from … from … from … from …

Due
Due to
to exams
exams and
and too
too many
many
users,
users, errors
errors may
may occur
occur in
in the
the
evenings.
evenings. Please
Please keep
keep
refreshing.
refreshing. Also,
Also, we
we recommend
recommend
downloading
downloading necessary
necessary
chapters
chapters as
as PDFs
PDFs in
in the
the days.
days.

A Considerable Speck:
ICSE Class 10 English
answers, notes
2 Comments

from Rs14,489

Share
Share with
with others
others

Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions

and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, workbook
solutions (Evergreen and Morning Star), extras, and pdf of
the poem “A Considerable Speck” by Robert Frost, which
is part of ICSE Class 10 English (Treasure Chest: A
Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories). However, the
notes should only be treated as references, and changes
should be made according to the needs of the students.

Table of Contents [Close]

[Close]

Summary
Line-by-line explanation of the poem
Word meanings
About the author
Evergreen workbook
answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
Comprehension Passages
Morning Star workbook
answers/solutions
Multiiple Choice Questions II
Context questions and answers
Extras/additional
Questions and answers
Multiple Choice Questions
(MCQs)

Summary
The speaker describes a tiny speck he notices moving
across a sheet of paper he is writing on. At first, he thinks
it is just a dust speck blown by his breath. On closer
inspection, he realises it is actually a living mite, moving
with its own inclinations. The mite pauses suspiciously at
the speaker’s pen, then races wildly towards the still wet
ink on the page. It pauses again, seeming to drink or smell
the ink, before turning to flee in apparent disgust.

The speaker remarks on how the mite seems too tiny to

have a full set of feet, yet it clearly does since it can walk
and express a desire to live. The mite runs in terror and
creeps cunningly across the page. It hesitates, as if trying
to decide what to do.

It then cowers down in the middle of the sheet, accepting

its fate at the hands of the speaker. The speaker reflects
that he does not have the “tenderer-than-thou”
collectivist mentality of the modern world that loves to
destroy en masse. Since the mite has done no harm, he
decides to let it be, hoping it will fall asleep on the page.

The speaker concludes by a"rming that he recognises

and appreciates the presence of “mind” wherever he
encounters it, however humble the guise. He is glad for
even the smallest display of mind.

Register
Register Login
Login

Video tutorial

Line-by-line explanation of the

poem
A
A speck
speck that
that would
would have
have been
been beneath
beneath my
my sight
sight //
On
On any
any but
but aa paper
paper sheet
sheet so
so white
white

The poet notices an extremely tiny speck on the bright

white paper he is writing on. It is so tiny and diminutive in
size that under normal circumstances, it would be
invisible to him and completely beneath his ability to
detect. The only reason he is able to discern the
minuscule speck at all is because the paper providing the
backdrop is such a stark, brilliant white. This high contrast
between the bright white paper and the tiny dark speck is
what allows it to barely be perceptible to him.

Set
Set o#
o# across
across what
what II had
had written
written there.
there. // And
And II
had
had idly
idly poised
poised my
my pen
pen in
in air
air // To
To stop
stop it
it with
with aa
period
period of
of ink
ink

As the poet is writing on this sheet of paper, he suddenly

notices the tiny speck moving across the page, crawling
over the words he had previously written down. At this
moment, the poet’s pen was casually hovering in the air
over the paper, as he had paused his writing briefly and
left the pen temporarily suspended mid-air. He was just
about to finish the sentence he had been writing by
putting down a final period mark of ink as the terminating
punctuation.

When
When something
something strange
strange about
about it
it made
made me
me think,
think,
// This
This was
was no
no dust
dust speck
speck by
by my
my breathing
breathing blown,
blown,
// But
But unmistakably
unmistakably aa living
living mite
mite

Just as the poet is about to set his pen back to paper, the
movement of the tiny speck catches his attention. Some
quality seems curious and strange about the way it is
crawling across the page. This makes the poet stop and
consider the speck more intentionally, sparking his
thoughts about it. Upon closer observation and
contemplation, the poet realizes this little speck is not just
a random bit of dust that had wafted across the page
carried by his own breathing as he wrote. Rather, he
discerns that the speck is definitively a living mite
traversing the page.

With
With inclinations
inclinations it
it could
could call
call its
its own.
own. // It
It paused
paused
as
as with
with suspicion
suspicion of
of my
my pen,
pen, // And
And then
then came
came
racing
racing wildly
wildly on
on again
again

Moreover, as the poet watches the mite creep across the

page, he perceives that it is not simply blowing aimlessly
but moving with self-directed purpose, following its own
inclinations. The tiny mite pauses momentarily in what
seems like an apprehensive cessation to examine the
poet’s pen still poised above. After this brief hesitation,
the mite resumes scurrying rapidly, wildy racing across
the page once more.

To
To where
where my
my manuscript
manuscript was
was not
not yet
yet dry;
dry; // Then
Then
paused
paused again
again and
and either
either drank
drank or
or smelt–
smelt– // With
With
loathing,
loathing, for
for again
again it
it turned
turned to
to fly.
fly.

The energetic mite scampers over to the part of the

manuscript where the poet had recently written, and the
ink remains damp and not yet dried. Reaching this moist
ink, the mite pauses briefly again. During this second
hesitation, it seems to either drink some of the liquid ink
or smell and investigate its scent. However, the mite
appears to despise and recoil from the ink’s flavor or odor.
After examining the wet ink, it quickly whirls around once
more to retreat away from the noxious substance.

