The Rime of Ancient Mariner Chapter Wise Important Questions Class 10 English Communicative – Poetry
EnglishMathsScienceSocialHindi AHindi B
2016
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 1.
What were the blessings the albatross brought with it ?
Answer:
The albatross was considered as a bird of good omen and as a spirit of Christ which had come to help them. When the albatross appeared, the ship was surrounded by massive icebergs but soon the good South Wind blew, the ice cracked and they were able to move out.
Question 2.
How did the mariners enjoy the arrival of the albatross?
Answer:
The mariners enjoyed the arrival of albatross because its arrival was marked by the beginning of good south wind which helped them by cracking of the icebergs and making a way out for them from the land of ice. It helped their ship move to the right path.
Question 3.
Give two examples of the use of the supernatural in ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’
Answer:
- The arrival of Albatross as a bird of good omen or a Christian soul.
- The polar spirit had all along followed the ship.
- The different colours of light emitted by the sea.
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Question 4.
Why were the mariners angry with the Ancient Mariner ?
Answer:
The mariners were angry with the Ancient Mariner as he had killed the bird of good omen. He had killed the bird whom the mariner’s hailed in the name of Christ. The bird had helped them steer clear out of the land of ice and snow.
Question 5.
Why did the mariners hang the dead albatross around the Ancient Mariner’s neck ?
Answer:
The mariners hanged the dead albatross around the Ancient Mariner’s neck as a symbol of his guilt. They wanted him to constantly remember the sin he had committed and repent for his evil deeds.
Long Answer Type Question [4 Marks]
Question 6.
You are one of the crew on the ship. After the mariner kills the Albatross, you have to suffer and there is no hope of survival. Write a diary entry describing your feelings at this point of time.
Answer:
Dear Diary,
I am fed up with being stuck into the slimy water of the sea for days. I don’t know what came into the mariner’s mind that he killed the albatross. I believe that the albatross was a holy spirit sent to help us. If we defy the orders of God it leads to disastrous results. I don’t think I will ever be able to see the land again. I will die of hunger and thirst or the evil spirits in the form of these creatures would kill me. I think we all are partners in Mariner’s crime as we also lauded him for killing the Albatross. May God forgive me for my sins so that I am able to reach my home and family.
Question 7.
When the albatross arrived, the mariners experienced a sense of joy and were infused with new hope. It was hailed as a Christian soul which brought hope to the ship. Comment.
Answer:
When the ship moved southward, the weather deteriorated and they encountered mist, show and cold. Visibility was reduced and movement slowed down. They were in dangerous waters because there were icebergs all around and steering the ship through such tricky waters in poor visibility was a nightmare. At this crucial juncture in their journey, a lone albatross was spotted above the mist and was hailed as a Christian spirit because this bird heralded a turn in their fortunes.The sailors fed it and the bird encircled the waters even as icebergs kept crackling all around. The bird thus helped the steering team course through the waters, thereby strengthening the belief among the sailors that the bird was a lucky omen guiding their ship to safety.Also, a strong south wind blew after its appearance and helped to take the ship forward, with the albatross following above. The bird was thus an anchor hold of hope for the crew who were able to successfully sail through dangerous waters in such an inclement weather under the guidance of the albatross.
2015
Extract Based Questions [3 Marks]
Question 8.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
He holds him with his glittering eye
The Wedding-Guest stood still,
And listens like a three years’ child:
The Mariner hath his will.
- Why did the mariner hold back the wedding guest?
- Why was the wedding guest unable to move?
- What does the word, ‘glittering’ mean?
Answer:
- The mariner held back the wedding guest as he had to confess his guilt of killing an innocent bird.
- The mariner had hypnotised the wedding guest using his magic which he had learnt for this purpose.
- The word ‘glittering’ means ‘shining’.
Question 9.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
‘Ah! well a-day! what evil looks
Had I from old and young!
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung. ”
- Who is the speaker in these lines?
