GSEB Class 6 English Honeysuckle Chapter 7 Vocation Solutions

 

Question 1. Who is the speaker in the poem? Who are the people the speaker meets? What are they doing?
Answer: A schoolchild is the main speaker in the poem. The speaker first encounters a bangle seller who is selling bangles. Next, he meets a gardener who is digging in the garden. Finally, he sees the watchman walking up and down the street, carrying a lantern and protecting the houses.
In simple words: The poem's speaker is a child. The child sees a bangle seller, a gardener, and a watchman. Each one is doing their job.

Exam Tip: When identifying characters, state their roles and their initial actions clearly, as described in the text.

 

Question 2. What wishes does the child in the poem make? Why does the child want to be a hawker, a gardener, or a watchman? Pick out the lines in each stanza, which tell us this.
Answer: The child in the poem wishes to become a bangle seller, a gardener, and a watchman because he feels these individuals are free to do as they please. He sees a lot of freedom in their lives.
• I wish I were a hawker, spending my day on the road crying, “Bangles, crystal bangles."
• I wish I were a gardener, digging away at the garden with nobody to stop me from digging.
• I wish I were a watchman walking the street all night, chasing the shadows with my lantern.
In simple words: The child wants to be a hawker, a gardener, or a watchman. This is because he believes they have a lot of freedom and can do what they want, unlike him.

Exam Tip: Always quote the specific lines from the poem when asked to illustrate a character's thoughts or feelings.

 

Question 3. From the way the child envies the hawker, the gardener and the watchman, we can guess that there are many things the child has to do, or must not do. Make a list of all the dos and don't that the child doesn't like. The first line is done for you.
Answer: The child dislikes many rules about what he must do and must not do. Here are some of those things:

The child must do the following things:
• Have meals on time.
• Drink milk every day.
• Get ready for school on time.
• Finish homework on time.
The child must not do the following things:
• He must not disobey his elders.
• He must not talk to strangers in the absence of his parents.
• He must not watch T.V. for a long time.
• He must not waste his time.
In simple words: The child has many rules to follow, like being on time for meals and school, and not getting dirty. He wishes he could be free from these duties.

Exam Tip: When making lists of "dos" and "don'ts," ensure each point is distinct and accurately reflects the character's obligations or restrictions.

 

Question 4. Like the child in the poem, you perhaps have your own wishes for yourself. Talk to your friend, using "I wish I were...”
Answer:
(1) I wish I were a butterfly flying over the lovely flowers.
(2) I wish I were a stream that flowed by happily.
(3) I wish I were a tiny baby who chuckled for no reason.
(4) I wish I were an ice-cream vendor selling delicious ice creams.
In simple words: Like the child, I also have dreams, like being a butterfly, a flowing stream, a joyful baby, or an ice-cream seller.

Exam Tip: When expressing wishes, use descriptive language to make them vivid and engaging.

 

GSEB Class 6 English Vocation Additional Important Questions and Answers

Select the most appropriate options as answers and complete the following sentences:

 

Question 1. The poem 'Vocation' is written by
(A) Peter Dixon
(B) E-yeh-Shure
(C) Rabindranath Tagore
(D) Eleanor Farjeon
Answer: (C) Rabindranath Tagore
In simple words: Rabindranath Tagore is the author of the poem 'Vocation'.

Exam Tip: Always remember the author of a poem, as this is a common question type.

 

Question 2. 'When the gong sounds ten' means .............
(A) 'When ten people gather.'
(B) 'When the clock strikes ten.'
(C) 'When ten sounds are created.'
(D) None of the three above
Answer: (B) 'When the clock strikes ten.'
In simple words: 'When the gong sounds ten' means that it is ten o'clock.

Exam Tip: Understand common phrases in the poem and their direct meanings to avoid confusion.

 

Question 3. The poet wishes to be a hawker because'...
(A) he has nothing to hurry about.
(B) he has no specific route to follow.
(C) he has no fixed time to maintain.
(D) All the three above
Answer: (D) All the three above
In simple words: The poet wants to be a hawker because he believes they have no rush, no fixed path, and no set schedule.

