Answer: C. Mortality. Explanation: The poem reflects on the transient nature of life, especially in the context of power and royalty. Despite their once great power and influence, they now lie silent in the dust, a testament to the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of worldly greatness. This theme is consistently echoed throughout the poem.
Answer: B. Westminster Abbey. Explanation: The tombs in Westminster Abbey, where many of England’s monarchs and notable figures are buried, serve as the setting for this reflection on mortality and the transient nature of life.
Answer: B. Decay. Explanation: This phrase is used to depict the process of physical decay after death, emphasizing the transient nature of life and the inevitability of mortality. Despite the power and influence individuals may hold in life, in death, all are equal in their return to dust.
Answer: C. The royal tombs. Explanation: In the context of the poem, the ‘richest, royall’st seed’ is a metaphor for the tombs of the monarchs and notable figures buried in Westminster Abbey. These tombs, despite being made of stone, are metaphorically referred to as ‘seed’ sown in the ‘acre’ of the Abbey, emphasizing the cycle of life and death. The ‘richest, royall’st’ part of the phrase underscores the high status and wealth of those interred within the Abbey. Despite their royal status, they too have succumbed to the inevitability of mortality.
5. What does the poet suggest about the trust in greatness? A. Greatness is eternal B. Greatness is unpredictable C. Greatness is worthy of trust D. In greatness, there is no trust
Answer: D. In greatness, there is no trust. Explanation: The poem emphasizes the transient nature of life and the inevitability of mortality, even for those who have achieved great power and influence. Despite their greatness, they too have succumbed to death, suggesting that one should not place their trust in worldly greatness.
6. What does the poet refer to as ‘sands, ignoble things’? A. The royal crown B. The royal wealth C. The remnants of the kings and queens D. The royal palace
Answer: C. The remnants of the kings and queens. Explanation: In the context of the poem, ‘sands, ignoble things’ is a metaphor for the physical remains of the kings and queens, reduced to dust and rubble with time. Despite their royal status and greatness in life, in death, they are reduced to ‘sands’, underscoring the inevitability of mortality and the transient nature of worldly greatness.
Answer: C. Pity. Explanation: The poem reflects on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of mortality, even for those who once held great power and influence. Despite their royal status, they now lie silent in the dust, a testament to the fleeting nature of worldly greatness. This evokes a sense of pity for the fallen rulers, as their greatness could not save them from the universal fate of mortality.
8. What does the poet want the readers to ‘behold and fear’? A. The power of the kings B. The grandeur of the tombs C. The inevitability of death D. The beauty of the poem
Answer: C. The inevitability of death. Explanation: The poem opens with the lines “Mortality, behold and fear! What a change of flesh is here!” This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which reflects on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of mortality, even for those who once held great power and influence.
9. What does the poet imply by ‘Sleep within this heap of stones’? A. The kings and queens are sleeping B. The kings and queens are buried in the tombs C. The kings and queens are hiding D. The kings and queens are lost
Answer: B. The kings and queens are buried in the tombs. Explanation: In the context of the poem, ‘Sleep within this heap of stones’ refers to the tombs in Westminster Abbey where the remains of the kings and queens lie. The use of the word ‘sleep’ is a common metaphor for death, reinforcing the theme of mortality. Despite their royal status, they now ‘sleep’ within these stone tombs, a testament to the inevitability of death and the transient nature of worldly greatness.
Answer: C. Ignoble things. Explanation: In the context of the poem, ‘sands, ignoble things’ is a metaphor for the physical remains of the kings and queens, reduced to dust and rubble with time. Despite their royal status and greatness in life, in death, they are reduced to ‘sands’, underscoring the inevitability of mortality and the transient nature of worldly greatness.
Answer: D. Mortality. Explanation: The phrase ‘bones of birth have cried’ is used to emphasize the inevitability of death, even for those of royal birth. Despite their divine status, they too have succumbed to mortality, as indicated by the line ‘Though gods they were, as men they died.’
Answer: C. Pulpits. Explanation: The ‘pulpits sealed with dust’ metaphorically represent the silent voices of the once powerful and influential individuals who are now buried in the tombs. Despite their greatness and the powerful words they once spoke, they are now silent, their ‘pulpits’ or platforms of influence, sealed with dust.
Answer: C. Reflective. Explanation: The poem is a contemplation on mortality, the transient nature of life, and the inevitability of death, even for those who once held great power and influence. This reflective tone is consistent throughout the poem.
Answer: B. AABB. Explanation: This means that the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, and the third- and fourth-lines rhyme with each other.
