Answering Questions from Poems(English 1st -Q.8) Suggestion for SSC 2027

SSC 2026 - All Board Questions with Answers

Most Important Answering Questions from Poems (Question No. 8) for SSC 2027

      

"O Me! O Life!" by Walt Whitman

Questions:

1. What does the poet mean by 'useless years' in the poem "Oh me! Oh Life!"? [Dhaka Board 2026]

2. What does the phrase 'useless years' mean in Whitman's poem 'O Me! O Life!'? [Chattogram Board 2026]

3. How does Whitman view the role of humanity in "O Me! O Life!"? [Cumilla Board 2026]

4. What does the phrase "The powerful play goes on" mean in "O Me! O Life!"? [Cumilla Board 2026]

5. What is the message of the poem "O me! O life!"? [Jashore Board 2026]

6. Why does the poet use the same questions again and again in "O Me! O Life!"? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

7. What does the poet refer by 'useless years' in the poem 'O Me! O Life'!? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

8. Why does the poet mention 'empty and useless ears' in the poem "O Me! O Life"? [Barishal Board 2026]

9. What does the poet mean by "eyes that vainly crave the light" in the poem "O Me! O Life!"? [Sylhet Board 2026]

"Two Mothers Remembered" by Joann Snow Duncanson

Questions:

1. How are the two mothers different from each other? [Dhaka Board 2026]

2. What should children do to their mother? [Dhaka Board 2026]

3. Who are the two mothers in Joann Snow Duncanson's poem 'Two Mothers Remembered'? [Chattogram Board 2026]

4. What does the poem "Two Mothers Remembered" suggest about patience? [Cumilla Board 2026]

5. What is the main theme of the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"? [Jashore Board 2026]

6. How are the two mothers dissimilar from each other in "Two Mothers Remembered"? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

7. Who was the speaker's second mother in the poem 'Two Mothers Rememberd'? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

8. What should children do to their mother and why? [Barishal Board 2026]

9. Did the speaker love both the mothers? Why? [Sylhet Board 2026]

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost

Questions:

1. Why did the poet stop by the woods though it was dark and he was alone? [Dhaka Board 2026]

2. Describe the scenery where the poet Robert Frost stopped in the poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'. [Chattogram Board 2026]

3. What does the word 'sleep' mean in the line 'And miles to go before I sleep'? [Chattogram Board 2026]

4. What is the role of snow in "Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening"? [Cumilla Board 2026]

5. What makes the poet stop by the woods? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

6. Why cann't the poet enjoy the natural scenery in the woods? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

7. What does the dark and deep woods symbolise in the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Jashore Board 2026]

8. What does the poet want to say by "The woods are lovely, dark and deep" in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

9. Why did the horse shake his harness bells in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

10. Why did the poet, Robert Frost, stop by the woods when it was dark and he was alone? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

11. What does the poet mean by the verse 'And miles to go before I sleep' in the poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

12. What are the promises the poet had to keep before he would sleep in the poem "stopping by woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Barishal Board 2026]

13. Why did the poet stop by the woods though it was dark and he was alone? [Sylhet Board 2026]

"The Sands of Dee" by Charles Kingsley

Questions:

1. What was the weather like when Mary went to bring the cattle home? [Dhaka Board 2026]

2. How has the poet described the sea? [Dhaka Board 2026]

3. Why does Charles Kingsley call the river 'cruel' and 'hungry' in the poem 'The Sands of Dee'? [Chattogram Board 2026]

4. What does the poet suggest about human resilience in "The Sands of Dee"? [Cumilla Board 2026]

5. How is Mary's hair described in the poem 'The Sands of Dee'? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

6. How does the poem "The Sands of Dee" portray the relationship between humans and nature? [Jashore Board 2026]

7. What did the fisherman think about Mary's golden hair in "The Sands of Dee"? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

8. How has the poet described the western tide in the poem, 'The Sands of Dee'? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

9. What does the poem 'The Sands of Dee' suggest about the relation between humans and nature? [Barishal Board 2026]

10. Why is the sea described as "hungry" in the poem "The Sands of Dee"? [Barishal Board 2026]

11. How has the poet described the sea in the poem "The Sands of Dee"? [Sylhet Board 2026]

12. What task was Mary given in the poem "The Sands of Dee"? [Sylhet Board 2026]

"Time, You Old Gipsy Man" by Ralph Hodgson

Questions:

1. Why does the poet call time an old gipsy man? [Dhaka Board 2026]

2. What else can the poet offer time if it stays for a day? [Dhaka Board 2026]

3. Why is time called 'an old gipsy man' in the poem 'Time, You Old Gipsy Man'? [Chattogram Board 2026]

4. Why does the poet use the metaphor of a caravan in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"? [Cumilla Board 2026]

5. How does the poet personify time? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

6. Make a list of things the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day. [Rajshahi Board 2026]

7. Why does the poet call time an "Old Gipsy Man"? [Jashore Board 2026]

8. How does the poet portray time as a traveller in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

9. What things will the poet offer time in the poem 'Time, You Old Gypsy Man' if it stays just for a day? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

10. How does the poet address time in the poem "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"? [Barishal Board 2026]

11. What is the significance of time being compared to a 'Gipsy Man'? [Sylhet Board 2026]

"Books" by Eleanor Farjeon

Questions:

1. Why does Eleanor Farjeon call each book 'a magic box'? [Chattogram Board 2026]

2. What does the poem 'Books' suggest about reading as a mental journey? [Cumilla Board 2026]

3. What do the books hold for their lovers in between their outside covers? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

