Annual Assessment-2024

Class-Nine
Part A: Reading Comprehension
Read the poem Books by Eleanor Farjeon and answer the questions that follow.
(1) The Seven Ages of Man (From “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare)
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
a) Answer the following questions. 2x5=10
1. What is the main metaphor used at the beginning of the poem?
o The world is compared to a stage, and people are described as players (actors),
suggesting that life is like a play, with each person performing different roles during their
lifetime.
2. How is the schoolboy described in the poem?
o The schoolboy is described as whining, with a shining morning face, carrying his satchel
and creeping "like a snail" unwillingly to school.
3. What is the lover's behaviour like in the third stage?
o The lover is portrayed as sighing "like a furnace," emotional and passionate, writing
woeful ballads for his mistress.
4. What metaphor is used to describe the soldier’s pursuit of fame?
o The soldier is described as seeking "the bubble reputation," which implies that his pursuit
of fame is fragile and fleeting, like a bubble that can easily burst.
5. What does Shakespeare suggest about old age in the final stage?
o In the final stage, Shakespeare suggests that old age brings a return to a childlike state,
characterized by physical and mental decline, with the person losing their teeth, eyesight,
taste, and eventually everything.
b) Read the poem again, and identify 5 metaphors and 5 similes used in the poem.
Then explain the purpose of their uses. 2x5=10
Metaphors:

1. "All the world’s a stage" – This metaphor suggests that life is like a play, where people are
actors playing different roles at different stages of life.
2. "They have their exits and their entrances" – The metaphor implies that life has a beginning
and an end, like entrances and exits in a theatre.
3. "Seeking the bubble reputation" – The metaphor compares reputation to a bubble, suggesting
it is fragile and easily lost.
4. "Second childishness" – Old age is metaphorically compared to a second childhood, indicating
the return to dependency and helplessness.
5. "And his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble" – This metaphor represents
the loss of strength and masculinity in old age, with a voice becoming weak like that of a child.
Similes:

1. "Creeping like snail" – The schoolboy is compared to a snail, moving slowly and reluctantly to
school, emphasizing his lack of enthusiasm.
2. "Sighing like furnace" – The lover is compared to a furnace, expressing intense emotion and
passion, showing the burning nature of youthful love.
3. "Bearded like the pard" – The soldier’s beard is compared to that of a leopard, suggesting his
wildness and aggressiveness.
4. "Turning again toward childish treble" – Old age is compared to a return to a high-pitched,
childish voice, signifying physical decline.
5. "Whining schoolboy, with his satchel" – While not a traditional simile, the vivid description
of the schoolboy evokes a comparison to a helpless and reluctant creature.
Purpose of Metaphors and Similes:
• The metaphors in the poem serve to compare life’s stages to roles in a play, suggesting that each
person performs their part in the drama of life. The metaphors like "bubble reputation" and
"second childishness" highlight the fleeting nature of youth and reputation, as well as the
inevitable return to weakness in old age. The similes, such as "creeping like snail" and "sighing
like furnace," add vivid imagery to Shakespeare’s portrayal of the different ages, illustrating the
emotions and characteristics of each stage in a relatable way. Both literary devices are used to
emphasize the universality and cyclical nature of human existence.
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings. 10
Reading "The Seven Ages of Man" makes me reflect on the inevitable passage of time and the different
roles we play throughout life. Shakespeare’s description of life as a stage reminds me that each phase,
whether it be childhood, youth, or old age, has its own set of challenges and moments of beauty. The
imagery of the schoolboy creeping like a snail and the lover sighing like a furnace resonates with me, as
these stages capture the innocence and passion of youth. However, the later stages, particularly the
portrayal of old age as a return to a childlike state, evoke a sense of melancholy. The final image of
"second childishness" without sight, taste, or memory feels like a sobering reminder of life’s fragility.
Overall, the poem prompts me to think about the temporary nature of our time on earth and the importance
of cherishing each moment.
(2) A Dance of Day and Night
The sun rises like a golden crown,
Spreading its light across the town.
The morning dew sparkles like tiny gems,
Dancing on grass, like fragile stems.
The sky is a canvas, painted in fire,
A blaze of orange and red, climbing higher.
The wind whispers soft as a lullaby,
Gently singing to the clouds drifting by.
The night falls like a velvet curtain,
Enveloping the world in darkness, certain.
Stars twinkle like diamonds in a sea of black,
Guiding lost souls who wander off track.
The moon is a mirror, reflecting the past,
Casting shadows that linger and last.
The ocean roars like a beast in the deep,
As the tides sway and secrets they keep.
a) Answer the following questions. 2x5=10
1. What does the sun symbolize in the poem?
o The sun symbolizes power, beauty, and the beginning of a new day, as it is described as
a "golden crown."
2. How is the wind described in the poem?
o The wind is described as soft and gentle, whispering "as a lullaby," suggesting a soothing
and calming presence.
3. What effect does night have on the world, according to the poem?
o The night envelops the world "like a velvet curtain," suggesting that it brings darkness
and calm, covering everything in softness and certainty.
4. What comparison is made to the stars in the poem?
o The stars are compared to "diamonds in a sea of black," symbolizing their brilliance and
beauty against the vast, dark night sky.
5. How is the ocean portrayed in the poem?
o The ocean is portrayed as wild and powerful, roaring "like a beast in the deep,"
symbolizing its strength and mystery.
b) Read the poem again, and identify 5 metaphors and 5 similes used in the poem. Then explain
the purpose of their uses. 2x5=10
Similes in the Poem:

