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When Great Trees Fall:

ICSE Class 10 English
answers, notes
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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 “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou,
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.

If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them

in the comments

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 poem begins with a metaphor, comparing the death
of a great soul to a giant tree falling in the forest. The
speaker describes the immense impact, saying even
distant rocks shudder and lions and elephants flee for
safety when ancient trees come crashing down. Similarly,
the passing of a beloved great soul sends shockwaves
through the world.

As the poem continues, the speaker turns to directly

addressing the actual death of admirable, influential
people. Their death leaves small creatures stunned into
mournful silence, overwhelmed beyond fear. The
atmosphere feels lighter and drained of spirit, sterilised by
the loss. Those left behind struggle to breathe and see,
agonised by shredded memories of missed opportunities
and unsaid words that now can never be taken back.

The speaker articulates the all-consuming pain and

disorientation of the loss, saying reality itself disappears
for those who remained tethered to the deceased. Our
souls shrink and wither without their nurturing light, our
minds lose inspiration and fall away, reduced to an
ignorant, cave-like darkness.

Yet slowly, through nonlinear healing, a sense of peace

blooms as their spirit fills the void. Our restored senses
become even more receptive, whispering that they
existed and thus so can we, honouring their memory
through continued life. Their lasting impact spurs us to
live better.

Overall, the poem grapples with the grief, nostalgia,

regret, and search for greater meaning after the death of
impactful, beloved figures. Through extended metaphors
and vivid imagery, Angelou captures the seismic
significance and yet intimacies of loss. The poem
ultimately argues loss can connect us more profoundly to
life. Its cyclical nature implies while death may fell great
trees, new growth inevitably follows.

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Video tutorial

Line-by-line explanation of the

poem
When
When great
great trees
trees fall,
fall,
rocks
rocks on
on distant
distant hills
hills shudder,
shudder,

The speaker uses an evocative extended metaphor here,

comparing the monumental impact of a great person’s
death to the immense shaking of the earth when massive,
ancient trees come crashing down in a forest. The
imagery suggests the death sends shockwaves that
reverberate through the natural world, with even solid
bedrock on distant hills shuddering in response.

lions
lions hunker
hunker down
down
in
in tall
tall grasses,
grasses,

The speaker vividly envisions powerful lions instinctively

hunkering down and concealing themselves in tall grasses
out of primal unease and fear, reacting viscerally to the
great tree falling. This continues the extended metaphor,
emphasising how the death of an influential figure shakes
the very foundations of the world around them. The lions’
instinctive terror reveals the true magnitude of the loss.

and
and even
even elephants
elephants
lumber
lumber after
after safety.
safety.

Even elephants, known for their size and stability, are

imagined lumbering urgently to safety when the great
tree falls. This develops the extended metaphor, showing
just how momentous and impactful the death of a great
soul is by depicting its ripple e!ects across the natural
world. The elephants’ reaction further highlights the
monumental significance of the loss.

When
When great
great trees
trees fall
fall
in
in forests,
forests,

from Rs14,489

By repeating the opening line, the speaker connects back

to the extended metaphor introduced earlier before
transitioning to directly discussing the actual death of
great people, moving beyond the poetic metaphor.

small
small things
things recoil
recoil into
into silence,
silence,

The speaker describes small forest creatures becoming

utterly silent and still in the wake of the fallen tree,
overwhelmed beyond fear or calls. This powerfully
conveys the absoluteness of the loss, showing how it
stuns even the natural world into shocked, mournful
silence.

their
their senses
senses
eroded
eroded beyond
beyond fear.
fear.

The small creatures are imagined so profoundly shaken

and disturbed that their very senses are dulled and
eroded by the enormity of what has happened,
overwhelmed beyond even the ability to feel fear
anymore. This emphasises the totality of the loss.

When
When great
great souls
souls die,
die,

The speaker now directly addresses the death of great

people and beloved leaders, transitioning beyond the
extended metaphor used earlier to state the focus openly.

the
the air
air around
around us
us becomes
becomes
light,
light, rare,
rare, sterile.
sterile.

In a striking image, the speaker describes the feeling that

the very air around us suddenly seems lighter, but in a
negative way – no longer rich and vibrant but rare and
sterile, drained of spirit. This evokes the sense of isolation
in grief.

We
We breathe,
breathe, briefly.
briefly. Our
Our eyes,
eyes, briefly,
briefly,
see
see with
with
aa hurtful
hurtful clarity.
clarity.

The diction “briefly” suggests the di"culty getting

through each moment in the crushing immediate
aftermath of loss. Breathing feels laboured and vision
painfully clarified yet obscured by tears, capturing the
feeling of barely being able to function initially.

Our
Our memory,
memory, suddenly
suddenly sharpened,
sharpened,
examines,
examines,
gnaws
gnaws on
on kind
kind words
words
unsaid,
unsaid,
promised
promised walks
walks
never
never taken.
taken.

With vivid language, the speaker reveals how grief can

sharpen recollection and lead to agonizing nostalgia. Our
memories are suddenly intensified, fixating on missed
opportunities – kind words never uttered or walks never
taken together. The pain of “what-ifs” and regrets gnaws
at us.

Great
Great souls
souls die
die and
and
our
our reality,
reality, bound
bound to
to
them,
them, takes
takes leave
leave of
of us.
us.

