Q1. [5]
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do ? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street and then
Merrily over — there it is in the water !
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
- (i) What does the repetition of 'What, what' denote? [1]
- (a) loss of the ball
- (b) ask the poet for another ball
- (c) boy's grief over the loss of the ball
- (d) go down the street
- (ii) State whether the following statement is True or False:
The poet was delighted to watch the ball bouncing down the street into the water. [1]
- (iii) The poet repeats the word 'Merrily' in order to __________. [1]
- (iv) The phrase 'I saw it go' indicates that the poet feels that it would be _________ to console the boy. [1]
- (a) helpful
- (b) futile
- (c) easy
- (d) shameful
- (v) The boy has lost his ball.
Which feeling is expressed in this line? [1]
- (a) regret
- (b) cheer
- (c) despair
- (d) thrill
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 2/5/1 Q7(A)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:17 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
(i) (c) boy's grief over the loss of the ball
(ii) False. The poet was not delighted; he watched the ball go sadly, aware of the boy's loss and helplessness.
(iii) The poet repeats 'Merrily' to contrast the carefree, joyful movement of the ball with the deep sadness and helplessness felt by the boy who has lost it.
(iv) (b) futile
(v) (c) despair
Source: The Ball Poem, First Flight (Class 10)
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Explanation
- (i) The repetition of 'What, what' mimics a stunned, grieving mind — it shows the boy is overwhelmed with sorrow, not just confusion.
- (ii) The poet's tone is empathetic and sad, not delighted; 'I saw it go' shows helpless witnessing, not joy.
- (iii) 'Merrily' for a fill-in-the-blank needs a reason — always link the ball's cheerful bouncing to the ironic contrast with the boy's grief. This contrast is the poetic device the examiner wants noted.
- (iv) 'I saw it go' means the poet witnessed the loss himself and understands it is irreversible — hence consoling would be futile.
- (v) Losing something precious causes despair (deep hopelessness), not regret (which is milder) or the others.
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