- Why did others give him evil looks?
- What does the word ‘evil’ mean?
Answer:
- The ancient mariner is the speaker in these lines.
- He had caused them problems by killing an innocent bird whose arrival had brought good luck to them.
- The word ‘evil’ means ‘morally bad’ or ‘wickedness’.
Question 10.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,
It perched for vespers nine;
Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white,
Glimmered the white moonshine. ”
- Where were the mariners?
- Who is the ‘It’ referred to in these lines?
- What does ‘vespers nine’ mean?
Answer:
- The mariners were in the south sea. Their ship was now moving as the ice had begun to melt.
- In these lines ‘It’ refers to the albatross.
- ‘Vespers nine’ means ‘a fixed time every day (the evening church service)’
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 11.
Why did the wedding guest beat his breast?
Answer:
The wedding guest was a very close relative of the bridegroom. He had extreme desire to attend the wedding ceremony. Being a close relative he knew that his presence was indispensable. But the ancient mariner compelled him to listen to his story. The wedding guest was unable to free himself from the magical effect of the ancient mariner. So, his helplessness made him beat his breast.
Question 12.
How did the mariners reach the land of ice and snow?
Answer:
The mariners were going towards the south. All of a sudden, there came a storm. It was very powerful and tyrannous. It took the ship for away in the sea. The mariners began to cry out of fear that their ship was about to sink in the sea. Then the temperature went down. It was a wonderous cold and sea water began to freeze. The ship was surrounded by icebergs from all sides and the mariners found themselves in the land of ice and snow.
Question 13.
How were the mariners saved from the land of ice and snow?
Answer:
When the sea water froze and the ship was surrounded by icebergs from all sides, the mariners lost their hope of survival. They thought that they would die of starvation and thirst after consuming their limited food and water. All of a sudden, there came an albatross piercing the fog and the mist. Its arrival proved auspicious and ice began to melt. Their crewmen started steering the ship and the mariners were saved.
Question 14.
Why was the Albatross considered as a ‘Christian Soul’?
Answer:
After the storm there was a drastic change in the condition of the weather and the sea water froze. The ship was surrounded by icebergs from all sides. The life of the mariners was at stake. They had no hope of survival. Piercing the fog and smoke, an albatross came there. They thought that it was a Christian soul that had come to save them. A true Christian soul is supposed to help the needy. The arrival of the albatross proved auspicious and ice began to melt.
Question 15.
What was the crime committed by the mariner?
Answer:
When the ship was unable to move owing to icebergs, the mariners were afraid of death. All of a sudden an albatross appeared there. Its arrival proved to be auspicious and ice began to melt. The ship began to move. The albatross was following the ship. Unprecedentedly, evil sense prevailed on the Ancient Mariner and he killed the albatross using his crossbow without and provocation. It was indeed a very sinful act.
Question 16.
Why did the mariners blame the Ancient Mariner for their plight?
Answer:
The arrival of the albatross proved so auspiciops for the mariners. They saw a ray of hope. They were hopeful that they would return home safely. But the Ancient Mariner killed the albatross. After that the wind came to a stop. The ship appeared to be a painted ship in the painted ocean. Death fire began to dance at night. The mariners dreamt that the spirit of the albatross was taking revenge and they blamed the Ancient Mariner for their plight.
Long Answer Type Question [4 Marks]
Question 17.
Respect for all forms of life is an essential value. Unmindful destruction of nature and its creatures deserves just punishment. Write in 80-100 words this essential value as brought out in the poem, ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.
Answer:
After the storm, the temperature went down abruptly and the water began to freeze. The ship was unable to move and the lives of the mariners were at stake. Piercing the fog and mist, an Albatross appeared. All the mariners welcomed it considering it to be a Christian soul. They gave it the best food they had and began to play with it. As a creature of God it was welcomed, God became happy and the ice began to melt..The sailors found the situation favourable to move their ship. But when the Ancient Mariner killed the albatross without any provocation God became angry and the wind came to a stop. The mariners found that death fire was dancing before them. Then they took a judicious decision of punishing the culprit. They hung the , dead body of the albatross around the neck of the culprit to convey the message that killing any creature of God is a crime. It is our pious duty to love all the creatures made by God.