4. Why does the poet call "each book a magic box" in the poem? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

5. Do you think "each book a magic box"? Why? [Jashore Board 2026]

6. Why is a book "a magic box" according to the poem 'Books'? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

7. What rises in our fancies and our eyes according to the poem 'Books'? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

8. How does the poem "Books" reflect the idea of 'escapism' in relation to reading books? [Barishal Board 2026]

9. What do books bring in our fancies and eyes? [Sylhet Board 2026]

"Solitude" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Questions:

1. What is the final message of the poem 'Solitude' by Ella Wheeler Wilcox? [Chattogram Board 2026]

2. What does the poet mean by "Be glad and your friends are many" in "Solitude"? [Cumilla Board 2026]

3. According to the poem what is the importance of solitude? [Rajshahi Board 2026]

4. What does the poet mean by "The sad old earth must borrow its mirth"? [Jashore Board 2026]

5. What does the poet mean by "halls of pleasure" in 'Solitude'? [Mymensingh Board 2026]

6. When do you have friends and when do they leave you according to the poem 'Solitude'? [Dinajpur Board 2026]

7. Why do the mountains echo the songs that we sing but not our sighs? [Barishal Board 2026]

8. "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone;" Explain briefly in the light of the poem 'Solitude'. [Sylhet Board 2026]

Answers:

"O Me! O Life!" by Walt Whitman

1. What does the poet mean by 'useless years' in the poem "Oh me! Oh Life!"? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: The poet talks about 'useless years' in this poem. This means the time we waste in our life. People waste their time without doing any good work. They do not do anything meaningful. Instead, they pass their days in foolish fights. They suffer from sadness for no reason. They run after things that have no real value. These things do not give them peace. They do not bring any happiness. Because of this, their time becomes totally empty. This is why the poet calls these years useless.

2. What does the phrase 'useless years' mean in Whitman's poem 'O Me! O Life!'? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: The phrase 'useless years' has a deep meaning. It refers to the valuable time of our life. People often waste this time for nothing. They feel sad all the time. They make many foolish mistakes. They struggle for things that do not matter. They forget to look for the true beauty of life. They forget the real purpose of life. Instead, they run after fake things. Because of these foolish acts, they get nothing good in the end. This makes their years totally empty. So, the poet calls these years completely useless.

3. How does Whitman view the role of humanity in "O Me! O Life!"? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: Walt Whitman has a clear view of humanity. He sees the world as a large crowd. This crowd is always struggling. He sees that people do foolish things. They feel sad and lose hope. But the poet does not stop there. He also sees the positive side. He believes that human life is a very great gift. Everyone has a special reason to be here. The world is like a big stage. Everyone gets a chance to do something beautiful. They can add their own good work to the world.

4. What does the phrase "The powerful play goes on" mean in "O Me! O Life!"? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The phrase "The powerful play goes on" is a very beautiful comparison. Here, the poet compares human life to a big stage play. The journey of the world never stops. It is like a great drama. It always moves forward. We may feel sad in our personal life. We may face many hard struggles every day. But the world does not stop for our sadness. The world keeps running on its own way. Every person is like an actor in this play. We all have a special role to perform here.

5. What is the message of the poem "O me! O life!"? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: The main message of this poem is very clear and hopeful. It tells us that human life is very valuable. We face many problems in life. We feel sad and see foolish people around us. But we should never lose our hope. Life is a very great gift from God. The world is a beautiful place. The grand play of life never stops. Every person has a special part to play in this world. We must try to do good things. We must add our own value to this beautiful life.

6. Why does the poet use the same questions again and again in "O Me! O Life!"? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: The poet uses the words "O Me! O Life!" again and again on purpose. He wants to show his deep sadness. He wants to show his strong pain. He feels very tired of the world. He looks around and sees people struggling. He sees them doing foolish things. This makes him ask these questions. He is looking for the true meaning of life. He wants to know why we are here. The repeated questions show his inner pain. They show his confusion about the ultimate purpose of human life.

7. What does the poet refer by 'useless years' in the poem 'O Me! O Life'!? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: By the phrase 'useless years', the poet talks about wasted time. Human beings have a long life. But they waste this time for no good reason. They do not do any good or helpful work. They do not enjoy the true beauty of the world. Instead, they feel sad all the time. They do foolish things every day. They fight with each other without any meaning. They spend their days chasing fake happiness. As a result, they achieve nothing. This is why the poet refers to these times as useless years.

8. Why does the poet mention 'empty and useless ears' in the poem "O Me! O Life"? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: The poet uses the phrase 'empty and useless years' to show a sad truth. He shows how people waste their valuable time. They do not live a good life. They do not try to find a real meaning in life. Instead, they do very foolish things. They suffer from endless sadness. They struggle for things that have no real value. These actions do not bring them any true happiness. They do not bring any real success. Because of this bad use of time, the poet calls these years empty and useless.

9. What does the poet mean by "eyes that vainly crave the light" in the poem "O Me! O Life!"? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: This is a very deep line in the poem. Here, "light" means hope and truth. Human beings always look for a good meaning in life. They want to find hope to live happily. But the real world is full of darkness. It is full of foolish acts and daily struggles. Because of this dark reality, people fail to find the light. They try very hard to see the good things. But their efforts fail again and again. Their search for hope becomes completely useless in the end.