The speaker articulates how when these central figures

die, our very sense of reality that was tethered to them
disappears, unmooring us and leaving us untethered in
their absence. We feel cast adrift.

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Our
Our souls,
souls,
dependent
dependent upon
upon their
their
nurture,
nurture,
now
now shrink,
shrink, wizened.
wizened.

The speaker describes the feeling of our very souls

becoming diminished and drained without the spiritual
nourishment and care of the beloved we’ve lost. There is a
sense of withering within, of shrinking down into weaker,
more wizened versions of ourselves.

Our
Our minds,
minds, formed
formed
and
and informed
informed by
by their
their
radiance,
radiance,
fall
fall away.
away.

Without their presence and inspiration, our ways of

thinking that were shaped and developed under their
radiant influence now feel diminished, unable to be
sustained. Our minds lose their light.

We
We are
are not
not so
so much
much maddened
maddened
as
as reduced
reduced to
to the
the unutterable
unutterable ignorance
ignorance
of
of dark,
dark, cold
cold
caves.
caves.

More than simply driving us mad, the enormity of the loss

leaves us reduced to a state of inexpressible, primordial
ignorance, like creatures suddenly condemned to the
darkness of caves. This powerfully conveys disorientation.

And
And when
when great
great souls
souls die,
die,
after
after aa period
period peace
peace blooms,
blooms,
slowly
slowly and
and always
always
irregularly.
irregularly.

With the beautiful phrase “peace blooms,” the speaker

indicates that in time, peace and healing can gradually
emerge after the initial anguish. But the process is always
slow and nonlinear.

Spaces
Spaces fill
fill
with
with aa kind
kind of
of
soothing
soothing electric
electric vibration.
vibration.

There is a sense of the void left behind beginning to fill

with an uplifting spirit, a comforting electricity and
vibration, as if the person’s enduring energy still
resonates.

Our
Our senses,
senses, restored,
restored, never
never
to
to be
be the
the same,
same, whisper
whisper to
to us.
us.

Our senses are imagined restored but forever changed,

now more alert and sensitive as they whisper to us, made
more receptive by the loss.

They
They existed.
existed. They
They existed.
existed.
We
We can
can be.
be. Be
Be and
and be
be
better.
better. For
For they
they existed.
existed.

The simple repetition of “they existed” powerfully

overcomes the finality of loss, asserting the enduring
evidence of their life. Their existence reminds us to live
fuller, with purpose and meaning, better for having
known them.

Word meanings
shudder:
shudder: tremble, quiver

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hunker:
hunker: crouch or squat down

lumber:
lumber: move in a slow, heavy, awkward way

recoil:
recoil: draw back in fear or pain

eroded:
eroded: gradually destroyed or worn away

sterile:
sterile: unable to produce or incapable of sustaining life;
barren

briefly:
briefly: for a short time

clarity:
clarity: clearness, lucidity

sharpened:
sharpened: intensified, heightened

examines:
examines: inspects closely, scrutinises

gnaws:
gnaws: bites or chews persistently

unsaid:
unsaid: not spoken aloud

wizened:
wizened: shrivelled, withered

radiance:
radiance: brilliance, luminosity

maddened:
maddened: driven insane

unutterable:
unutterable: inexpressible, unspeakable

ignorance:
ignorance: lack of knowledge or education

blooms:
blooms: flourishes, thrives

irregularly:
irregularly: sporadically, inconsistently

vibration:
vibration: quiver, oscillation

restored:
restored: renewed, rejuvenated

whisper:
whisper: speak very softly

existed:
existed: lived, was real

About the author

Maya Angelou was one of the most influential literary
figures and civil rights activists of our time. She was born
in St. Louis in 1928 and lived through a traumatic
childhood of abuse and displacement, which influenced
her profound writing later in life.

Angelou rose to prominence after the publication of her

seminal memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in
1969. The book was a brutally honest account of her
upbringing as a young black girl growing up in the Deep
South. It struck a chord with readers, bringing Angelou
critical acclaim. She went on to write six more
autobiographies about her illustrious career as a singer,
actress, activist, and professor. Angelou’s works focused
on family, identity, racism, and overcoming adversity.

Angelou established herself as a poet as well, publishing

collections such as Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water
‘fore I Diiie, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Her
poem “On the Pulse of Morning” was even chosen for
President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, a significant
milestone.

Aside from the arts, Angelou was an outspoken civil

rights activist. She collaborated closely with Martin Luther
King Jr. and Malcolm X, contributing her skills to the
movement. President Barack Obama awarded her the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 for her artistic
contributions and advocacy for justice.

Angelou’s spirit continues to burn brightly decades after

her death in 2014.

Evergreen workbook
answers/solutions
Multiple
Multiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions

1.
1. Which
Which extended
extended metaphor
metaphor is
is used
used in
in the
the poem?
poem?

A. The deaths of great men B. The falling of great trees C.

Nature D. Big and small animals

Answer
Answer: B. The falling of great trees

2.
2. When
When do
do animals
animals seek
seek safety?
safety?

A. When the earth shakes B. When wolves howl C. When

great trees fall D. When hunters appear

Answer
Answer: C. When great trees fall

3.
3. What
What positive
positive happens
happens when
when great
great men
men die?
die?

A. Our senses are benumbed. B. Our memory is suddenly

sharpened. C. We feel sorry for ourselves. D. We feel pity
for great men.

