Comprehension

Driving from my parent's
home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother, beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes, .....
(My Mother at Sixty-six)

Question: 1

Complete the following suitably:
The expressions ‘doze’ and ‘open mouthed’ are used by the poet to indicate the poet’s mother’s .

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These expressions create a visual image of a weak and ageing woman, reflecting the poet’s deep emotional response to her mother’s declining health.

Updated On: Jan 14, 2026

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Solution and Explanation

The expressions ‘doze’ and ‘open mouthed’ are used by the poet to indicate the poet’s mother’s old age and physical frailty.

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Question: 2

Give the phrase that suggests the following.
The image of exuberance and youthfulness affects the poet’s thoughts.

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This phrase contrasts the poet’s mother’s aging with youthful images of movement and vitality, deepening the emotional effect.

Updated On: Jan 14, 2026

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Solution and Explanation

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes.

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Question: 3

What does the imagery of ‘Trees sprinting’ not represent in the given extract?
(A) energy (B) liveliness (C) shade (D) vitality

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‘Trees sprinting’ conveys movement and life, not shelter or stillness. Shade does not fit the dynamic mood of this imagery.

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Solution and Explanation

(C) shade

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Question: 4

Select the correct option from those given in the brackets, to fill in the blank.
The poet’s use of the phrase ‘ashen like that of a corpse’, illustrates the poet’s use of. (irony/imagery)

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Imagery involves vivid descriptions that appeal to our senses. Here, the phrase helps the reader visualise the mother’s lifeless appearance.

Updated On: Jan 14, 2026

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Solution and Explanation

The poet’s use of the phrase illustrates the use of imagery.

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Question: 5

Choose the correct option:
The poet is unable to bear the sight of her ageing mother, because .
her mother had refused to accompany her
she is upset with her mother dozing off
it upsets her to see the ageing face of her mother
she is in a hurry to reach the airport

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The poet is emotionally distressed by her mother’s appearance, which reminds her of mortality and separation.

Updated On: Jan 14, 2026

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Solution and Explanation

(C) it upsets her to see the ageing face of her mother.

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Question: 6

Read the assertion and the reason below, with reference to the given extract.
Assertion: The mother was accompanying her daughter to the airport.
Reason: The daughter was leaving her mother behind and flying off.
Choose the correct option regarding their relationship:

Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

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The mother accompanies the daughter to the airport, while the daughter’s departure brings out the pain of parting and ageing.

Updated On: Jan 14, 2026

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Solution and Explanation

(A) Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

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Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam

View More Questions

Complete the following suitably: The expressions ‘doze’ and ‘open mouthed’ are used by the poet to indicate the poet’s mother’s .

Show Hint

Solution and Explanation

Give the phrase that suggests the following. The image of exuberance and youthfulness affects the poet’s thoughts.

Show Hint

Solution and Explanation

What does the imagery of ‘Trees sprinting’ not represent in the given extract? (A) energy (B) liveliness (C) shade (D) vitality

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Solution and Explanation

Select the correct option from those given in the brackets, to fill in the blank. The poet’s use of the phrase ‘ashen like that of a corpse’, illustrates the poet’s use of. (irony/imagery)

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Solution and Explanation

Choose the correct option: The poet is unable to bear the sight of her ageing mother, because .her mother had refused to accompany her she is upset with her mother dozing off it upsets her to see the ageing face of her mother she is in a hurry to reach the airport

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Solution and Explanation

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Solution and Explanation

Top Questions on Poems

Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam

Complete the following suitably:
The expressions ‘doze’ and ‘open mouthed’ are used by the poet to indicate the poet’s mother’s .

Give the phrase that suggests the following.
The image of exuberance and youthfulness affects the poet’s thoughts.

What does the imagery of ‘Trees sprinting’ not represent in the given extract?
(A) energy (B) liveliness (C) shade (D) vitality

Select the correct option from those given in the brackets, to fill in the blank.
The poet’s use of the phrase ‘ashen like that of a corpse’, illustrates the poet’s use of. (irony/imagery)

Choose the correct option:
The poet is unable to bear the sight of her ageing mother, because .
her mother had refused to accompany her
she is upset with her mother dozing off
it upsets her to see the ageing face of her mother
she is in a hurry to reach the airport