Answer: C. A burial ground. Explanation: In the context of the poem, the ‘acre’ refers to Westminster Abbey, where many of England’s monarchs and notable figures are buried. This ‘acre’ is metaphorically ‘sown’ with the ‘richest, royall’st seed’, referring to the tombs of these individuals. Despite their royal status, they too have succumbed to the inevitability of mortality.
16. What is the significance of the phrase “royall’st seed” in the poem? A. Actual seeds B. Symbolic of royalty C. Agricultural reference D. Religious reference
Answer: B. Symbolic of royalty. Explanation: In the context of the poem, the ‘richest, royall’st seed’ is a metaphor for the tombs of the monarchs and notable figures buried in Westminster Abbey. These tombs, despite being made of stone, are metaphorically referred to as ‘seed’ sown in the ‘acre’ of the Abbey, emphasizing the cycle of life and death. The ‘richest, royall’st’ part of the phrase underscores the high status and wealth of those interred within the Abbey. Despite their royal status, they too have succumbed to the inevitability of mortality.
17. What is the poet’s commentary on the concept of divinity in the poem? A. Divine beings are immortal B. Divine beings are mortal C. Divinity is unimportant D. Divinity is unpredictable
Answer: B. Divine beings are mortal. Explanation: The line ‘Though gods they were, as men they died’ underscores this point. Despite their divine status, they too have succumbed to mortality.
18. What is the significance of the phrase “Buried in dust, once dead by fate”? A. A call to action B. A reflection on mortality C. A celebration of life D. A prediction of the future
Answer: B. A reflection on mortality. Explanation: The phrase underscores the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life, even for those who once held great power and influence. Despite their greatness, they too have succumbed to death, suggesting that one should not place their trust in worldly greatness.
Answer: B. Metaphor. Explanation: The phrase “change of flesh” is a metaphorical way of describing the transformation that occurs after death, emphasizing the theme of mortality in the poem. It’s not comparing using “like” or “as” (which would be a simile), nor attributing human characteristics to non-human entities (which would be personification), and it doesn’t involve the repetition of initial consonant sounds (which would be alliteration). Therefore, metaphor is the correct answer.
Answer: B. Metaphor. Explanation: The ‘acre’ metaphorically represents Westminster Abbey, and the phrase ‘sown indeed’ suggests that the tombs (or the ‘richest, royall’st seed’) are planted like seeds in a field. This metaphor emphasizes the cycle of life and death.
Answer: B. Metaphor. Explanation: The phrase metaphorically refers to the physical remains of the kings and queens, reduced to dust and rubble with time. Despite their royal status and greatness in life, in death, they are reduced to ‘sands’, underscoring the inevitability of mortality and the transient nature of worldly greatness.
Answer: D. Irony. Explanation: The phrase presents an ironic situation where those who were considered ‘gods’ due to their royal status and power, ultimately faced the same fate as ordinary men – death. This underscores the poem’s central theme of the inevitability of mortality, regardless of one’s status in life.
Answer: B. Metaphor. Explanation: The phrase metaphorically refers to the tombs of the monarchs and notable figures buried in Westminster Abbey. These tombs, despite being made of stone, are metaphorically referred to as ‘seed’ sown in the ‘acre’ of the Abbey, emphasizing the cycle of life and death. The ‘richest, royall’st’ part of the phrase underscores the high status and wealth of those interred within the Abbey. Despite their royal status, they too have succumbed to the inevitability of mortality
Answer: B. Metaphor. Explanation: The phrase metaphorically refers to the physical remains of the kings and queens, reduced to dust and rubble with time. Despite their royal status and greatness in life, in death, they are reduced to ‘sands’, underscoring the inevitability of mortality and the transient nature of worldly greatness.
Answer: D. Biblical Allusion. Explanation: The phrase “the first man died for sin” alludes to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where Adam, the first man, is said to have brought sin into the world. This allusion adds a layer of depth to the poem’s exploration of mortality and the transient nature of life.
Answer: A. Metaphor. Explanation: It is used to symbolize the mortal remains of the kings and queens buried in Westminster Abbey. The poet uses this metaphor to emphasize the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, even for those of royal blood. So, the correct answer is: A. Metaphor
Answer: C. Metaphor. Explanation: The poet uses it to symbolize the kings and queens who are buried and at rest in Westminster Abbey, which is referred to as a ‘heap of stones’. So, the correct answer is: C. Metaphor
Answer: D. Personification. Explanation: The poet personifies ‘mortality’ by addressing it directly and attributing to it the human ability to ‘behold and fear’. This serves to emphasize the power and inevitability of death. So, the correct answer is: D. Personification
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