“I AM MALALA.

”
1. Who helped Malala’s mother during her
birth? A neighbour helped because the
family could not afford a midwife or
hospital.
2. How did Malala’s father celebrate her
birth? He threw dried fruits, sweets, and
coins into her cradle, a celebration usually
reserved for boys.
3. What is the significance of the name
“Malala”? Malala is named after Malalai of
Maiwand, a heroine in Afghanistan who
inspired the Afghan army to defeat the
British.
4. What code do the Pashtun people live by?
They live by Pashtunwali, a code that
emphasizes hospitality and honour.
5. Why is Malalai of Maiwand compared to
Joan of Arc? Like Joan of Arc, Malalai was a
young woman who inspired men to fight
for their country.
6. What does the Swat Valley mean to
Malala? Malala describes it as the most
beautiful place in the world, often called
the “Switzerland of the East.”
7. How did the Swat Valley become part of
Pakistan? The Swat Valley was once a
princely state and became part of Pakistan
after its ruler, the Wali, gave up power in
1969.
8. How did Malala’s father show his love for
her? He wrote her name on the family
tree, a gesture normally reserved for boys.
9. Who was Malala’s younger brother? Her
younger brother is Khushal, who was born
two years after her.
10. How did Malala’s father react to his own
dark skin as a child? He was self-conscious
and tried spreading buffalo milk on his face
to lighten his skin.
11. What did Malala’s father admire about her
mother? He admired her beauty and they
married for love despite family objections.
12. Why did Malala’s father name his school
after Khushal Khan Khattak? Khushal Khan
Khattak was a Pashtun warrior and poet, a
hero to the Pashtun people.
13. How did Malala’s mother participate in
helping the less fortunate? She always
cooked extra food and gave it to poor
families, even feeding the birds with
leftovers.
14. How did the ancient Buddhists impact the
Swat Valley? The Swat Valley was once a
centre of Buddhist culture, with
monasteries and temples scattered
throughout.
15. What role did the ‘wesh’ system play in
Swat society? It was a system where
families swapped villages and redistributed
land every five or ten years to prevent rival
clans from feuding.
16. Who brought peace to the Swat Valley in
the 20th century? Miangul Abdul Wadood,
known as Badshah Sahib, brought peace to
the valley by uniting the tribes under his
rule.
17. Why is the River Swat important to
Malala? Malala fondly recalls visiting the
river, where people fished for trout, during
her childhood.
18. What symbol did Malala associate with the
mountains around her valley? She saw
Mount Elum as a sacred mountain, always
covered with clouds and snow, symbolizing
protection.
19. What did Alexander the Great accomplish
in the Swat Valley? He built a ramp to
reach the top of Mount Elum and caught
the star of Jupiter, symbolizing his power.
20. What is the significance of the Butkara
ruins near Malala’s home? The ruins are
remnants of Buddhist temples, a historical
site where Malala and her friends played
as children.
21. How did Malala’s parents’ marriage differ
from typical Pashtun marriages? Their
marriage was a love match, unlike most
Pashtun marriages, which are arranged by
families.
22. What lesson did Malala learn from her
mother about hospitality? Her mother
taught her to always cook extra food for
 the poor and feed the birds with any
leftovers.
23. How did Malala’s father express his pride
in her? He often said, “Malala will be free
as a bird,” indicating his belief in her
potential.
24. What impact did Miangul Jehanzeb, the
son of Badshah Sahib, have on Swat? He
brought prosperity by building schools,
hospitals, and roads, and abolished the
system of paying taxes to khans.