2014
Extract Based Question [3 Marks]
Question 18.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
He holds him with his skinny hand,
“There was a ship, ” quoth he.
- Who does ‘He’ refer to in the above extract?
- What do we know about the speaker’s feelings?
- Why is his hand called ‘skinny’?
Answer:
- ‘He’ here refers to the ancient mariner.
- The speaker was repenting. Hence he wanted to confess his guilt.
- He is very old and his pouch of skin is hanging .
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 19.
Why does the Ancient Mariner compel the wedding guest to listen to his story?
Answer:
The Ancient Mariner had committed a sinful act by killing an innocent bird without any provocation. He was atoning and lamenting for his crime. He was of the view that if he confessed his guilt God would reduce his sin. Nobody was interested in listening to him. So he compels the wedding guest to listen to his confession.
Question 20.
Why did the Ancient Mariner stop the wedding guest?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 19.
2013
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 21.
How did the mariners reach the land of ice and snow?
Answer:
The mariners commenced their voyage in a very fine weather. When their ship was in the middle of the sea, there came a storm. It was very powerful and tyrannous. It took the ship in its grip and took it to the south. Then there was a sudden change in weather. The sea water turned into ice and the ship was surrounded from all sides by iceberg.
Question 22.
How was the ancient mariner punished for his crime?
Answer:
The Ancient Mariner had committed a sinful act by killing an innocent bird without any provocation. After that the other Mariners began to suffer. They came across a lot of problems. They felt that their end was coming nearer and nearer. So they hung the dead body of the albatross around the neck of the Ancient Mariner as a mark of punishment. He was humiliated publicly.
Question 23.
How did the albatross prove to be a good omen for the mariners?
Answer:
After the storm, the temperature came down suddenly and the sea wdter began to freeze. The ship was unable to move and the mariners were scared that they would die of thirst and starvation. All of a sudden there appeared an albatross piercing the fog. Then the temperature went up and ice began to melt. The crew members began to steer the ship. The voyage was resumed and the albatross began to follow the ship.
Long Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]
Question 24.
As the wedding guest, make a diary entry of your observations about the Ancient Mariner.
Answer:
Dear Diary
9 p.m. 10 December 20XX
What a horrible encounter it was! I came across a lunatic person. He captured me when I was going to attend a wedding ceremony with two of my companions. He used his magic with his skinny hands. I was totally at his mercy. I asked him to free me. He dropped his hand and used his magic further using his eyes. He appeared to be a strange fellow. He wanted to confess his guilt by telling a story. His magic was so powerful that I began to listen to his story like a three years old child. On listening to the music caused by the musical instrument at the wedding spot I began to beat my breast. But he was rigid to tell his story. This bizarre caused me extreme agony of mind and heart as he deprived me of attending the marriage ceremony of one of my close relatives. I will never forget this tragic event of my life.
Question 25.
Describe the circumstances under which the albatross was hung around the Ancient Mariner’s neck
Answer:
The Ancient Mariner had killed the albatross without any provocation. The fellow mariners were of the view that the albatross had brought good luck to them. So they held the Ancient Mariner guilty of committing a crime. After that there was an improvement in weather condition. The fickle-minded mariners told that the Ancient Mariner had done the right job by killing the albatross that had brought fog and mist. Then the wind came to a stop all of a sudden. The real ship in the i real ocean appeared to be a painted ship in the painted ocean. The mariners were surrounded by water from all sides but they had no water to drink. Rottening process started in the stagnant sea water. Slimy creatures began to move on the ship. The mariners began to think that they would die of thirst and starvation after finishing their limited water and food. Death fire began to dance at night. Some mariners .saw in their dreams that the spirit of the albatross was causing all these problems.Under these circumstances, all the mariners decided to punish the Ancient Mariner by hanging the dead body of the albatross around his neck.