1. "The sun rises like a golden crown" – compares the rising sun to a crown, symbolizing power
and beauty.
2. "The morning dew sparkles like tiny gems" – compares dew to small jewels, highlighting its
beauty.
3. "The wind whispers soft as a lullaby" – compares the softness of the wind to the soothing sound
of a lullaby.
4. "Stars twinkle like diamonds in a sea of black" – compares stars to diamonds in the night sky,
showing their brightness.
Metaphors in the Poem:

1. "The sky is a canvas, painted in fire" – the sky is metaphorically compared to a canvas, with the
sunrise being the painted fire.
 2. "The night falls like a velvet curtain" – compares the onset of night to a heavy, soft curtain
falling.
3. "The moon is a mirror, reflecting the past" – the moon is metaphorically described as a mirror,
symbolizing memory or reflection.
4. "The ocean roars like a beast in the deep" – compares the ocean’s roar to a beast, giving it a
wild, untamed quality.
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings. 10
Reading "A Dance of Day and Night" makes me feel a sense of awe at the beauty and majesty of nature.
The poem beautifully captures the natural world with vibrant imagery, painting the transition from day to
night in such a dynamic and evocative way. The comparisons of the sun to a crown and the stars to
diamonds make me appreciate the power and elegance of the celestial elements. The metaphor of the
ocean as a beast in the deep evokes a feeling of respect for its vastness and mystery, while the gentle wind
described as a lullaby brings a sense of calm and peace. The poem reminds me of the cycle of day and
night, full of both tranquility and intensity, and fills me with wonder at the natural world's contrasts.

(3) The Journey of the River

The river flows like a silver thread,
Weaving through valleys where flowers are spread.
It twists and turns with a graceful bend,
Whispering secrets until its end.
The mountains stand tall as ancient kings,
Watching over the river’s wings.
The river is a dancer, light on its feet,
Skipping over stones in the summer heat.
It carries the stories of old and new,
Reflecting the sky’s ever-changing blue.
At night, it glows like molten gold,
A sight that never grows old.
The river’s heart beats strong and true,
A pulse that connects me and you.
It reaches the sea with a final sigh,
As the ocean welcomes it, under the sky.
a) Answer the following questions. 2x5=10
1. How is the river described in the opening lines of the poem?
The river is described as "a silver thread" that weaves through valleys, symbolizing its delicate and
winding nature.
2. What do the mountains represent in the poem?
The mountains represent ancient kings, standing tall and strong, guarding the river as it journeys
through the landscape.
3. What is the river compared to in its movement?
The river is compared to a dancer, moving lightly and gracefully, especially as it skips over stones.
4. What happens to the river at night?
At night, the river is said to glow "like molten gold," suggesting its beauty and the enchanting effect of
moonlight on its surface.
5. How does the river’s journey end?
The river’s journey ends as it reaches the sea with "a final sigh," indicating its completion and the sense
of fulfilment in its meeting with the ocean.
b) Read the poem again, and identify 5 metaphors and 5 similes used in the poem. Then explain
the purpose of their uses. 2x5=10
Metaphors:
1. "The river is a dancer" – The river is metaphorically compared to a dancer, symbolizing its fluid
and graceful movement.
2. "The river’s heart beats strong and true" – The river’s movement is compared to a heartbeat,
representing its vital and continuous flow.
3. "The river’s wings" – The river is given wings, symbolizing freedom and movement.
4. "The river flows like a silver thread" – Though using "like," this can also be interpreted as a
metaphor for its delicacy and smoothness.
5. "It whispers secrets" – The river is personified, suggesting it holds mysteries and memories.
Similes:

1. "The river flows like a silver thread" – Compares the river’s flow to a silver thread,
highlighting its slender and shiny path.
2. "Mountains stand tall as ancient kings" – Compares the mountains to kings, suggesting their
majesty and authority.
3. "It glows like molten gold" – Compares the river at night to molten gold, evoking the idea of
beauty and richness.
4. "Skipping over stones like a dancer" – Compares the river’s movement over stones to a
dancer’s light-footed steps.
5. "The river twists and turns like a graceful bend" – Compares the river’s curves to a graceful
movement, indicating smoothness.
Purpose of Metaphors and Similes:
• These metaphors and similes are used to give the river human-like qualities and emphasise its
beauty and grace. The metaphors, such as the river being a dancer, deepen our understanding of
its constant movement and connection to nature. Similes like "flows like a silver thread" help
create vivid imagery, allowing readers to visualise the delicate yet powerful journey of the river.
Both devices contribute to making the river a symbol of life, continuity, and beauty.
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings. (10)
Reading "The Journey of the River" makes me feel calm and reflective. The river, described with such
grace and elegance, seems like a living entity, carrying with it the stories of time, nature, and people. The
imagery of the river as a dancer skipping over stones gives it a playful and light-hearted quality, while its
glowing like molten gold at night fills me with a sense of awe at nature’s beauty. The final lines, where
the river reaches the sea with a "final sigh," evoke a feeling of peace, as though the river’s journey is not
only physical but symbolic of life’s cycles. The poem makes me think about the connection between
nature and human emotion, as it presents the river’s journey as one of grace, endurance, and purpose.