BIRTH AND PARENTAGE

1. What caste do the Gandhis belong to? The
Gandhis belong to the Bania caste.
2. What profession did the Gandhi family
originally pursue? They were originally
grocers.
3. How many generations of Gandhi’s family
served as Prime Ministers in Kathiawad
States? Three generations, starting from
Gandhi’s grandfather.
4. What was Mahatma Gandhi’s
grandfather’s name? His name was
Uttamchand Gandhi, also known as Ota
Gandhi.
5. Why did Ota Gandhi salute the Nawab
with his left hand? He did so because his
right hand was “already pledged to
Porbandar.”
6. How many sons did Ota Gandhi have? He
had six sons—four from his first wife and
two from his second.
7. What position did Karamchand Gandhi,
Mahatma Gandhi’s father, hold? He was
the Prime Minister of Porbandar and later
served in Rajkot and Vankaner.
8. How many times did Karamchand Gandhi
marry? He married four times.
9. How many children did Karamchand
Gandhi have with his last wife, Putlibai? He
had four children—one daughter and
three sons.
10. What were some of Karamchand Gandhi’s
personal qualities? He was truthful, brave,
generous, short-tempered, and
incorruptible.
11. How did Karamchand Gandhi show loyalty
to his chief, the Rajkot Thakore Saheb? He
stood up to an insult directed at his chief
and refused to apologize, even under
detention.
12. What kind of education did Karamchand
Gandhi have? He had little formal
education, only up to the fifth Gujarati
standard.
13. What kind of experience helped
Karamchand Gandhi manage practical
affairs? His rich experience in practical
matters helped him resolve intricate
questions.
14. How did Karamchand Gandhi gain some
religious knowledge later in life? He began
reading the Gita with the help of a learned
Brahman friend and recited verses daily.
15. What impression did Mahatma Gandhi’s
mother, Putlibai, leave on him? She left an
impression of saintliness and deep
religious devotion.
16. What daily ritual did Putlibai always
perform before eating? She always said
her daily prayers before taking her meals.
17. How strict was Putlibai in observing
religious vows? She took the hardest
vows and never relaxed them, even during
illness.
18. How did Putlibai manage her fasts during
the rainy season when the sun didn’t
appear? She cheerfully accepted that
God did not want her to eat on days when
the sun didn’t show.
19. What kind of common sense did Putlibai
possess? She had strong common sense
and was well-informed about matters of
state.
20. What discussions did Mahatma Gandhi
recall his mother having? She had lively
discussions with the widowed mother of
the Thakore Saheb.
21. When and where was Mahatma Gandhi
born? He was born on October 2, 1869,
in Porbandar (Sudamapuri).
22. How was young Gandhi’s academic
performance in school? He struggled
with multiplication tables and had
difficulty in school.
23. How did Mahatma Gandhi view his
intellect during childhood? He believed
his intellect was sluggish and his memory
raw.
24. How did Mahatma Gandhi’s father Kaba
Gandhi respond to the insult of the Rajkot
Thakore Saheb by an Assistant Political
Agent? He refused to apologize and
stood firm, even though he was detained
for a few hours.