Exam Tip: For "All of the above" options, ensure all individual points are indeed correct before choosing it.

 

Question 4. What could be the approximate school- hours of the poet?
(A) 10:30 to 5:30
(B) 10: 15 to 3: 45
(C) 9: 30 to 3:30
(D) 7: 10 to 12:10
Answer: (B) 10: 15 to 3:45
In simple words: The poet's school hours are approximately from 10:15 in the morning until 3:45 in the afternoon.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to numerical details or specific times mentioned in the poem to answer time-related questions accurately.

 

Question 5. Even if the gardener gets baked in the sun or gets wet...
(A) nobody scolds him.
(B) he soils his clothes.
(C) he leaves digging soon.
(D) All of the three above
Answer: (A) nobody scolds him.
In simple words: The gardener isn't criticized even if he gets very hot in the sun or gets soaked by rain.

Exam Tip: Focus on the direct consequences mentioned in the poem when answering questions about a character's actions.

 

Question 6. The child in the poem does not express his wish to be a .........
(A) hawker.
(B) washerman.
(C) gardener.
(D) watchman.
Answer: (B) washerman.
In simple words: The child in the poem does not want to be a washerman; he only mentions wanting to be a hawker, gardener, or watchman.

Exam Tip: Be careful with negative questions; identify what is NOT mentioned in the text.

 

Question 7. What is the street-lamp compared with?
(A) A giant with one red eye in his head.
(B) A dragon with an eye on its head.
(C) A dinosaur with red eyes.
(D) A fire-bug in a dark night.
Answer: (A) A giant with one red eye in his head.
In simple words: The poem describes the street-lamp as being like a huge giant with a single red eye on its head.

Exam Tip: Identify and correctly recall the similes and metaphors used in the poem.

 

Question 8. The watchman takes rounds within his hand.
(A) a wand
(B) a lantern
(C) a torch
(D) a whistle
Answer: (B) a lantern
In simple words: The watchman moves around holding a lantern in his hand.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific objects associated with each vocation in the poem.

 

Question 9. The lane is lonely because .........
(A) it is night.
(B) there is terrible heat outside.
(C) policeman is taking rounds.
(D) it is cursed.
Answer: (A) it is night.
In simple words: The lane feels deserted because it is nighttime.

Exam Tip: Connect descriptions of setting with the time of day or other contextual clues provided in the poem.

 

Question 10. The poet wishes to walk the street all night with his lantern so that .........
(A) he can find his way.
(B) he can follow his shadows.
(C) he can help somebody.
(D) None of these three
Answer: (B) he can follow his shadows.
In simple words: The poet desires to walk all night with his lantern simply to watch his own shadows move along with him.

Exam Tip: Understand the child's perspective and imaginative reasons for wanting to do certain things.

 

Question 11. The poet goes to school at ........ o'clock.
(A) seven
(B) eight
(C) ten
(D) eleven
Answer: (C) ten
In simple words: The poet attends school when the clock strikes ten.

Exam Tip: Recall specific times mentioned in the poem related to the child's daily routine.

 

Question 12. The bangles of the hawker are...
(A) durable.
(B) colourful.
(C) crystal.
(D) cheap.
Answer: (C) crystal.
In simple words: The hawker's bangles are described as being made of crystal.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to adjectives used to describe objects in the poem.

 

Question 13. The hawker is in no hurry at all because .........
(A) he has no other road to take.
(B) he has no other place to go.
(C) he has no fixed time to reach home.
(D) All of these three
Answer: (D) All of these three
In simple words: The hawker isn't in a rush because he has no set path, no particular destination, and no specific time to return home.

Exam Tip: Recognize how multiple reasons contribute to the child's envy of the hawker's freedom.

 

Question 14. The poet wishes to be
(A) a hawker.
(B) a gardener.
(C) a watchman.
(D) All of these three
Answer: (D) All of these three
In simple words: The poet expresses a desire to be a hawker, a gardener, and a watchman.

Exam Tip: Sum up all the vocations the child dreams of embracing in the poem.

 

Question 15. The poet comes back from his school at .........
(A) 3 p.m.
(B) 4 p.m.
(C) 5 p.m.
(D) 6 p.m.
Answer: (B) 4 p.m.
In simple words: The poet returns home from school at four in the afternoon.

