presumably slept because he recognized its intelligence and decided to spare it, valuing its display of mind over any predisposed bias he might have had. (v) Why does the poet choose a ‘considerable speck’ to express his appreciation of the mind, its imagination, and creativity? Answer: The poet chooses a ‘considerable speck’ as a metaphor to highlight how even the smallest and seemingly insignificant entities can demonstrate significant intelligence and creativity, thereby appreciating the value of individual thought and imagination.PASSAGE-6 | have a mind myself and recognize Mind when | meet with it in any guise No one can know how glad | am to find On any sheet the least display of mind. (i) What does the poet appreciate and why? Answer: The poet appreciates the presence of intelligence or a thinking mind in any form because he values the ability to think and act with independence. (li) What quality in a @ writing appeals to the poet? Answer: The quality that appeals to the poet in writing Is the display of intelligence, creativity, and individual thought, as these elements bring life and authenticity to the text. (ill) Do you think the idea contained in this last stanza has relevance in the context? What is it? ‘Answer: Yes, the idea in the last stanza is highly relevant in the context of the poem, emphasizing the importance of individual thought and intelligence over collective ideologies or physical size. (iv) ‘On any sheet the least display of mind’. Which figure of speech is used here? Answer: This phrase uses metonymy, a figure of speech where something is called by a new name that is related in meaning to the original thing or concept. Here, ‘any sheet” metonymically represents any medium or context where thought and intelligence are expressed. (v) What has the poet dealt with earlier in the context? Answer: Earlier in the context, the poet dealt with observing a mite’s behavior on a sheet of & paper, using it as a metaphor to discuss broader themes of intelligence, individuality, and his critique of collectivist ideologies.PASSAGE-4 Plainly with an intelligence | dealt. It seemed too tiny to have room for feet, Yet must have had a set of them complete To express how much it didn’t want to die. It ran with terror and with cunning crept. It faltered: | could see it hesitate; (i) What do you mean by ‘an intelligence’ in Line 17 Why does the poet assert this? Answer: ‘An intelligence’ refers to the mite’s ability to think, make decisions, and react to its environment. The poet asserts this to emphasize that even a tiny creature can possess significant mental capabilities. (il) What was it that refuted the poet’s thinking that the mite had ‘no room for feet’?Answer: The mite’s actions, like running and creeping with apparent purpose and reaction to stimuli, refuted the poet's initial thought that it was too small for such complex behavior. (iii) ‘It ran with terror and with cunning crept’. Explain. Answer: The phrase describes the mite’s movements as being driven by fear and also strategic, indicating it was trying to survive ina situation it perceived as threatening. (iv) What is it that the poet satirizes later in the context? Answer: Later in the context, the poet satirizes the indiscriminate acceptance and love for all beings, irrespective of their mental capacity, prevalent in collectivist ideologies. (v) What does the poet appreciate in others? Answer: The poet appreciates the display of intelligence and mind, valuing independent thinking and creativity in others.PASSAGE-2 When something strange about it made me think, This was no dust speck by my breathing blown, But unmistakably a living mite With inclinations it could call its own. (i) What was ‘something strange’ about the speck? Answer: The ‘something strange’ was its movement, which indicated it was a living being and not just a piece of dust. (ii) What was the first thing about the speck that struck the poet’s mind? Answer: The first thing that struck the poet’s mind was that the speck was actually a living mite, not just dust. (iil) The mite had its own ‘inclinations’. Explain in the context. Answer: Having its own ‘inclinations’ means the mite displayed behavior that suggested it had preferences and a desire to avoid danger or unpleasant situations. (Iv) In what way did the mite reach the inked portion of the sheet of paper? Answer: The mite reached the inked portion by racing across the paper, showing it was actively exploring or possibly attracted to the ink before showing disapproval of it. (v) What was it that refrained the poet from killing the mite? Answer: The poet refrained from killing the mite because he recognized its intelligence and mind, appreciating these qualities enough to spare its life.