Plainly
Plainly with
with an
an intelligence
intelligence II dealt.
dealt. // It
It seemed
seemed
too
too tiny
tiny to
to have
have room
room for
for feet,
feet, // Yet
Yet must
must have
have
had
had aa set
set of
of them
them complete
complete

Through observing the mite’s self-motivated movements

and interactions, the poet concludes he is clearly
witnessing an intelligent creature acting intentionally, not
just a mindlessly drifting speck. The mite is so
unimaginably minute that it doesn’t seem possible it
could contain space for a full set of feet within its
microscopic form. Yet somehow within its diminutive
body, the mite does indeed possess an entire functioning
set of feet needed to traverse the page.

To
To express
express how
how much
much it
it didn’t
didn’t want
want to
to die.
die. // It
It ran
ran
with
with terror
terror and
and with
with cunning
cunning crept.
crept. // It
It faltered:
faltered: II
could
could see
see it
it hesitate;
hesitate;

The way the mite actively darts about reveals a strong

inborn will to survive and evade death. It runs with an
urgency suggesting fear, but also moves with the careful
cunning of an instinctual hunter. The poet sees the mite
falter, hesitating in an uncertain, wavering manner, as if
internally deliberating what to do next.

Then
Then in
in the
the middle
middle of
of the
the open
open sheet
sheet // Cower
Cower
down
down in
in desperation
desperation to
to accept
accept // Whatever
Whatever II
accorded
accorded it
it of
of fate.
fate.

After exhibiting that moment of hesitant indecision, the

mite ends up frozen in the very center of the blank open
page. It seems to crouch down low against the paper in
desperate surrender, willing to accept whatever fate the
poet now chooses to deal out.

II have
have none
none of
of the
the tenderer-than-thou
tenderer-than-thou //
Collectivistic
Collectivistic regimenting
regimenting love
love // With
With which
which the
the
modern
modern world
world is
is being
being swept.
swept.

At this climactic moment, the poet declares he does not

personally possess a sentimental, excessively gentle
nature, nor any oppressive variety of “collectivist” love
that tries to control everything according to specific
regulations. He criticizes this totalitarian kind of “love”
which he sees as currently overtaking the modern world.

But
But this
this poor
poor microscopic
microscopic item
item now!
now! // Since
Since it
it was
was
nothing
nothing II knew
knew evil
evil of
of // II let
let it
it lie
lie there
there till
till II hope
hope
it
it slept.
slept.

However, observing this particular helpless, tiny mite

pitiably poised before him, and given that it has done no
evident harm, the poet decides not to interfere with it. He
chooses to leave the mite alone on the page undisturbed,
hoping it will fall asleep there in peace.

II have
have aa mind
mind myself
myself and
and recognize
recognize // Mind
Mind when
when II
meet
meet with
with it
it in
in any
any guise
guise // No
No one
one can
can know
know how
how
glad
glad II am
am to
to find
find // On
On any
any sheet
sheet the
the least
least display
display
of
of mind.
mind.

In conclusion, the poet declares that he himself possesses

intelligence and imagination. He is able to perceive those
same faculties of intellect and creativity when he
encounters them manifesting through any living being.
No one else can fully understand the happiness the poet
feels when he discovers even the smallest exhibition of
imagination or inventive thought on a written page.

Word meanings
speck
speck: a tiny spot or fleck

idly
idly: lazily, not busily

poised
poised: held suspended; balanced

mite
mite: a very small insect or arachnid

inclinations
inclinations: natural tendencies or preferences to act in
certain ways

manuscript
manuscript: a handwritten document or text

loathing
loathing: intense dislike or disgust

cunning
cunning: skillful aptitude; craftiness

crept
crept: moved stealthily and carefully

faltered
faltered: hesitated; wavered

hesitate
hesitate: pause due to uncertainty

open
open sheet
sheet: blank paper space

cower
cower: crouch down in fear or submission

desperation
desperation: hopeless resignation; despair

accorded
accorded: allowed; granted

fate
fate: destiny or outcome

tenderer-than-thou
tenderer-than-thou: excessively gentle or sentimental

collectivistic
collectivistic: focused on group control rather than
individualism

regimenting
regimenting: strictly controlling according to rules

microscopic
microscopic: extremely tiny; visible only by microscope

guise
guise: form; manifestation

About the author

Robert Frost (1874-1963) is considered one of the most
prominent and influential American poets of the 20th
century. He was born in San Francisco but moved to New
Hampshire as a boy when his father died. He attended
Dartmouth College briefly before returning to work on
farms and in factories.

Though he was initially unsuccessful at publishing his

poems, Frost persevered and eventually found acclaim
with collections like A Boy’s Will (1913) and North of
Boston (1914).

He went on to win four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry over the

course of his lifetime, a record unsurpassed to this day.
Frost was made Poet Laureate of Vermont in 1916 and
served as a poetry consultant to the Library of Congress
later in life.

His works such as “The Road Not Taken,” “Stopping by

Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and “Mending Wall” have
become classics.

Evergreen workbook
answers/solutions
Multiple
Multiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions

1.
1. When
When did
did the
the poet
poet notice
notice something
something running
running
across
across his
his paper?
paper?

A. when he sneezed B. when he was writing C. when he

was about to put a full stop to his writing finally D. when
he left writing

Answer
Answer: C. when he was about to put a full stop to his
writing finally

2.
2. What
What was
was it
it that
that the
the poet
poet liked
liked in
in the
the mite?
mite?

