Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

A speck that would have been beneath my sight

On any but a paper sheet so white
Set off 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) When did the speaker notice 'a speck'? Why did he feel that it would have been beneath
his sight?
Ans: The speaker was writing something on a white sheet of paper, when he suddenly
noticed 'a speck'.
He felt that it would have been beneath his sight because he was busy writing; moreover the
speck was so small and seemingly insignificant. The speck was tiny and easily overlooked,
but its movement and apparent purpose caught the speaker's attention.
(ii) Why did the speaker idly poise his pen in the air?
Ans: The speaker idly poised his pen in the air because he observed something strange
about the speck and was momentarily distracted by the sight of the tiny speck. This action
indicates a pause in his writing, where his attention shifts from his work to observing the
speck.
(iii) What was 'strange' about it that attracted the speaker's attention? What was the speck in
reality?
Ans: The speck's movement and appearance attracted the speaker's attention and made
him think that it was not a speck of dust blown over by his breath. In reality, it was a tiny
living mite.
(iv) Explain the meaning of the last line of this extract.
Ans: The last line of this extract means that the mite possesses its own set of desires and
tendencies. This suggests that the mite was not merely a passive object but a living
creature, having its own feelings and decision-making power.
(v) Explain briefly how this extract justifies the title of the poem.
Ans: The extract justifies the title "A Considerable Speck" by highlighting the speaker's
significant attention to something seemingly insignificant. The speck, which would ordinarily
be beneath notice due to its small size, becomes "considerable" because it exhibits signs of
life and purpose. It was 'a living mite' having its own feelings and decision-making power.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Plainly with an intelligence / 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) Which characteristic trait of the mite is the speaker talking about in the first line of this
extract? Why?
Ans: In the first line of this extract, "Plainly with an intelligence I dealt," the speaker is talking
about the intelligence of the mite. The speaker recognizes that the mite, despite its tiny size,
exhibits behaviors that suggest a level of awareness and intent. This recognition is based on
the mite's actions, such as running with terror, cunningly creeping, hesitating, and ultimately
cowering in desperation.
(ii) Why did the speaker at first think that the mite did not have feet? What made him change
his stance at the very next moment?
Ans: The speaker first thought that the mite could not have feet as it was too small. But the
very next moment he felt it must have a set of feet through which it was running to escape as
it did not want to die.
(iii) What made the speaker realise that it didn't want to die?
Ans: The speaker realized that the mite didn't want to die because it exhibited behaviors
such as running with terror, and creeping as an act of self-conservation every living thing
possesses. These actions demonstrated the mite's instinct to avoid death and desire to
continue to live.
(iv) What did 'It' do in the middle of the sheet of paper? Why?
Ans: In the middle of the sheet of paper, the mite cowered down in desperation to accept the
fate whatever may be in the middle of the sheet of paper. It did this because it realized it was
vulnerable and likely trapped, demonstrating its fear and acceptance of whatever fate the
speaker might decide for it.
(v) Explain the attitude of the speaker towards the mite in this extract.
Ans: The speaker's attitude towards the mite is one of compassionate curiosity and respect.
Intrigued by its intelligence and purposeful behavior, the speaker empathizes with the mite's
fear and desperation.
Choosing not to harm it, the speaker acknowledges its will to live, demonstrating an
appreciation for all forms of life, regardless of size.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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!
(i) Which trait is the speaker referring to which he says he does not have? What is the result
of lacking this trait?
Ans: The speaker refers to the trait of "tenderer-than-thou collectivistic regimenting love"
which he says he does not have. This phrase criticizes the self-righteous, overbearing, and
conformist attitude that he perceives in modern society. The result of lacking this trait is that
the speaker is more individualistic and empathetic, leading him to treat the mite with
compassion and let it rest peacefully, rather than imposing his will on it.
(ii) Explain with reference to context the meaning of the phrase Collectivistic regimenting
love'.
Ans: The phrase "collectivistic regimenting love" criticizes the principle of collectivism that
suppresses individualism. This phrase references communism, which emphasizes the needs
of the group over the individual. It satirizes people's tendency to conform to the collective
identity, criticizing how individual freedom and personal identity are suppressed in favor of
group conformity.
(iii) To whom did the speaker refer to as 'poor microscopic item? Why? What does it suggest
about the speaker?
Ans: The speaker refers to the mite as the "poor microscopic item" because of its tiny size
and apparent helplessness. It suggests that the speaker has a sense of pity for the mite
despite its size, shows that he respects the individuality of even a tiny creature.
(iv) Why did the speaker let it lie there? Do you think the speaker was right in doing so? Give
reason to support your answer.
Ans: The speaker let the mite lie there because he sees no reason to harm it and also he
respects the individuality of it who tried its best to preserve itself. Yes, the speaker was right
in doing so. His action reflects a compassionate and humane attitude, showing kindness to
even the tiniest forms of life.
(v) Explain how does this extract reflect on the theme of the poem.
Ans: This extract reflects the poem's theme by emphasizing empathy and the value of
individual life.
The speaker's compassionate treatment of the tiny mite highlights the significance of every
living being and critiques the collective mindset of modern society
that often overlooks individual worth.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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) What does the speaker want to convey by saying that he has a mind? Which
characteristic trait of the speaker is conveyed by this assertion?
Ans: By saying that he has a mind, the speaker wants to convey that he possesses
awareness, intelligence, and the ability to think critically. This assertion reflects the speaker's
appreciation for intellect and consciousness. It conveys the characteristic trait of the speaker
as someone who values and recognizes the presence of intelligence and purposeful
behavior, even in the smallest of creatures.
(ii) Where does the speaker find the mind? In which 'guise' does he find it? How does he
recognise it?
Ans: The speaker finds the mind in the tiny mite. He encounters it in the "guise" of a small,
seemingly insignificant creature. He recognizes the mind through the mite's purposeful
behavior and actions, such as fear, confusion, and terror in order to survive.
(ili) How does the speaker reward it for displaying its mind? Why does the speaker not
punish it for trespassing his sheet of paper?
Ans: The speaker rewards the mite for displaying its mind by allowing it to live and letting it
lie there until it rests. The speaker does not punish the mite for trespassing on his sheet of
paper because he recognizes its intelligence and will to live. This empathy and respect for
even the smallest form of life reflect the speaker's compassionate and humane attitude.
(iv) What is the reason for the speaker's feeling of gladness? Give the symbolic meaning of
the line
'On any sheet the least display of mind.' Ans: The speaker feels gladness because he
recognizes and appreciates the presence of intelligence and awareness in the tiny mite. The
line
"On any sheet the least display of mind" symbolizes the speaker's appreciation for
intelligence and awareness in any form. It reflects his value for individual thought, even in
the smallest creatures, underscoring the theme of respecting all life.
(v) What is the central theme of this poem? How is an inconsequential mite used to justify
the theme of the poem?
Ans: The central theme of the poem, 'A Considerable
Speck' is the importance of the human faculty of mind, its imagination and creativity. The
poet recognises and appreciates the use of mind by an inconsequential mite, which appears
on a sheet of paper on which he was writing something. The mite uses its mind, imagination
and creativity to preserve itself which is better than humans who are influenced by the
principle of collectivism.