Exam Tip: Note the specific times for different parts of the child's day as described in the poem.

 

Question 16. The clothes of the gardener are .........
(A) dirty.
(B) dusty.
(C) wet.
(D) well-ironed.
Answer: (B) dusty.
In simple words: The gardener's clothes are covered in dust from working in the garden.

Exam Tip: Remember descriptive details about each character, such as the condition of their clothes.

 

Question 17. How does the poet watch the gardener doing his work?
(A) Looking through a window.
(B) Looking from a balcony.
(C) Looking through the gate.
(D) Peeping through a hole.
Answer: (C) Looking through the gate.
In simple words: The poet observes the gardener working by looking through the garden gate.

Exam Tip: Pinpoint the specific vantage point from which the child observes each vocation.

 

Question 18. The meaning of the line ............. he gets baked in the sun' is .........
(A) .... he suffers in the scorching heat.
(B) .... he enjoys working under the sun.
(C) .... he hates the terrible heat.
(D) .... he works unwillingly under the sun.
Answer: (A) .... he suffers in the scorching heat.
In simple words: The phrase 'he gets baked in the sun' means he endures intense heat while working outside.

Exam Tip: Interpret figurative language and understand the implied meaning behind certain phrases.

 

Question 19. Identify the Figure of Speech in the line ............. the street-lamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head'.
(A) Metaphor
(B) Simile
(C) Synecdoche
(D) Metonymy
Answer: (B) Simile
In simple words: This line uses "like" to compare the street-lamp to a giant, which makes it a simile.

Exam Tip: Remember that a simile uses 'like' or 'as' to compare two different things, while a metaphor states one thing is another.

 

Complete the incomplete sentences :

 

Question 1. .........in the morning and I walk to school.
Answer: When the gong sounds ten in the morning and I walk to school.
In simple words: The sentence is completed by adding "When the gong sounds ten".

Exam Tip: Complete sentences by recalling the exact phrases or lines from the poem.

 

Question 2. The street hawker has no time............
Answer: The street hawker has no time when he must go home.
In simple words: The hawker has no specific time to go back home.

Exam Tip: Ensure your completion accurately reflects the freedom the hawker experiences in the poem.

 

Question 3. .........spending my day in the road.
Answer: I wish I were a hawker spending my day in the road.
In simple words: The poet wishes to be a hawker, spending their entire day on the road.

Exam Tip: Connect the incomplete sentence to the child's wishes about different vocations.

 

Question 4. ...........with his spade.
Answer: He does what he likes with his spade.
In simple words: The gardener uses his spade to do whatever he wants.

Exam Tip: The context of the gardener using his spade implies freedom of action, so complete the sentence accordingly.

 

Question 5. Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother .........
Answer: Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed.
In simple words: When evening arrives and it gets dark, the child's mother sends him to bed.

Exam Tip: Remember the daily routine of the child as described in the poem, especially regarding bedtime.

 

Question 6. I can see through my open window the watchman .........
Answer: I can see through my open window the watchman walking up and down.
In simple words: The child can see the watchman moving back and forth from his window.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to what the child observes from his window at night.

 

Question 7. The lane is .........
Answer: The lane is dark.
In simple words: The street or lane is dark.

Exam Tip: Use simple, direct answers that reflect the poem's description.

 

Question 8. The watchman swings .........
Answer: The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at his side, and never once goes to bed in his life.
In simple words: The watchman swings his lantern, walks with his shadow, and never sleeps.

Exam Tip: Provide a complete picture of the watchman's actions as described in the poem.

 

Answer the following questions In brief:

 

Question 1. According to the poet what does the watchman do with his lantern?
Answer: According to the poet, the watchman swings his lantern by his side, using it to chase away the shadows. This action highlights his solitary work in the darkness.
In simple words: The watchman swings his lantern to push away the shadows while he walks.

Exam Tip: Mention both the physical action and its symbolic implication (chasing shadows) when describing the watchman's lantern use.