A. its colour B. its being intelligent C. its being fearful D.

its running in terror

Answer
Answer: B. its being intelligent

3.
3. How
How did
did the
the mite
mite taste
taste or
or smell
smell the
the ink?
ink?

A. with loathing B. with relish C. hesitatingly D. with a

shudder

Answer
Answer: A. with loathing

4.
4. What
What did
did the
the poet
poet imagine?
imagine?

A. that the mite was a proud creature B. that the mite did
not want to die C. that the mite feared nothing D. that the
mite was mischievous

Answer
Answer: B. that the mite did not want to die

5.
5. ‘It
‘It faltered.
faltered. II could
could see
see it
it hesitate’.
hesitate’. Which
Which
literary
literary device
device is
is used
used here?
here?

A. enjambment B. irony C. caesura D. sarcasm

Answer
Answer: C. caesura

6.
6. What
What did
did the
the mite
mite finally
finally do?
do?

A. It squatted. B. It bent down and moved backwards in

fear. C. It sat still. D. It ran away to the edge of the sheet
of paper.

Answer
Answer: B. It bent down and moved backwards in fear.

7.
7. What
What do
do you
you imply
imply by
by ‘collectivistic
‘collectivistic
regimenting
regimenting love’?
love’?

A. love for the whole society or group B. forced love C.

one-sided love D. indiscriminate love for all irrespective of
one’s mental calibre.

Answer
Answer: D. indiscriminate love for all irrespective of one’s
mental calibre.

8.
8. Why
Why did
did the
the poet
poet not
not kill
kill the
the mite?
mite?

A. because it had a mind of its own. B. because it was a

lively creature. C. because it had no evil intention. D.
because the poet took pity on it.

Answer
Answer: A. because it had a mind of its own.

9.
9. What
What is
is this
this poem
poem about?
about?

A. a mite on a white sheet of paper B. about the mind, its

creativity and imagination C. collectivist ideology D.
individuality

Answer
Answer: B. about the mind, its creativity and imagination

10.
10. The
The title
title ‘A
‘A Considerable
Considerable Speck’
Speck’ is
is quite
quite

A. amusing B. ironical C. surprising D. foolish

Answer
Answer: B. ironical

Comprehension
Comprehension Passages
Passages

PASSAGE-1
PASSAGE-1

A speck that would have been beneath my sight

On any but a paper sheet so white
Set o# across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink

(i)
(i) What
What is
is aa speck?
speck? What
What did
did it
it turn
turn out
out to
to be?
be?

Answer
Answer: A speck is a very small spot or piece of dirt. It
turned out to be a living mite.

(ii)
(ii) What
What had
had the
the poet
poet been
been doing?
doing? What
What does
does the
the
last
last line
line here
here tell
tell you
you in
in this
this context?
context?

Answer
Answer: The poet had been writing. The last line
suggests he was about to end a sentence with a period
but paused due to the speck.

(iii)
(iii) What
What do
do you
you mean
mean by
by ‘idly
‘idly poised
poised my
my pen’?
pen’?

Answer
Answer: ‘Idly poised my pen’ means the poet held his
pen in the air without purpose, ready to write but
momentarily not writing.

(iv)
(iv) What
What did
did the
the poet
poet observe
observe about
about the
the mite
mite
later
later in
in the
the context?
context?

Answer
Answer: The poet observed the mite showing signs of
intelligence and trying to avoid death, which indicated it
had its own mind.

(v)
(v) Why
Why did
did the
the poet
poet spare
spare the
the mite?
mite?

Answer
Answer: The poet spared the mite because it displayed
intelligence and a will to live, which he respected.

PASSAGE-2
PASSAGE-2

When something strange about it made me think,

This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.

(i)
(i) What
What was
was ‘something
‘something strange’
strange’ about
about the
the
speck?
speck?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘something strange’ was its movement,
which indicated it was a living being and not just a piece
of dust.

(ii)
(ii) What
What was
was the
the first
first thing
thing about
about the
the speck
speck that
that
struck
struck the
the poet’s
poet’s mind?
mind?

Answer:
Answer: The first thing that struck the poet’s mind was
that the speck was actually a living mite, not just dust.

(iii)
(iii) The
The mite
mite had
had its
its own
own ‘inclinations’.
‘inclinations’. Explain
Explain in
in
the
the context.
context.

Answer:
Answer: Having its own ‘inclinations’ means the mite
displayed behavior that suggested it had preferences and
a desire to avoid danger or unpleasant situations.

(iv)
(iv) In
In what
what way
way did
did the
the mite
mite reach
reach the
the inked
inked
portion
portion of
of the
the sheet
sheet of
of paper?
paper?

Answer:
Answer: The mite reached the inked portion by racing
across the paper, showing it was actively exploring or
possibly attracted to the ink before showing disapproval
of it.

(v)
(v) What
What was
was it
it that
that refrained
refrained the
the poet
poet from
from
killing
killing the
the mite?
mite?

Answer:
Answer: The poet refrained from killing the mite because
he recognized its intelligence and mind, appreciating
these qualities enough to spare its life.

PASSAGE-3
PASSAGE-3

It paused as with suspicion of my pen,

And then came racing wildly on again
To where my manuscript was not yet dry;
Then paused again and either drank or smelt
With loathing, for again it turned to fly.

(i)
(i) When
When did
did the
the poet
poet notice
notice the
the reality
reality of
of the
the
speck
speck on
on his
his page?
page?

