Important Suggestion on Poems and Stories for SSC 2026 & 2027 (English 1st Paper) / Important Questions and Answers on Poems and Stories / English 1st Paper Suggestion on Poems

Important Suggestion on Poems

1. O Me! O Life! by Walt Whitman

1.       In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what questions does the poem mention that keep coming back?

2.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what does the poet mean by "the endless trains of the faithless"?

3.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", who does the poet call foolish?

4.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", why does the poet blame himself?

5.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what do the eyes "vainly crave"?

6.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what are the "plodding and sordid crowds"?

7.       In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what is meant by "the powerful play"?

8.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what is the poet's answer to his own question?

9.      In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what is the poet’s advice about "the powerful play"?

10.   In the poem "O Me! O Life!", what is the final message?

2. Books by Eleanor Farjeon

1.       In the poem "Books", what does the poem describe books as?

2.      In the poem "Books", what happens when one opens a book?

3.      In the poem "Books", how do books affect the room we sit in?

4.      In the poem "Books", who can we meet in books?

5.      In the poem "Books", what does the poem suggest about traveling through books?

6.      In the poem "Books", what does the poet mean by "Here’s our body in the chair, But our mind is over there"?

7.       In the poem "Books", to what does the poet compare a book?

8.      In the poem "Books", why does the poet describe books as magical?

9.      In the poem "Books", what do books hold for their lovers?

10.   In the poem "Books", what is the central message?

3. Two Mothers Remembered by Joann Snow Duncanson

1.       In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", how many mothers does the speaker say she has and why?

2.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what was the role of the first mother in the speaker's life?

3.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what lasting gifts did the first mother give the speaker?

4.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what change happens to the first mother?

5.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what does the speaker mean by "a stranger dressed in the clothes of my mother"?

6.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", how did the roles switch between the speaker and her mother?

7.       In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", who are the "women three"?

8.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what does the poem mean by "We’d come full circle"?

9.      In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what does the speaker ask of her own children at the end?

10.   In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", what is the central theme?

4. The Sands Of Dee by Charles Kingsley

1.       In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what is the setting and what mood does it create?

2.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what task is Mary given at the start?

3.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what happened to Mary?

4.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", how are the forces of nature described?

5.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what do the boatmen find that hints at Mary's fate?

6.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", how is Mary's hair described and what does it represent?

7.       In the poem "The Sands of Dee", how is the sea foam described and what does it mean?

8.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what happens to Mary's body after it is found?

9.      In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what spooky thing remains after Mary’s death?

10.   In the poem "The Sands of Dee", what is the purpose of repetition?

5. Time, You Old Gypsy Man by Ralph Hodgson

1.       In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", how does the speaker talk to Time?

2.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", what does the speaker ask Time to do?

3.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", why does the speaker call Time a "gypsy"?

4.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", what gifts does the speaker offer to make Time stay?

5.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", what old places has Time visited?

6.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", what do these places (Babylon, Rome) tell us about Time's journey?

7.       In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", what does the speaker mean by Time "tighten your rein"?

8.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", where is Time going next?

9.      In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", why does the speaker repeat his request at the end?

10.   In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", what is the main theme?

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

1.       In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", where does the speaker stop and why?

2.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", why won't the owner of the woods see the speaker?

3.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", how does the speaker's horse react to the stop?

4.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", what is the importance of the “darkest evening of the year”?

5.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", what are the only sounds the speaker can hear?

6.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", how does the speaker describe the woods?

7.       In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", why can't the speaker stay for long?

8.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", what does the speaker mean by "promises to keep"?

9.      In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", what does the line "And miles to go before I sleep" mean?

10.   In the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", what is the main theme?

7. Solitude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

1.       In the poem "Solitude", what is the main message in the first two lines, "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone"?

