Comprehension
Beware of the old newspapers
stacked
on that little three legged stool over there.
Don’t disturb them.
I know it for a fact
that snakes have spawned in between these sheets.
Don’t even look in that direction.
It’s not because of breeze
that their corners are fluttering.
It’s alive, that nest of newspapers.
new born snakes, coiling and uncurling,
are turning their heads to look at you.
That white corner has spread its hood.
A forked tongue
shoots out of its mouth.
Keep your eyes closed.
Get rid of the whole goddamn pile if you
want to
in the morning.
Question: 1
What does the poet BEST convey about old newspapers when he says “that snakes have spawned in between these sheets?”
What does the poet BEST convey about old newspapers when he says “that snakes have spawned in between these sheets?”
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In poetry, look for metaphors that carry deeper meanings. Here, the poet uses the image of snakes to represent how society’s past voices (old newspapers) can turn from something useful to something threatening over time.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
- Old newspapers are society’s voices that turn hostile over time.
- Old newspapers symbolize the repressed stories that may confront the present.
- Old newspapers’ unattended knowledge turns into future threats.
- Old newspapers stand for suppressed truths whose venom surfaces when disturbed.
- Old newspapers embody the decay of knowledge turning into toxic remnants.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the passage.
The poem speaks about old newspapers being symbolic of the accumulated voices of society. These voices, once important, have become ignored and turned hostile over time. The reference to snakes conveys how something initially neutral can become harmful, mirroring the transformation of old newspapers.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Old newspapers are society’s voices that turn hostile over time: This is the correct answer, as it captures the metaphor of newspapers transforming into something hostile (snakes) over time.
- (B) Old newspapers symbolize the repressed stories that may confront the present: While this interpretation is valid, the poem emphasizes the transformation of these stories into something dangerous and hostile, not just repressed.
- (C) Old newspapers’ unattended knowledge turns into future threats: This is also plausible but does not fully capture the essence of hostility as effectively as option (A).
- (D) Old newspapers stand for suppressed truths whose venom surfaces when disturbed: This is partially correct but does not reflect the full metaphor of turning hostile as presented in the poem.
- (E) Old newspapers embody the decay of knowledge turning into toxic remnants: This is a valid interpretation but does not focus on the metaphor of society’s voices turning hostile.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) because it best reflects the metaphor of old newspapers representing society’s voices that become harmful or hostile over time.
The poem speaks about old newspapers being symbolic of the accumulated voices of society. These voices, once important, have become ignored and turned hostile over time. The reference to snakes conveys how something initially neutral can become harmful, mirroring the transformation of old newspapers.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Old newspapers are society’s voices that turn hostile over time: This is the correct answer, as it captures the metaphor of newspapers transforming into something hostile (snakes) over time.
- (B) Old newspapers symbolize the repressed stories that may confront the present: While this interpretation is valid, the poem emphasizes the transformation of these stories into something dangerous and hostile, not just repressed.
- (C) Old newspapers’ unattended knowledge turns into future threats: This is also plausible but does not fully capture the essence of hostility as effectively as option (A).
- (D) Old newspapers stand for suppressed truths whose venom surfaces when disturbed: This is partially correct but does not reflect the full metaphor of turning hostile as presented in the poem.
- (E) Old newspapers embody the decay of knowledge turning into toxic remnants: This is a valid interpretation but does not focus on the metaphor of society’s voices turning hostile.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) because it best reflects the metaphor of old newspapers representing society’s voices that become harmful or hostile over time.
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Question: 2
Which of the following BEST captures what the poet communicates when he says, “Keep your eyes closed. / Get rid of the whole goddamn pile if you want to / in the morning?”
Which of the following BEST captures what the poet communicates when he says, “Keep your eyes closed. / Get rid of the whole goddamn pile if you want to / in the morning?”
Show Hint
In poetry, pay attention to the subtle cues in the language. The poet’s advice on handling the past is to avoid confronting it, rather than dealing with it directly.
Updated On: Jan 7, 2026
- Being delusional about the disturbing past is the solution to handle it.
- Acting on an unsettling past can help in overcoming the fear it instills.
- Better to avoid the disturbing past rather than confronting it.
- Confrontation is not the best way in dealing with the disturbing past.
- Staying away from the past helps in escaping what is unsettling.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the poet's message.
The poet suggests that avoiding the past or the disturbing memories associated with it is a way of dealing with the emotional burden it brings. The line "Keep your eyes closed" implies that turning away from the past, rather than confronting it head-on, might be a better option.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Being delusional about the disturbing past is the solution to handle it: This is not the poet's message. The poet is suggesting avoidance, not delusion.
- (B) Acting on an unsettling past can help in overcoming the fear it instills: This is opposite to what the poet advocates. The poet advises avoiding the unsettling past, not confronting it.
- (C) Better to avoid the disturbing past rather than confronting it: This matches the poet’s sentiment. The poet suggests turning away from the past and not confronting it, which is captured in the lines.
- (D) Confrontation is not the best way in dealing with the disturbing past: While this is similar, option (C) more directly captures the poet's message of avoidance rather than confrontation.
- (E) Staying away from the past helps in escaping what is unsettling: This is also valid, but it’s less specific about the poet’s suggestion to avoid the disturbing past entirely.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) because it directly reflects the poet's message that avoiding the disturbing past is preferable to confronting it.
The poet suggests that avoiding the past or the disturbing memories associated with it is a way of dealing with the emotional burden it brings. The line "Keep your eyes closed" implies that turning away from the past, rather than confronting it head-on, might be a better option.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Being delusional about the disturbing past is the solution to handle it: This is not the poet's message. The poet is suggesting avoidance, not delusion.
- (B) Acting on an unsettling past can help in overcoming the fear it instills: This is opposite to what the poet advocates. The poet advises avoiding the unsettling past, not confronting it.
- (C) Better to avoid the disturbing past rather than confronting it: This matches the poet’s sentiment. The poet suggests turning away from the past and not confronting it, which is captured in the lines.
- (D) Confrontation is not the best way in dealing with the disturbing past: While this is similar, option (C) more directly captures the poet's message of avoidance rather than confrontation.
- (E) Staying away from the past helps in escaping what is unsettling: This is also valid, but it’s less specific about the poet’s suggestion to avoid the disturbing past entirely.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) because it directly reflects the poet's message that avoiding the disturbing past is preferable to confronting it.
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