Answer:
Answer: The poet noticed the reality of the speck when
it moved across his paper, indicating it was a living mite.

(ii)
(ii) What
What is
is the
the significance
significance of
of the
the word
word
‘suspicion’
‘suspicion’ in
in Line
Line 11 here?
here?

Answer:
Answer: The significance of ‘suspicion’ suggests the mite
was wary or cautious of the poet’s pen, as if aware of
potential danger.

(iii)
(iii) How
How did
did the
the mite
mite seem
seem to
to drink
drink or
or smell
smell the
the
ink?
ink?

Answer:
Answer: The mite seemed to investigate the ink with
dislike or disapproval, as indicated by its subsequent
reaction to flee.

(iv)
(iv) Explain
Explain the
the third
third line.
line.

Answer:
Answer: The third line indicates the mite approached the
part of the manuscript where the ink was still wet,
showing curiosity or an attempt to interact with it.

(v)
(v) What
What did
did it
it do
do in
in terror?
terror?

Answer:
Answer: In terror, the mite turned to flee.

PASSAGE-4
PASSAGE-4
Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.
It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete
To express how much it didn’t want to die.
It ran with terror and with cunning crept.
It faltered: I could see it hesitate;

(i)
(i) What
What do
do you
you mean
mean by
by ‘an
‘an intelligence’
intelligence’ in
in Line
Line
1?
1? Why
Why does
does the
the poet
poet assert
assert this?
this?

Answer:
Answer: ‘An intelligence’ refers to the mite’s ability to
think, make decisions, and react to its environment. The
poet asserts this to emphasize that even a tiny creature
can possess significant mental capabilities.

(ii)
(ii) What
What was
was it
it that
that refuted
refuted the
the poet’s
poet’s thinking
thinking
that
that the
the mite
mite had
had ‘no
‘no room
room for
for feet’?
feet’?

Answer:
Answer: The mite’s actions, like running and creeping
with apparent purpose and reaction to stimuli, refuted the
poet’s initial thought that it was too small for such
complex behavior.

(iii)
(iii) ‘It
‘It ran
ran with
with terror
terror and
and with
with cunning
cunning crept’.
crept’.
Explain.
Explain.

Answer:
Answer: The phrase describes the mite’s movements as
being driven by fear and also strategic, indicating it was
trying to survive in a situation it perceived as threatening.

(iv)
(iv) What
What is
is it
it that
that the
the poet
poet satirizes
satirizes later
later in
in the
the
context?
context?

Answer:
Answer: Later in the context, the poet satirizes the
indiscriminate acceptance and love for all beings,
irrespective of their mental capacity, prevalent in
collectivist ideologies.

(v)
(v) What
What does
does the
the poet
poet appreciate
appreciate in
in others?
others?

Answer:
Answer: The poet appreciates the display of intelligence
and mind, valuing independent thinking and creativity in
others.

PASSAGE-5
PASSAGE-5

Then in the middle of the open sheet

Cower down in desperation to accept
Whatever I accorded it of fate. I have none of the
tenderer-than-thou
Collectivistic regimenting love
With which the modern world is being swept.
But this poor microscopic item now!
Since it was nothing I knew evil of I let it lie there till I
hope it slept.

(i)
(i) What
What position
position did
did the
the mite
mite take
take eventually?
eventually? In
In
what
what state
state was
was it?
it?

Answer:
Answer: The mite eventually cowered down in the
middle of the sheet, in a state of desperation and
acceptance of whatever fate the poet might decide for it.

(ii)
(ii) Explain
Explain ‘Collectivistic
‘Collectivistic regimenting
regimenting love’?
love’?

Answer:
Answer: ‘Collectivistic regimenting love’ refers to a
universal, undiscriminating a#ection and acceptance for
all members of society, regardless of individual traits or
abilities, often enforced or encouraged by collectivist
ideologies.

(iii)
(iii) Which
Which ideology
ideology is
is implicitly
implicitly criticised
criticised here?
here?

Answer:
Answer: Collectivism, especially the aspect that
promotes indiscriminate equality and acceptance without
regard to individual merit or intelligence, is implicitly
criticised.

(iv)
(iv) What
What made
made the
the poet
poet let
let the
the mite
mite ‘lie
‘lie there
there till
till
….
…. it
it slept’?
slept’?

Answer:
Answer: The poet let the mite lie there until it
presumably slept because he recognized its intelligence
and decided to spare it, valuing its display of mind over
any predisposed bias he might have had.

(v)
(v) Why
Why does
does the
the poet
poet choose
choose aa ‘considerable
‘considerable
speck’
speck’ to
to express
express his
his appreciation
appreciation of
of the
the mind,
mind, its
its
imagination,
imagination, and
and creativity?
creativity?

Answer:
Answer: The poet chooses a ‘considerable speck’ as a
metaphor to highlight how even the smallest and
seemingly insignificant entities can demonstrate
significant intelligence and creativity, thereby
appreciating the value of individual thought and
imagination.

PASSAGE-6
PASSAGE-6

I have a mind myself and recognize

Mind when I meet with it in any guise
No one can know how glad I am to find
On any sheet the least display of mind.

(i)
(i) What
What does
does the
the poet
poet appreciate
appreciate and
and why?
why?

Answer:
Answer: The poet appreciates the presence of
intelligence or a thinking mind in any form because he
values the ability to think and act with independence.

(ii)
(ii) What
What quality
quality in
in aa writing
writing appeals
appeals to
to the
the poet?
poet?

