Question Bank — Childhood

QUESTION BANK

NCERT Hornbill – Unit: Childhood (Poem by Markus Natten)

Section A — MCQs (10 × 1 = 10 marks)

1. The poet realises that Hell and Heaven cannot be located in Geography when he is
   a) ten b) eleven c) twelve d) an adult

2. Which stanza highlights the theme of hypocrisy?
   a) Stanza 1 b) Stanza 2 c) Stanza 3 d) Stanza 4

3. The phrase “my mind was really mine” suggests the discovery of
   a) obedience b) individuality c) fear d) geography

4. Assertion (A): The poet believes childhood ends with the realisation that adults do not practise what they preach.
   Reason (R): Adults talk and preach of love but do not act lovingly.
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

5. The last stanza of the poem conveys a feeling of
   a) anger b) nostalgia and loss c) excitement d) pride

6. Assertion (A): Rationalism marks the end of childhood according to the poet.
   Reason (R): The poet could not find Hell and Heaven in Geography and therefore concluded they could not exist.
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

7. The word “preached” in the poem suggests
   a) silent practice b) verbal teaching without action c) physical punishment d) scientific study

8. Childhood, according to the poet, is finally hidden
   a) in a forgotten place b) in an infant’s face c) in school d) in geography books

9. The process of growing up involves the loss of
   a) rational thought b) unquestioned beliefs and innocence c) ability to love d) ability to speak

10. Which line shows the poet’s acceptance that childhood cannot be recovered?
    a) “Was that the day!” b) “That’s all I know.” c) “Producing thoughts…” d) “They talked of love…”

Section B — Reference to Context (3 × 4 = 12 marks)

Extract 1

“When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realised that adults were not
all they seemed to be,
They talked of love and preached of love,
But did not act so lovingly,
Was that the day!”

1. Who is the speaker and what is the context?
2. What realisation does the poet express in these lines?
3. Identify the literary device used in “talked of love and preached of love”.
4. Explain the phrase “did not act so lovingly”.

Extract 2

“Was it when I found my mind was really mine,
To use whichever way I choose,
Producing thoughts that were not those of other people
But my own, and mine alone
Was that the day!”

1. Identify the speaker and the stage of life being described.
2. What does the poet mean by “my mind was really mine”?
3. Name the literary device used in the repetition of “mine”.
4. How does this realisation mark the end of childhood?

Extract 3

“Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,
That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know.”

1. Who is the speaker and what emotion is conveyed?
2. Where does the poet say his childhood has gone?
3. Identify the literary device in “hidden in an infant’s face”.
4. What does the line “That’s all I know” suggest about the poet’s feelings?

Section C — Short Answer Questions (5 × 3 = 15 marks)

(Answer in 40–50 words each)

1. What, according to the poem, is involved in the process of growing up?
2. How does the poet show that adults are hypocritical?
3. What change occurs in the poet’s thinking when he discovers rationalism?
4. Describe the poet’s feeling towards childhood.
5. Why does the poet feel that childhood has gone to “some forgotten place”?

Section D — Long Answer Questions (2 × 6 = 12 marks)

(Answer in 100–120 words each)

1. “Childhood is a period of innocence that is lost with the growth of rational thought and awareness of adult hypocrisy.” Discuss with reference to the poem.
2. Draw a character sketch of the poet as revealed through his reflections on childhood in the poem “Childhood”.

Section E — Language and Writing (2 × 4 = 8 marks)

1. Vocabulary/Grammar Task
   From the poem, pick out one word each for the following meanings and use them in sentences of your own:
   a) the quality of being honest and sincere in feelings (opposite of hypocrisy)
   b) the ability to think independently and logically

2. Writing Task
   You have just read the poem “Childhood”. Write a diary entry (80–100 words) expressing how you felt when you first realised that adults do not always practise what they preach. Mention the incident and your feelings.