 

Question 2. What is common in all the three vocations that the poet wants to pursue?
Answer: The people who follow all three of these vocations — the hawker, the gardener, and the watchman — lead their lives without many rules. The speaker of the poem also wants to live a life that offers such freedom and few restrictions.
In simple words: All three jobs the poet likes have one thing in common: the people doing them have a lot of freedom and few rules. The child wants that kind of life too.

Exam Tip: The core idea connecting all three vocations is 'freedom' or 'lack of restrictions'; ensure this is the central point of your answer.

 

Question 3. Does the watchman ever sleep? If yes, when?
Answer: Yes, the watchman does sleep. He sleeps during the daytime because he is busy working at night, keeping watch while others rest. His sleep schedule is reversed due to his job.
In simple words: Yes, the watchman sleeps during the day because he works through the night.

Exam Tip: Clearly state whether the watchman sleeps and specify when, based on the poem's context.

 

Question 4. What feelings does the poet have for the hawker and why?
Answer: The poet feels envious of the hawker because he notices that the hawker is in no rush and enjoys a life of complete freedom. This contrasts sharply with the child's own structured daily routine.
In simple words: The poet envies the hawker's free life because the hawker never seems to be in a hurry.

Exam Tip: When describing feelings, use strong verbs like 'envies' and clearly state the reason for that feeling.

 

Question 5. Why does the poet wish to become like a watchman?
Answer: The poet wishes to become like a watchman because he dislikes having to go to bed early. He wants to walk freely in the dark and deserted streets all night, chasing shadows, something he imagines a watchman gets to do.
In simple words: The poet wants to be a watchman so he doesn't have to sleep early and can roam freely at night.

Exam Tip: Link the child's wish to a specific constraint in his own life (e.g., early bedtime).

 

Question 6. What is the hawker selling?
Answer: The hawker is selling beautiful bangles. He calls out "Bangles, crystal bangles!" as he moves through the street.
In simple words: The hawker is selling bangles.

Exam Tip: Provide a direct and concise answer to factual questions like this one.

 

Question 7. When does the poet meet the hawker every day?
Answer: The poet encounters the hawker every day when he walks to school, passing by their lane at ten in the morning. This is part of his regular routine.
In simple words: The poet sees the hawker every morning at ten o'clock on his way to school.

Exam Tip: Specify both the time and location of the encounter as given in the poem.

 

Question 8. How does the poet want to spend his day after observing the hawker?
Answer: After seeing the hawker, the poet desires to spend his day on the road. He imagines having the freedom to wander without a fixed schedule or route, just like the hawker.
In simple words: The poet wants to spend his day freely on the road, just like the hawker he observes.

Exam Tip: Connect the observation of the hawker to the child's subsequent desire for a similar lifestyle.

 

Question 9. For what, according to the poet, does nobody take the gardener to task?
Answer: According to the poet, nobody criticizes the gardener if he gets his clothes soiled with dust, or if he becomes hot in the sun, or even if he gets soaked in the rain. He is free from such reprimands.
In simple words: No one scolds the gardener if his clothes get dirty, or if he gets hot or wet while working.

Exam Tip: List all the conditions under which the gardener remains uncriticized, highlighting his freedom from scrutiny.

 

Question 10. With what, according to the poet, does the watchman walk?
Answer: According to the poet, the watchman walks with a lantern in his hand. This lantern helps him see in the dark and serves as his constant companion throughout the night.
In simple words: The watchman walks holding a lantern in his hand.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific object the watchman carries, as it is a key detail of his vocation.

 

Question 11. What does the poet want to do after observing the watchman walking?
Answer: After seeing the watchman walking, the poet wants to walk the street all night himself, chasing the shadows with his lantern. He dreams of the freedom and independence of staying up late.
In simple words: The poet wants to walk all night with a lantern, chasing shadows like the watchman, after watching him.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the child's desire for the watchman's specific actions and the associated freedom.

 

Answer the following questions in two to three sentences each:

 

Question 1. Why does the poet wish to be a hawker?
Answer: Generally, all children have a common dislike for school and they want to enjoy a free life. Here the poet, while going to school, observes a hawker shouting to sell his bangles. He notices that the hawker has no limitations—no hurry, no specific route, and no fixed time to reach home. The poet desires such a free life and wishes to become a hawker.
In simple words: The poet wants to be a hawker because hawkers have no fixed schedule or route, offering a life of great freedom, unlike the child's structured school day.

