CBSE Class 10 English Amanda VBQs

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. What does the poem ‘Amanda’ inform us about the speaker?
(a) Loves giving instructions
(b) Physical beauty is important
(c) Wants to control Amanda
(d) All of the above
Answer. (d) 

Question. Emerald sea means ………… .
(a) clear sea
(b) green sea
(c) sea filled with emeralds
(d) None of the above
Answer. (b) 

Question. A transferred epithet is a literary device where the modifier or epithet is transferred from the noun it is meant to describe to another noun in the sentence. Based on the given definition of ‘transferred epithet’, choose the option that lists an example of transferred epithet.
(a) soft dust
(b) hushed (bare) feet
(c) freedom (is) sweet
(d) silence (is) golden
Answer. (b)

Question. Which option completes the popular adage given below? ............... silence is gold.
(a) Precious are words for
(b) Speech is silver
(c) Silver is the tongue
(d) Ideas may be precious but
Answer. (b) 

Question. Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you, Amanda!
Read the given lines and tell
why is Amanda not looking at the speaker?
(a) Amanda listening to music
(b) Amanda is playing
(c) Amanda is sleeping
(d) Amanda is lost in her own thoughts
Answer. (d) 

Question. What causes acne to Amanda according to the speaker?
(a) Biting nails
(b) Cleaning the room
(c) Eating chocolates
(d) Eating pizzas
Answer. (c) 

Question. In the poem ‘Amanda!’, the speaker is so worried about acne. What does it show?
(a) This shows importance is given to physical beauty.
(b) This shows her concern towards Amanda.
(c) This shows Amanda’s carelessness.
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer. (a) 

Question. What do the words tranquil and rare signify?
(a) Pleasant surrounding
(b) Freedom and peace
(c) Music and excitement
(d) Peace and no nagging
Answer. (d) 

Question. Why has the poet used bracketed lines in the poem ‘Amanda’.
(a) To show they are important.
(b) To show mother’s words
(c) To show Amanda’s imagination.
(d) To show poet’s words.
Answer. (c) 

Question. Amanda wants to be Rapunzel because ………… .
(a) She wants to have long hair.
(b) She wants a prince to save her.
(c) She wants to lead a care free life.
(d) She wants to be a princes.
Answer. (c)

Question. What all things did Amanda imagine while her mother was giving her instructions?
1. To be a mermaid
2. To be an orphan
3. to be Rapunzel
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All of these
Answer. (d)

Question. When Amanda’s mother says, “stop that sulking at once, Amanda!” She means that
(i) Amanda is annoyed by hermother’s constant nagging.
(ii) Amanda is ignoring the instructions given by her mother.
(a) (i) is correct (ii) is incorrect
(b) (i) is incorrect (ii) is correct
(c) Both (i) and (ii) are correct
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii is correct
Answer. (c) 

Extract Based MCQs

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
(I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)

Question. The tone of the given lines is
(a) analytical
(b) despairing
(c) peaceful
(d) nervous
Answer. (c) 

Question. Read the statements A and B given below, and choose the option that correctly evaluates these statements.
Statement A The figure ‘I’ imagines a less than realistic view of being an orphan.
Statement B The figure ‘I’ does not like the speaker.
(a) A is true, B is false, according to the extract
(b) A is true, B cannot be clearly inferred from the extract.
(c) A cannot be clearly inferred from the extract, B is false.
(d) A is true and can be inferred from the poem, B is true too.
Answer. (b) 

Question. The golden silence is contrasted with the ........... .
(a) chaos of the street
(b) constant instructions received
(c) sweetness of freedom
(d) hushed, bare feet
Answer. (b) 

Question. The rhyme scheme ‘aaa’ in the above extract is followed in all other stanzas of the poem that are written in parenthesis, i.e. (). Why?
Read the reasons given below, and choose the option that lists the most accurate reasoning.
(1) It shows the simplicity of the child’s thoughts.
(2) It reflects the harmony and rhythm of the child’s inner world.
(3) It mirrors a child’s expression.
(4) It highlights the poet’s aesthetic sensibility.
(a) (1) and (4)
(b) (1) and (2)
(c) (2) and (3)
(d) (3) and (4)
Answer. (c) 