Answer
Answer: B. Our memory is suddenly sharpened.

4.
4. In
In what
what state
state are
are we
we thrown
thrown suddenly
suddenly when
when we
we
hear
hear about
about the
the death
death of
of aa great
great soul?
soul?

A. Sullen B. Indi!erent C. Sorrowful D. Amusing

Answer
Answer: C. Sorrowful

5.
5. What
What do
do great
great men
men generally
generally care
care for?
for?

A. Our souls B. Our bodies C. Our wealth D. Our health

Answer
Answer: A. Our souls

6.
6. The
The phrase
phrase ‘dark
‘dark cold,
cold, caves’
caves’ symbolises
symbolises
_____________
_____________ in
in the
the poem.
poem.

A. Cheerfulness B. Depth of mind C. Despair D. Ignorance

Answer
Answer: C. Despair

7.
7. What
What happens
happens to
to our
our souls
souls on
on hearing
hearing the
the news
news
of
of aa great
great man
man who
who has
has impacted
impacted our
our lives
lives
greatly?
greatly?

A. We begin to cry. B. We become mad. C. We become

silent. D. Our souls shrivel.

Answer
Answer: D. Our souls shrivel.

8.
8. Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line ‘We
‘We
can
can be.
be. Be
Be and
and be’?
be’?

A. Personification B. Irony C. Alliteration D. Sarcasm

Answer
Answer: C. Alliteration

9.
9. Which
Which of
of these
these statements
statements is
is NOT
NOT true?
true?

A. When great trees fall the rocks on distant hills shudder.

B. When great trees fall small animals do not bother. C.
The falling of great trees causes ripples for miles. D. We
should try to be better than we are.

Answer
Answer: B. When great trees fall small animals do not
bother.

10.
10. The
The poem
poem ‘When
‘When Great
Great Trees
Trees Fall’
Fall’ is
is on
on the
the
whole
whole

A. Depressing B. Realistic and positive C. Ironical D.

Amusing

Answer
Answer: B. Realistic and positive

Comprehension
Comprehension Passages
Passages

PASSAGE-1
PASSAGE-1

When great trees fall,

rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

I.I. How
How is
is the
the metaphor
metaphor of
of ‘great
‘great trees’
trees’ used
used in
in the
the
poem?
poem?

Answer
Answer: The metaphor of ‘great trees’ is used to
symbolize the deaths of great persons. When a great tree
falls, it causes widespread disruptions, akin to the e!ects
felt by people when a significant person in their lives dies.

II.
II. What
What does
does the
the shuddering
shuddering of
of ‘rocks’
‘rocks’ on
on distant
distant
hills
hills symbolise?
symbolise?

Answer
Answer: The shuddering of ‘rocks’ on distant hills
symbolizes the far-reaching impact of the death of a
great person. It signifies how the loss is felt widely,
causing even distant and seemingly unrelated elements to
react.

III.
III. How
How do
do animals
animals behave
behave when
when great
great trees
trees fall?
fall?
Why?
Why?

Answer
Answer: Animals behave with fear and seek safety when
great trees fall. Lions squat in fear in tall grasses, and
elephants walk awkwardly to seek shelter. This behavior is
due to the immediate danger and disruptions caused by
the falling of great trees, mirroring the unsettling e!ect a
great person’s death has on people.

IV.
IV. What
What happens
happens to
to small
small things
things when
when great
great
trees
trees fall?
fall?

Answer
Answer: When great trees fall, small things recoil into
silence, their senses eroded beyond fear. This indicates
that the impact of a great tree’s fall is profound and
a!ects even the smallest creatures, causing a state of
shock and numbness.

V.
V. What
What idea
idea does
does the
the poet
poet give
give by
by using
using the
the
extended
extended metaphor
metaphor of
of the
the fall
fall of
of ‘great
‘great trees’?
trees’?

Answer
Answer: By using the extended metaphor of the fall of
‘great trees’, the poet conveys the idea that the death of a
great person has a significant and wide-ranging impact,
causing immediate disruption but eventually leading to a
state of peace and inspiration to live better lives,
acknowledging the greatness of those who have passed.

PASSAGE-2
PASSAGE-2

When great trees fall

inforests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.

I.I. What
What does
does the
the fall
fall of
of great
great trees
trees symbolise
symbolise in
in
the
the poem?
poem?

Answer
Answer: The fall of great trees symbolises the deaths of
great persons, conveying the impact and disruptions
caused by the loss of a significant person.

II.
II. What
What happens
happens to
to big
big animals
animals when
when great
great trees
trees
fall?
fall?

Answer
Answer: When great trees fall, big animals such as lions
and elephants seek safety, indicating a widespread fear
and the search for security in the face of sudden changes.

III.
III. What
What happens
happens to
to small
small things
things when
when great
great
trees
trees fall?
fall?

Answer
Answer: When great trees fall, small things recoil into
silence, their senses eroded beyond fear, highlighting the
profound impact even on the smallest creatures.

IV.
IV. Explain.
Explain. ‘Their
‘Their senses/eroded
senses/eroded beyond
beyond fear’.
fear’.

Answer
Answer: This phrase suggests that the small creatures
are so deeply a!ected by the fall of great trees that their
usual sense of fear is surpassed, leaving them in a state of
numbness and shock.

