Page 69 - The English Carnival 7

Assess Yourself

A. Tick () the correct answer.

1. What does the speaker mean by “That mirror / Which makes of men a
transparency”?

(a) The mirror reflects people’s true selves.

(b) The mirror distorts people’s appearances.
(c) The mirror is transparent.

2. What is the significance of the mirror in the poem?
(a) It shows the speaker’s reflection.

(b) It reveals the hidden aspects of oneself.

(c) It reflects the world around it.
3. What does the speaker imply when he asks, “Who holds that mirror”?

(a) He is asking about the person holding the mirror.
(b) He is questioning who has the power to reveal one’s true self.

(c) He is wondering about the physical characteristics of the mirror.

4. What is the effect of the mirror’s magic according to the speaker?
(a) It reveals the deepest thoughts and feelings of individuals

(b) It reflects the world around it with perfect clarity

(c) It shows people as they truly are, without any disguise
5. Why does the speaker mention “these night hours of ache”?

(a) To emphasize the difficulty of self-reflection

(b) To highlight the beauty of the night
(c) To suggest that introspection is painful

B. Answer the questions briefly.

1. What is the significance of the mirror in the poem?

2. How does the speaker describe the mirror’s ability to reveal truth?
3. Whom does the speaker address with the question, “Who holds that mirror”?

4. What does the speaker mean by “That mirror / Whose magic penetrates like
a dart”?

5. Why does the speaker mention “these night hours of ache”?

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The Englsih Carnival-8