2.      In the poem "Solitude", why does the poem say the "sad old earth must borrow its mirth"?

3.      In the poem "Solitude", how does nature respond to joy and sadness?

4.      In the poem "Solitude", how do people react when you are happy compared to when you are sad?

5.      In the poem "Solitude", what happens to your friends when you are glad versus when you are sad?

6.      In the poem "Solitude", what do "nectared wine" and "life's gall" stand for?

7.       In the poem "Solitude", what does it say about celebrating (feasting) versus struggling (fasting)?

8.      In the poem "Solitude", what is the one thing the poem says no one can help you do?

9.      In the poem "Solitude", what does it mean by the "halls of pleasure" and the "narrow aisles of pain"?

10.   In the poem "Solitude", what lesson does it teach about people and friendships?

Answers of All Questions

Important Suggestion on Stories

1.Mr. Moti- Part 1

1. How old is Ameen when the war begins in Mr. Moti?

2. What does Ameen announce one Monday after supper in Mr. Moti?

3. How does Sonabhan react when Ameen says he will go to war in Mr. Moti?

4. What does Ameen promise his mother about his return in Mr. Moti?

5. What chore does Sonabhan do the morning after Ameen’s announcement in Mr. Moti?

6. What does Ameen do with Moti while having breakfast in Mr. Moti?

7. On which day does Ameen go to the bazaar in Mr. Moti?

8. What items does Sonabhan arrange for Ameen to sell at the bazaar in Mr. Moti?

9. How does Ameen dress when going to the bazaar in Mr. Moti?

10. What realization strikes Sonabhan as she watches Ameen walk away in Mr. Moti?

Mr. Moti- Part 2

1. Why does Sonabhan ground Moti for a day in Mr. Moti?

2. What happens to Moti one Monday morning in Mr. Moti?

3. Where does Sonabhan bury Moti in Mr. Moti?

4. How does Sonabhan react after burying Moti in Mr. Moti?

5. What happens to the birds in the coops after Moti's death in Mr. Moti?

6. What does Sonabhan do with Moti's basket after his death in Mr. Moti?

7. How is the emptiness of Sonabhan's life emphasized after Moti's death in Mr. Moti?

8. What does the recurring mention of empty spaces signify in Mr. Moti?

9. What does Moti symbolize in Mr. Moti?

10. What does the title Mr. Moti signify in the story?

2.The Wheel of Cyclone

1. What unusual weather occurred in north Delhi on March 17, 1978, according to The Great Derangement?

2. What was Amitav Ghosh doing when the hailstorm began?

3. Why did Amitav Ghosh decide to leave the library earlier than planned?

4. What caused Amitav Ghosh to change his route on the way back to his room?

5. What did Ghosh see forming in the sky while near Maurice Nagar?

6. Where did Ghosh try to seek shelter initially, and what happened there?

7. Where did Ghosh eventually take shelter from the cyclone?

8. What extraordinary sight did Ghosh witness during the cyclone?

9. How did Ghosh describe the impact of the cyclone on gravity?

10. What was the condition of the administrative building's glass-fronted doorway after the cyclone?

3.The Purple Jar- Part 1

1. Where was Rosamond walking with her mother?

2. What did Rosamond want to buy at the milliner's shop?

3. Why didn't Rosamond’s mother buy the roses?

4. What did Rosamond find attractive in the jeweller's shop?

5. Why did Rosamond's mother refuse to buy jewelry?

6. How old is Rosamond?

7. Who are the main characters of the story The Purple Jar?

8. Why didn’t Rosamond’s mother buy the buckles?

The Purple Jar- Part 2

1. What caught Rosamond's attention in the chemist's shop?

2. What reason did Rosamond give for wanting the purple jar?

3. What problem did Rosamond discover with her shoes?

4. What decision did Rosamond have to make regarding her purchase?

5. Why did Rosamond choose the purple jar over the shoes?

6. How did Rosamond's mother respond when Rosamond asked for both the jar and shoes?

7. Why did Rosamond feel conflicted about buying the purple jar or the shoes?

8. What made Rosamond choose the purple jar over the shoes?

9. How did Rosamond’s decision reflect her character?

