ICSE Class 10 Abou Ben Adhem Workbook Solutions and Answers

Stanza 1

Comprehension Passages

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:- Read the lines given above and answer the following questions.

 

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from Abou Ben Adhem written by Leigh Hunt. In this poem the poet has describe the spiritual experience of Abou who was a pious man. One night Abou awoke from a deep dream of peace. He saw an angel writing something in a golden book. He asked the angel what he wrote. The angel replied that he was writing the names of those who loved God, but Abou's name was not there. Abou requested the angel to write his name in the list of those who loved their fellowmen. The next night the angel come again and showed Abou the names of those whom God had blessed. Abou was surprised to see that his name was written on top. In these lines the poet tells us that one night Abou Ben Adhem awoke from a peaceful dream and saw an angel in his room. The room was bright with moonlight and the angel look like a Lily in full bloom. The room was more brightened by the presence of the angel. The angel was writing something in a book of gold. Abou was much delighted and asked the angel what he wrote.
In simple words: This passage describes Abou Ben Adhem awakening to find an angel writing in a golden book. The angel is listing those who love God, and Abou, a pious man, asks to be written down as one who loves his fellowmen, which ultimately earns him a top spot on God's blessed list.

🎯 Exam Tip: Contextual explanations should link the lines to the poem's theme and main events, focusing on key characters and their actions.

 

Question 2. Name the poet of the given lines.
Answer: These lines are from the poem Abou Ben Adhem written by Leigh Hunt.
In simple words: The poet of "Abou Ben Adhem" is Leigh Hunt.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the author's name for literary works, as it's a common and straightforward scoring point.

 

Question 3. What was the angel doing when Abou bin Adhem saw him within the moonlight in his room?
Answer: He was writing in a book of gold..
In simple words: The angel was writing names in a special golden book when Abou saw him.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on direct factual recall from the poem to answer questions about specific events or actions.

 

Question 4. What did Ben Adhem sec one night in his room, when he was awakened?
Answer: One night, when Ben Adhem was awakened from a deep dream of peace he saw that his room was filled with moonlight, making it appear rich (bright) like a lily in bloom. He also saw an angel writing something in a book of gold.
In simple words: Abou woke up to a moonlit room and saw an angel writing in a golden book.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail both the setting (moonlit room) and the main action (angel writing) for a complete answer.

 

Question 5. What does the poet mean when he says “may his tribe increase”?
Answer: The poet means that the number of good people like Abou Ben Adhem should increase in this selfish and wicked world.
In simple words: This phrase expresses a wish for more good and compassionate people, like Abou, to exist in the world.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpret metaphorical or symbolic phrases by explaining their underlying meaning and relevance to the poem's themes.

 

Question 6. What was Abou dreaming about?
Answer: Abou was dreaming about peace in the world.
In simple words: Abou was dreaming about global peace.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the initial state of the character as it often sets the tone for subsequent events in the poem.

Stanza 2

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?"-The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." Read the lines given above and answer the following questions.

 

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from Abou Ben Adhem written by Leigh Hunt. In this poem the poet has describe the spiritual experience of Abou who was a pious man. One night Abou awoke from a deep dream of peace. He saw an angel writing something in a golden book. He asked the angel what he wrote. The angel replied that he was writing the names of those who loved God, but Abou's name was not there. Abou requested the angel to write his name in the list of those who loved their fellowmen. The next night the angel come again and showed Abou the names of those whom God had blessed. Abou was surprised to see that his name was written on top. In these lines the poet tells us how Abou spoke to the angel. As there was too much peace Abou was not afraid. He became bold and asked the angel what he wrote. The angel raised his head and looked at Abou in a friendly way. He replied that he was writing the names of those who loved God.
In simple words: This passage details Abou's courageous interaction with the angel. Empowered by the peaceful presence, Abou asks the angel what he's writing, and the angel reveals he's listing those who love God.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining context, ensure you cover who is speaking/acting, to whom, what is happening, and why it's significant in the narrative.