Answer:
Answer: The quality that appeals to the poet in writing is
the display of intelligence, creativity, and individual
thought, as these elements bring life and authenticity to
the text.

(iii)
(iii) Do
Do you
you think
think the
the idea
idea contained
contained in
in this
this last
last
stanza
stanza has
has relevance
relevance in
in the
the context?
context? What
What is
is it?
it?

Answer:
Answer: Yes, the idea in the last stanza is highly relevant
in the context of the poem, emphasizing the importance
of individual thought and intelligence over collective
ideologies or physical size.

(iv)
(iv) ‘On
‘On any
any sheet
sheet the
the least
least display
display of
of mind’.
mind’.
Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used here?
here?

Answer:
Answer: This phrase uses metonymy, a figure of speech
where something is called by a new name that is related
in meaning to the original thing or concept. Here, ‘any
sheet’ metonymically represents any medium or context
where thought and intelligence are expressed.

(v)
(v) What
What has
has the
the poet
poet dealt
dealt with
with earlier
earlier in
in the
the
context?
context?

Answer:
Answer: Earlier in the context, the poet dealt with
observing a mite’s behavior on a sheet of paper, using it
as a metaphor to discuss broader themes of intelligence,
individuality, and his critique of collectivist ideologies.

Morning Star workbook

answers/solutions
Multiiple
Multiiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions II
II

1.
1. What
What made
made the
the speaker
speaker notice
notice the
the speck
speck that
that
would
would have
have been
been beneath
beneath his
his sight?
sight?

A. Its presence on a white sheet of paper

B. Its shape like a full-stop
C. Its dark colour
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: A. Its presence on a white sheet of paper

2.
2. What
What was
was the
the strange
strange thing
thing that
that made
made the
the
speaker
speaker think
think about
about the
the speck?
speck?

A. The speck was a living mite

B. The speck was clearly visible to him
C. The speck was a figment of his imagination
D. The speck was a flu# of dust

Answer
Answer: A. The speck was a living mite

3.
3. What
What was
was ‘it’
‘it’ that
that the
the speaker
speaker said
said that
that living
living
mite
mite ‘could
‘could call
call its
its own’?
own’?

A. Movements
B. Decisions
C. Fears
D. Feelings

Answer
Answer: D. Feelings

4.
4. What
What was
was the
the mite’s
mite’s ‘suspicion’?
‘suspicion’?

A. Of being thrown away from the paper

B. Of being blown away by the speaker’s breath
C. Of getting killed by the speaker’s pen
D. All of the above

Answer
Answer: C. Of getting killed by the speaker’s pen

5.
5. What
What did
did the
the mite
mite drink
drink or
or smell?
smell?

A. Ink
B. Water
C. Sweat
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: A. Ink

6.
6. Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the phrase
phrase
‘with
‘with cunning
cunning crept’?
crept’?

A. Assonance
B. Simile
C. Metonymy
D. Alliteration

Answer
Answer: D. Alliteration

7.
7. Which
Which poetic
poetic device
device is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line given
given
below?
below?
“With
“With loathing,
loathing, for
for again
again it
it turned
turned to
to fly.”
fly.”

A. Metaphor
B. Personification
C. Simile
D. Oxymoron

Answer
Answer: B. Personification

8.
8. The
The speaker
speaker decided
decided not
not to
to kill
kill the
the mite
mite
because
because of
of which
which of
of its
its qualities?
qualities?

A. Small size
B. Fear of the speaker
C. Intelligence
D. All of the above

Answer
Answer: C. Intelligence

9.
9. Which
Which characteristic
characteristic trait
trait of
of the
the speaker
speaker is
is
revealed
revealed in
in the
the line
line uttered
uttered by
by him:
him:
“Whatever
“Whatever II accorded
accorded it
it of
of fate.”
fate.”

A. Arrogance
B. Annoyance
C. Superiority
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: C. Superiority

10.
10. Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line
given
given below?
below?
“I
“I have
have none
none of
of the
the tenderer-than-thou.”
tenderer-than-thou.”

A. Personification
B. Metaphor
C. Simile
D. Alliteration

Answer
Answer: B. Metaphor

11.
11. According
According to
to the
the speaker,
speaker, the
the modern
modern world
world
is
is swept
swept by
by which
which of
of the
the following?
following?

A. Individualism
B. Collectivism
C. Selfishness
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: B. Collectivism

12.
12. Why
Why did
did the
the poet
poet allow
allow the
the mite
mite to
to doze
doze o#
o#
instead
instead of
of killing
killing it?
it?

A. It was too tired and wanted to take rest

B. He believed in collectivistic ideology
C. It did not intend any harm to him
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: C. It did not intend any harm to him

13.
13. Which
Which of
of the
the following
following poetic
poetic devices
devices is
is used
used
in
in the
the title
title of
of the
the poem?
poem?

A. Paradox
B. Metaphor
C. Personification
D. Oxymoron

Answer
Answer: D. Oxymoron

14.
14. What
What is
is the
the central
central theme
theme of
of the
the poem?
poem?

A. Mind, its creativity and imagination

B. Collectivistic ideology
C. Superiority of man
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: A. Mind, its creativity and imagination

15.
15. Which
Which of
of the
the following
following lines
lines contains
contains the
the
same
same literary
literary device
device as
as the
the one
one in
in the
the title
title of
of the
the
poem,
poem, ‘A
‘A Considerable
Considerable Speck’?
Speck’?