10. What lesson could Rosamond learn from this experience?

The Purple Jar- Part 3

1. What mistake did Rosamond make while buying the jar?

2. What did Rosamond discover inside the jar when she opened it?

3. What happened to the jar after Rosamond poured out the contents?

4. How did Rosamond feel after realizing her mistake?

5. What problem did Rosamond face due to not buying new shoes?

6. What lesson did Rosamond learn from her experience?

7. Why did Rosamond's mother let her make the decision about the purchase?

8. What does Rosamond’s decision show about her character at that moment?

9. Why was the jar no longer attractive after it was emptied?

10. What was the ultimate consequence of Rosamond's decision to buy the jar?

4.The Merchant of Venice- Part 1 (A Pound of Flesh)

1. Who was Antonio, and what did he do for a living?

2. How did the people of Venice feel about Antonio, and why?

3. Describe Bassanio's character and his relationship with Antonio.

4. Who was Portia, and why was she admired?

5. Why did Bassanio approach Antonio for money?

6. Why did Antonio have to borrow money from Shylock?

7. What condition did Shylock place on the loan he gave to Antonio?

8. Why was Bassanio short of money all the time?

9. Why did Antonio go to Shylock?

10. What was written in the bond?

The Merchant of Venice - Part 2 (The Three Caskets)

1. What was Portia's father's plan to choose her husband?

2. What message did the Prince of Morocco find in the gold casket?

3. Why did the Prince of Spain choose the silver casket?

4. How did Bassanio correctly choose the lead casket?

5. What news disrupted Bassanio and Portia's happiness after their marriage?

6. Why did Portia's father make such a strange plan?

7. Write what you know of the three caskets.

8. What did the Prince of Morocco choose in the casket test?

9. Who succeeded in marrying Portia? Why/How?

10. Why did the joyous mood at Belmont turn sad?

The Merchant of Venice -Part 3 (The Trial)

1. How did Shylock react when offered double the money by Bassanio?

2. Who entered the courtroom as Doctor Balthazar, and what was their true identity?

3. What argument did Portia use to try and make Shylock show mercy?

4. Why did Shylock refuse to accept the money and insist on the bond?

5. How did Portia trick Shylock with the bond's wording?

6. What penalty would Shylock face for shedding Antonio's blood?

7. Why did Shylock praise Portia before realizing her trick?

8. How was Antonio's life ultimately saved?

9. What lesson can be learned from Shylock's defeat?

10. What does the phrase "all that glitters is not gold" signify in the story?

5.The Story of an Hour- Part 1

1. Why was great care taken to inform Mrs. Mallard about her husband's death?

2. Who told Mrs. Mallard about her husband's death?

3. Where was Richards when he learned about the accident?

4. What steps did Richards take to confirm Brently Mallard's death?

5. How did Mrs. Mallard initially react to the news of her husband's death?

6. Where did Mrs. Mallard go after hearing the news?

7. What did Mrs. Mallard see and hear from the open window in her room?

8. What feeling began to approach Mrs. Mallard as she sat in the chair?

9. What words did Mrs. Mallard whisper repeatedly?

10. Who was with Mrs. Mallard when she received the news of her husband's death?

The Story of an Hour- Part 2

1. How did Mrs. Mallard's emotions change after realizing her newfound freedom?

2. What did Mrs. Mallard anticipate about her future?

3. Why did Mrs. Mallard believe living for herself was important?

4. What was Mrs. Mallard's perspective on her love for her husband?

5. How did Mrs. Mallard describe the strongest impulse of her being?

6. Why did Josephine plead with Mrs. Mallard to open the door?

7. What did Mrs. Mallard feel as she looked out of the window?

8. How did Mrs. Mallard appear when she opened the door?

9. What unexpected event occurred as Mrs. Mallard descended the stairs?

10. What was the doctors' conclusion about Mrs. Mallard's death?

Answers of All Questions