CHILDHOOD
1. Where did Gandhi’s father move to when
Gandhi was about seven? He moved to
Rajkot to become a member of the
Rajasthanik Court.
2. What kind of student did Gandhi consider
himself to be during his school days?
Gandhi considered himself to be a
mediocre student.
3. How old was Gandhi when he reached
high school? He was about 12 years old.
4. What was Gandhi’s daily habit after
school? He would run home immediately
after school because he was too shy to talk
to anyone.
5. What incident during a high school exam
does Gandhi recall? He mis-spelt the
 word “kettle” during a spelling exercise
and refused to copy from his neighbour,
despite his teacher’s prompting.
6. What lesson did Gandhi learn from the
exam incident with Mr. Giles, the
Educational Inspector? Gandhi learned
that he could not bring himself to cheat,
even when prompted.
7. How did the incident with the spelling test
affect Gandhi’s respect for his teacher?
The incident did not diminish his respect
for his teacher, even though he later
learned of his faults.
8. What book did Gandhi read that left a
deep impression on him during his
childhood? He read Shravana Pitribhakti
Nataka, a play about Shravana’s devotion
to his parents.
9. What image from a show deeply
influenced young Gandhi? The image of
Shravana carrying his blind parents on a
pilgrimage left an indelible impression on
him.
10. How did the story of Shravana impact
Gandhi? It inspired Gandhi to adopt
Shravana’s devotion as an example for
himself.
11. What musical instrument did Gandhi play
the tune of Shravana’s parents’ lament on?
He played it on a concertina, which his
father had bought for him.
12. Which play captured Gandhi’s heart during
his childhood? The play Harishchandra
captured Gandhi’s heart.
13. How did the play Harishchandra influence
Gandhi? It inspired him to follow truth
and endure hardships like Harishchandra.
14. How often did Gandhi think about the play
Harishchandra? He was constantly
haunted by it and acted it out to himself
many times.
15. What ideal did the play Harishchandra
inspire in Gandhi? The ideal of
truthfulness, like Harishchandra, became a
guiding principle for Gandhi.
16. How did Gandhi feel when he thought
about the ordeals faced by Harishchandra?
The thought of Harishchandra’s struggles
often made Gandhi weep.
17. What does Gandhi’s common sense tell
him about the historical existence of
Harishchandra? His common sense tells
him that Harishchandra may not have
been a historical figure.
18. Despite his doubts, how does Gandhi feel
about the characters of Harishchandra and
Shravana? He still views them as living
realities that inspire him.
19. What was Gandhi’s attitude towards extra
reading beyond his school books? He had a
distaste for reading beyond his school
books.
20. How did Gandhi approach his daily school
lessons? He did his lessons reluctantly,
just to avoid being scolded by his teachers.

GANDHI CHILD MARRIAGE:

1. At what age did Gandhi get married?
Gandhi got married at the age of 13.
2. How does Gandhi feel about his child
marriage in retrospect? He feels it was a
preposterously early marriage and pities
himself for it.
3. What is the difference between betrothal
and marriage in Kathiawad? Betrothal is a
promise between parents to marry their
children, while marriage is the actual
union, and betrothal does not entail
widowhood if the boy dies.
4. How many times was Gandhi betrothed
before he got married? Gandhi was
betrothed three times, though two of the
girls chosen for him died.
5. How many brothers did Gandhi have?
Gandhi had two brothers.
6. Why were Gandhi and his brothers
married at the same time? It was done
for the convenience and economy of the
family.
7. What did Gandhi think marriage meant as
a child? He thought it meant wearing
good clothes, drum beating, marriage
processions, and a strange girl to play with.
8. Where did Gandhi’s father work at the
time of the marriage? Gandhi’s father
was a Diwan in Rajkot.
9. How was Gandhi’s father injured on his
way to the wedding? The stagecoach
toppled over, and he sustained severe
injuries.
10. Did Gandhi’s father attend the wedding
despite his injuries? Yes, Gandhi’s father
attended the wedding with a brave face,
even though he was bandaged.
11. How did Gandhi feel about his father on
the day of his wedding? Gandhi admired
his father and saw everything he did as
right and proper.
12. What ritual did Gandhi and his wife
perform during the wedding? They
performed the Saptapadi ritual.
13. What food did Gandhi and his wife feed
each other during the wedding ceremony?
They fed each other sweet Kansar.
14. How did Gandhi feel about his father’s
decision to marry him at a young age later
in life? Gandhi later criticized his father
for marrying him as a child.
15. How did Gandhi assume his role as a
husband despite being the same age as his
wife? Gandhi quickly assumed the
authority of a husband.
16. What did Gandhi’s elders think of
combining his and his brothers’ marriages?
 They thought it would reduce expenses
and create greater éclat.
17. How did the women contribute to the
wedding preparations? The women
sang, sometimes getting ill or disturbing
neighbors, during the preparations.
18. What was Gandhi’s initial understanding of
the purpose of marriage as a child?
Gandhi initially saw marriage as an event
filled with fun, food, and excitement, not
as a serious responsibility.
“WHERE THE MIND IS WITHOUT FEAR”
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
1. What does the speaker wish the mind to
be free from? The speaker wishes the
mind to be free from fear.
2. How does the speaker describe the ideal
posture of the head in “Where the Mind”?
The head should be held high.
3. How does the speaker envision knowledge
in “Where the Mind”? The speaker
envisions knowledge to be free.
4. What metaphor does the speaker in
“Where the Mind” use to describe division
in the world? The world is described as
broken into fragments by “narrow
domestic walls.”
5. What should words come from, according
to the speaker in “Where the Mind”?
Words should come from the depth of
truth.
6. What does the speaker say about striving
in “Where the Mind”? Striving should be
tireless and stretch its arms toward
perfection.
7. How does the speaker describe reason in
“Where the Mind”? Reason is compared to
a clear stream.
8. What should reason avoid becoming,
according to the speaker in “Where the
Mind”? Reason should avoid losing its way
into the “dreary desert sand of dead
habit.”
9. How does the speaker wish the mind to be
led forward in “Where the Mind”? The
mind should be led forward by ever-
widening thought and action.
10. What does the speaker in “Where the
Mind” refer to as a “heaven of freedom”?
The speaker refers to a state of
enlightened and liberated thought as the
“heaven of freedom.”
11. To whom is the speaker addressing the
poem “Where the Mind”? The speaker is
addressing God or a higher power,
referred to as “my Father.”
12. What is the speaker’s ultimate wish for his
country in “Where the Mind”? The speaker
wishes for his country to awaken into this
heaven of freedom.
13. What does the phrase “narrow domestic
walls” symbolize? It symbolizes the
 divisions created by prejudice, nationalism,
and narrow-mindedness.
14. What is the significance of “tireless
striving” in the poem “Where the Mind”?
It represents the continuous effort toward
betterment and reaching perfection.
15. What does the “clear stream of reason”
refer to in “Where the Mind”? It is a
metaphor for pure and logical thinking.
16. What does the “dreary desert sand of
dead habit” represent in “Where the
Mind”? It represents stagnation and
mindless adherence to old customs and
habits.
17. How does the speaker view truth in the
poem “Where the Mind”? The speaker
values truth deeply, suggesting that words
should come from the depths of truth.
18. What does the phrase “ever-widening
thought and action” imply? It implies
growth, progress, and openness to new
ideas and initiatives.
19. What does the speaker in “Where the
Mind” mean by “let my country awake”?
The speaker is asking for his country to
awaken to a state of freedom,
enlightenment, and unity.