Exam Tip: Connect the child's desire to the perceived freedom and lack of restrictions in the hawker's life.

 

Question 2. Why does the poet express his desire to be a gardener?
Answer: The child-poet observes a gardener digging the ground. He is working on his own whim, seemingly without any supervision. Nobody scolds him whether he soils his clothes or is out in the scorching sun or gets wet in the rain. He is completely free, and the child-poet desires to live such an unrestricted life.
In simple words: The poet wants to be a gardener because they can work freely, get dirty, and stay in the sun or rain without anyone telling them off.

Exam Tip: Highlight the gardener's freedom from adult supervision and societal expectations as the main reason for the child's wish.

 

Question 3. Why does the poet wish to be a watchman?
Answer: The child-poet observes a watchman taking rounds. He carries a lantern in his hand and walks with his shadow beside him, staying awake throughout the entire night. The child does not want to go to bed early, as his mother typically sends him to bed at a specific time. He likes the idea of enjoying taking rounds all night like the watchman.
In simple words: The poet wishes to be a watchman because he enjoys the idea of staying up all night, walking freely with a lantern, and not having to go to bed early as his mother makes him do.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the contrast between the child's forced early bedtime and the watchman's perceived freedom to stay up all night.

 

Question 4. What of the gardener attracts the poet a lot?
Answer: The child-poet faces many restrictions regarding movement and tasks. He observes that the gardener has a spade and does what he thinks appropriate. His clothes often get dusty, and nobody scolds him whether he works in the scorching sun or pouring rain. This complete freedom deeply appeals to the child.
In simple words: The gardener's freedom to work as he pleases, get dirty, and be out in any weather without being scolded greatly attracts the poet.

Exam Tip: Focus on the gardener's autonomy and lack of reprimand as the key attractive features for the child.

 

Question 5. What of the watchman attracts the poet a lot?
Answer: The child really dislikes going to bed early, as his mother makes him do so. He wants to stay awake all night, taking rounds with a lantern in his hand. He desires to enjoy the night by himself, just like the watchman.
In simple words: The watchman's ability to stay up all night, walk freely with a lantern, and enjoy the night on his own greatly attracts the poet, who dislikes early bedtimes.

Exam Tip: Highlight the child's aversion to early bedtimes and his yearning for the watchman's nocturnal freedom.

 

Answer the following questions in four to five sentences :

 

Question 1. What is the tone of the poem 'Vocation'?
Answer: The poem 'Vocation' expresses the hidden desires of a child. Generally, a child dislikes going to school and following other instructions at home, longing to live like a free bird. Here, the child wishes to be a hawker who has no set time or fixed place to go. He wants to be a gardener so he can move about freely and do jobs as he likes, and like a watchman, he doesn't want to be forced to go to bed early, instead enjoying patrols all night.
In simple words: The poem's tone shows a child's deep desire for freedom. The child wishes to escape daily rules, like going to school or bed, by imagining himself as a hawker, gardener, or watchman, who seem to live without restrictions.

Exam Tip: Describe the overall mood or feeling of the poem, focusing on the child's longing for freedom and escape from routine.

 

Question 2. Why is the poet impressed by the vocations of a hawker, gardener and a watchman?
Answer: The poet envies the hawker, gardener, and watchman and wants to be in their place because of the extensive freedom they enjoy in their lives. The poet does not enjoy his routine and predictable life. He is interested in being a hawker as he can move freely from one place to another without any urgency of reaching a particular place on time. He is interested in being a gardener because a gardener can get his clothes dirty, get baked in the sun, or get wet in the rain, and nobody scolds him for these actions. He is also interested in being a watchman because he is free to walk in the dark and deserted lanes with a lantern in his hand, and he is never asked to go to bed early.
In simple words: The poet is impressed by these vocations due to the freedom they offer, a stark contrast to his own routine life. He sees the hawker as free to roam, the gardener as free to get dirty and work as he pleases, and the watchman as free to stay up all night, all without rules or scolding.