"Two Mothers Remembered" by Joann Snow Duncanson

1. How are the two mothers different from each other? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: The poem talks about two mothers. But they are actually the same person. The poet sees her at two different times in life. The first mother is very young. She is strong and full of energy. She always has a smiling face. She takes good care of her child. The second mother is the same woman in her old age. Now she has become very old. She is physically very weak. She cannot do things on her own. She completely depends on her child for care and daily support.

2. What should children do to their mother? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: Children have a big duty towards their mother. They must love her from the bottom of their heart. They must show her great respect. They should take full care of her. This is very important when she becomes old and weak. A mother makes many big sacrifices for her children. She gives them pure love to raise them well. Children should always remember her hard work. It is their moral duty to support her. They must serve her with deep love and care.

3. Who are the two mothers in Joann Snow Duncanson's poem 'Two Mothers Remembered'? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: The two mothers in this poem are not two different people. They are exactly the same woman. The poet shows this woman at two different stages of her life. At first, she is seen as a young mother. She is strong and loves her child very much. She does all the hard work happily. Later, she is seen as an old woman. Her body has become very weak. Now she desperately needs love from her child. She needs her child to take care of her.

4. What does the poem "Two Mothers Remembered" suggest about patience? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The poem gives a very clear message about a mother's patience. It shows that a mother has no limit to her patience. She can bear a lot of pain for a long time. Mothers face huge physical and mental pain in life. But they never complain about it. They bear everything with a smiling face. They make big sacrifices for their children. They do this out of pure love. They never expect anything in return. This shows their great and silent patience.

5. What is the main theme of the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: The main theme of this poem is the effect of time. It shows how time changes a human body. It also talks about the duty of children towards their old parents. The poem shows one mother in two different times. First, she is a young and active caregiver. She raises her child with love. Later, she becomes a weak and old woman. Now she cannot take care of herself. She deeply needs her child's love and care in her last days.

6. How are the two mothers dissimilar from each other in "Two Mothers Remembered"? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: The two mothers in the poem are totally different in their physical condition. They are in two very different situations. The first mother is very active. She is young and full of joy. She gives a warm and loving hug to her child. But the second mother is very old. She has lost all her physical strength. She is very weak now. She cannot do her own work anymore. She is completely dependent on her child to live her daily life.

7. Who was the speaker's second mother in the poem 'Two Mothers Rememberd'? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: The speaker's second mother was not a new person. She was exactly the same woman. But now she is seen at a much older age. Time has changed her completely. The once strong and young mother has become very old. She is now very slow in her movement. She feels very weak and helpless. She can no longer take care of others. Instead, she desperately needs the deep love and proper care of her own child.

8. What should children do to their mother and why? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: Children must love their mother deeply. They must respect her and take proper care of her. This is their main duty when she becomes old and sick. They must do this for a very good reason. A mother sacrifices her whole life for her children. She gives up her own comfort. She spends her best youth to raise them safely. She gives them pure and selfless love. So, children must pay back this love by caring for her in her old age.

9. Did the speaker love both the mothers? Why? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: Yes, the speaker loved both the mothers very much. His love was deep and very pure. Actually, they were not two different women at all. They were the exact same mother at two different ages of life. The child loved the young mother for her strong body and endless care. He also loved the weak old mother. He loved her out of a deep sense of duty. He felt very grateful to her. So, he loved her at both stages of her life.

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost

1. Why did the poet stop by the woods though it was dark and he was alone? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: The poet was riding his horse through the forest. It was a very dark evening. He was totally alone there. But the natural beauty of the deep woods was very magical. It was extremely attractive to look at. The place was very peaceful and completely silent. Soft white snow was falling slowly from the sky. This beautiful scene caught his full attention. He was so charmed by the magic of nature that he stopped his horse to enjoy the view.

2. Describe the scenery where the poet Robert Frost stopped in the poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'. [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: The poet stopped his horse near a beautiful forest. The woods were very deep and dark. The place was extremely peaceful and totally quiet. There was no noise at all. It was the darkest evening of the whole year. Soft white snow was falling from the sky. The dark trees were slowly filling up with this white snow. The natural scenery was so magical and pretty that the poet could not take his eyes away from it.

3. What does the word 'sleep' mean in the line 'And miles to go before I sleep'? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: This line is at the very end of the poem. Here, the word 'sleep' has a very deep and special meaning. It does not mean just resting in a bed at night. Actually, it is a symbol. It symbolizes the final rest of a human being. This final and endless rest is death. The poet uses this word to mean that he has to finish many important duties in his life before he finally dies.

4. What is the role of snow in "Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening"? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The falling snow has a very important role in this poem. It creates a very calm and silent feeling. It makes the forest look magical and isolated. The snow acts as a symbol of the quiet beauty of nature. This soft, white snow easily captures the mind of the speaker. It acts like a trap. It strongly invites him to forget his real-life duties. It makes him want to stop his journey and stay in the forest forever.

5. What makes the poet stop by the woods? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: The poet was making a journey on his horse. It was a freezing and very dark evening. Suddenly, he noticed a deep and dark forest. It was a very beautiful sight. The forest was slowly filling up with soft, falling snow. The whole natural scene was very calm. It was quiet and highly magical. This deep beauty of nature took control of his mind. He could not ignore it. This magical attraction is what made him stop to enjoy the view.

6. Why cann't the poet enjoy the natural scenery in the woods? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: The poet loved the snowy forest very much. He really wanted to stay there forever to enjoy the beautiful scenery. But suddenly, a thought came to his mind. He remembered his real-life duties. He realized that life is not just for enjoyment. He has made many promises to other people. He must keep those promises. He has to travel a very long distance to finish his work. That is why he cannot stay there to enjoy the beauty.