Question. Pick the option that lists the usage of the word ‘pattern’, as in the extract above.
(a) That is a lovely pattern for a wallpaper.
(b) He decided to wear a patterned shirt to the party.
(c) Poetry is a form of pattern making.
(d) She patterned her hair after her favourite celebrity.
Answer. (d)

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda! CBSE Question Bank 2021

Question.The purpose of the speaker’s words in the given extract is to
(a) show the speaker’s power over the listener.
(b) make the listener a better human being.
(c) advise the listener as an elder.
(d) improve the listener’s posture and habits.
Answer. (d)

Question. Alliteration is a literary device used in the extract.
Which of the following options DOES NOT include examples of this literary device?
(a) The moon and the shimmering stars watched over us
(b) With that charming chat, Catherine chose comfort
(c) Away ran the pathetic pooch pouting like a princess
(d) Dee dee was driving down day after day
Answer. (a) 

Question. What does the repetition of ‘Amanda!’ at the end of each line reflect?
(a) It describes who the speaker is talking to.
(b) It represents the absent-mindedness of the listener.
(c) It shows the frustration of the speaker.
(d) It helps create a rhyme scheme.
Answer. (c) 

Question. Select the option that fits with the following:
Slouching : Straight:: ............ : .............
(a) Transparent: Translucent
(b) Lazy: Agile
(c) Forgetful: Lively
(d) Generous: Liberal
Answer. (b)

3. I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.

Question. The tone of the given lines is
(a) analytical.
(b) despairing.
(c) peaceful.
(d) nervous.
Answer : C

Question. Read the statements A and B given below, and choose the option that correctly evaluates these statements.
Statement A - The figure ‘I’ imagines a less than realistic view of being an orphan.
Statement B - The figure ‘I’ does not like the speaker.
(a) A is true, B is false, according to the extract
(b) A is true, B cannot be clearly inferred from the extract.
(c) A cannot be clearly inferred from the extract, B is false.
(d) A is true and can be inferred from the poem, B is true too.
Answer : B

Question. The golden silence is contrasted with the _________.
(a) chaos of the street.
(b) constant instructions received.
(c) sweetness of freedom.
(d) hushed, bare feet.
Answer : B

Question. The rhyme scheme ‘aaa’ in the above extract is followed in all other stanzas of the poem that are written in parenthesis, i.e. (). Why?
Read the reasons given below, and choose the option that lists the most accurate reasoning:
(i) It shows the simplicity of the child’s thoughts.
(ii) It reflects the harmony and rhythm of the child’s inner world.
(iii) It mirrors a child’s expression.
(iv) It highlights the poet’s aesthetic sensibility.
(a) (i) and (iv)
(b) (i) and (ii)
(c) (ii) and (iii)
(d) (iii) and (iv)
Answer : C

Question. Pick the option that lists the usage of the word ‘pattern’, as in the extract above.
(a) That is a lovely pattern for a wallpaper.
(b) He decided to wear a patterned shirt to the party.
(c) Poetry is a form of pattern making.
(d) She patterned her hair after her favourite celebrity.
Answer : D

4. Don’t bite your nails, Amanda !
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda !
Stop that slouching and sit up straight,
Amanda !

Question. The purpose of the speaker’s words in the given extract is to
(a) show the speaker’s power over the listener.
(b) make the listener a better human being.
(c) advise the listener as an elder.
(d) improve the listener’s posture and habits.
Answer : D

Question. Pick the option that lists the image which correctly corresponds to the speaker’s mood in the extract.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : C

Question. Alliteration is a literary deice used in the extract.
Which of the following options DOES NOT include example of this literary device?
(a) The moon and the shimmering stars watched over us
(b) With that charming chat, Catherine chose comfort
(c) Away ran the pathetic pooch pouting like a princess
(d) Dee dee was driving down day after day
Answer : A

Question. What does the repetition of “Amanda!” at the end of each line reflect?
(a) It describes who the speaker is talking to.
(b) It represents the absent-mindedness of the listener.
(c) It shows the frustration of the speaker.
(d) It helps create a rhyme scheme.
Answer : C

Question. Select the option that fits with the following:
slouching : straight:: ___________ :___________
(a) transparent: translucent
(b) lazy: agile
(c) forgetful: lively
(d) generous: liberal
Answer : B

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Would you call Amanda a disrespectful child? Provide one reason to justify your opinion.
Answer : Amanda was not listening to the speaker. Rather she was engulfed in her own imagination. Hence she is regarded as a disrespectful child.