 

Question 2. What did Abou Adhem ask the angel?
Answer: He asked the angel, “What are your writing?"
In simple words: Abou asked the angel what it was writing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Quote directly from the text or paraphrase accurately when reporting dialogue or specific questions asked by characters.

 

Question 3. What did the angel tell Abou bin Adhem?
Answer: The Angel told Abou Ben Adhem, “I am writing the names of those who love God.”
In simple words: The angel informed Abou that it was writing the names of those who love God.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a clear and concise answer that directly addresses what was conveyed by the angel.

 

Question 4. Why was Abou not afraid?
Answer: He was not afraid because he was a pious and holy man who believed in God. The peace he felt in the presence of the vision made him bold enough to ask the question.
In simple words: Abou was not afraid because his piousness and the profound peace he felt in the angel's presence gave him courage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link character traits (pious, holy) with the environmental factors (peaceful vision) to explain motivations and reactions.

Stanza 3

And is mine one?' said Abou.
'Nay, or not so, Replied the angel,
Abou spoke more low,
But cheery still; and said, 'I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves His fellow men.' Read the lines given above and answer the following questions.

 

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from Abou Ben Adhem written by Leigh Hunt. In this poem the poet has describe the spiritual experience of Abou who was a pious man. One night Abou awoke from a deep dream of peace. He saw an angel writing something in a golden book. He asked the angel what he wrote. The angel replied that he was writing the names of those who loved God, but Abou's name was not there. Abou requested the angel to write his name in the list of those who loved their fellowmen. The next night the angel come again and showed Abou the names of those whom God had blessed, Abou was surprised to see that his name was written on top. In these lines the poet tells us that Abou asked the angel if his name was written in the list. The angel replied that his name was not in the list. Abou did not loose heart and asked the angel in a low but cheerful voice to write his name among those who loved His fellowmen.
In simple words: In this passage, Abou humbly asks the angel if his name is on the list of those who love God. Upon hearing it's not, he cheerfully requests to be written down as one who loves his fellowmen instead.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Abou's humility and unwavering faith even when his name isn't initially on the "loved God" list, as this is central to the poem's theme.

 

Question 2. What did Adhem ask the angel again when the angel told Adhem that he was "writing the names of those who love the Lord?"
Answer: He requested the angel to write his name among those who love His fellow men.
In simple words: After learning the angel was listing those who loved God, Abou asked to be listed among those who love their fellow human beings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific nature of Abou's revised request, which shifts the emphasis from loving God directly to loving humanity.

 

Question 3. What did the angel tell Adhem?
Answer: The angel told Adhem that his name was not among the names of those who loved the Lord.
In simple words: The angel informed Abou that his name was not present on the list of people who loved God.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the angel's direct response clearly, which sets up Abou's subsequent pivotal request.

Stanza 4

The angel wrote and vanished.
The next night, It came again with a great wakening light,
And show's the names whom love of God had blest,
And Lo! Bin Adhem's name led all the rest. Read the lines given above and answer the following questions.

 

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from Abou Ben Adhem written by Leigh Hunt. In this poem the poet has describe the spiritual experience of Abou who was a pious man. One night Abou awoke from a deep dream of peace. He saw an angel writing something in a golden book. He asked the angel what he wrote. The angel replied that he was writing the names of those who loved God, but Abou's name was not there. Abou requested the angel to write his name in the list of those who loved their fellowmen. The next night the angel come again and showed Abou the names of those whom God had blessed. Abou was surprised to see that his name was written on top. In these lines the poet tells us that Abou asked the angel if his name was written in the list. The angel replied that his name was not in the list. Abou did not loose heart and asked the angel in a low but cheerful voice to write his name among those who loved His fellowmen. In these lines the poet tells us that when Abou requested the angel to write his name among those who loved His fellowmen, the angel wrote something in the book and disappeared. The angel came again to Abou's room next night. The angel showed Abou the names of those whom God had blessed. Abou was surprised to see that his name was on the top of the list. It means that Abou was nearer to God because he loved His fellowmen.
In simple words: This final passage describes the angel fulfilling Abou's request, then reappearing the next night to reveal the updated list where Abou's name, as a lover of fellowmen, now proudly leads all others, signifying that loving humanity is the highest form of divine love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the climax and resolution of the poem, particularly the re-appearance of the angel and the profound revelation about Abou's name leading the list.