“LOVE CYCLE” CHINUA ACHEBE

1. What happens at dawn in the poem “Love
Cycle”? The sun slowly withdraws his
long misty arms of embrace.
2. How are the lovers described after their
exertions in “Love Cycle”? Their
exertions leave no aftertaste or slush of
love’s combustion.
3. What fragrance is the Earth perfumed with
in “Love Cycle”? Earth is perfumed with
dewdrop fragrance.
4. How does the light behave in the morning
in “Love Cycle”? The light is described as
soft-eyed and whispering.
5. What does the sun do later in the day in
“Love Cycle”? The sun ploughs the vast
acres of heaven.
6. How does the sun’s mood change as the
day progresses? The sun wears out his
temper and becomes angry.
7. What does the sun use to express his
anger? The sun expresses his anger in
burning darts.
8. How does Earth respond to the sun’s
capricious nature? Earth waits patiently,
accustomed to his caprice.
9. What does the Earth anticipate by the
evening? She anticipates the evening
when the sun’s mellowness will return.
10. How is the cycle of the relationship
between the sun and Earth portrayed? It is
portrayed as a cyclical dance of temper,
patience, and eventual restoration.
11. What restores the sun’s mellowness by
night? Thoughts of another night restore
his mellowness.
12. What is Earth’s power over the sun by
evening? Earth regains her power over
him by evening.
13. What imagery does the poet use to
describe the sun’s anger? The poet uses
the imagery of “burning darts of anger.”
14. How is the relationship between the sun
and Earth metaphorically described?
The relationship is metaphorically
described as a lover’s cycle of passion,
conflict, and reconciliation.
15. What does the sun symbolize in the poem?
The sun symbolizes passion, energy, and
temperamental behaviour.
16. What does Earth symbolize in the poem?
Earth symbolizes patience, stability, and
the nurturing aspect of love.
17. What is the tone of the poem in the
morning? The tone is peaceful and
serene in the morning.
18. How does the tone shift by midday and
afternoon in “Love Cycle”? The tone
becomes tense and heated as the sun
grows angry.
19. How does the poem “Love Cycle” portray
love in the context of nature? Love is
portrayed as a natural cycle of passion,
conflict, and harmony between the sun
and Earth.
20. What emotion does the poem “Love Cycle”
leave readers with at the end? The
poem leaves readers with a sense of
 reconciliation and balance in the cyclical
nature of love.