Exam Tip: For each vocation, clearly state the specific aspect of freedom or lack of restriction that appeals to the child.

 

Read the following stanzas and answer the questions given below them:

(1) when the gong sounds ten in the morning and
I walk to school by our lane,
Every day I meet the hawker crying,
"Bangles, crystal bangles "
There is nothing to hurry him on, there is no road he must take, no place he must go to, no time when he must come home.
I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in the road, crying,
"Bangles, crystal bangles!”

 

Question 1. What is the meaning of the word vocation?
Answer: Vocation means a career or an occupation. It refers to a person's principal work or profession.
In simple words: Vocation simply means a person's job or chosen career.

Exam Tip: Define key terms clearly and concisely as they appear in the text.

 

Question 2. What time of the day does the poet see the hawker?
Answer: The poet sees the hawker at ten in the morning while walking to school. This is a regular sight on his daily route.
In simple words: The poet sees the hawker every day at ten in the morning while going to school.

Exam Tip: Extract specific time references from the passage to answer accurately.

 

Question 3. What does the hawker sell?
Answer: The hawker sells crystal bangles. He loudly calls out "Bangles, crystal bangles!" to attract customers.
In simple words: The hawker sells sparkling crystal bangles.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific items being sold by the hawker, as stated in the passage.

 

Question 4. Why does the poet want to be like a hawker?
Answer: The poet wants to be like a hawker because he would be able to spend most of his time on the road. He would no longer be required to follow a fixed routine life and would have the freedom to live his life like the hawker, without time constraints or a set path.
In simple words: The poet desires to be a hawker because he wants the freedom to spend his day on the road, without a fixed routine or schedule.

Exam Tip: Connect the child's desire to the hawker's perceived freedom from routine and fixed schedules.

 

(2) When at four in the afternoon I come back from the school,
I can see through the gate of that house the gardener digging the ground.
He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes with dust, nobody takes him to task, if he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the garden with nobody to stop me from digging.

 

Question 1. When does the speaker return from school?
Answer: The speaker returns from school at four in the evening. This time aligns with the end of a typical school day.
In simple words: The speaker gets back from school at four o'clock in the afternoon.

Exam Tip: Extract specific time details directly from the provided passage.

 

Question 2. What is the gardener doing with his spade?
Answer: The gardener is digging the ground with his spade. This is his primary activity as observed by the speaker.
In simple words: The gardener is using his spade to dig in the earth.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific action and tool used by the gardener as described in the passage.

 

Question 3. How is the life of the poet different from that of the gardener?
Answer: The poet has to follow a strict routine and has a list of things he must do and must not do. In contrast, the gardener is free to do whatever he wants without being questioned. This highlights the poet's lack of freedom compared to the gardener's autonomy.
In simple words: The poet's life is full of rules and tasks, while the gardener's life is free from questions and he can do what he likes.

Exam Tip: Compare and contrast the daily experiences of the poet and the gardener, focusing on their respective freedoms and constraints.

 

Question 4. What does the poet want to be? Why?
Answer: The poet desires to be a gardener to enjoy the freedom, just like the gardener does. He wants to be able to work without being scolded, regardless of whether he gets dirty or wet.
In simple words: The poet wants to be a gardener because he sees the gardener enjoying freedom and doing as he pleases.

Exam Tip: Clearly state what the poet wants to be and provide the reason based on the perceived freedom of that role.

 

Question 5. What is the gardener not bothered about?
Answer: The gardener is not bothered about soiling his clothes with dust or getting baked in the sun, or even about getting wet in the rain. He works freely without concern for these minor inconveniences.
In simple words: The gardener doesn't care if his clothes get dirty with dust, or if he gets hot in the sun, or even if he gets wet.

Exam Tip: List the specific things the gardener disregards, showing his unburdened approach to his work.

 

(3) Just as it gets dark in the evening
and my mother sends me to bed,
I can see through my open window

 

Question 1. What does the speaker's mother do as it gets dark?
Answer: The speaker's mother makes him go to sleep when it gets dark outside.
In simple words: When night comes, the child's mother sends him to bed.