A. The little window where the sun

Came peeping in at morn
B. His honour rooted in dishonour stood
And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.
C. Good we must love and must hate ill,
For ill is ill and good good still.
D. Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb
The gradient’s against her, but she’s on time.

Answer
Answer: B. His honour rooted in dishonour stood
And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.

Context
Context questions
questions and
and answers
answers

Extract
Extract 11

A speck that would have been beneath my sight

On any but a paper sheet so white
Set o# across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink
When something strange about it made me think,
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.

(i)
(i) When
When did
did the
the speaker
speaker notice
notice ‘a
‘a speck’?
speck’? Why
Why
did
did he
he feel
feel that
that it
it would
would have
have been
been beneath
beneath his
his
sight?
sight?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker noticed the speck as it moved
across his writing. He felt that it would have been beneath
his sight because it was so tiny that he wouldn’t have
noticed it had it not been on a white sheet of paper.

(ii)
(ii) Why
Why did
did the
the speaker
speaker idly
idly poise
poise his
his pen
pen in
in the
the
air?
air?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker idly poised his pen in the air to stop
the speck with a period of ink, as though preparing to end
its movement.

(iii)
(iii) What
What was
was ‘strange’
‘strange’ about
about it
it that
that attracted
attracted the
the
speaker’s
speaker’s attention?
attention? What
What was
was the
the speck
speck in
in
reality?
reality?

Answer:
Answer: The strange thing that attracted the speaker’s
attention was that the speck did not behave like an
inanimate piece of dust; it moved with a purpose. In
reality, the speck was a living mite.

(iv)
(iv) Explain
Explain the
the meaning
meaning of
of the
the last
last line
line of
of this
this
extract.
extract.

Answer:
Answer: The last line suggests that the mite, although
small, was a living creature with its own will and
inclinations, moving according to its own desires, not at
the mercy of the speaker’s actions.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain briefly
briefly how
how this
this extract
extract justifies
justifies the
the
title
title of
of the
the poem.
poem.

Answer:
Answer: This extract justifies the title “A Considerable
Speck” by showing how something as small as a mite can
have considerable significance when viewed as a living
creature with its own will, deserving attention and even
respect.

Extract
Extract 22

Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.

It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete
To express how much it didn’t want to die.
It ran with terror and with cunning crept.
It faltered: I could see it hesitate;
Then in the middle of the open sheet
Cower down in desperation to accept
Whatever I accorded it of fate.

(i)
(i) Which
Which characteristic
characteristic trait
trait of
of the
the mite
mite is
is the
the
speaker
speaker talking
talking about
about in
in the
the first
first line
line of
of this
this
extract?
extract? Why?
Why?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker is referring to the mite’s
intelligence. He concludes this because the mite exhibited
purposeful behaviour, indicating that it was trying to
avoid death.

(ii)
(ii) Why
Why did
did the
the speaker
speaker at
at first
first think
think that
that the
the
mite
mite did
did not
not have
have feet?
feet? What
What made
made him
him change
change
his
his stance
stance at
at the
the very
very next
next moment?
moment?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker initially thought the mite didn’t
have feet because it was so tiny. However, he changed his
mind when he saw the mite move, revealing that it must
have feet to run and express its will to survive.

(iii)
(iii) What
What made
made the
the speaker
speaker realise
realise that
that it
it didn’t
didn’t
want
want to
to die?
die?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker realised that the mite didn’t want
to die when he observed its behaviour—running in terror
and then creeping cunningly, showing clear signs of self-
preservation.

(iv)
(iv) What
What did
did ‘It’
‘It’ do
do in
in the
the middle
middle of
of the
the sheet
sheet of
of
paper?
paper? Why?
Why?

Answer:
Answer: In the middle of the sheet, the mite cowered
down in desperation as if accepting its fate. This was
likely because it realised it could not escape.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain the
the attitude
attitude of
of the
the speaker
speaker towards
towards
the
the mite
mite in
in this
this extract.
extract.

Answer:
Answer: The speaker’s attitude towards the mite is one
of fascination and empathy. He recognises the mite’s
desperate struggle for survival and hesitates to harm it.

Extract
Extract 33

I have none of the tenderer-than-thou

Collectivistic regimenting love
With which the modern world is being swept.
But this poor microscopic item now!
Since it was nothing I knew evil of
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.

(i)
(i) Which
Which trait
trait is
is the
the speaker
speaker referring
referring to
to which
which he
he
says
says he
he does
does not
not have?
have? What
What is
is the
the result
result of
of
lacking
lacking this
this trait?
trait?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker refers to a collectivist form of love,
one that seeks to manage and regiment the world. The
result of lacking this trait is that he prefers to act with
individual judgement rather than follow societal trends.

(ii)
(ii) Explain
Explain with
with reference
reference to
to context
context the
the meaning
meaning
of
of the
the phrase
phrase ‘Collectivistic
‘Collectivistic regimenting
regimenting love’.
love’.

Answer:
Answer: ‘Collectivistic regimenting love’ refers to a type
of love that seeks to control or manage others under the
guise of caring, reflecting a social movement of the time
where people imposed their collective will on others.

(iii)
(iii) To
To whom
whom did
did the
the speaker
speaker refer
refer to
to as
as ‘poor
‘poor
microscopic
microscopic item’?
item’? Why?
Why? What
What does
does it
it suggest
suggest
about
about the
the speaker?
speaker?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker refers to the mite as the ‘poor
microscopic item.’ This suggests that the speaker, despite
not being overly sentimental, acknowledges the mite’s
smallness and vulnerability, showing a degree of
compassion.