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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) What is referred to by 'It' that paused with suspicion? Why did it do so?
Ans: "It" refers to the mite. The mite paused with suspicion because it was wary of the pen,
possibly perceiving it as a threat. This behavior demonstrates the mite's instinct for
self-preservation and its cautious nature in an unfamiliar environment.
(ii) Why did it start racing wildly after a pause?
Why was the manuscript not yet dry?
Ans: The mite started racing wildly after a pause probably because, the ink made it feel it
was not safe, so, out of fear, suspicion and terror started racing wildly. The manuscript was
not yet dry because the speaker had recently written on the paper, and the ink had not had
enough time to dry completely.
(ii) Why did it start racing wildly after a pause?
Why was the manuscript not yet dry?
Ans: The mite started racing wildly after a pause probably because the ink made it feel it was
not sai so, out of fear, suspicion and terror started racing wildly. The manuscript was not yet
dry because the speaker had recently written on the paper, and the ink had not had enough
time to dry completely.
(iii) What did 'It' drink or smell with loathing? Why?
What did it do after that?
Ans: The mite either drank or smelled the fresh ink on the manuscript with loathing to check
whether it was safe or not. It likely found the ink unappealing or even repulsive. After this, it
turned away in disgust and started to flee until it reached the middle of the paper, indicating
its aversion to the ink.
(v) How does the speaker deal with the mite? What makes him do so? How does the
speaker's action justify the theme of the poem?
Ans: The speaker observes the mite with curiosity and empathy, allowing it to move freely on
the paper without harm. The speaker do so because he sees the intelligence display of mind
by a small mite and so this action justifies the theme of the poem, which emphasizes the
value of individual life and intelligence.
By sparing the mite and observing its actions with interest, the speaker demonstrates an
appreciation for the intrinsic worth of even the most inconsequential creatures.