“NINE GOLD MEDALS” DAVID ROTH

1. Where did the athletes come from for the
race? They came from all over the
country.
2. What were the athletes competing for?
They were competing for gold, silver, and
bronze medals.
3. How long had the athletes been training
for the event? They had been training for
many weeks and months.
4. What was the final event of the day? The
final event was the hundred-yard dash.
5. How many athletes were lined up at the
start of the race? Nine athletes were
lined up.
6. What happened when the pistol signal was
given? The runners charged ahead.
7. What unfortunate event happened to the
smallest runner? He stumbled,
staggered, and fell to the ground.
8. How did the smallest runner feel after
falling? He felt frustration and anguish.
9. What did the other eight runners do when
they saw the smallest runner fall? They all
turned around, went back to help him, and
brought him to his feet.
10. What did the runners do after helping the
fallen athlete? They joined hands and
continued the race together.
11. How was the hundred-yard dash
completed? The runners walked
together to the finish line.
12. What banner was above the race that
symbolized the event? A banner that
said “Special Olympics.”
13. How did the race end? All nine runners
crossed the finish line holding hands.
14. What recognition did the runners receive
after the race? They received a standing
ovation.
15. How many gold medals were awarded at
the end of the race? Nine gold medals
were awarded.
16. What did the athletes’ beaming faces
symbolize? Their beaming faces
symbolized the joy and unity they felt.
17. How does the poem emphasize the spirit
of the Special Olympics? The athletes
demonstrated compassion and teamwork,
which are central to the Special Olympics.
18. What is the primary theme of the poem?
The primary theme is empathy,
sportsmanship, and the value of helping
others.
19. What message does the poem convey
about competition? The poem conveys
that compassion and unity are more
important than winning.
20. How does the poem show the power of
teamwork? The poem shows that the
athletes chose to work together to finish
 the race, rather than focusing on individual
victory.

“ALICE FELL, OR POVERTY” WILLIAM

WORDSWORTH
1. What made the narrator stop the post-boy
during the journey? The narrator heard a
startling sound.
2. How did the post-boy react to the
narrator’s command to stop? He stopped
the horses as instructed.
3. What did the narrator find when he got
out of the chaise? He found a little girl,
Alice Fell, sitting behind the chaise, alone.
4. What was the little girl, Alice Fell, crying
about? She was crying because her cloak
had been caught and torn in the wheel of
the chaise.
5. What did Alice repeatedly say as she cried?
She repeatedly said, “My cloak!”
6. What had happened to Alice’s cloak? It
had become entangled in the wheel of the
chaise and was torn.
7. How did the narrator and the post-boy try
to help Alice? They worked together to
free her cloak from the wheel.
8. What condition was Alice’s cloak in after
being freed? It was a miserable, tattered
rag.
9. Where was Alice going on that lonesome
night? She was going to Durham.
10. Why was Alice so distraught even after the
cloak was freed? She was upset because
her cloak was badly torn, and she had no
other.
11. What did Alice reveal about her family?
She revealed that she was fatherless and
motherless.
12. How did Alice react when asked if she lived
in Durham? She confirmed she lived in
Durham and became more emotional,
thinking about her torn cloak.
13. How did the narrator try to comfort Alice
during the journey? The narrator invited
her to sit beside him in the chaise.
14. Despite the narrator’s comfort, how did
Alice continue to feel during the journey?
Alice continued to sob uncontrollably,
unable to be pacified.
15. Where did the narrator take Alice at the
end of the journey? He took her to a
tavern.
16. What did the narrator do for Alice at the
tavern? He gave money to the host to
buy Alice a new cloak.
17. What type of cloak did the narrator ask the
host to buy for Alice? He asked for a
cloak made of duffil grey, as warm as
possible.
18. How did Alice feel after receiving the new
cloak? She was proud and happy the
next day.
19. What does the cloak symbolize in the
poem? The cloak symbolizes Alice’s
vulnerability and poverty, but also the
kindness she receives.
20. What emotion does the narrator feel for
Alice by the end of the poem? The
narrator feels compassion and sympathy
for Alice.