V.
V. When
When great
great men
men die,
die, what
what kind
kind of
of ‘clarity’
‘clarity’ do
do
we
we have
have all
all of
of aa sudden?
sudden?

Answer
Answer: When great men die, we experience a ‘hurtful
clarity’, a sudden understanding of the valuable soul lost,
which brings sharp and painful realization of their
significance and our loss.

PASSAGE-3
PASSAGE-3

When great souls die,

the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.

I.I. What
What image
image from
from the
the world
world of
of nature
nature has
has been
been
used
used earlier
earlier in
in the
the context?
context?
Answer
Answer: The image of great trees falling has been used
earlier in the context to symbolise the deaths of great
persons and their impact.

II.
II. What
What happens
happens when
when great
great trees
trees fall?
fall?

Answer
Answer: When great trees fall, there is widespread
disruption; animals seek safety, and the natural order is
momentarily disturbed, symbolising the e!ect of a great
person’s death on society.

III.
III. ‘We
‘We breathe,
breathe, briefly’.
briefly’. There
There is
is aa pause
pause after
after
‘breathe’
‘breathe’ here.
here. What
What is
is its
its significance?
significance?

Answer
Answer: The pause signifies a moment of shock or
realization, reflecting how the death of a great soul
momentarily takes our breath away, highlighting the
immediate and profound impact on us.

IV.
IV. What
What kind
kind of
of ‘clarity’
‘clarity’ does
does the
the poet
poet refer
refer to?
to?

Learn more

Answer
Answer: The poet refers to a ‘hurtful clarity’, a painful yet
clear realization of the loss of a valuable soul, which
brings a sharp focus on what was unsaid or undone.

V.
V. What
What do
do we
we come
come to
to remember
remember when
when great
great
men
men die?
die?

Answer
Answer: When great men die, we suddenly remember all
the moments spent with them, the kind words unsaid, and
the promised walks never taken, leading to a sense of
regret and loss.

PASSAGE-4
PASSAGE-4

Our memory, suddenly sharpened,

examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.

I.I. What
What happens
happens when
when great
great trees
trees fall,
fall, according
according
to
to the
the poet?
poet?

Answer
Answer: According to the poet, when great trees fall, it
symbolises the death of great persons, causing
widespread disruptions and a!ecting both the natural
and human worlds deeply.

II.
II. Why
Why does
does it
it become
become di"cult
di"cult to
to breathe
breathe when
when
great
great souls
souls die?
die?

Answer
Answer: It becomes di"cult to breathe when great souls
die because their loss creates a sense of emptiness and
despair, making the very air around us feel light, rare, and
sterile.

III.
III. What
What do
do we
we come
come to
to remember
remember suddenly
suddenly when
when
great
great souls
souls die?
die?

Answer
Answer: Suddenly, we remember the moments spent
with the departed soul, the kind words unsaid, and the
promised walks never taken, which gnaw on us with
regret and sorrow.

IV.
IV. In
In what
what state
state of
of mind
mind is
is the
the speaker
speaker here?
here?

Answer
Answer: The speaker is in a state of reflection and
sorrow, contemplating the painful clarity and regret that
comes with the realization of what was lost with the
departure of a great soul.

PASSAGE-5
PASSAGE-5

Great souls die and

our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.

I.I. What
What does
does the
the fall
fall of
of great
great trees
trees symbolize
symbolize in
in
the
the poem,
poem, as
as suggested
suggested earlier
earlier in
in the
the context?
context?

Answer
Answer: The fall of great trees symbolizes the deaths of
great persons, suggesting the significant impact and
disruptions their loss causes in both the natural world and
human society.

II.
II. What
What do
do we
we remember
remember when
when great
great souls
souls die?
die?

Answer
Answer: When great souls die, we remember the
moments spent with them, the kind words unsaid, and the
promises unfulfilled, leading to regret and a sense of loss.

III.
III. What
What happens
happens to
to our
our ‘reality’
‘reality’ when
when great
great souls
souls
die?
die?

Answer
Answer: When great souls die, our reality, which was
bound to them, takes leave of us, leading to a sense of
disorientation and loss as our souls shrink and wizen.

IV.
IV. What
What does
does the
the poet
poet mean
mean by
by ‘wizened’
‘wizened’ souls
souls
here?
here?

Answer
Answer: By ‘wizened’ souls, the poet means that our
souls become shriveled, diminished in their capacity for
joy and vitality, reflecting the deep impact of loss.

V.
V. What
What does
does the
the word
word ‘nurture’
‘nurture’ suggest
suggest in
in the
the
context?
context?

Answer
Answer: The word ‘nurture’ suggests the care, guidance,
and support provided by the departed souls, which was
crucial to our development and well-being.

PASSAGE-6
PASSAGE-6

Our minds, formed

and informed by their
radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.

I.I. How
How has
has the
the poet
poet compared
compared the
the world
world of
of nature
nature
with
with the
the human
human world
world earlier
earlier in
in the
the context?
context?

Answer
Answer: The poet has compared the world of nature with
the human world by using the metaphor of great trees
falling to symbolize the deaths of great persons,
illustrating the profound impacts these events have in
both realms.

II.
II. What
What happens
happens when
when someone
someone emotionally
emotionally
attached
attached to
to us
us departs
departs forever?
forever?