7. What does the dark and deep woods symbolise in the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: In this beautiful poem, the "dark and deep woods" act as a strong symbol. They stand for the great beauty and deep peace of nature. They also mean something else. They symbolize a strong human desire. Sometimes, people want to escape from their hard work. They want to run away from daily stress and heavy life duties. The forest represents this desire to hide away. The speaker wants to stay in the woods to find endless peace and rest.

8. What does the poet want to say by "The woods are lovely, dark and deep" in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: This is a very famous line in the poem. By this line, the poet expresses his deep feelings. He says that the snow-covered forest has a very mysterious beauty. It is highly magical and attractive. This deep beauty of the woods tries to trap his mind. It strongly calls him to leave his hard reality behind. It tempts him to drop all his worldly duties. He feels a strong wish to stay in that peaceful and lonely place forever.

9. Why did the horse shake his harness bells in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: The horse was an animal of habit. He did not understand the beauty of nature. He only understood his normal routine. So, he became very confused and restless. His master had suddenly stopped the journey in the middle of nowhere. It was a dark, freezing, and lonely forest. There was no warm farmhouse near them to rest for the night. This seemed very strange to the horse. That is why he shook his bells to ask if it was a mistake.

10. Why did the poet, Robert Frost, stop by the woods when it was dark and he was alone? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: The poet was travelling on his horse on a very cold evening. The sky was very dark and freezing. He was totally alone on the road. But suddenly, he stopped by the deep woods. He did this because the forest looked extremely beautiful. The place was deeply peaceful. He just wanted to stand there quietly for a few moments. He wanted to watch the soft and white snow falling beautifully all over the dark trees.

11. What does the poet mean by the verse 'And miles to go before I sleep' in the poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: This famous line carries a very serious message. Here, the word 'sleep' is a symbol. It actually symbolizes the final and endless rest of death. The poet wants to say that human life is very busy. It is full of hard responsibilities. A person cannot stop and forget his work forever. The poet has many duties and hard tasks to finish. He must keep his promises before his life finally comes to an end.

12. What are the promises the poet had to keep before he would sleep in the poem "stopping by woods on a Snowy Evening"? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: The 'promises' in this poem mean the real-life duties of a person. They refer to the important social works and daily responsibilities we all have. Life requires a lot of hard work. The poet feels tired and wants to rest in the beautiful woods forever. But then he remembers his life. He realizes that he cannot do that. He must complete all the important tasks of his life. He must finish these promises before he can finally die and sleep forever.

13. Why did the poet stop by the woods though it was dark and he was alone? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: The poet stopped his journey by the side of the woods for a simple reason. The natural scenery of the forest was extremely beautiful. It was very deep and gave a feeling of deep peace. He was totally amazed by the quiet and dark woods. The forest was slowly filling up with soft white snow. This magical view caught his heart. So, even though it was dark and he was alone, he stopped to enjoy the view.

"The Sands of Dee" by Charles Kingsley

1. What was the weather like when Mary went to bring the cattle home? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: When the young girl Mary went to bring the cattle home, the weather was very bad. It was actually a highly dangerous day. A violent and dark storm was coming fast from the deep sea. The western sea waves were rolling in very quickly. A heavy and thick fog completely covered the entire sandy beach. Because of this dark fog, it became totally impossible to see anything in front of her. The weather was truly terrifying.

2. How has the poet described the sea? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: In the poem "The Sands of Dee", the poet describes the sea in a very scary way. He paints the sea as a very cruel and angry monster. The sea is very hungry for a life. The waves of the sea crawled silently over the sand. They acted like a wild animal hiding in the dark fog. The sea showed absolutely no mercy. It came just to trap the innocent young girl and kill her blindly.

3. Why does Charles Kingsley call the river 'cruel' and 'hungry' in the poem 'The Sands of Dee'? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: The poet calls the river 'cruel' and 'hungry' because of its wild actions. The river acted exactly like a wild and starving animal. The huge waves and the thick fog did not show any mercy to the little girl. The river aggressively swallowed the whole beach in a very short time. It took away the precious life of the innocent young girl named Mary. It killed her without any pity. That is why it is called cruel.

4. What does the poet suggest about human resilience in "The Sands of Dee"? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The poem mainly talks about the sad death of Mary. It shows the highly destructive power of nature. But at the same time, it shows human strength and resilience. The fishermen face danger, but they still go back to the sea. They do not stop their work. Also, people still imagine hearing Mary's sweet voice calling the cattle. This shows that human communities can bear great pain. They lovingly remember their lost people and keep moving forward in life.

5. How is Mary's hair described in the poem 'The Sands of Dee'? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: In the poem, the description of dead Mary's hair is very sad. It creates a deeply painful feeling in the heart. After the cruel sea took her life, the fishermen found her dead body in the water. She had very long and beautiful golden hair. Her bright golden hair was floating on the wild sea water. It looked exactly like a patch of bright golden sea-weed drifting in the cold ocean.

6. How does the poem "The Sands of Dee" portray the relationship between humans and nature? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: The poem gives a very clear picture of nature and humans. It shows that nature is very beautiful to look at. But nature is also extremely dangerous and full of power. A young and innocent girl named Mary is easily trapped by a wild sea wave. The thick fog blinds her and she is killed. This sad event proves a big truth. It shows that humans are very small and helpless compared to the merciless power of wild nature.