Exam Tip: Always state the direct action taken by characters in response to events from the story.

 

Question 2. What does the speaker see through his open window ?
Answer: The poet looks through his open window and sees a watchman walking back and forth on the street.
In simple words: The poet sees a watchman walking up and down the road from his window.

Exam Tip: When asked what a character sees, mention both the object and its action.

 

Question 3. Describe the lane that the speaker s can see from his open window.
Answer: The lane that the speaker observes from his window is dark and empty.
In simple words: The speaker's view from the window shows a dark and deserted lane.

Exam Tip: Use descriptive words to explain how the setting looks or feels.

 

Question 4. What does the poet like about the watchman ?
Answer: The poet likes how the watchman is permitted to walk freely in the dark and lonely streets without any worry.
In simple words: The poet enjoys that the watchman can walk alone at night without restrictions.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific aspects of the vocation that appeal to the poet, such as freedom or lack of rules.

 

Question 5. What does the poet compare the street lamp with?
Answer: The poet likens the street lamp to a giant person who is tall and possesses a single red eye on his forehead.
In simple words: The poet compares the street lamp to a tall giant with one red eye on its head.

Exam Tip: Identify the two things being compared and the shared characteristic that forms the basis of the comparison.

 

Question. Who, Am I?
Here are various professions: Sweeper, Fashion designer, Newspaper delivery boy, clown, Radio jockey, Farmer, Photographer, Poet, Painter, Chef.
Read the descriptions below and identify the profession:
(1) I am free to express my feelings and emotions on the canvas.
(2) I am free to design clothes as per my taste and creativity.
(3) I am free to talk for hours together on any subject I like and also play songs that I like.
(4) I am free to work under the open skies making barren lands fertile with my work.
(5) I am free to decide whether I use a broom or something else to keep the surroundings clean.
(6) I am free to follow my route while I deliver newspapers to people.
(7) I am free to. perform tricks and act funny while at work.
(8) I am free to capture beauty through the lens.
(9) I am free to make dishes with my creativity and understanding of the ingredients.
(10) I am free to write at my convenience whenever I get inspired to write.
Answer:
(1) Painter
(2) Fashion designer
(3) Radio - jockey
(4) Farmer
(5) Sweeper
(6) Newspaper delivery boy
(7) clown
(8) Photographer
(9) Chef
(10) Poet
In simple words: Based on the descriptions, the professions are identified as Painter, Fashion designer, Radio-jockey, Farmer, Sweeper, Newspaper delivery boy, clown, Photographer, Chef, and Poet.

Exam Tip: For 'Who Am I?' questions, carefully read each clue to match it with the correct profession. Look for keywords specific to each job.

Vocation Summary in English

The poem 'Vocation' was written by Rabindranath Tagore. In this writing, he describes a child's interest in three different jobs, which he observes at various times during the day. The poet clarifies how and why the child feels a desire to be each of them.

In the morning, around ten o'clock, as the child heads to school, he spots a bangle seller calling out, "Bangles, crystal bangles." The child admires the freedom the bangle seller enjoys. He can travel any path, go anywhere, and has no set schedule for his work. Truly, the bangle seller is never rushed. The child wishes that he could be a bangle seller too, calling out, "Bangles, crystal bangles."

Later, at school, the child watches a gardener digging in the earth. The gardener is also a free person. He can do whatever he wants with his spade. He can make his clothes dirty with mud. No one tells him off or scolds him if he becomes wet. Nobody can prevent him from digging. So, the child wants to be a gardener, digging the ground with total freedom.

When night arrives, the child's mother sends him to sleep. The child then looks out through his open window and sees a watchman walking back and forth along the dark, empty lane. The street lamp looks like a huge giant with a single red eye on its head. The watchman swings his lantern. He never goes to bed. The child wishes he was a watchman, walking the streets all night and chasing shadows with his light.

Glossary

crystal (adj.): made of clear, see-through, excellent-quality glass.
hawker (n.): a person who sells items in the street or goes from house to house calling out.
baked (v.): burnt or scorched by very strong heat.

Phrases

take to task: to criticize someone strongly for doing something wrong.
up and down: moving in one direction and then the opposite, repeatedly.