Answer
Answer: When someone emotionally attached to us
departs forever, our reality shifts, our souls shrink, and we
are thrown into a state of despair and ignorance,
reminiscent of dark, cold caves.

III.
III. How
How are
are our
our minds
minds a!ected
a!ected by
by great
great souls?
souls?

Answer
Answer: Our minds, formed and informed by the
radiance of great souls, are deeply a!ected by their
departure, leading to a sense of loss and a reduction to
ignorance.

IV.
IV. In
In what
what state
state of
of mind
mind are
are we
we thrown
thrown when
when
great
great souls
souls die?
die?

Answer
Answer: When great souls die, we are thrown into a state
not so much of madness as of profound ignorance and
despair, akin to being in dark, cold caves.

V.
V. Explain
Explain the
the reference
reference to
to the
the ‘ignorance
‘ignorance of
of dark,
dark,
cold
cold caves’.
caves’.

Answer
Answer: The reference to the ‘ignorance of dark, cold
caves’ symbolizes the profound sense of loss,
disorientation, and the lack of understanding that
envelops us following the death of a great soul.

PASSAGE-7
PASSAGE-7

And when great souls die,

after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.

I.I. What
What is
is suggested
suggested by
by the
the fall
fall of
of great
great trees
trees
earlier
earlier in
in the
the context?
context?

Answer
Answer: The fall of great trees is suggested to symbolize
the deaths of great persons, illustrating the profound and
wide-reaching impact these losses have.

II.
II. How
How do
do we
we feel
feel when
when great
great men
men die?
die?

Answer
Answer: When great men die, we feel a profound sense
of loss, di"culty in breathing, and a painful clarity about
the significance of the loss, followed by a period of
mourning and reflection.

III.
III. How
How does
does the
the poet
poet refer
refer to
to time
time as
as aa healer
healer
here?
here?

Answer
Answer: The poet refers to time as a healer by
suggesting that after a period, peace blooms slowly and
always irregularly, indicating that healing from the loss of
a great soul is a gradual and uneven process.

IV.
IV. What
What kind
kind of
of ‘spaces’
‘spaces’ are
are referred
referred to
to here?
here?

Answer
Answer: The ‘spaces’ referred to here are emotional and
mental spaces within us that fill with a soothing vibration,
symbolizing the healing and restoration of our senses
after the loss.

V.
V. How
How do
do we
we feel
feel during
during those
those ‘spaces’?
‘spaces’?

Answer
Answer: During those ‘spaces’, we feel a kind of soothing
electric vibration, indicating a sense of peace, healing,
and restoration of our senses, albeit never to be the same
as before.

PASSAGE-8
PASSAGE-8

Our senses, restored, never

to be the same, whisper to us,
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.

I.I. How
How do
do we
we feel
feel when
when persons
persons attached
attached to
to us
us
die?
die?

Answer
Answer: When persons attached to us die, we initially
feel a profound sense of loss, di"culty in breathing, and a
period of mourning, followed by a gradual restoration of
our senses and a realization of their lasting impact.

II.
II. When
When do
do we
we feel
feel at
at peace
peace when
when great
great souls
souls
die?
die?

Answer
Answer: We feel at peace after a period when peace
blooms slowly and irregularly, indicating that healing from
the loss is a gradual process facilitated by time.

III.
III. Why
Why do
do our
our senses
senses never
never achieve
achieve the
the former
former
state
state of
of normalcy
normalcy after
after the
the death
death of
of great
great souls?
souls?

Answer
Answer: Our senses never achieve the former state of
normalcy after the death of great souls because their
impact is so profound that our perception and senses are
permanently altered, whispering to us the presence and
influence of the departed.

IV.
IV. What
What is
is the
the significance
significance of
of the
the repetition
repetition of
of
words
words in
in Lines
Lines 3-4?
3-4?

Answer
Answer: The repetition of the words “They existed. They
existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.”
emphasizes the profound influence of the departed souls
on our lives and the inspiration they provide for us to live
better lives in their memory.

V.
V. The
The ending
ending of
of the
the poem
poem is
is quite
quite positive.
positive. How?
How?

Answer
Answer: The ending of the poem is quite positive
because it suggests that despite the pain of loss, the
memory and existence of great souls inspire us to be
better and to live more meaningful lives, o!ering a
message of hope and resilience.

Morning Star workbook

answers/solutions
Multiiple
Multiiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions II
II

1.
1. 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. Simile
B. Metaphor
C. Personification
D. Metonymy

Answer
Answer: B. Metaphor

2.
2. What
What happens
happens to
to the
the ‘small
‘small things’
things’ when
when great
great
trees
trees fall?
fall?

A. They die due to shock

B. They look up to large things for shelter
C. They curl up in silence
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: C. They curl up in silence

3.
3. Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line given
given
below?
below?
‘the
‘the air
air around
around us
us becomes
becomes light,
light, rare,
rare, sterile.’
sterile.’

A. Asyndeton
B. Anaphora
C. Refrain
D. Polyptoton

Answer
Answer: A. Asyndeton

4.
4. Which
Which of
of the
the following
following poetic
poetic devices
devices is
is used
used
in
in the
the lines
lines given
given below?
below?
We
We breathe,
breathe, briefly.
briefly.
Our
Our eyes,
eyes, briefly,/see
briefly,/see with
with

A. Anaphora
B. Polyptoton
C. Epizeuxis
D. Epistrophe

Answer
Answer: D. Epistrophe

5.
5. What
What is
is suggested
suggested by
by the
the phrase-memory
phrase-memory
‘gnaws
‘gnaws on’?
on’?