Question. What kind of an image does “languid, emerald sea” evoke?
Answer : ‘Languid’ means relaxed. The word is used to depict the wave of the sea that sways gently. Amanda dreams to escape into her own solitary dreamland which is soothing, calm and peaceful.

Question. What does the line “never let down my bright hair” tell us about Amanda?
Answer : The above line tells us about Amanda that she doesn’t want to be with anyone. Her desire is to be alone like on orphan in a tall tower where nobody can approach her. She doesn’t even want to be always nagged by her parents and listen to her mother scolding.

Short Answers Type Questions

Question. How old do you think Amanda is? How do you know this?
Answer : Amanda is a little, middle aged (8-12 years) school going girl. We know this because of the reference of a mermaid and Rapunzel. Also, the instructions given to her, for doing homework, nail biting, correcting posture, etc are generally given to children of such an age group.

Question. How would you characterise the speaker in the poem Amanda!’? List any two qualities, supporting the reason of your choice, with evidence from the poem.
Answer : The speaker i.e. Amanda’s mother is very caring and concerned towards Amanda. So much so that she has rather become over protective. Amanda’s careless attitude has made her worry for her future. She wants to teach Amanda all the rules of proper social conduct lest people should blame her for nagging Amanda.

Question. ‘Amanda is alone but not lonely in the world she envisions.’ Justify the statement with reference to any one image she pictures in her mind.
Answer : Amanda feels that she is being constantly pressurised in being a well-behaved girl as per her mother’s demand. She wants to be alone and enjoy being herself. She wants to roam around in the sheets alone and pattern the dust with her bare feet. She finds silence ‘golden’ and freedom sweet. Hence, she is not lonely in her own company.

Question. This is Calvin, a character from a comic strip created by Bill Watterson.
Do you think this might be something Amanda would say? Why/ why not? Give reasons.

Answer : According to me, Amanda would definitely say this. She is a teenager, Like other teens, she loves freedom she wants to her own kind of life in her imaginary world. Her world is not the world of harsh realities but it is an imaginary world of fairies and mermaids. She finds solace in roaming around. And is not at all ready to accept the reality. She craves to live in a lonely tower peacefully like Rapunzel.

Question. Who do you think is speaking to her? NCERT
Answer : Any one of Amanda’s elder’s or parents is speaking to her.
From the instructions given to Amanda, one can say that it is most probably Amanda’s mother or governess.

Question. Why does Amanda desire herself to be an orphan ?
Answer : Amanda desires herself to be an orphan as she wants to live a life of her own without any disturbance. She feels troubled by her parents.

Question. What can you depict of Amanda’s nature ?
Answer :  Amanda is a moody girl. She is nagged most of the time. She often escapes from reality, which makes her moody and dull.

Question. Does the title ‘Amanda’ suit the poem ?
Answer : The title of the poem revolves around the little girl, Amanda, who feels that her life is full of struggle with no freedom. She imagines calmness away from her nagging parents. So we can say that the title is justified.

Question. How old do you think Amanda is ? How do you know this ? 
Answer : Amanda might be 9 - 10 years old school going girl. This fact is known because her parents are trying to inculcate good habits in her, but she is very innocent and immature.

Question. Why are stanzas 2, 4 and 6 given in parenthesis?NCERT
Answer : Stanza 2, 4 and 6 are given in parenthesis because they reflect the inner thoughts of Amanda. Amanda is lost in her dream world and is not listening to what her mother is asking/telling her.

Question. Who is the speaker in stanzas 2, 4 and 6? Do you think this speaker is listening to the speaker in stanzas 1, 3, 5 and 7? 
Answer : The speaker in stanza 2, 4 and 6 is the child, Amanda.
No, Amanda is not listening to the speaker of stanza 1, 3, 5 and 7, as she is lost in the world of her imagination.