Question 26.
The mariners were stranded in the silent sea with the hot sun above them. Describe their frightening experience at sea.
Answer:
After the wind came to a sudden stop, the mariner were under the scorching sun. The blazing sun appeared to be like copper. The real ship in the real ocean seemed to be just like a painted ship in the painted ocean. The mariners were surrounded by water from all sides but they had no water to drink. The sea did rot and about to boil. The sea water was changing its colour and slimy creatures were sprawling on the ship. Death fire was dancing at night. There was no end to the predicament of the mariners. Some mariners dreamt that a spirit was plaguing them. Their throats became dry and choked. They felt themselves under the spell of a curse. They were of the view that their death was inevitable under the prevailing circumstances.
2012
Extract Based Question [3 Marks]
Question 27.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
And some in dreams assured were Of the Spirit that plagued us so;
Nine fathom deep he had followed us
From the land of mist and snow.
- Where were the mariners?
- Which is the Spirit referred to here?
- Why has the Spirit followed them?
Answer:
- The mariners were in the sea near the south pole.
- The spirit is referred to the spirit of the albatross.
- The spirit has followed them for food and play.
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 28.
How did the mariners escape from the South Pole?
Answer:
When the ship of the mariners was unable to move owing to the ice, there came an albatross piercing the fog and the mist. The arrival of the albatross proved so auspicious that ice began to melt. The mariners began to steer their ship and escape from the polar region.
Question 29.
Why couldn’t the wedding guest attend the wedding?
Answer:
The wedding guest was captured by the Ancient Mariner all of a sudden. First the mariner held the wedding guest using his hands. Later on he controlled the wedding guest by using his magic. The wedding guest was under the complete control of the mariner and was unable to attend the wedding.
Question 30.
Describe the circumstances under which the mariner reached the South Pole?
Answer:
The mariner had commenced his voyage in a very favourable weather condition. The fellow mariners were also very excited and happy. All of a sudden there came a storm and it was very powerful and tyrannous. It struck the ship as if it had wings and had overtaken it with its immense power. It chased the ship towards the south and the mariner reached the south pole.
Question 31.
How did the mariners react after the death of the albatross?
Answer:
After the death of the albatross the mariners reacted strongly against the Ancient Mariner. They were highly obliged to the albatross whose arrival had proved to be so auspicious for them. They had regarded it a Christian soul. The killing of such a lucky creature by the Ancient Mariner infuriated all the fellow mariners. They became vindictive.
Question 32.
What are the miseries the mariners had to face after the death of the albatross?
Answer:
After the death of the albatross, the wind came to a stop. The sail of the ship of the mariners dropped and the ship was unable to move. The real ship appeared to be just like a painted ship in the painted ocean. They were about to meet with their death owing to thirst and starvation. The sea water began to change its colour. Death fire began to dance at night. Their tongues became dry. There was no end to their sad plights and predicament.
Question 33.
How did the mariners escape from the land of mist and snow?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 13.
Question 34.
Why is the albatross called a ‘Christian soul’?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 14.
Question 35.
Why did the sailors give the ancient mariner evil looks?
The same as answer no. 26.
Answer:
The sailors were of the view that the arrival of the albatross had proved so beneficial for them. It had come to them as a Christian soul to save their life when they were in problem. So they thought that the Ancient Mariner had committed a heinous crime by killing this innocent creature without any provocation. To show their disgust for the Ancient Mariner they gave him evil looks.
Question 36.
How does the Mariner express the fact that the ship was completely surrounded by the icebergs?
Answer:
The Mariner says that after the storm the temperature came so down. Water began to freeze. There came both mist and snow. It grew intensely cold. Iceberg began to form and it was as high as mast. The entire sea water turned into ice. The mariners were unable to see any men or beasts. The ice was everywhere and all around.