7. What did the fisherman think about Mary's golden hair in "The Sands of Dee"? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: The fishermen were casting their nets in the cruel sea. Finally, they found Mary's drowned body caught in their fishing nets. But at first, they were very confused. Her body was deep in the cold water. They looked at her beautiful, floating golden hair. They made a tragic mistake. They thought her bright golden hair was just a patch of golden seaweed drifting slowly in the cold foam of the ocean.

8. How has the poet described the western tide in the poem, 'The Sands of Dee'? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: The poet has described the western sea tide as a living, angry monster. It was very cruel and extremely hungry. The dangerous part is that it did not make any loud noise to warn anyone. Instead, it crawled very silently over the sandy beach. It hid itself in the thick dark fog. It moved forward like a wild beast. Its only goal was to trap and kill the poor, innocent young girl.

9. What does the poem 'The Sands of Dee' suggest about the relation between humans and nature? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: The poem strongly suggests that nature is beautiful but also extremely powerful. Nature can be highly dangerous to us. Humans are very tiny and totally helpless in front of nature's wild anger. The cruel waves of the sea and the dark fog showed no mercy to the sweet, innocent girl. This sad story proves that nature does not care about human life at all. Nature acts by its own wild rules.

10. Why is the sea described as "hungry" in the poem "The Sands of Dee"? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: The poet describes the sea as "hungry" for a special reason. The sea acts exactly like a wild and starving monster. This monster is always looking for its next food. The violent and rolling waves of the sea silently crawled across the sandy beach. They hid in the dark fog. They came quickly to swallow and kill the innocent young girl named Mary. The sea took her life without showing any kind of mercy.

11. How has the poet described the sea in the poem "The Sands of Dee"? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: The poet has vividly described the sea as a very cruel and dark monster. The sea is a dangerous force. It was extremely hungry for a life. Its wild and rolling foam crawled silently over the sand. It hid itself under the thick and blinding fog. It acted like a clever beast. Its only mission was to trap and brutally kill the innocent young girl who was just walking on the lonely beach.

12. What task was Mary given in the poem "The Sands of Dee"? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: Mary was a very sweet and innocent young girl. She was also very obedient to her parents. Her family gave her a very simple and common daily task. She was told to go across the lonely sandy beach of Dee. Her job was to lovingly call the cattle and bring them back home. She had to do this before the dark and dangerous night arrived on the sea shore.

"Time, You Old Gipsy Man" by Ralph Hodgson

1. Why does the poet call time an old gipsy man? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: A gipsy is a special kind of traveler. A gipsy never builds a permanent home and never stays in one single place. The poet calls time an old gipsy man because time acts exactly like a gipsy. Time is always running forward in a very restless way. It never stops its journey. It never takes rest. It does not wait for anyone in the whole world, no matter how much you offer it.

2. What else can the poet offer time if it stays for a day? [Dhaka Board 2026] Answer: The poet strongly wants time to stop and stay for just one single day. To persuade time, the poet is ready to give very expensive and rich gifts. The poet lovingly offers to give time many beautiful silver bells. He also offers shiny rings made of pure gold. Finally, he promises to give time a magnificent golden caravan to ride in happily.

3. Why is time called 'an old gipsy man' in the poem 'Time, You Old Gipsy Man'? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: A gipsy is a wandering traveler. He never builds a house or stays in one town. Time is called 'an old gipsy man' because time shares this exact same habit. Time never stops its movement. It never waits for anyone at all. It is always moving forward on its endless journey. It totally ignores all our sad requests to stay a little longer.

4. Why does the poet use the metaphor of a caravan in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The poet uses the metaphor of a caravan to give a clear picture of Time. He describes Time as a restless and wandering gypsy. A gypsy always travels in a caravan and never stops permanently anywhere. By using this caravan image, the poet makes a strong point. He highlights the fleeing and unstoppable nature of time. Time is always moving forward just like a rolling caravan.

5. How does the poet personify time? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: To personify something means to give it human qualities. In this beautiful poem, the poet personifies time very clearly. He describes time as a restless, moving, and old gipsy man. A gipsy loves the open road and completely refuses to stay in one town. In the exact same way, time is always running forward. It never stops its journey for anyone in the world.

6. Make a list of things the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day. [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: The poet really wants time to stop moving. He wants to enjoy his life a little longer. To make time stay for just one single day, the poet promises to offer some very rich and expensive gifts. His special list of gifts is very grand. It includes beautiful silver bells to ring. It includes shiny rings made of solid gold. Finally, it includes a wonderful golden caravan to ride in.

7. Why does the poet call time an "Old Gipsy Man"? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: A gypsy is a special traveler who never stays in one single place. Gypsies always move from one town to another town without stopping. The poet calls time an "Old Gipsy Man" because time is exactly like that. Time never stops or waits for anyone. We may offer it very rich and costly gifts. But time does not care. It will keep moving forward on its endless road.

8. How does the poet portray time as a traveller in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: The poet portrays time in a very unique way. He shows time as an old and restless gypsy traveller. This traveller is constantly moving forward in his caravan. He strictly refuses to stop or settle down anywhere. He does not wait for anyone at all. He completely ignores all earthly temptations like rich gold. He also ignores all our desperate pleas to stay for just one more day.

9. What things will the poet offer time in the poem 'Time, You Old Gypsy Man' if it stays just for a day? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: The poet wants time to stop its journey for a while. He wants to enjoy the beauty of life a little longer. To make time stay for just one single day, the poet promises to give time very rich and expensive gifts. He lovingly offers a set of beautiful silver bells. He also offers shiny gold rings. Lastly, he offers a wonderful golden carriage for time to use.

