Bihar Board Rainbow English Book Class 12 Solutions
Poem 7 'Macavity: The Mystery Cat by T. S. Eliot'
Text Book Questions and Answers
B. 1.1. Read the following sentences and write “T” for true and “F” for false statements -
(a) Macavity is an ordinary cat. - F
(b) Macavity is an outlaw. - T
(c) Macavity is always there on the scene of the crime. - F
(d) Macavity can be found in the basement - F
(e) The poet finds Macavity lazy and half-asleep. - T
(f) It can be seen in the by-street. - T
(g) Mungojerrie and Griddlebone are also cats. - T
(h) The poet is really angry with Macavity. - F
(i) The poet compares Macavity to Napolean. - T
B. 1.2. Answer the following questions briefly -
1. Why does the poet call Macavity, a mystery cat?
Ans: The poet calls Macavity a mystery cat because it is never found after ‘ committing wrong. It leaves the place immediately after committing the crime.
2. What are the adjectives that have been used to describe Macavity’s character?
Ans: Some of the adjectives that have been used to describe Macavity’s character are as hereunder; bafflement, ginger, fiend, and monster.
3. Why is Macavity termed a “criminal”?
Ans: Macavity is termed as a criminal because it defies the law and indulges in activities of criminal nature.
4. What is suggested by the phrase ‘power of levitation’?
Ans: The phrase 'power of levitation' has been used to denote a supernatural and extraordinary capacity to rise and float in the air, especially by magic which was said to be possessed by Macavity.
5. What would you do if a cat enters your kitchen? Would you keep a cat as a pet?
Ans: I will immediately drive the cat away, in case it enters my kitchen. No, I won’t keep a cat as a pet.
C. 1. Long Answer Questions -
1. Discuss the poet’s impression of Macavity, the mystery cat. Why does he call it mysterious?
Ans: The poet is interested in ‘Macavity’ the mystery cat, though it is engaged in criminal activities. He finds it a wonder-cat. Macavity is mysterious because after committing a wrong act it is never found on the scene of the crime.
2. Macavity is never there. “Elaborate”.
Ans: Macavity is very cunning. It is deceitful. After committing something wrong and injurious it is always traceless. Macavity leaves the place where it happens to commit a misdeed and vanishes from there. It becomes bafflement for investigating agencies.
3. Why does the poet call Macavity ‘outwardly respectable ?’ Discuss.
Ans: The poet passes satirical remarks on its peculiar activities. He calls Macavity outwardly respectable owing to show its meanness and also to rebuke (to castigate) for its misdeeds on a comical note. Macavity is the most cunning and indistinct (hidden). It has ever remained contrivance (skilled).
4. There are other cats like Mungojerrie and Griddlebone, but there’s no one like Macavity. Explain.
Ans: Other cats like Mangojerrie and griddle one can not be compared with Macavity whose activities are wonderful and confusing. It is unique and unparalleled.
5. Make a list of crimes Macavity is capable of.
Ans: Macavity can commit various types of crimes. It drinks milk, misplaces Jewel-Box, removes important documents, indulges in various other impure and humiliating acts, which causes much damage to society. (It is most funny, Macavity is not there.)
6. What would you do to tame Macavity?
Ans: I shall work out a plan for the proper training to tame Macavity. Our pets must be taught to live in a disciplined way. They must know good manners and honesty. Macavity is after all an animal and deserves my love, care, and sympathy.
7. Do you find the poem humorous? Give your comments on the poem.
Ans: The poem is, of course, humorous. There is no seriousness in the poem. It must be taken as a poem with lighter notes.
C. 3. Composition -
Write a paragraph in about 100 words on each of the following -
(a) Your favourite pet
Ans: My favourite pet is a dog. It is a very honest animal. It takes care of the use and the family. It eats the food offered with great pleasure and enjoys her activities of the family. It becomes like a family member. It has got his name. It loves to remain neat and clean and is full of good habits. Often it proves to be a source of jealousy for others. We are proud of having such a pet.
(b) Animals in prison.
Ans: It is a very pitiable scene to see animals around us in prison. Animals also have a heart and mind and as we feel disturbed when our freedom is taken away, in the same way, the animals feel perturbed when they are kept in prison and their freedom is taken away. Often, in prison, they are not well treated and they suffer a lot. They don’t get proper food, environment, and care. They must be taken care of nicely for their improvement as they are also a very important part of our life.
D. Word Study -
D.1. Dictionary Use -
Ex. 1. Look up a dictionary and write two meanings of each of the following words - the one which is used in the lesson and the other which is more common -
|
Ginger |
A type
of hot spice |
|
Do something
lively |
|
|
Loot |
Stolen money
or valuable |
|
Private property
taken from enemy in war |
|
|
Alibi |
A claim
or piece of evidence |
|
An excuse |
|
|
Coat |
A type
of dress |
|
An outer
layer of covering |
|
|
Master |
To have
control over something |
|
A teacher |
|
|
Pulse |
The
speed of blood flow in body |
|
A type
of edible seed |
|
|
Repair |
To restore
something |
|
To describe
the physical condition of an object |
D. 2. Word-formation -
Read the following lines carefully -
In the first line given above word ‘levitation’, which is a noun, is derived from levity’ which is also a noun by adding a suffix ‘-ation’ to it. In the second line, ‘depravity’, a noun, is derived from a verb ‘deprave’ by adding a suffix ‘-ity’ to it.
Form words from the following nouns and verbs by adding a suffix to them -
- gravity — gravitation
- baffle — bafflement
- national — nationality
- profound — profounded
- jovial — joviality
- celebrate — celebration
D. 3. Word-meaning -
Ex. 1. Match the words in Column A with their meaning in Column B -
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
Paw |
Foot of
an animal |
|
Stare |
Look sternly |
|
Dusty |
Covered with
dust |
|
Depravity |
Excuse |
|
Astray |
Away from
the correct path |
|
Suavity |
Having an
elegant manner |
|
Alibi |
Room below
the ground level |
E. Grammar -
Ex. 1. Fill in the blanks selecting suitable words given in the bracket against each sentence -
(i) If you …………….. to him, he would help you. (go, went)
(ii) Their footprints …………….. seen there, (was, were)
(iii) When you ……………… here, I will help you. (reach, will reach)
(iv) They boy ……………… father lives here is my friend, (whom, whose)
(v) Manoj is the boy ……………. can do anything, (who, whom)
(vi) Sita is engaged …………….. some important work today, (in, with)
(vii) He is more ……….. a poet, (than, but)
(viii) She …………… herself even in a critical situation, (control, controls)
(ix) He has …………….. every human law. (broke, broken)
(x) There may be …………. point of discussion, (a, the)
0 Comments