SCHOOL FOR SYMPATHY E V LUKAS

1. Who runs the school in the story School
for Sympathy? Miss Beam runs the school.
2. What type of house is the school described
as being located in? It is a square, red,
Georgian house.
3. What was the first unusual sight the visitor
saw upon arriving at the school? The
visitor saw a boy with a bandaged eye
being led by an older girl.
4. What is Miss Beam’s primary educational
goal for her students? Miss Beam’s goal is
to teach thoughtfulness, humanity, and
citizenship.
5. How are formal lessons treated in Miss
Beam’s school? Formal lessons are
minimal and only cover basic subjects like
spelling, adding, subtracting, multiplying,
and writing.
6. What is the unique exercise the students
participate in to learn empathy? The
students participate in “special days”
where they experience disabilities like
 blindness, lameness, deafness, and
muteness.
7. What is the purpose of the blind day at
Miss Beam’s school? The purpose is to
help children understand what it feels like
to be blind and to develop empathy.
8. How do the children navigate during their
blind day? Other children are assigned to
help and guide them.
9. What is considered the hardest of the
“special days” according to the students?
The blind day is considered the hardest by
most children.
10. What is the most dreaded day for some
students, according to Miss Beam? Some
students dread the dumb day because it
requires willpower to remain silent.
11. What is the role of the child helpers during
these special days? The helpers guide and
assist those experiencing the disabilities,
learning to be considerate and thoughtful.
12. What does the visitor notice in the garden
that makes him concerned? The visitor
notices children who appear to be blind
and lame, which perplexes him.
13. How does Miss Beam respond when the
visitor expresses concern for the children?
She explains that the disabilities are part of
their empathy exercises and not real.
14. How do the children feel after participating
in these special days? The children find it
 difficult but learn to appreciate the
challenges of disabilities.
15. How does the blind girl describe her
experience of being blind? She finds it
frightening and feels like she is about to be
hit by something at any moment.
16. What does the blind girl say she will be
more careful about when it’s her turn to
help others? She says she will be more
careful when it’s her turn to guide
someone else.
17. What activity does the blind girl find
almost fun? She finds hopping on a crutch
on her lame day to be almost fun.
18. How does the visitor feel after guiding the
blind girl through the garden? The visitor
feels that he has become more thoughtful
and observant.
19. What lesson does the visitor learn from
the experience? He learns that describing
the surroundings to someone else makes
him more aware and thoughtful.
20. How does the visitor feel as he leaves Miss
Beam’s school? He feels sorry to leave and
reflects on the lesson of shared empathy.