(iv)
(iv) Why
Why did
did the
the speaker
speaker let
let it
it lie
lie there?
there? Do
Do you
you
think
think the
the speaker
speaker was
was right
right in
in doing
doing so?
so? Give
Give
reason
reason to
to support
support your
your answer.
answer.

Answer:
Answer: The speaker let the mite lie there because he
didn’t view it as harmful or evil. He was right to do so, as
his decision reflects a respect for life, no matter how
small, and suggests a thoughtful and non-violent
disposition.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain how
how this
this extract
extract reflects
reflects on
on the
the theme
theme
of
of the
the poem.
poem.

Answer:
Answer: This extract reflects on the theme of the poem
by highlighting the speaker’s ethical consideration for
even the smallest of life forms. It shows how even a tiny
mite can provoke deep moral reflection, emphasising the
value of life.

Extract
Extract 44

I have a mind myself and recognize

Mind when I meet with it in any guise
No one can know how glad I am to find
On any sheet the least display of mind.

(i)
(i) What
What does
does the
the speaker
speaker want
want to
to convey
convey by
by
saying
saying that
that he
he has
has aa mind?
mind? Which
Which characteristic
characteristic
trait
trait of
of the
the speaker
speaker is
is conveyed
conveyed by
by this
this assertion?
assertion?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker conveys that, as a thinking being,
he is capable of recognising intelligence in others. This
shows his reflective and perceptive nature, appreciating
intellect in all forms.

(ii)
(ii) Where
Where does
does the
the speaker
speaker find
find ‘the
‘the mind’?
mind’? In
In
which
which ‘guise’
‘guise’ does
does he
he find
find it?
it? How
How does
does he
he
recognise
recognise it?
it?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker finds ‘the mind’ in the mite, despite
its minuscule size. He recognises it through the mite’s
behaviour, which suggests intelligence and the will to
survive.

(iii)
(iii) How
How does
does the
the speaker
speaker reward
reward it
it for
for displaying
displaying
its
its mind?
mind? Why
Why does
does the
the speaker
speaker not
not punish
punish it
it for
for
trespassing
trespassing his
his sheet
sheet of
of paper?
paper?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker rewards the mite by sparing its life.
He does not punish it for trespassing because he
appreciates the display of intellect and values the life it
represents.

(iv)
(iv) What
What is
is the
the reason
reason for
for the
the speaker’s
speaker’s feeling
feeling of
of
gladness?
gladness? Give
Give the
the symbolic
symbolic meaning
meaning of
of the
the line—
line—
‘On
‘On any
any sheet
sheet the
the least
least display
display of
of mind’.
mind’.

Answer:
Answer: The speaker feels glad because he encounters
intelligence, even in a tiny creature like the mite.
Symbolically, this line suggests that any sign of
intelligence, no matter how small, is a source of joy and
connection for the speaker.

(v)
(v) What
What is
is the
the central
central theme
theme of
of this
this poem?
poem? How
How
is
is an
an inconsequential
inconsequential mite
mite used
used to
to justify
justify the
the
theme
theme of
of the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The central theme of the poem is the value of
life and intelligence, regardless of size or significance. The
inconsequential mite is used to illustrate how even the
smallest creature can evoke thoughts about existence,
intellect, and morality.

Extract
Extract 55

It paused as with suspicion of my pen,

And then came racing wildly on again
To where my manuscript was not yet dry;
Then paused again and either drank or smelt—
With loathing, for again it turned to fly.

(i)
(i) What
What is
is referred
referred to
to by
by ‘It’
‘It’ that
that paused
paused with
with
suspicion?
suspicion? Why
Why did
did it
it do
do so?
so?

Answer:
Answer: ‘It’ refers to the mite. It paused with suspicion of
the pen because it sensed danger from the speaker’s
potential action.

(ii)
(ii) Why
Why did
did it
it start
start racing
racing wildly
wildly after
after aa pause?
pause?
Why
Why was
was the
the manuscript
manuscript not
not yet
yet dry?
dry?

Answer:
Answer: It started racing wildly because it likely sensed
imminent danger. The manuscript was not yet dry
because the speaker had just been writing on it.

(iii)
(iii) What
What did
did ‘It’
‘It’ drink
drink or
or smell
smell with
with loathing?
loathing?
Why?
Why? What
What did
did it
it do
do after
after that?
that?

Answer:
Answer: The mite either drank or smelt the ink, which it
found distasteful or harmful, and then quickly turned to
flee.

(iv)
(iv) Explain
Explain briefly,
briefly, the
the use
use of
of imagery
imagery in
in the
the
extract.
extract.

Answer:
Answer: The imagery in this extract vividly describes the
movements of the mite, portraying it as a creature with
survival instincts. Words like “paused,” “racing wildly,” and
“turned to fly” create a dynamic and tense atmosphere.

(v)
(v) How
How does
does the
the speaker
speaker deal
deal with
with the
the mite?
mite?
What
What makes
makes him
him do
do so?
so? How
How does
does the
the speaker’s
speaker’s
action
action justify
justify the
the theme
theme of
of the
the poem.
poem.

Answer:
Answer: The speaker ultimately spares the mite’s life,
recognising its intelligence and right to live. His action
supports the theme that all life, no matter how small, has
value and deserves consideration.