Question. What kind of an image does “languid, emerald sea” evoke? 
Answer : Languid, emerald sea” evokes an image of a calm and green sea. ‘Languid means moving slowly with little energy, often in an attractive way. ‘Emerald’ is a green coloured gemstone that refers to the green colour of sea water.

Question. What does the girl yearn for? What does this poem tell you about Amanda?
Answer : The girl Amanda yearns or desires for freedom and peace in life.
According to the poem, Amanda feels that her freedom has been limited by her mother. She is fed up of the constant scolding and instructions by her mother. She wants to go away and live a peaceful life.

Question. Why does Amanda wish to be a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel?
Answer : Amanda wishes to be a mermaid, an orphan and Rapunzel to live a life of freedom. She is constantly scolded by her mother. So, she escapes into her own world of imagination wherein she lives a peaceful life, all alone. As a mermaid shewould be the sole resident of a beautiful sea and as an orphan, she would enjoy freedom. Finally, as Rapunzel she would live a carefree life.

Question. Why does Amanda seem moody most of the time?
Answer : Amanda seems moody most of the time because she is so involved in her world of imagination that she does not pay attention to her mother. Amanda often escapes from reality into her world of fantasy to get away from the continuous scoldings. Her day dreaming makes her look moody and uninterested.

Question. List the things about which Amanda’s mother nag her.
Answer : Amanda’s mother nag or scold her about the following things
● She continuously ask her to sit properly and to not bite her nails.
● Amanda is instructed to not eat chocolates and to clean her room as well as shoes.
● Amanda is also asked to finish her homework.
● Amanda is also pointed out for not paying attention to her mother and for her sulking and moody behaviour.

Question. Justify the title of the poem ‘Amanda’.
Answer : The title of the poem ‘Amanda’ is very appropriate. The poem is about a little girl, Amanda who is constantly scolded by her mother. Throughout the poem, the focus is on Amanda and her world of imagination. In this world, she lives a free and peaceful life without any interruptions.

Question. Do you think it is Amanda’s fault in the poem? Justify your answer.
Answer : No, Amanda is not at fault. In the poem, Amanda is constantly instructed and scolded by her mother. Her mother restricts her freedom. Amanda desires the peace and freedom which is not granted to her. So, she escapes into her own world where she enjoys the calmness.

Question. What is the central theme of the poem?
Answer : The central theme of the poem Amanda by Robin Klein is that children love freedom. They do not want any restrictions on their activities. The poem points out that in the endeavour to make their children well-behaved, parents often give too many instructions. Such a scolding behaviour is resented by children and adversely affects their development.

Question. Does Amanda’s mother have a nagging behaviour.
Justify your answer.
Answer : Amanda’s mother really have a nagging behaviour. She is always instructing Amanda and finding faults within her. Her mother constantly tell her the do’s and don’ts. Such a nagging behaviour affects Amanda who feels that her freedom is restricted. Amanda’s mothers responsibility to instill (develop) good manners in the child makes Amanda retreat (escape) into her imagination where she seeks peace and freedom.

Question. Would you call Amanda a disrespectful child? Provide one reason to justify your opinion.
Answer : Yes, we can call Amanda a disrespectful child because she does not respond to her parent’s repeated instructions. She is lost in her imagination and does not even look towards her mother when she is yelling at her.

Question. What does the line “never let down my bright hair” tell us about Amanda?
Answer : The line “never let down my bright hair.” tell that Amanda does not want anyone to come and disturb her.She wants to live alone in the silence and hates chaos.

Question. The reader sympathises with the speaker in the poem. Support this opinion with a reason.
Answer : The speaker (probably Amanda’s mother) is worried about Amanda as she is lost in her thoughts. Amanda does not pay attention to what her mother says and this makes the reader sympathise with her mother.

Question. Justify the poet’s allusion to Rapunzel in ‘Amanda’.
Answer : It is justified as Rapunzel lived with a witch who would constantly keep a check on her and had several rules to be followed. Amanda too feels caged by the impositions; she desires peace in isolation like Rapunzel had in her tower and clarified that she will not let her hair down for anyone.

Question. How does Amanda describe her life as an orphan?
Answer : Amanda says that she is an orphan and roams on the streets. She walks on the surface of the water and creates patterns on the soft dust by her bare feet. She finds the freedom into the outer world. Silence is golden for her which is why she loves both freedom and silence.