BARN BURNING WILLIAM FAULKNER

1. What smell does the boy, Colonel Sartoris
Snopes, notice in the Justice of the Peace’s
court? He notices the smell of cheese.
2. Why is Mr. Harris in court? He accuses
Abner Snopes of burning his barn after a
dispute over a hog.
3. What phrase does the strange black man
use to warn Mr. Harris about the barn
burning? The phrase is “Wood and hay
kin burn.”
4. How does Colonel Sartoris Snopes feel
about being called to testify? He feels
despair and believes his father wants him
to lie.
5. What advice does the Justice give to Abner
Snopes after dismissing the case? He
advises Snopes to leave the country and
not come back.
6. What does someone in the crowd call out
as Abner and his family leave the court?
They call him a “Barn burner!”
7. What event causes Abner Snopes to limp?
A musket ball hit him in the heel during
the war.
8. Where does the Snopes family go after
leaving the court? They move to a new
farm where Abner has arranged to work.
9. What does Abner Snopes do when he
enters Major de Spain’s house? He
deliberately tracks horse manure onto the
white rug.
10. What does Major de Spain demand as
compensation for the damage to the rug?
He demands twenty bushels of corn.
11. How does Abner Snopes instruct his family
to clean the damaged rug? He forces
them to wash it with lye soap in the yard.
12. What verdict does the court reach in the
case of the rug? The court reduces the
payment to ten bushels of corn.
13. What does Sarty, the boy, realize about his
father’s intention after the court ruling on
the rug? He realizes his father plans to
burn Major de Spain’s barn.
14. What does Sarty try to do to stop his
father from burning the barn? He runs
to warn Major de Spain about his father’s
intentions.
15. How does Abner Snopes respond when
Sarty refuses to obey him during the night
before the barn burning? He grabs Sarty
by the shirt and physically restrains him.
16. What sound does Sarty hear after running
to warn Major de Spain? He hears
gunshots, indicating that Major de Spain
has shot someone.
17. How does Sarty feel after running away
from the burning barn? He feels grief
and despair over his father’s actions.
18. What does Sarty remember about his
father’s involvement in the war? He
recalls that his father fought in Colonel
Sartoris’ cavalry.
19. Where does Sarty go after the barn
burning? He walks toward the woods,
deciding not to look back.
THE MAGIC BROCADE
1. Who lived with the widow in the story?
Her son, Chen.
2. What was the widow known for? She was
known for weaving beautiful brocades.
3. What caught the widow’s attention in the
marketplace? A beautiful painted scroll of
Sun Palace.
4. What idea did Chen suggest to his mother
after she admired the scroll? He suggested
she weave the picture into a brocade.
5. What happened to the brocade once the
widow finished it? A wind blew it out of
the window and carried it away.
6. What did the widow ask Chen to do after
the brocade disappeared? She asked him
to find the brocade and bring it back.
7. Who did Chen meet in the lonely hut? An
old woman smoking a pipe.
8. What challenges did the old woman warn
Chen about on his journey? He had to pass
through the flames of Fiery Mountain and
cross the Icy Sea without complaining.
9. How did Chen travel to Sun Palace? He
rode the old woman’s horse.
10. What happened to Chen’s burns after
crossing Fiery Mountain? The burns healed
after he passed through the flames.
11. What did Chen see when he reached Sun
Palace? He saw the fairy ladies weaving
copies of his mother’s brocade.
12. Who met Chen at Sun Palace? A fairy
named Li-en met him.
13. What did the fairies request from Chen
before giving the brocade back? They
asked to keep the brocade for one more
day to finish their own copies.
14. How did Chen feel about Li-en? He was
captivated by her beauty and kindness.
15. What did Li-en do to the brocade before
giving it back to Chen? She embroidered a
small image of herself onto the brocade
and cast a spell.
16. What happened when Chen returned
home with the brocade? The brocade grew
larger and came to life, revealing Sun
Palace and Li-en.
17. What did Li-en invite the widow to do at
Sun Palace? She invited her to live at Sun
Palace and teach the fairies how to weave.
18. What was Chen’s response when his
mother asked if it was alright for her to
stay at Sun Palace? Chen agreed and was
happy with the decision.
19. What became of Chen and Li-en? Chen
married Li-en.
20. What is said about the brocades made at
Sun Palace after the widow moved there?
People say there are no finer brocades
than the ones woven at Sun Palace.