Extras/additional
Questions
Questions and
and answers
answers

Extract
Extract 11

A speck that would have been beneath my sight

On any but a paper sheet so white
Set o# across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink
When something strange about it made me think
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.

(i)
(i) Why
Why does
does the
the speaker
speaker notice
notice the
the speck?
speck?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker notices the speck because it moves
across the white paper where the speaker has been
writing. Its movement captures attention, prompting a
closer look.

(ii)
(ii) What
What initially
initially makes
makes the
the speaker
speaker think
think the
the
speck
speck is
is not
not ordinary
ordinary dust?
dust?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker notices something unusual about
the speck, specifically its movement and apparent self-
directed behavior, which suggests it is not a mere dust
particle but a living creature.

(iii)
(iii) What
What was
was the
the speaker’s
speaker’s initial
initial intention
intention with
with
the
the pen?
pen?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker had idly held the pen in the air,
intending to stop the speck with a dot of ink, but paused
upon realizing it might be a living creature.

(iv)
(iv) How
How does
does the
the description
description of
of the
the speck
speck hint
hint at
at
its
its intelligence?
intelligence?

Answer:
Answer: The speck’s behavior, such as its pauses, wild
racing, and seeming suspicion of the pen, suggests it has
a sense of awareness or intelligence, despite its tiny size.

(v)
(v) How
How does
does the
the speaker
speaker react
react to
to the
the discovery
discovery
of
of the
the speck’s
speck’s nature?
nature?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker becomes intrigued by the speck,
recognizing it as a living being with its own will, which
leads to a more thoughtful consideration rather than
simply eliminating it.

Missing answers are only available to

registered users. Please register
register or login
login if
already registered. How
How toto register?
register? Click
on Menu
Menu and select Register
Register

Extract
Extract 55

I have a mind myself and recognize

Mind when I meet with it in any guise
No one can know how glad I am to find
On any sheet the least display of mind.

(i)
(i) How
How does
does the
the speaker
speaker relate
relate to
to the
the speck
speck in
in
terms
terms of
of intellect?
intellect?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker sees a parallel between their own
mind and the speck’s actions, recognizing intelligence in
even the smallest of forms and appreciating its presence.

(ii)
(ii) What
What significance
significance does
does the
the speaker
speaker attach
attach to
to
finding
finding “mind”
“mind” on
on aa sheet?
sheet?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker values any evidence of thought or
intelligence, whether in writing or in a living creature like
the speck, as it provides a sense of connection and
validation of life.

(iii)
(iii) Why
Why is
is the
the speaker
speaker “glad”
“glad” to
to find
find aa display
display of
of
mind?
mind?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker is glad because the display of
intelligence, even in the smallest creature, a"rms the
presence of life and thought, something they deeply
respect and cherish.

(iv)
(iv) What
What does
does the
the phrase
phrase “in
“in any
any guise”
guise” suggest
suggest
about
about the
the speaker’s
speaker’s perception
perception of
of intelligence?
intelligence?

Answer:
Answer: The phrase indicates that the speaker values
intelligence in all forms, no matter how unexpected or
insignificant the source may seem, such as a tiny speck
on paper.

(v)
(v) How
How does
does this
this final
final reflection
reflection tie
tie into
into the
the
overall
overall theme
theme of
of the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The final reflection reinforces the theme of
recognizing and respecting intelligence and life,
regardless of size, and the speaker’s delight in finding
these qualities in even the most inconspicuous places.

Multiple
Multiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions (MCQs)
(MCQs)
1.
1. What
What does
does the
the poet
poet first
first notice
notice moving
moving across
across
his
his paper?
paper?

A. An ant B. A dust speck C. A gnat D. A mite

Answer
Answer: D. A mite

Missing answers are only available to

registered users. Please register
register or login
login if
already registered. How
How toto register?
register? Click
on Menu
Menu and select Register
Register

20.
20. What
What does
does the
the poet
poet appreciate
appreciate about
about the
the
speck?
speck?

A. Its fragility B. Its perseverance C. Its brevity D. Its

vitality

Answer:
Answer: B. Its perseverance

Ron'e Dutta

Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and

blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader
of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering
Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the
world. You can connect with him on social media. He does
personal writing on ronism.

Get
Get notes
notes of
of other
other boards,
boards, classes,
classes, and
and subjects
subjects

NBSE
NBSE SEBA/AHSEC
SEBA/AHSEC

NCERT
NCERT TBSE
TBSE

WBBSE/WBCHSE
WBBSE/WBCHSE ICSE/ISC
ICSE/ISC

BSEM/COHSEM
BSEM/COHSEM MBOSE
MBOSE

Custom
Custom Notes
Notes Service
Service Question
Question papers
papers

Share
Share with
with others
others

2 thoughts on “A Considerable
Speck: ICSE Class 10 English
answers, notes”

NIE
NIE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 AT 4:11 PM

Hello
Help me with English Q and A’s
Provide few more MCQ’s please?
Thanks

Reply

MOMO
MOMO
AUGUST 9, 2024 AT 9:30 PM

Thank you so much..really helped a lot..u have an

amazing vocabulary..I really hope I can fetch good
marks with the guidance of these notes thank you
for this.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required
fields are marked *

Type here..

Name*

Email*

Website

Are you human? Please solve:

Post Comment »

   

Important
Important links
links

Question Papers

OFN App

FAQ Chatroom

FAQs

Custom Notes Service

Privacy Policy
Advertise
Disclaimer
Contact us

Copyright © 2025 | Online Free Notes