21. Sarojini Naidu is famously known by which nickname?
a) The Voice of Freedom
b) The Nightingale of India
c) The Poetess of Peace
d) The Iron Lady of India
Answer: b) The Nightingale of India
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu is famously known as “The Nightingale of India.” This nickname was given to her due to the melodious and lyrical quality of her poetry. Naidu’s writing often featured themes of Indian culture, nature, and patriotism, and her use of vivid imagery and musicality in her work was reminiscent of the sweet and soulful song of a nightingale. Her poetic voice captured the beauty of India and resonated with people across the world.
22. In which year was Sarojini Naidu born?
a) 1900
b) 1885
c) 1879
d) 1891
Answer: c) 1879
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, India, to a Bengali family. Her father was a philosopher and her mother was a poet. Naidu showed an early talent for poetry, publishing her first book of poems at the age of 13. She went on to become one of India’s foremost poets, contributing significantly to both literature and the Indian independence movement.
23. Sarojini Naidu was not only a poet but also a key figure in:
a) India’s scientific advancements
b) India’s independence movement
c) India’s industrial revolution
d) India’s educational reforms
Answer: b) India’s independence movement
Explanation: Beyond her poetry, Sarojini Naidu was a prominent figure in India’s independence movement, working closely with leaders like Gandhi. She participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, and was imprisoned for her activism, showcasing her commitment to India’s freedom from British rule.
24. Which of the following is a famous collection of poems by Sarojini Naidu?
a) Fireflies
b) The Waste Land
c) Gitanjali
d) The Golden Threshold
Answer: d) The Golden Threshold
Explanation: A famous collection of poems by Sarojini Naidu is “The Golden Threshold.” This collection, published in 1905, was her first book of poetry and established her as a prominent voice in Indian literature. The poems in this collection explore themes of nature, love, and Indian culture, using vivid imagery and lyrical language. “The Golden Threshold” showcases her deep connection to Indian heritage and her mastery of both classical and modern poetic forms.
25. Sarojini Naidu became the first woman to hold which position in India?
a) Chief Justice
b) Governor of a state
c) Prime Minister
d) The Indian Writers’ Union
Answer: b) Governor of a state
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu became the first woman to hold the position of Governor of a state. In 1947, she was appointed as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, making her the first woman to serve as a governor in independent India. This was a significant milestone for women in Indian politics and reflected Naidu’s trailblazing role not only as a poet but also as a leader in India’s post-independence government.
26. Where did Sarojini Naidu receive part of her education?
a) France
b) United States
c) England
d) Germany
Answer: c) England
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu studied in England, attending King’s College, London, and later Girton College, Cambridge, from 1895 to 1898, on a scholarship at age 16. This exposure to British literature influenced her Romantic style, evident in “The Indian Weaver.”
27. What was a recurring theme in Sarojini Naidu’s poetry?
a) Political satire
b) Science and technology
c) Love, nature, and Indian culture
d) War and destruction
Answer: c) Love, nature, and Indian culture
Explanation: A recurring theme in Sarojini Naidu’s poetry was love, nature, and Indian culture. She often wrote about the beauty of nature, the vibrancy of Indian culture, and the emotional depth of love. Her poems celebrated the colors, sounds, and traditions of India, while also touching on universal human experiences. Naidu’s poetry combined elements of romanticism with a deep sense of patriotism, as she sought to capture the essence of India’s identity.
28. Which prominent Indian leader was Sarojini Naidu closely associated with during the freedom struggle?
a) Bhagat Singh
b) Subhas Chandra Bose
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer: d) Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian freedom struggle. She was a strong supporter of Gandhi’s non-violent methods and became an active member of the Indian National Congress. She participated in various civil disobedience movements and was arrested multiple times for her involvement. Naidu and Gandhi shared a deep personal and professional bond, and she played a vital role in galvanizing women to join the independence movement.
29. In which year did Sarojini Naidu pass away?
a) 1947
b) 1952
c) 1945
d) 1949
Answer: d) 1949
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu passed away on March 2, 1949, while serving as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, just two years after India’s independence in 1947, a milestone she helped achieve.
30. Which of the following awards or honors was Sarojini Naidu NOT associated with?
a) Serving as a governor
b) Receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature
c) Being called the Nightingale of India
d) Leading the Indian National Congress
Answer: b) Receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was not associated with receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. Although she was widely recognized as one of India’s foremost poets, she did not receive the Nobel Prize. Naidu’s contributions to literature and her pivotal role in India’s independence movement earned her numerous accolades, but the Nobel Prize was not one of them. Despite this, her legacy as “The Nightingale of India” endures, celebrating her poetic achievements and political activism.