Question. How does Amanda reply to the ‘nagging’ of the speaker in the first stanza?
Answer : The speaker ‘nags’ Amanda by asking her strange questions. Amanda replies to these in her own way.
She says that she is a mermaid. She lives in the peaceful and green sea and is the only inhabitant in that. She blissfully moves into it alone.

Question. What impression of Amanda do you get from the poem ‘Amanda’?
Answer : Amanda is a little school-going girl. She is constantly nagged by her parent. It is probably her mother. She keeps asking Amanda to do this or that but poor Amanda longs to be free and live life in her own way.

Question. What is the central idea of the poem?
Answer : The central idea of the poem is that children have certain habits and their parents teach them to mend those habits for their benefits. Children have these habits because they want freedom. They want to feel free at home, for example Amanda has certain habits but she is asked to mend those.

Question. What all does Amanda dream to do?
Answer : Amanda dreams of being a mermaid drifting on the sea all alone. She dreams of being an orphan walking in the streets with no care. She dreams of being Rapunzel living in a high tower away from everybody.

Question. What three things did the speaker ask Amanda to do which are expected of a school-going child?
Answer : The three things the speaker asked her were if she had finished her homework, if she had tidied her room and if she had cleaned her shoes. These are the things which are expected of a school-going child.

(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)
(a) Why does Amanda want to be like Rapunzel but not do what she did?
(b) Who is ‘Amanda’? What does she wish to do?
Answer : (a) Amanda wants to be like Rapunzel because she wants to live a peaceful life in a tower, where no one gives any instruction and she doesn’t have to do any work. But she doesn’t want to escape with a prince like Rapunzel. She never wants to escape and leave such a peaceful life where there are no instructions and no work to do.
(b) Amanda is a school going girl who loves fairy tales. She likes stories like Rapunzel and mermaids. Being a mermaid, she wishes to drift blissfully on a dreamy, emerald sea, without
anyone else accompanying her.

(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)
(a) Where does Amanda reach in her day-dreaming?
What does she want to do there?
(b) Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid?
Answer : (a) Amanda finds that the sea is relaxed and green like an emerald. She also imagines herself to be the only creature there. She wishes to be a mermaid so that she could drift blissfully on the waves.
(b) Amanda is an escapist. She imagines herself to be a mermaid. She wants to live on an island where she is the only inhabitant. She loves freedom and wishes to drift blissfully like a mermaid on that lonely island.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Look at the given image of a book cover.
If the author, Jason Kotecki were to ask a grown-up Amanda to help with his book by writing one of the 8 secrets based on her experiences, what might she share?
Elaborate based on your understanding of the poem

Answer : The first Escape Adulthood is the cure for the common life. The secret to do so is rediscovering the secrets of childhood that can lead to a life filled with passion, wonder and joy. It’s not about escaping reality or responsibility. It’s about breaking free from the vile clutches of stress and fear of what people will think of you.
Doing so is a double blessing. It will not only help you to remain young and lively throughout your life but also make you your child’s best friend. You will understand what your children actually want from you. The greatest wealth that a child wants to possess is his/her freedom. And the thing that he/she never likes is the constant nagging, unwanted instructions and even over protection of the parents. Every child, like me (i.e. Amanda) wants to postpone growing up. He/she wants to remain a child for just a bit longer.

Question. Read the quote given below carefully. Based on your understanding of the poem, explain how and why this quote can be applied to the poem.

Answer : It is truly said that ‘All grown-ups were once children……… but only a few of them remember it.’ Bringing up teenagers is truly challenging and fun. Teens can be rebellious and apparently not headed with a highly independent perspective. In such circumstances, felling at them, and nagging them, as done in the poem with Amanda, will only make matters worse. Forcing decisions on them only make them detached, as we see in Amanda’s case, where she wishes to be the alone mermaid, an orphan, or the lonely Rapunzel. Amanda’s condition may be witnessed in every child’s life. When children are told a long list of do’s and don’ts then they feel targeted. Then they start comparing their own life with that of the grown-ups around then be it their own parents, teachers or kinds. They feel like shutting off their mind from the outside world. But they should always remember that whatever the parents or teachers are telling is for their good only. Grown-ups can befriend the children but to a certain limits. The habits inculcated in children by their parents will help them in their adult life.