10. How does the poet address time in the poem "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: The poet addresses time directly as a restless, old gipsy man. He uses a beautiful comparison. Think of a wandering gipsy traveler. This traveler never builds a permanent house. He always moves from one town to another. Time is exactly like this gipsy. Time is always running forward. It never waits for anyone at all, even if a person offers it very rich and expensive bribes to stop.

11. What is the significance of time being compared to a 'Gipsy Man'? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: A gipsy is a wandering traveler. He never builds a permanent home. He never stays in one single place for a long time. Time is beautifully compared to a gipsy man to teach us a lesson. This comparison shows that time also runs forward endlessly. It never stops or takes a rest. It never waits for anyone in this whole world, no matter how much we cry or beg it to stay.

"Books" by Eleanor Farjeon

1. Why does Eleanor Farjeon call each book 'a magic box'? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: The poet calls each book a 'magic box' for a very beautiful reason. A book hides wonderful surprises inside its pages, just like a magic trick. When we open a book, it does something magical. It quickly takes us to new worlds of deep imagination. We can clearly see beautiful fairies. We can see brave knights. We can enjoy great adventures. We can see all these things without even leaving our little room.

2. What does the poem 'Books' suggest about reading as a mental journey? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The poem suggests that reading a book is a very powerful mental journey. A book acts exactly like a magical ship. This ship transports the reader's mind to very different times. It takes us to magical realms and gives us exciting new experiences. We can easily travel the whole wide world through the power of our imagination. And we can do all this without ever leaving our comfortable chair.

3. What do the books hold for their lovers in between their outside covers? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: Many people love to read books. For these book lovers, a book is not just cheap paper and black ink. In between their outside covers, books hold amazing magic. They hold grand surprises for the reader. When a reader opens a book, they can find totally new and exciting worlds. They can meet beautiful fairies and very brave knights. They can also find highly thrilling adventures waiting for them inside.

4. Why does the poet call "each book a magic box" in the poem? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: A magic box is a very special thing. It is something that hides amazing and unexpected secrets inside it. The poet calls each book a magic box because a book works in the exact same way. From the outside, a book looks very simple and plain. But when a child opens its pages, a miracle happens. It magically unlocks a wonderful new world full of deep imagination and pure joy.

5. Do you think "each book a magic box"? Why? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: Yes, I firmly believe that each book is a magic box. A magic box is always full of wonderful surprises and amazing magic tricks. In the exact same way, a book is completely full of boundless imagination. When we open a book, it acts like a magical door. We can magically travel to new and unknown worlds. We can go on great adventures without even leaving our house.

6. Why is a book "a magic box" according to the poem 'Books'? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: According to the poem, a book is considered "a magic box" because it holds a very amazing power. It works just like a clever magician's trick. Opening the pages of a book instantly transports a child’s imagination to wonderful places. It takes them to faraway lands. It introduces them to thrilling adventures. A child can experience all these grand things without moving a single inch from their room.

7. What rises in our fancies and our eyes according to the poem 'Books'? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: The beautiful poem 'Books' describes the power of reading. According to the poem, our imagination wakes up magically when we read. We can clearly see magical new worlds rising in our minds. We can see wonderful cities. We can see brave knights and great adventures happening right in front of our eyes. We can enjoy all these amazing sights even if we are just sitting silently in a small room.

8. How does the poem "Books" reflect the idea of 'escapism' in relation to reading books? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: Escapism means running away from boring daily life. The poem strongly reflects this idea. It describes how a simple book can take us far away from our dull routine. When we read a book, our mind flies away. Our imagination instantly takes us to magical cities. We travel to unknown lands and enjoy wonderful adventures. We completely escape our reality without ever leaving the comfort of our safe room.

9. What do books bring in our fancies and eyes? [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: When we read a good book, our sleeping imagination wakes up instantly. The books work like real magic. They bring wonderful new worlds straight into our fancies. They show us beautiful fairies and very brave knights. They bring thrilling and heroic adventures right in front of our eyes. All these things give us a very magical and unforgettable experience.

"Solitude" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

1. What is the final message of the poem 'Solitude' by Ella Wheeler Wilcox? [Chattogram Board 2026] Answer: The final message of the poem is a very harsh truth about human nature. It tells us a sad reality of life. It says that when you are happy and highly successful, people will gladly join you. They want to share your joy and success. But when you are sad or in deep pain, everything changes. Everyone will leave you behind. You will have to suffer and cry all alone.

2. What does the poet mean by "Be glad and your friends are many" in "Solitude"? [Cumilla Board 2026] Answer: The poet means that people are naturally attracted to happiness and success. When you are cheerful and glad, you are like a magnet. You will easily attract many friends and companions around you. The world loves a happy and rich person. But this friendship is not real. In times of deep sorrow or serious difficulty, those exact same friends will quietly leave you all alone.

3. According to the poem what is the importance of solitude? [Rajshahi Board 2026] Answer: Solitude simply means being completely alone. The poem teaches us a very harsh but real truth about human life and true friendship. It says that solitude is very important for us. This is because we must learn to face our deep sadness alone. The selfish world only shares our joy. It never shares our pain. So, solitude teaches us how to be mentally strong by ourselves during our bad times.