A. The phase of forgetfulness

B. Time spent on grieving for the dead
C. Unsaid words and unkept promises
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: C. Unsaid words and unkept promises

6.
6. How
How do
do the
the survivors
survivors see
see the
the world
world after
after the
the
departure
departure of
of the
the great
great souls
souls from
from this
this world?
world?

A. The world becomes unrecognisable

B. The world remains the same
C. The world loses its beauty
D. All of the above

Answer
Answer: A. The world becomes unrecognisable

7.
7. Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line given
given
below?
below?
‘Our
‘Our minds,
minds, formed
formed and
and informed
informed by
by their
their
radiance,…..’
radiance,…..’

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

Answer
Answer: D. Polyptoton

8.
8. What
What is
is suggested
suggested by
by the
the line-
line- ‘Our
‘Our minds,
minds,
formed
formed and
and informed’?
informed’?

A. The great souls remain in our mind

B. The great souls shape the way people think
C. The great souls have great minds
D. The great souls cannot touch the minds of people

Answer
Answer: B. The great souls shape the way people think

9.
9. The
The image
image of
of ‘dark,
‘dark, cold
cold caves’
caves’ conveys
conveys which
which
of
of the
the following?
following?

A. Loneliness and incomprehension that accompanies the

loss of great souls
B. The feeling of despair felt by the bereaved
C. The world after the departure of great souls
D. Both (a) and (b)

Answer
Answer: D. Both (a) and (b)

10.
10. What
What is
is suggested
suggested by
by Maya
Maya Angelou
Angelou when
when she
she
says,
says, ‘after
‘after aa period
period peace
peace blooms’?
blooms’?

A. Healing follows grief

B. Peace occurs while remembering the great souls
C. People remain silent during the period of mourning
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: A. Healing follows grief

11.
11. How
How does
does the
the speaker
speaker think
think that
that the
the bereaved
bereaved
can
can continue
continue to
to ‘Be
‘Be and
and be
be better’?
better’?

A. By forgetting the departed souls after some time

B. By the inspiration provided by the great souls
C. By accepting the fact that they are gone forever
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: B. By the inspiration provided by the great souls

12.
12. 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 title, When
the title, When
Great
Great Trees
Trees Fall
Fall??

A. Were gathered there for vengeance and I knew

That if I dipped my hand the spawn would clutch it.
B. The woods decay, the woods decay and fall
The vapours weep their burden to the ground.
C. Admit impediments, love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
D. In small towns by the river
We all want to walk with the gods.

Answer
Answer: B. The woods decay, the woods decay and fall

Context
Context questions
questions and
and answers
answers

Extract
Extract 11

When great trees fall,

rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

(i)
(i) State
State three
three e!ects
e!ects of
of the
the fall
fall of
of great
great trees
trees in
in
the
the forest?
forest?

Answer:
Answer: Rocks shudder, lions hunker down, and
elephants seek safety.

(ii)
(ii) Why
Why do
do the
the ‘rocks
‘rocks on
on distant
distant hills’
hills’ shudder?
shudder?
What
What is
is suggested
suggested by
by their
their shuddering?
shuddering?

Answer:
Answer: The rocks shudder due to the immense impact
of the trees’ fall, symbolizing how even distant, seemingly
una!ected entities are shaken by great losses.

(iii)
(iii) Lions
Lions are
are regarded
regarded as
as fearsome
fearsome predators.
predators.
Still
Still they
they ‘hunker
‘hunker down
down in
in tall
tall grasses’?
grasses’? Why?
Why?
What
What does
does their
their fear
fear symbolize?
symbolize?

Answer:
Answer: Lions, despite being fearsome predators,
hunker down in tall grasses as a response to the
disturbance caused by the fall of great trees. Their fear
symbolizes the disruption of their natural habitat and the
instinctual need to seek safety and protection.

(iv)
(iv) (a)
(a) Explain
Explain briefly
briefly the
the meaning
meaning of
of the
the line:
line: “…
“…
and
and even
even elephants
elephants lumber
lumber after
after safety.”
safety.”

Answer:
Answer: This line suggests that even powerful creatures
like elephants feel vulnerable when great trees fall, and
they move clumsily towards safety.

(b)
(b) Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the above
above
line?
line?

Answer:
Answer: The figure of speech is personification, as
elephants are described as “lumbering after safety,”
implying a human-like action.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain with
with examples
examples the
the metaphoric
metaphoric use
use of
of
‘trees’
‘trees’ in
in the
the poem.
poem.

Answer:
Answer: In the poem, ‘trees’ metaphorically represent
great figures or powerful entities. Their fall causes
widespread disruption, a!ecting both the environment
and living beings, symbolizing the impact of the loss of
important people or institutions.

Extract
Extract 22

When great trees fall

in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.

(i)
(i) What
What are
are the
the ‘small
‘small things’
things’ referred
referred to
to in
in this
this
extract?
extract? What
What happens
happens to
to them
them when
when great
great trees
trees
fall?
fall?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘small things’ refer to smaller creatures or
vulnerable beings in the forest. When great trees fall, they
become silent, overwhelmed by fear and shock.

