Question 2 - The Ball Poem - First Flight - Poems (Literature) - English Class 10

Read the given extract and answer the questions

Extract:

A dime, another ball, is worthless. Now 

He senses first responsibility

 In a world of possessions. People will take

 balls, Balls will be lost always, little boy, 

And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.

(The Ball Poem)

Question (i)

What does the poet mean by "Money is external" in the last line?

Answer:

Answer written by the student:

The poet means that money is external, meaning that it is something that belongs to the outside world and not to the inner self.

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

•  The poet means that money is external, meaning that it is something that belongs to the outside world and not to the inner self.🤔
•   Money cannot buy happiness or love, nor can it replace the things that have emotional value for us.😞
•  Money is not important for the boy who has lost his ball, because he values his ball more than money.😍
•  The poet implies that money is not everything in life, and that there are some things that money cannot buy.👏

Question (ii)

The poet uses _____________ to show how people will take away or lose things in life.

Answer:

-lock-

Answer written by the student:

Repetition

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

•  The poet uses repetition to show how people will take away or lose things in life.😔
•   He repeats the word "balls" three times in the third and fourth lines, to emphasize how balls are common objects that can be easily taken or lost by anyone.😐
•  He also repeats the word "always" in the fourth line, to stress how losing things is inevitable and constant in life.😢
•  The repetition creates a sense of sadness and resignation for the boy who has lost his ball.😥

Question (iii)

What does the boy sense for the first time in the second line?

Answer:

Answer written by the student:

The boy senses his first responsibility.

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

•  The boy senses his first responsibility in a world of possessions, meaning that he realizes that he has to take care of his things and not lose them, because they are not easy to get back. 😊
•  He also understands that he has to face the consequences of his actions and not expect others to help him.😌
•  This is a sign of growing up and becoming mature.😎

Question (iv)

What is the name of the branch of philosophy that the boy learns in the second line?

• A) Epistemology
• B) Ethics
• C) Metaphysics
• D) Aesthetics

Answer:

Answer was written by the student:

A) Epistemology

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

• The name of the branch of philosophy that the boy learns in the second line is epistemology.😊
• Epistemology is the study of knowledge and how we know things.😍
• The boy learns the epistemology of loss, meaning that he learns how to cope with losing something and what it means for him.😔
• He also learns how to stand up and face reality, even if it is painful or difficult.😌
• This is a sign of growing up and becoming wise.😎
• The other options are incorrect because they are not related to the branch of philosophy that the boy learns in this context.😐

-endlock-