“THE THINGS THAT HAVEN’T BEEN DONE

BEFORE” EDGAR GUEST
1. What are “the things that haven’t been
done before” described as in the poem?
They are described as the things to try.
2. Who does the poet reference as dreaming
of an unknown shore? The poet references
Columbus.
3. How does the poem describe Columbus’s
heart and faith? His heart was bold, and
his faith was strong.
4. How does Columbus react to the jeering
throng and doubting crew? He pays no
heed to them.
5. What do “the many” follow, according to
the poem? They follow the beaten track
with guideposts along the way.
6. How do the many live their lives, as
described in the poem? They live with a
chart for every day and only strive to know
things already known.
7. What is the difference between the many
and the few, as described in the poem?
The many follow the beaten path, while
the few strike out without a map or chart
to discover new things.
8. What do the few hunger to do? They
hunger to do deeds no one has done
before.
9. What happens to the few who blaze a new
path? They may be battered, bruised, and
sore, but they pave the way for others.
10. What are the tasks worthwhile today,
according to the poet? The tasks that
haven’t been done before are worthwhile.
11. What does the poet ask the reader about
following or leading? He asks if the reader
is one who follows the flock or one who
leads the way.
12. What does the poet challenge the reader
to consider about themselves? Whether
they are timid souls who quail at jeers or
those who strike out for a new goal.
13. How does the poem portray those who
follow the beaten path? They are
portrayed as safe but unadventurous,
doing only what has been done before.
14. What does it take to venture into new
things, according to the poem? It takes
boldness, faith, and a willingness to face
danger and uncertainty.
15. What kind of attitude is required to ignore
“the jeers of a doubting crew”? A
courageous and determined attitude is
required.
16. What metaphor does the poem use to
describe following the known path? The
metaphor of “the beaten track” is used to
describe following the known path.
17. What motivates the few to blaze new
paths? A desire to see and do things no
one has seen or done before.
18. What is the significance of “a chart for
every day” in the poem? It represents the
 safety and predictability of following
established paths.
19. What choice does the poet present to the
reader at the end of the poem? The choice
to either follow the safe, known path or to
take the risk of pursuing a new goal.
20. What is the poem’s overall message? The
poem encourages the reader to take risks,
pursue new goals, and not fear failure or
the doubts of others.

“STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY

EVENING” ROBERT FROST
1. Whose woods does the speaker stop by?
The speaker thinks they belong to
someone whose house is in the village.
2. Where is the owner of the woods? The
owner’s house is in the village.
3. Why does the speaker stop by the woods?
To watch the woods fill up with snow.
4. What does the speaker’s horse find
strange? The horse finds it strange to stop
without a farmhouse nearby.
5. What time of year does the poem take
place? It takes place on the darkest
evening of the year.
6. What sound does the horse make in the
poem? The horse shakes his harness bells.
7. What other sound is mentioned in the
poem besides the harness bells? The
sound of the sweep of easy wind and
downy flake (snow).
8. How does the speaker describe the
woods? The speaker describes the woods
as “lovely, dark and deep.”
9. What does the speaker say he has before
he can rest? The speaker says he has
promises to keep.
10. What line is repeated at the end of the
poem? “And miles to go before I sleep” is
repeated.
11. What season is depicted in the poem? The
poem depicts winter.
12. What is the speaker doing in the woods?
The speaker is stopping to admire the
beauty of the snow-filled woods.
13. Why does the horse shake his harness
bells? The horse is likely wondering if there
is some mistake in stopping.
14. What does the speaker imply by “promises
to keep”? The speaker implies
responsibilities or commitments that need
to be fulfilled.
15. What contrasts with the quiet and
peaceful scene in the woods? The
speaker’s obligations and the need to
continue his journey contrast with the
peaceful woods.
16. What is the significance of the line “And
miles to go before I sleep”? It suggests that
the speaker has much to do before he can
rest, both literally and metaphorically.
17. How does the speaker feel about the
woods? The speaker finds the woods
beautiful, calming, and alluring.
18. What does the snow symbolize in the
poem? The snow may symbolize serenity,
stillness, or the passage of time.
19. What emotion does the speaker’s horse
likely represent? The horse likely
represents practicality or a sense of duty,
wondering why they are stopping.