(ii)
(ii) What
What are
are the
the ‘small
‘small things’
things’ contrasted
contrasted with
with in
in
the
the previous
previous extract
extract of
of the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘small things’ are contrasted with powerful
animals like lions and elephants, which are also a!ected
by the fall of the great trees but in a more visible, physical
manner.

(iii)
(iii) What
What happens
happens to
to the
the ‘senses’
‘senses’ of
of small
small things
things
when
when great
great trees
trees fall?
fall? How
How can
can this
this be
be compared
compared
with
with those
those of
of human
human beings?
beings?

Answer:
Answer: The senses of small things are ‘eroded beyond
fear,’ meaning they become numb and desensitized. This
can be compared to how human beings may also feel
numb or overwhelmed by the loss of something
significant, unable to process emotions fully.

(iv)
(iv) State
State two
two poetic
poetic devices
devices used
used in
in this
this extract.
extract.
Give
Give an
an example
example of
of each.
each.

Answer:
Answer:

Alliteration: “small things.”

Personification: “senses eroded beyond fear.”

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain briefly
briefly how
how the
the fall
fall of
of great
great trees
trees
impacts
impacts both
both big
big and
and small
small things.
things.

Answer:
Answer: The fall of great trees a!ects both large animals
like lions and elephants, which seek safety, and small
creatures, which recoil into silence, demonstrating how a
significant loss impacts both the powerful and the
vulnerable.

Extract
Extract 33

When great souls die,

the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.

(i)
(i) What
What is
is the
the e!ect
e!ect of
of the
the death
death of
of great
great souls
souls
on
on the
the air
air around
around us?
us? What
What does
does it
it suggest?
suggest?

Answer:
Answer: The air becomes light, rare, and sterile,
suggesting a sense of emptiness and disconnection, as
though life has lost its richness and vitality after their
death.

(ii)
(ii) Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the lines
lines
given
given below?
below? What
What does
does it
it suggest?
suggest?
We
We breathe,
breathe, briefly.
briefly.
Our
Our eyes,
eyes, briefly,
briefly, see
see

Answer:
Answer: The figure of speech is repetition, emphasizing
the fleeting nature of life and the momentary clarity we
gain in the aftermath of loss.

(iii)
(iii) What
What do
do our
our eyes
eyes see
see with
with ‘hurtful
‘hurtful clarity’?
clarity’?
Why?
Why?

Answer:
Answer: Our eyes see the reality of lost opportunities
and unspoken words with hurtful clarity, as we reflect on
the things left unsaid and undone.

(iv)
(iv) What
What happens
happens to
to ‘our
‘our memory’
memory’ after
after the
the death
death
of
of aa loved
loved one?
one?

Answer:
Answer: Our memory sharpens, leading us to reflect on
the moments we missed, the kind words we didn’t say,
and the promises we never fulfilled.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain how
how this
this extract
extract portrays
portrays the
the feelings
feelings
of
of despair
despair and
and regret
regret felt
felt by
by the
the bereaved
bereaved person
person
after
after the
the loss
loss of
of someone
someone close.
close.

Answer:
Answer: The extract conveys despair and regret through
imagery of sterile air and gnawing memory, symbolizing
the pain of realizing too late what was left unsaid or
undone, intensifying the sense of loss.

Extract
Extract 44

Great souls die and

our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.

(i)
(i) What
What happens
happens to
to ‘our
‘our reality’
reality’ when
when great
great souls
souls
die?
die?

Answer:
Answer: Our reality, which is tied to these great souls,
departs with them, leaving us disoriented and
disconnected from the world.

(ii)
(ii) Explain
Explain how
how our
our souls
souls depend
depend on
on great
great souls
souls
for
for their
their nurture.
nurture. What
What happens
happens when
when these
these great
great
souls
souls depart?
depart?

Answer:
Answer: Our souls grow and thrive under the guidance
and wisdom of great souls. When they depart, our souls
shrink and become weakened, losing their vitality and
direction.

(iii)
(iii) (a)
(a) Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line
given
given below:
below:
Our
Our minds
minds formed/and
formed/and informed…
informed…

Answer:
Answer: The figure of speech is alliteration, emphasizing
the impact of great souls on the formation and
enlightenment of our minds.

(b)
(b) How
How do
do the
the great
great souls
souls impact
impact our
our minds?
minds?

Answer:
Answer: Great souls shape our minds by providing
knowledge, wisdom, and insight, which guide us in life.
When they die, this guidance fades, leaving us feeling
lost.

(iv)
(iv) Why
Why does
does the
the speaker
speaker say
say that
that ‘we
‘we are
are not
not so
so
much
much maddened’?
maddened’?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker suggests that instead of going mad
with grief, we are diminished into a state of ignorance,
retreating into a metaphorical dark cave of despair and
confusion.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain the
the connotations
connotations associated
associated with
with the
the
phrase
phrase ‘dark,
‘dark, cold
cold caves.’
caves.’

Answer:
Answer: The phrase connotes isolation, ignorance, and
despair. It symbolizes the emotional and intellectual
darkness we experience when we lose those who have
enlightened us.

Extract
Extract 55

And when great souls die,

after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.

(i)
(i) How
How does
does peace
peace bloom
bloom after
after aa period?
period?