 

Question 2. What did Adhem beg the angel to write about him?
Answer: He begged the angel to write his name as lover of the human beings.
In simple words: Abou humbly asked the angel to list him as someone who loves other people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between Abou's initial inquiry and his subsequent request, which highlights the poem's central message.

 

Question 3. Did the angel appear again?
Answer: Yes, the angel appeared again the next night.
In simple words: Yes, the angel reappeared the following night.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the timing of the angel's second appearance, as it's crucial for the poem's resolution.

 

Question 4. Where was Abou's name written amongst those who loved God?
Answer: Abou Ben Adhem's name was at the top of the list.
In simple words: Abou's name was found at the very top of the list of those blessed by God.

🎯 Exam Tip: The placement of Abou's name on the list is the most significant detail, conveying the poem's moral.

 

Question 5. Mention two other words used by the poet to refer to the angel.
Answer: The two other words used by the poet to refer to the angel are ‘the vision' and 'the presence'.
In simple words: The poet also refers to the angel as 'the vision' and 'the presence'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying alternative terms used for key characters demonstrates close reading and understanding of literary devices.

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Question 1. What lesson do you learn from this poem?
Answer: From this poem I learn that devotion to God is directly related to one's love for his fellow beings. One cannot hate his fellowmen whom he has seen and love God whom he has not seen. God resides in the core of every human being.
In simple words: The poem teaches that true devotion to God is shown through loving and serving fellow human beings, as God is present within all people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Articulate the central moral or theme of the poem clearly, focusing on the connection between loving humanity and divine love.

 

Question 2. What does the poem “Abou Ben Adhem” convey?
Answer: The poem, written by Leigh Hunt, tells of a conversation between an angel and Abou.The angel, seen writing in a golden book, lists the names of all the people who love God. When Abou hears he is not on the list, he prays that the angel add his name to the list of people who love their fellow man. The following night the angel returns and tells Abou that not only has he made the list, he “led all the rest.” Hunt uses the language of the poem to convey the idea that loving your fellow man is the way one loves the Lord and is what allows an individual to become truly alive. He uses the simile "a lily in bloom” to convey flowering of the human spirit that occurs when men look beyond themselves. The poem's message explains the best way man loves God is to love others, which brings God's blessing. The “book of gold” symbolizes the richness a man encounters when he loves the Lord, a richness of spirit that transcends this life
In simple words: The poem conveys that loving humanity is the most profound way to love God, demonstrating that compassion for fellow beings leads to spiritual richness and divine blessing.

🎯 Exam Tip: Summarize the poem's core message, including its narrative progression and the symbolic meaning of key elements like the "book of gold" and "lily in bloom."

 

Question 3. Identify the figures of speech in the following lines from the poem.
(a) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace.
(b) Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom.
Answer: In the first line alliteration is used where the 'd' sound is used to convey sound and peaceful sleep. In the second line the poet has used simile to make comparison.
In simple words: Line (a) uses alliteration with the repeated 'd' sound for effect, and line (b) employs a simile by comparing the richness to "a lily in bloom."

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly identify the figure of speech for each line and briefly explain how it functions or what effect it creates.

 

Question 4. Write a short note on Abou bin Adhem.
Answer: In this poem the poet describes an even in the life of Abu Ben Adhem. He was a pious man and the leader of a tribe. He had a meeting with an angel who was writing the names of those people who loved God. Abou's name was not in it. Abou requested the angel to write his name as one who loved his fellowmen. The angel did so and vanished. The next night the angel came again into his room and showed him the names of those who had been blessed by God's love. Abou bin Adhem's name was at the top of the list. It means if you want to get God's love, you should love your fellow beings.
In simple words: Abou Ben Adhem is portrayed as a pious tribal leader who, through his request to be listed as a lover of humanity, ultimately earns the highest favor from God, showing that loving fellow beings is key to divine love.