31. Who gave Sarojini Naidu the nickname “Nightingale of India”?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Mahatma Gandhi
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: b) Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu earned the nickname “Nightingale of India” from Mahatma Gandhi, who admired her lyrical poetry and captivating oratory, likening them to the nightingale’s melodious song. As a close ally in the independence movement—collaborating in events like the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement—Gandhi recognized her poetic talent, seen in works like “The Indian Weaver,” and her ability to inspire through words.
32. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman to become the president of which organization?
a) The Indian National Congress
b) The All-India Women’s Conference
c) The Indian Writers’ Union
d) The Indian Freedom League
Answer: a) The Indian National Congress
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1925, a landmark achievement in India’s independence movement. Her leadership amplified women’s roles in politics, leveraging her poetic fame and oratory skills to mobilize support.
33. Which of the following was Sarojini Naidu’s first book of poetry?
a) The Golden Threshold
b) The Broken Wing
c) In the Bazaars of Hyderabad
d) The Bird of Time
Answer: a) The Golden Threshold
Explanation: The Golden Threshold, published in 1905, was Sarojini Naidu’s first poetry collection, named after her Hyderabad home and marking her literary debut. It introduced her lyrical style, blending Indian cultural themes with Western Romantic traditions, featuring poems like “Palanquin Bearers.”
34. Which historical event inspired much of Sarojini Naidu’s political activism?
a) The Partition of Bengal
b) The Salt March
c) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre
d) The Quit India Movement
Answer: c) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre
Explanation: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, where British troops killed hundreds of unarmed Indian civilians in Amritsar, deeply inspired Sarojini Naidu’s political activism. This horrific event fueled her commitment to India’s independence, intensifying her resolve for justice and freedom. While she led the Salt March (1930) and joined the Quit India Movement (1942), and the Partition of Bengal (1905) predates her major activism, the massacre’s brutality marked a turning point, galvanizing her to join Gandhi’s movements and amplify her patriotic voice through action and poetry.
35. Which of these is a famous poem written by Sarojini Naidu?
a) “Do not go gentle into that good night”
b) “If they come in the morning”
c) “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad”
d) “The Raven”
Answer: c) “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad”
Explanation: “In the Bazaars of Hyderabad,” from The Bird of Time (1912), is a famous poem by Sarojini Naidu, renowned for its vivid portrayal of Hyderabad’s bustling markets with rich imagery and rhythmic flow. It captures Indian culture’s essence, a signature of her work.
36. Sarojini Naidu was involved in the movement for the rights of which group?
a) Workers
b) Women
c) Farmers
d) Children
Answer: b) Women
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu was a strong advocate for women’s rights and was one of the key leaders in the Indian women’s movement. She worked tirelessly to promote women’s education, political participation, and social reforms, becoming one of the most prominent female leaders in the independence struggle.
37. What was Sarojini Naidu’s role in the 1947 Indian independence movement?
a) She was an advisor to the British Raj
b) She was a member of the Constituent Assembly
c) She was part of the Quit India Movement
d) She led the Indian Army
Answer: c) She was part of the Quit India Movement
Explanation: Sarojini Naidu’s role in the 1947 independence movement ties to her significant participation in the Quit India Movement of 1942, a crucial push for immediate freedom from British rule. Arrested with Gandhi and other leaders, she endured imprisonment, showcasing her dedication. Post-release, she became Uttar Pradesh’s governor in 1947
38. Which poetic device is used in the phrase “Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild”?
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Personification
d) Alliteration
Answer: b) Simile
Explanation: The poetic device used here is simile. A simile compares two things using “like” or “as.” In this case, the comparison between the color blue and the wing of a halcyon bird uses “as” to highlight the resemblance. The phrase draws on vivid imagery, helping the reader visualize the deep blue of the sky or the sea, evoking calmness and peace, which aligns with the symbolism of the halcyon bird, often associated with tranquility.
39. In “Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,” what device enhances the visual imagery?
a) Simile
b) Anaphora
c) Oxymoron
d) Irony
Answer: a) Simile
Explanation: The device used here is a simile, as it makes a comparison using “like.” By comparing the colors of the garment to the plumes of a peacock, the simile enhances the visual imagery, allowing the reader to vividly picture the rich, vibrant colors of purple and green. The peacock is a symbol of beauty and elegance, emphasizing the preciousness and magnificence of the wedding veil described in the poem.
40. The weaver’s act of creating garments for birth, marriage, and death serves as:
a) Symbolism
b) Allegory
c) Irony
d) Enjambment
Answer: a) Symbolism
Explanation: The weaver’s act serves as symbolism. Symbolism involves using a concrete object or action to represent an abstract idea. In this poem, the garments the weaver creates symbolize the different stages of life: birth, marriage, and death. The act of weaving represents the interconnectedness of life’s phases and the inevitability of their progression, suggesting that each human life is part of a greater, cyclical process.
