Beehive Class 9 Chapter 2 Pdf

Thinking about the poem

I.
Question 1.
Where does the traveller find himself?
What problem does he face?
Answer:
The traveller finds himself at a point where two roads diverge. His problem is to
decide on which road he should walk.

Question 2.
Discuss what these phrases mean to you.

1. a yellow wood
2. it was grassy and wanted wear
3. the passing there
4. leaves no step had trodden black
5. how way leads on to way

Answer:

1. A forest in the autumn season.

Question 3.
Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them?

1. in stanzas two and three?

Answer:

1. There is no difference between the two roads in stanzas two and three
2. In the last two lines of the poem the poet tells that the road he opted for
is less travelled.

Question 4.
What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, does the poet
regret his choice or accept it?)
Answer:
The last two lines have the quintessence of the poem. The poet expresses his
opinion that it becomes difficult for a normal human being to change his/her
decision. The poet intends to walk on the first road but he couldn’t do so because life
does not offer multiple chances to choose. The decision taken may mar one’s future
or lead one to success. It makes all the differences. He now repents for not getting a
chance to travel on the first road.

II.
Question 1.
Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have difficult
choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)?
Answer:
Such situations occur in everyone’s life. In today’s world people have numerous
alternatives. But the decision should be taken after considering all the ins and outs
of the situation. We must ruminate over the disadvantages also.

Students can write their own experiences.

Question 2.
After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have been, or
do you accept the reality?
Answer:.
One should live in the present and not in the past. The philosophy of ‘is’ is the key to
attaining success. Life is not a bed of roses. Its hurdles are to be crossed bravely.
One must not feel nervous and get dejected in the trying circumstances. On some
instances, one needs to be confident about the choice he/she makes.

Additional Questions

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
What was the poet’s dilemma?
Answer:
The poet was standing before the two roads. He had to decide which one would lead
him to success. It was not easy for him to decide. So he stood there and
introspected. Out the two options, he had to choose the one. Of course, it was not an
easy choice.

Question 2.
What was the poet’s opinion about both the roads?
Answer:
The poet opined that both the roads were same. They were equally travelled and
there was no difference between them. So he got confused. It was difficult to decide
which road would be more convenient and comfortable. He wanted to choose the
one that would take him to his intended destination.

Question 3.
What do the roads represent?
Answer:
The roads represent the problem of decision-making. Human beings suffer because
of their choices and decisions. They find themselves in such situations at every step
in their lives. Out of the available options, they have to choose the one that may take
them to their destination. The choice decides the outcome in life.

Question 4.
Did the poet take his decision haphazardly?
Answer:
No, he speculated and brooded over the situation. He took this decision after a lot of
contemplation. He did not take this decision haphazardly. No doubt, he was a bit
confused. After all, it was not quite easy to make the right choice. But he exercised
his option after much contemplation.

Question 5.
Why did the poet choose that road?
Answer:
The poet chose that road because it was less travelled. He wanted to do those
activities which had not been done by anyone earlier. The poet didn’t seem to be
interested in choosing a much trodden path of life. Avoiding the popular rat-race, he
opted for the option that broke fresh grounds.

Question 6.
What is the message of the poem?
Answer:
The message of the poem is to make people aware of their analytical skills. The poet
wishes to say that choices should be made carefully and thoughtfully. One should
behave responsibly because life does not offer multiple chances every now and then.

Question 7.
Did the poet make the right choice?
Answer:
It is not easy to say whether the poet made the right choice or not. He, himself
couldn’t reach to any such conclusion. It is possible that he may repent for making
such a choice. He avoided the popular and off-beaten path of life. He dared to
choose the path which was less frequented used by the people. This bold decision
might bring all the difference in his life.

Question 8.
Why did the poet take the ‘other’ road? Why did the ‘other’ road have a better claim
than the first road?
Answer:
The poet had to choose one of the two roads. He left the one which was a popular
choice. He decided to take the ‘other’ road which was less frequented and travelled
by the people. The ‘other’ road had a better claim as it was grassy. It invited the
people to walk on it.

Question 9.
Describe the conditions of both the roads that lay open before the poet on that
morning.
Answer:
In the yellow autumnal wood, two roads diverged into two directions. Both of them
were covered with the fallen leaves. In the morning, both of them were still
untouched. The steps of travellers have not blackened them. One was frequently
used by the travellers. The other one was not a popular choice. It seemed to invite
people to walk on it.

Question 10.
Was the poet certain to come back on the road he had left for another day?
Answer:
Life and its ways are complex and confusing. One roads leads to another. In this
web, one has to make a choice. The poet left the one road and hope that he would
use it on another day. But he was quite doubtful. It often happens that the road that
is left once, is left forever. Rarely do we come on to that road again.