Question. What advice might ”chatterbox” Anne (Frank) have for the quietly imaginative Amanda? Present this as a conversation between the two.
Anne: Gosh! You do run off into some strange worlds, don’t you?
Amanda: (nods) Well…………..
Answer : Anne : Gosh! You do run off into some strange worlds, don’t you?
Amanda : (Cnods!) Well……………. I do.
Anne : Is there anything wrong with you?
Amanda : No, I just want to be left alone. I want to be on my own.
Anne : Are you crazy? Children pine to be with their parents, friends and neighbours ? Think of those orphans who have never enjoyed the love of caring mother and loving father.
Amanda : I don’t know. But I don’t like my mom consistently nagging me for my mistakes. I’m fed up of being watched by my parents continuously. I want to enjoy my freedom. I’m frequently scolded for eating too many chocolates as this may cause pimples.
Anne : I do understand that this constant nagging has made you so sad that now you have even stopped to imagine yourself as someone else. But my dear, have faith in your parents. They want you to grow up as a responsible adult. They bear a great responsibility. It is their duty to teach you the rules of social conduct. I think, you need to talk to them regarding this.

Question. What do you learn from the poem ‘Amanda’ ?
Answer : The poem depicts the state of a little girl Amanda’s mind, who is constantly intruded by her parents about what she should do and what she shouldn’t. She is asked not to bite her nails, hunch her shoulders, she should sit up straight. She is told to finish her homework, tidy her room and clean her shoes. She is forbidden from eating chocolates, because she has acne problem. She is sick and tired of her parents, nagging nature. She completely ignores them and dreams of her becoming a mermaid in the emerald sea, of roaming barefoot in the dusty streets to the extent of becoming orphan and of the golden haired Rupunzel, who lived alone in a high tower. She wants to remain isolated, all alone without her parents’s interference. Parents are over possessive about their children. They want to inculcate good habits in their child. But no child learns all in one day. Children need freedom like Amanda.
But parents who are judging their child everytime would do more harm than good. She is continuously scolded everytime. We witness miserable failure of parents when Amanda wishes to be an orphan, so that she could be free. Thus, the poem teaches us that a child should never be denied of his/her freedom. It highlights the struggle faced by a child within himself/herself. They should not be forced to take wrong step by their parents.

Question. Discuss the importance of proper upbringing with reference to the poem ‘Amanda’ by Robin Klein.
Answer : Upbringing plays an essential role in personality development of a child. Whenever we wish to admire or criticise someone, we talk about the upbringing of that person. Robin Klein’s poem ‘Amanda’ highlights the problems of ‘proper’ upbringing of a child. To instil good values and moral principles in a growing child is the foremost duty of the parents. However, the poem shows how a child feels upset because of constant instructions. Amanda, the little girl in the poem goes through such a situation. She is instructed and scolded for her habits. She gets no freedom and space for herself. As a result, she enters her world of imagination. This world proves to be her defence against her scolding mother. In her world, she seeks freedom and peace. She imagines herself as a mermaid who is the sole resident of a beautiful sea. Then, she imagines herself as an orphan who is free to do anything. Finally, she wants to be Rapunzel and live a peaceful life in a tower. Therefore, elders/parents must maintain a balance. While instilling good manners, they should also give some freedom to their children.

Question. How does Amanda tackle the nagging nature of her mother? Explain with examples from the poem.
Answer : In the poem, ‘Amanda’, the little girl named Amanda often escapes into her own world. Her world of dreams give her the freedom and peace that she seeks in reality where she is constantly nagged by her elders. Her mother continuously instruct and scold her for her ill-manners and laziness.
She is asked not to bite her nails, not to eat chocolates, to clean her room and so on. As Amanda’s mother is giving her instructions, she is lost in her daydreams. The persistance of Amanda’s mother leave a harmful impression in her mind. Her retreat, then, is her way of tackling her mother.
It is her shield and defence against the harsh realities that she goes through. In her reality, her freedom is restricted. Her need for freedom and peace, finds expression in her dreams where she imagines a carefree and happy life as an orphan, mermaid and Rapunzel, without her mother. Amanda may seem moody and upset, to her mother, but is not really so. The nagging nature of her mother makes her escape into a world away from the realities of her life.