🎯 Exam Tip: A short note should cover Abou's character, his interaction with the angel, his key request, and the ultimate outcome, highlighting his significance to the poem's theme.

 

Question 5. Explain briefly how Abou Ben Adhem demonstrated his love for God.
Answer: Abou Ben Adhem, a pious man, demonstrated his love for God by expressing his love for mankind. He believed that to love god you need to love your fellow-beings first.
In simple words: Abou demonstrated his love for God by prioritizing and expressing his love for all humanity, believing this to be the true path to divine love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific action or belief that highlights how Abou's love for humanity translated into love for God, which is the core message.

 

Question 6. What is the message of the poem?
Answer: The poem tries to convey the idea to us that a man cannot have the love of God unless he loves his fellowmen. It means that to love god we must first learn to love our and serve our fellow beings. Only a life lived in the service of others is worth living. The poem's message explains the best way man loves God is to love others, which brings God's blessing.
In simple words: The poem's central message is that genuine love for God is intrinsically linked to and expressed through love and service to one's fellow human beings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When stating the message, articulate the cause-and-effect relationship between loving humanity and receiving divine blessing or love.

Extra Questions

 

Question 1. Explain 'may his tribe increase.'
Answer: The phrase, 'may his tribe increase,' means that may the number of good people like Abou Ben Adhem increase in this selfish and wicked world.
In simple words: This phrase is a wish for more good and compassionate individuals, like Abou, to multiply in a world often lacking such virtues.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure your explanation conveys both the literal increase and the underlying desire for moral goodness in society.

 

Question 2. What kind of person was Abou Ben Adhem?
Answer: Abou Ben Adhem was a pious man who believed in loving God by serving his fellow men.
In simple words: Abou Ben Adhem was a devout and righteous man who showed his love for God through his dedication to serving other people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe Abou's character by highlighting his piety and, more importantly, how his faith manifested in his actions towards others.

 

Question 3. Which poetic device is used in the line: ‘Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,'
Answer: The poet has used a simile to compare the pure white light emanating from the angel to a white lily. The poet uses the simile “a lily in bloom” to convey flowering of the human spirit that occurs when men look beyond themselves.
In simple words: The line uses a simile, comparing the richness or brightness to "a lily in bloom," to illustrate the angel's pure presence and the blossoming of the human spirit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific literary device and explain the comparison being made, noting its effect on the imagery or meaning.

 

Question 4. Describe the angel. How did he look at Abou?
Answer: The angel was emanating peace and looked pure in the white light around him. He looked at Abou in acceptance and willingly told him that he was writing a list of those who loved God.
In simple words: The angel was described as peaceful and pure, glowing with white light, and it looked at Abou with acceptance, openly sharing its task of writing names of those who loved God.

🎯 Exam Tip: Combine both physical description and the angel's demeanor towards Abou to provide a comprehensive answer.

 

Question 5. What does the book of gold symbolize?
Answer: The "book of gold" symbolizes the richness a man encounters when he loves the Lord, a richness of spirit that transcends this life.
In simple words: The "book of gold" symbolizes the immense spiritual wealth and blessings one gains through deep devotion and love for God.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the symbolic meaning of the "book of gold" by connecting it to spiritual rewards and lasting value.

 

Question 6. What surprises Abou the next night? What message has the poet conveyed to all of us?
Answer: The next night the angel came again into his room and showed him the names of those who had been blessed by God's love. Abou bin Adhem's name was at the top of the list. The message the poet conveys to us is that if you want to get God's love, you should love your fellow beings.
In simple words: Abou is surprised to find his name at the top of God's blessed list the next night. The poet's message is that loving one's fellow human beings is the true path to receiving God's love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Address both parts of the question – the specific surprise for Abou and the overarching moral lesson for the reader – to ensure a complete response.