4. What does the poet mean by "The sad old earth must borrow its mirth"? [Jashore Board 2026] Answer: "Mirth" is a word that means joy or happiness. By this line, the poet means that the world is already completely full of deep pain and sadness. It cannot create its own happiness naturally. Therefore, the sad earth has to "borrow" or take happiness from cheerful and smiling people. The people of the world will only join you when you have joy to give them.

5. What does the poet mean by "halls of pleasure" in 'Solitude'? [Mymensingh Board 2026] Answer: By the phrase "halls of pleasure," the poet uses a nice metaphor. She refers to the happy places of joy, big celebration, luxury, and great success in our society. The poet implies a sad truth here. She says that people will eagerly run to these happy places to share your joy. But they will never come to your house of sadness when you are crying.

6. When do you have friends and when do they leave you according to the poem 'Solitude'? [Dinajpur Board 2026] Answer: The poem teaches a very harsh but highly real truth about human nature. It clearly says that when you are very happy, rich, and highly successful, many people will come to you. They will become your close friends. But life is not always good. When you fall into bad times, become sad, and start crying, everything changes. All those friends will selfishly run away. They will leave you to suffer your pain alone.

7. Why do the mountains echo the songs that we sing but not our sighs? [Barishal Board 2026] Answer: The mountains act as a symbol for the people of the world. They gladly echo our happy songs. This shows that the world is very happy to join us when we are cheerful, rich, and successful. But the mountains do not echo our sad sighs or cries. This means the selfish world does not want to hear or share our pain. It simply leaves us alone to suffer our sadness in silence.

8. "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone;" Explain briefly in the light of the poem 'Solitude'. [Sylhet Board 2026] Answer: These famous lines teach a very harsh and bitter reality of basic human nature. When a person is happy, wealthy, and successful, everybody loves him. Everyone eagerly wants to be his friend and share his great joy. But when the same person is sad, poor, and crying, the truth comes out. All those fake friends run away very fast. They leave him to suffer his deep pain all by himself.

More Important Answering Questions from Poems (Question No. 8) for SSC 2027

1. O Me! O Life! (by Walt Whitman)

1.       What is the main theme of the poem "O Me! O Life!"?

2.       What message does the poem "O Me! O Life!" convey?

3.       "Of eyes that vainly crave the light" — explain it in light of the poem "O Me! O Life!".

4.       Is the poem "O Me! O Life!" pessimistic in your view? Put forward your argument.

5.       Do you find the answer section of the poem convincing in the poem "O Me! O Life!"?

6.       What do "sordid" and "plodding" mean in the poem "O Me! O Life!"?

7.       What is the poem "O Me! O Life!" about?

8.       Who is the speaker in the poem?

9.       What recurring questions does the poet mention in the poem, "O Me! O Life!"?

10.   Why does the poet mention "empty and useless years" in the poem?

11.   What does the line "That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse" suggest about a person's purpose in life?

12.   How does the poet describe the "crowds" in "O Me! O Life!"?

13.   What is the "answer" in "O Me! O Life!"?

14.   What does the phrase "endless trains of the faithless" refer to in "O Me! O Life!"?

15.   Why does the poet use the phrase "Oh me! Oh life!" repeatedly?

16.   What feelings does the poem "O Me! O Life!" evoke?

17.   What is the meaning of "sordid crowds" in "O Me! O Life!"?

18.   How does the poet address despair in "O Me! O Life!"?

19.   What is the significance of the answer given in "O Me! O Life!"?

20.   In the poem, "O Me! O Life!", why does the poet reproach himself?

2. Books (by Eleanor Farjeon)

1.       What are the books compared to in the poem "Books"?

2.       Why does the poet call a book a "magic box"?

3.       What does Farjeon teach us about the power of imagination through her description of books?

4.       What are the benefits of reading books mentioned in the poem "Books"?

5.       What does the poet mean to say by "we sail along the page" in the poem "Books"?

6.       What does the poet say about the good things that reading a book can do to you?

7.       What other benefits do you think reading books can give you?

8.       How does the poet use the "magic box" metaphor in the poem "Books"?

9.       How do books transport us to another world?

10.   What do books bring to us according to the poem "Books"?

11.   What happens when one opens a book, according to the poem "Books"?

12.   How does the poet use personification to describe books?

13.   What is the central message of the poem "Books"?

14.   What does the poem "Books" say about the journey of reading?

15.   What does the poem "Books" suggest about the physical act of reading?

16.   What is the "magic" of books mentioned in the poem?

17.   How does reading allow us to travel without moving?

18.   How do books contribute to the formation of new ideas and the introduction to new people?

19.   Why is each book compared with a "magic box"?

20.   What is the "magic box" referred to in the poem "Books"?

3. Two Mothers Remembered (by Joann Snow Duncanson)

1.       Who was the speaker's second mother in "Two Mothers Remembered"? Depict her.

2.       How does the poem show the changes in a mother-daughter relationship as time passes?

3.       What would be the speaker's advice to her own children in the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"?