Question. State the key points in the poem ‘Amanda’. What do you learn from it? 
Answer : The key point highlighted in the poem ‘Amanda’ is that every child is special in itself and it requires a great amount of patience and love to make them understand this.
To create such an understanding, parents must give freedom to their children as they learn the best from their own experiences. In this process, children may learn some bad habits which needs to be removed. This undoing also requires a great level of understanding and the right approach. Parents judging each action of a child does more harm.
In the poem, the little girl Amanda goes through constant scoldings for her habits. Everything she does is corrected by her mother and she can’t do anything at her will. Consequently, the girl seeks/desires freedom and a choice. The lack of freedom makes Amanda upset and moody as she escapes her world of imagination. She enjoys the things in her imagination, which she is deprived of in reality.
Therefore, in Amanda, we witness a failed approach of her parents and get a lesson that the parents need to take a more gentle/kind approach to teach their child.

Question. Amanda wants to be a Rapunzel, a beautiful princess living in a tranquil tower. Whrite a character sketch of Amanda in the light of this remark? 
Answer : The given statement shows that Amanda yearns for freedom. She was frustrated and irritated by contant nagging of her mother. She always imagined situations and places in which she wished to remain alone. In one such imagination, she thought of Rapunzel and felt that she must have had a happy life alone in that tower. She wants to be Rapunzel to live a peaceful life in tower. Her world of dreams give her the freedom and peace that she seeks in reality where she is constantly nagged by her elders.
Amanda did not want to follow the instructions given by her mother and want to live her life on her own terms. This behaviour shows that teenagers do not like to be instructed all the time. They want to take their own decisions and explore the world themselves.

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
(There is a languid, emerald sea,where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid, drifting blissfully.) 

Question. Who does ‘me’ stand for?
Answer : Here, ‘me’ stands for Amanda.

Question. How does ‘me’ feel?
Answer : ‘Me’ feels lonely and imagines to bea mermaid who lives alone in a beautiful green sea. She would move in the soft waves of the sea.

Question. Who is ‘me’ compared to?
Answer : Here, ‘me’ is compared to a ‘mermaid’.

Question. Which word in the extract means opposite of ‘sorrowfully’?
Answer : Blissfully’ is opposite of sorrowful.

Question. Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid?
Answer : As mermaid sails in a sea carelessly and effortlessly, similarly Amanda longs to do so in a place where she is all by herself.

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look atme when I’mspeaking to you, Amanda!

Question. Why is Amanda not looking at the speaker?
Answer : Amanda is lost in her own thoughts and is paying no attention to instructions being given to her. That is why she is not looking at the speaker.

Question. The speaker is so worried about acne. What does it show?
Answer : The speaker being worried about acne shows how much importance is given to physical beauty in a household.

Question. Which word in the extract means the same as ‘to gaze’?
Answer : To look continuously means the same as ‘to gaze’.

Question. Why does the speaker want Amanda to look at her?
Answer : The speaker wants Amanda to look at her to make sure that Amanda is listening to her and following her instructions.

Question. Why is Amanda being reminded about her acne?
Answer : Eating chocolates causes acne to Amanda, thus, she is being reminded about the same.

3. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)

Question. Does Amanda live on a tower?
Answer : No, Amanda stays at her place. Here, she is imagining herself to be Rapunzel who lived in a tower.

Question. Why will Amanda not let down her bright hair?
Answer : Amanda is aware about the story of Rapunzel. In the story of Rapunzel, all the mishappening and misfortunes are brought to her by letting down the hair. Amanda also wishes to live alone and carefree,without any disturbance.

Question. Which poetic device is used in this stanza?
Answer : The poet has used allusion here as the underlying poetic device.

Question. Find from the stanza a word which means the same as ‘serene’.
Answer : The word ‘tranquil’ means the same as serene.

Question. Why does Amanda want to live like Rapunzel?
Answer : Amanda wants to live like Rapunzel because she had a carefree life in the tower, all alone by herself.