Answer:
Answer: Peace blooms gradually and irregularly after a
period of grief, suggesting that healing takes time and
happens at an uneven pace.

(ii)
(ii) Which
Which ‘Spaces’
‘Spaces’ is
is the
the speaker
speaker talking
talking about?
about?
How
How are
are these
these spaces
spaces filled?
filled?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘spaces’ refer to the emotional and spiritual
void left by the death of great souls. These spaces are
filled with a soothing energy or memory that restores
balance, though never completely the same as before.

(iii)
(iii) How
How are
are our
our senses
senses restored?
restored? What
What do
do they
they
whisper
whisper to
to us?
us?
Answer:
Answer: Our senses are restored over time, though
changed by the experience of loss. They whisper to us
that the great souls once existed, reminding us of their
influence and inspiring us to be better.

(iv)
(iv) Which
Which poetic
poetic device
device is
is used
used in
in “They
“They existed.
existed.
They
They existed.”
existed.” What
What is
is suggested
suggested by
by this
this
repetition?
repetition?

Answer:
Answer: The poetic device is repetition, which
emphasizes the enduring presence and impact of the
great souls even after their death.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain how
how this
this extract
extract signifies
signifies the
the role
role
played
played by
by ‘great
‘great souls’
souls’ or
or immensely
immensely talented
talented
people
people to
to bring
bring about
about massive
massive cultural
cultural change.
change.

Answer:
Answer: The extract highlights how the legacy of great
souls lives on, inspiring those left behind to improve and
carry forward their influence, thus contributing to
ongoing cultural change and personal growth.

Extras/additional
Questions
Questions and
and answers
answers

Extract
Extract 11

When great trees fall

rocks on distant hills shudder
lions hunker down
in tall grasses
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

(i)
(i) What
What impact
impact do
do great
great trees
trees falling
falling have
have on
on
nature?
nature?

Answer:
Answer: The fall of great trees causes widespread
disruption in nature, symbolized by distant rocks
shuddering, lions hiding, and elephants seeking safety.

(ii)
(ii) What
What does
does the
the imagery
imagery of
of lions
lions and
and elephants
elephants
suggest
suggest about
about the
the impact?
impact?

Answer:
Answer: The imagery of lions and elephants, both strong
animals, emphasizes that even the mightiest creatures are
a!ected, illustrating the magnitude of the event.

(iii)
(iii) Why
Why is
is the
the shuddering
shuddering of
of distant
distant hills
hills
significant?
significant?

Answer:
Answer: The shuddering of distant hills signifies that the
impact of the loss is far-reaching, a!ecting more than just
the immediate surroundings.

(iv)
(iv) How
How does
does this
this extract
extract reflect
reflect the
the theme
theme of
of the
the
poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: It reflects the theme of significant loss by
showing how nature reacts when something great, like a
tree, falls, symbolizing the death of great souls.

(v)
(v) What
What tone
tone is
is conveyed
conveyed through
through the
the use
use of
of
“hunker
“hunker down”
down” and
and “lumber”?
“lumber”?

Answer:
Answer: These verbs convey a tone of caution and
vulnerability, indicating a sense of danger and the need
for protection.

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Extract
Extract 55

They existed. They existed.

We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.

(i)
(i) What
What message
message does
does the
the speaker
speaker convey
convey with
with
the
the repetition
repetition of
of “They
“They existed”?
existed”?

Answer:
Answer: The repetition reinforces the enduring impact of
the great souls’ existence, emphasizing that their legacy
continues to inspire those left behind.

(ii)
(ii) How
How does
does the
the speaker
speaker view
view the
the influence
influence of
of
great
great souls
souls on
on those
those who
who survive
survive them?
them?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker views their influence as a source of
inspiration, encouraging survivors to live better lives and
strive for improvement because of the greatness that
once was.

(iii)
(iii) What
What does
does the
the phrase
phrase “We
“We can
can be.
be. Be
Be and
and be
be
better”
better” suggest
suggest about
about the
the potential
potential of
of the
the living?
living?

Answer:
Answer: It suggests that the living have the potential to
improve and grow, using the memory and legacy of the
great souls as motivation to become better.

(iv)
(iv) How
How does
does this
this passage
passage shift
shift the
the tone
tone of
of the
the
poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The tone shifts from mourning and loss to one
of hope and renewal, suggesting that even in death, great
souls leave behind a legacy that can inspire positive
change.

(v)
(v) How
How does
does this
this final
final passage
passage relate
relate to
to the
the
overall
overall message
message of
of the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: It encapsulates the central message of the
poem: that although great souls may die, their existence
has a lasting, positive impact on those who remember
them, inspiring growth and improvement.

Multiple
Multiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions (MCQs)
(MCQs)

1.
1. What
What happens
happens when
when great
great trees
trees fall?
fall?

A. Birds start chirping louder B. Lions start feeling scared

C. Rocks on distant hills shudder D. Elephants start
running faster

Answer:
Answer: C. Rocks on distant hills shudder

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20.
20. What
What is
is the
the central
central message
message of
of the
the poem
poem
‘When
‘When Great
Great Trees
Trees Fall’?
Fall’?

A. Appreciate nature’s beauty B. Make the most of

opportunities C. Stay rooted in one place D. Cherish
inspirational souls

Answer:
Answer: D. Cherish inspirational souls

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.

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