4.       How are the two mothers different from each other in the poem?

5.       What are the responsibilities of children mentioned in "Two Mothers Remembered"?

6.       What does "full circle" mean in the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"?

7.       How are the two mothers the same in the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"?

8.       Why does the poet refer to herself as the strength of her mother?

9.       Who are the three women referred to in the poem, "Two Mothers Remembered"?

10.   What is the theme of the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"?

11.   What role did the first mother play in the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"?

12.   What was the first mother's contribution in the poem?

13.   What are the two different perspectives on motherhood in "Two Mothers Remembered"?

14.   How does the poem "Two Mothers Remembered" inspire empathy?

15.   What does the poem "Two Mothers Remembered" teach about the passage of time?

16.   Who are the two mothers in the poem "Two Mothers Remembered"?

17.   How does the poet describe the "second mother"?

18.   Why should children love their mothers in their old age according to the poem?

19.   What did the first mother do to the speaker?

20.   How does the poet contrast the two mothers in "Two Mothers Remembered"?

4. The Sands of Dee (by Charles Kingsley)

1.       What is the significance of some repeated words/sentences in "The Sands of Dee"?

2.       What feelings does the poem "The Sands of Dee" create in the mind of the readers?

3.       Who is Mary in the poem "The Sands of Dee"?

4.       What was the weather like when Mary went out?

5.       What lesson or message can readers learn from Mary's tragic story in "The Sands of Dee"?

6.       How has the poet described the sea in the poem "The Sands of Dee"?

7.       How does the poet's repetition of words emphasize the mood and theme of the poem "The Sands of Dee"?

8.       What task was Mary given in the poem "The Sands of Dee"?

9.       How does the poet use "imagery" to describe Mary's hair?

10.   What do the boatmen hear after Mary's death?

11.   What are the metaphors (any two) found in the poem "The Sands of Dee"?

12.   Write an example of personification in the poem "The Sands of Dee".

13.   What is the significance of the last line "Across the sands of Dee"?

14.   What does the poet mean by "cruel crawling foam" in "The Sands of Dee"?

15.   What do the sands symbolize in "The Sands of Dee"?

16.   What is the "refrain" in "The Sands of Dee"?

17.   Who is "Mary" calling for in "The Sands of Dee"?

18.   What happened to Mary in the sands of Dee?

19.   How does the poet describe Mary's fate?

20.   What tragic event is described in "The Sands of Dee"?

5. Time, You Old Gypsy Man (by Ralph Hodgson)

1.       What lesson does "Time, You Old Gipsy Man" teach about life?

2.       Why does the poet plead with time to stay in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

3.       What does the poet suggest about human helplessness in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

4.       Why does the poet call time an "old gipsy man"?

5.       What is the main theme of the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man"?

6.       What does the speaker ask Time to do?

7.       Why does the poet compare time to a "gipsy man", and what does this image tell us about life?

8.       What feelings or emotions does the speaker express towards Time in the poem?

9.       What request does the poet make to time and what does it suggest in the poem?

10.   Make a list of things the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day.

11.   What does the poet mean by "Put up your caravan / Just for a day?"

12.   Which cities are mentioned in the poem "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

13.   What is the significance of "Last week in Babylon, / Last night in Rome"?

14.   How does the poet personify time in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

15.   How does the poet's portrayal of time affect the mood of the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man"?

16.   How does the poet describe the movement of time in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

17.   What gifts does the poet offer to Time?

18.   What does "time" symbolize in the poem?

19.   What will the poet offer time if it stays just for a day?

20.   Why does the poet mention Babylon and Rome in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

6. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (by Robert Frost)

1.       How does "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" explore the theme of mortality?

2.       What does the repetition of the last line in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" emphasize?

3.       Why does the poet admire the woods in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

4.       Clarify the central message of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".

5.       What do "promises" and "sleep" mean in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

6.       What is the main theme of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

7.       Where does the speaker stop?

8.       Why does the speaker stop to watch the woods, and what might the woods symbolize?

9.       How does the line "And miles to go before I sleep" reflect the speaker's thoughts about life and responsibility?

10.   Why does the poet describe the evening as the darkest of the year in the poem?

11.   Why did the poet stop by the woods though it was dark and he was alone?

12.   What are the promises hinted in the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

13.   What does the poem want to mean by the expression "The woods are lovely, dark and deep"?

14.   How does the poet describe the woods in the last stanza in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

15.   What might the poet mean by "promises to keep" in the poem?

16.   What does the poet's horse symbolize in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

17.   Why does the poet mention the village in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

18.   Whose woods does the speaker stop by?

19.   What time of year is described in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

20.   Why does the speaker in "Stopping by Woods" decide to leave?

7. Solitude (by Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

1.       What does "Fast, and the world goes by" suggest in "Solitude"?

2.       What is the poet's view on shared happiness in "Solitude"?

3.       What does the poem "Solitude" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox teach us about how people react to others' happiness and sadness?

4.       Explain — "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone;"

5.       Explain — "Succeed and give, and it helps you live, But no man can help you die."

6.       Why does the earth borrow happiness but not sadness in the poem "Solitude"?

7.       What does the poem "Solitude" say about walking "through the narrow aisles of pain"?

8.       What does the poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox mean by "the sad old earth must borrow its mirth"?

9.       According to the poet, how do people behave when you rejoice in the poem "Solitude"?

10.   What is the poet's perspective on the human tendency to avoid pain in "Solitude"?

11.   How does the poem "Solitude" describe the world's reaction to sadness?

12.   According to the poem "Solitude", when do you have many friends and when do they leave you?

13.   How does the poem "Solitude" depict the relationship between joy and sorrow?

14.   What truth about life and death does the poet express in the line "But no man can help you die"?

15.   How does the poem "Solitude" reflect the poet's view of society?

16.   What emotion is primarily expressed in the poem "Solitude"?

17.   Why do the mountains echo the songs that we sing but not our sighs according to the poem?

18.   What does the poet mean by "Laugh, and the world laughs with you"?

19.   According to "Solitude," what happens during a feast versus a fast?

20.   What is the poet's view on society as reflected in "Solitude"?