The School Boy (Questions and Answers)

In this post we will learn questions and answers of the poem ‘The School Boy.’ This poem is for first PUC students. The School Boy (Questions and answers) is written by William Blake. Here we provided comprehension I, II and III questions with answers. Read The School Boy questions and answers now.

Comprehension I

Who, do you think, ‘I’ refers to in the poem?

Ans: I refer to William Blake in the poem.

2) ‘sweet company’ refers to

a. skylark b. huntsman’s horn.

c. bird’s song d. all the above three.

Ans: d. all the above three.

3) What drives the boy’s joy away?

Ans: The very thought of going to school drives the boy’s joy away.

4) How do the little ones spend the day in the school?

Ans: The little ones spend the day in the school by sighing and dismay.

5) What does ‘cage’ stand for in the poem?

Ans: In this poem ‘cage’ stands for school.

6) Pick the phrase from the following which does not refer to formal schooling

a. buds are nipped b. fruits are gathered

c. plants are stripped d. blossoms are blown away

Ans: b. fruits are gathered

7) Relate the seasons mentioned under column A with the stages of life under column B.

Ans:

1. Spring c) childhood

2. Summer a) youth

3. Winter b) old age

Comprehension II

1) What does the school boy love to do on a summer morn? What drives his joy away?

Ans: The school boys love to rise early in summer morning. He wants to enjoy the chirping sound of the birds, Huntsman’s horn and the melody of the skylark singing. He wants to enjoy in this nature.

But all the happiness gets driven away in the work of school going . The boy felt sorrow when he has to go school. Because it drives away his all happiness and he felt sorrow and helpless. He wished to spend whole days in the nature.

2) Describe the boy’s experience in the school.

Ans: In this poem the school boy wants to enjoy the nature. He disliked to go to school and spending time under the strict rules of the teachers. The boy likes for the freedom of the outdoors and cannot take delight in his books. He is compelled to experience many anxious hours.

The imagination of the bird is used in this poem. The birds sing happily when they are free. If they are in a cage they cannot sing. In the same way the school boy feels imprisoned at school. He wants to wake up early in the summer morning. Then wants to listen the chirping sound of the birds, Huntsman’s horn and the melody of the skylark singing.

3) According to the poet how does formal education curb a learner’s potential?

Ans: In this poem the school boy wishes to enjoy in the nature in his summer days. The thought of going school made him depressed and helpless. Children have to spend many anxious hours in the restricted classrooms and under the strict rules of the school. In the formal education activity based learning and competitions are needed.

In this poem poet appeals that parents must realize that children are like plants. They needs to be nurtured and given proper care. Then only they will bear fruits. Schools should allow the children to think and learn freely. Try to understand the children’s interests and hobbies.

Comprehension III

1 )Formal schooling not only takes away the joy of childhood but also hinders the child’s growth forever. Explain.

But all the happiness gets driven away by the work of school going. The boy felt sorrow when he has to go school. Because it drives away his all happiness and he felt sorrow and helpless. He wished to spend whole days in the nature.

The imagination of the bird is used in this poem. The birds sing happily when they are free. If they are in a cage they cannot sing. In the same way the school boy feels imprisoned at school.

2) Do you think the poet is arguing against education? Discuss.

Ans: No, the poet is not arguing against education system. But he is appealing the parents and teachers to think about how to care their children in a positive way. Children have to spend many anxious hours in the restricted classrooms and under the strict rules of the school. In the formal education activity based learning and competitions are very necessary.

In this poem poet appeals that parents must realize that children are like plants. They needs to be nurtured and given proper care. Then only they will bear fruits. Schools should allowed the children to think and learn freely. Try to understand the children’s interests and hobbies.

Watch this video for explanation of questions and answers.

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Watch the following video for Kannada summary of the poem ‘The School Boy.’

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