THE PENCIL'S STORY- FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH NOTES- CLASS 09 - KSEEB

Poem- 5

THE PENCIL’S STORY

Florence Hoatson

Comprehension:

Read the lesson silently and answer the following questions

1) Where does the poet see the pencil lying: (a) in the beginning (b) at the end of the poem?

Ans: (a) The pencil lies upon the mantelpiece in the beginning.

(b) It is found in a holder at the end.

2) Why is the pencil’s life described as weary?

Ans: The pencil’s life is described as weary because it is a little pencil and lies upon the mantelpiece. It is used forty times a day.

3) When, according to the poet, is the pencil (a) sad (b) glad?

Ans: (a) When pencil is shortened and is not allowed to grow then it is sad.

(b) When it is useful to the whole family then it is glad.

4) What does the poet mean by “wits are rather dull”?

Ans: The poet would use pencil often and he makes mistakes and uses the pencil, again and again, making it dull.

5) What makes the poet say that “the pencil’s speech is always dark” and that “it always makes its mark”? Explain.

Ans: The phrase “the pencil’s speech is always dark” refers to black ink of pencil and in another sense to make one eminent or flourishing. The phrase “it always makes its mark” refers to continues and tireless service of pencil.

6) Make a list of the rhyming words found in the poem. Rhyming words in the poem:

1. B – see. 2. Life – knife. 3. Things – kings.

4. About – out. 5. Missed – list. 6. Play – day.

7. Ought – short. 8. Joint – point. 9. Dark – mark.

10. Friend – end. 11. Older – holder.

7) Read lines 5 to 8. Who might be “Tommy”, according to the poet? How old would he be?

Ans: Tommy is the young child and t he uses the pencil to draw pictures like submarines, aeroplanes and cabbages. Hence he would round about six to eight years old.

C2. Fill the columns after reading the poem carefully:

Persons in a poem The various purposes for which the pencil is use by them.

1. Tommy: To draw untidy pictures like submarines,

aeroplanes to cabbages and kings

2. Father: To keep score when playing.

3. Mother: To prepare the washing list.

P.S. you might also want to check out:

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# AFRICA

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# TIGER

# THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN HOOD