Long Answer Type Questions [4 Marks]
Question 37.
Describe the events that led to the hanging of the dead albatross around the mariner’s neck
Answer:
The same as answer no. 25.
Question 38.
Describe the sufferings faced by the mariners in the silent sea.
Answer:
The same as answer no. 26.
2011
Extract Based Question [3 Marks]
Question 39.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
‘God save thee, ancient Mariner,
From the fiends that plague thee thus!
Why look’st thou SO?’
- Who is the speaker?
- Why do fiends plague him?
- Which word in the above lines means the same as ‘to trouble’?
Answer:
- The Ancient Mariner is the speaker.
- Evil sense prevails upon him and that gives chance to friends to plague him.
- Plague
Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]
Question 40.
How did the Albatross save the mariners from the land of ice and snow?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 13.
Question 41.
Why did the mariners believe that the ancient mariner was responsible for their misfortunes?
Answer:
First time when the mariners were in problems after the storm, the arrival of the albatross proved auspicious for them and they escaped from the land of ice. After a few days, the Ancient Mariner killed the albatross without any provocation. After that, the mariners faced a series of problems and they felt that their end was quite near. Under the situation, it was quite natural for the mariners to believe that the Ancient Mariner solely was responsible for their agony and affliction.
Question 42.
How were the mariners trapped in the South Pole?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 30.
Question 43.
In ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ who is called ‘a Christian Soul’? Why?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 14.
Question 44.
What is the “hellish thing” done by the ancient mariner? Why?
Answer:
The albatross had brought good luck for all the mariners of the ship. The voyage was resumed and everyone on the ship was in a elated mood. The presence of the albatross was enhancing the beauty of the ship. But the Ancient Mariner caused a turmoil in their placid life by killing the albatross without any provocation. They faced a series of problems. The killing was indeed a hellish thing done by the Ancient Mariner.
Question 45.
Why was the wedding guest desperate?
Answer:
The same as answer no. 11.
2010
Extract Based Questions [3 Marks]
Question 46.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Number the answers correctly.
But no sweet bird did follow,
Nor any day for food or play Came to the mariners’ hollo !
And I had done a hellish thing,
And it would work ‘em woe:
- Who is the speaker?
- What is the ‘hellish thing’ done?
- Explain : “work, ‘em woe.”
Answer:
- The Ancient Mariner is the speaker.
- The killing of the albatross by the Ancient Mariner was the hellish thing as it had brought good luck for the mariners.
- The heinous act of killing the albatross by the Ancient Mariner caused a lot of problems for all the mariners on the ship.
Question 47.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,
The furrow followed free;
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent sea.
- Why is the sea called ‘silent’?
- What according to the mariners was the reason for their fate?
- Which poetic device is used in these lines?
Answer:
- The sea is not causing any problem in the sailing of the ship. It is not stormy.
- The fickle-minded mariners said that they got a better fate after the Ancient Mariner killed the albatross.
- The poetic device used in these lines is ‘alliteration’.
Question 48.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers
in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Number the answers correctly.
It ate the food it ne’er had eat,
And round and round it flew.
The ice did split with a thunder-fit;
The helmsman steered us through!
- What is ‘It’ referred to here?
- What difficulties did the mariners face before ‘it’ arrived?
- How did their fate change after its appearance?
Answer:
- Here ‘it’ is referred to the albatross.
- The ship of the mariners had been stuck in ice. It was unable to move.
- The ice began to melt. Now the ship of the mariners could resume its return journey.
Short Answer Type Question [2 Marks]
Question 49.
What traits of the ancient mariner’s character are revealed in the poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’?
Answer:
The protagonist of the poem is feeble, frail and skinny owing to his old age. He is neither considerate nor positive in his attitude. Being cruel and short tempered he kills an innocent bird without any provocation. Being Selfish, he compels others to listen to his story so that he can get his sin reduced by making confession. He has learnt magic for getting his work done according to his own wish and desire.