CBSE Class 12 English Core Flamingo Book Poem 4 A Roadside Stand Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
A Roadside Stand Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Poem 4, “A Roadside Stand”.
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
The little old house was out with a little new shed
in front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped.
A road side stand that too pathetically pled
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread.
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
‘The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.
(i) Which of the following expressions has the same literary device as used in
“A roadside stand that too pathetically pled.”
(A) All the world’s a stage.
(B) I wandered lonely, as a cloud.
(C) The brutal wind bullied the tree.
(D) And life is too much like a pathless wood.
Ans. (C) The brutal wind bullied the tree.
(ii) Select the option that aptly conveys the poet’s point of view with reference to the above extract :
The roadside stand is put up with the purpose to
(A) display fruits
(B) to stop the traffic
(C) to do business
(D) to interact with city people
Ans. (C) to do business
(iii) What do you infer about the people, who put up the roadside stand from the phrase ‘would not be fair to say for a dole of bread’?
Ans. The people who put up the roadside stand are not begging for charity; instead, they are trying to earn a living by selling goods to support themselves.
(iv) Complete the following sentence with reference to the extract.
‘The word ‘pathetically’ reflects the ________ condition of the roadside stand.
Ans. The word ‘pathetically’ reflects the poor condition of the roadside stand.
(v) State whether the following statement is True or False :
By ‘Flower of Cities’, the poet refers to the garden in cities.
Ans. False
(vi) Based on the rhyme scheme, evident in lines 1-4, which word would rhyme with line 2?
___ ___ _____
part fled seen
Ans. fled
Q2. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer.
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
Just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are
And one did stop, but only to plow up grass
In using the yard to back and turn around;
And another to ask the way to where it was bound ;
(A Roadside Stand)
(i) Select the option that has the same literary device as in ‘The sadness that lurks near the open window there’.
(A) Lucy moved across the room like a warship sailing into battle.
(B) Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
(C) The water-wraith was shrieking.
(D) The pen is mightier than the sword.
Ans. (C) The water-wraith was shrieking.
(ii) They prayed for the stopping of a car. When one car finally stopped, it brought _______ to the people of the roadside stand.
(A) help
(B) happiness
(C) disappointment
(D) cash flow
Ans. (C) disappointment
(iii) Explain one inference that can be drawn from the line, ‘……childish longing in vain’.
Ans. The line indicates that the people at the roadside stand have a naive hope for customers to stop and buy their goods, but this hope is often unmet, leading to disappointment.
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The emotion of the poet reflected in the above extract is _______.
Ans. The emotion of the poet reflected in the above extract is sorrow and frustration.
(v) The expression ‘selfish car’ suggests that _______.
Ans. The expression ‘selfish car’ suggests that the people driving these cars are indifferent to the needs of the roadside stand owners.
(vi) Based on the rhyme scheme evident in the last two lines of the extract, which word would rhyme with the last line?
_____ _____ _____
brass reply sound
Ans. sound
Q3. Imagine you are John Keats, the poet of ‘A Thing of Beauty’. What advice might you offer to Robert Frost, the poet of ‘A Roadside Stand’ in the context of his ‘The sadness that lurks near the open window’? Pen down your advice in a letter to Frost on how to deal with sadness. You may begin this way :
Dear Robert,
I have recently read your poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ and …. ….
You may end this way :
Despite the fact that our lives are full of sorrow and suffering, the beautiful things around us give us the strength to endure the sadness of life.
Warmly
John Keats [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear Robert,
I have recently read your poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ and was deeply moved by the portrayal of sadness and longing. As a fellow poet, I understand how the weight of the world’s sorrows can press upon one’s spirit. In my poem ‘A Thing of Beauty,’ I explored the idea that beauty, in its many forms, offers solace and joy that endure despite life’s trials.
When you feel overwhelmed by sadness, seek out the simple yet profound beauty in nature, art, or moments of kindness. These instances of beauty can provide a quiet refuge, helping to lighten the burden of sorrow. Remember, the appreciation of beauty can transform our outlook, infusing our lives with a sense of peace and hope.
Despite the fact that our lives are full of sorrow and suffering, the beautiful things around us give us the strength to endure the sadness of life.
Yours sincerely,
John Keats
Q4. ‘A Thing of Beauty’ and ‘A Roadside Stand’ are poetic expressions of human relationships. The first engages with nature while the latter highlights the individual’s place in society. Describe with reference to the two poems. [120-150 Words]
Ans. The poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ acknowledges the creation of nature and addresses them as things of beauty. These beautiful creations of nature are eternal and give us immense joy. The poet highlights the various reliefs and respites provided by the shady bower, the cool rills, the warm Sun and the sheep. He is grateful for the pretty flowers and the tales of brave men. All such objects of beauty bind us to the earth and give us a reason to live and survive in this otherwise greedy world.
The poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ presents the plight of the rural poor who crave for some money from the urban populace. They display farm produce on sheds by the highways and expect the rich people who pass by in cars, to stop and buy the goods. The poet also mentions how these innocent poor people are fooled by the politicians and authorities who are like beasts. They grab their land and shift them to further off places. They force them to live in such poverty-ridden conditions. No one really wants to help these people. Both the poems highlight the nuances of human relationships and emotions and lay importance on maintaining a balance.
Q5. Justify this statement with reference to the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ and the text ‘The Lost Spring’.
You may begin.
social satire in the two texts portrays two contrasting worlds that exist in society. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Contrasting Worlds in ‘A Roadside Stand’ and ‘Lost Spring’
Social satire in the two texts portrays two contrasting worlds that exist in society. In ‘A Roadside Stand’, the poet highlights the plight of rural people who set up a stand by the roadside, hoping to earn a living from passing city dwellers. Their aspirations and struggles reflect the stark contrast between urban prosperity and rural poverty.
In ‘Lost Spring’, the focus shifts to the harsh realities faced by children like Mukesh and Saheb, who are trapped in a cycle of poverty and labor. Their dreams and aspirations are crushed by the socio-economic conditions they live in.
These contrasting worlds show the disparity in opportunities, living conditions, and the dreams of people from different strata of society. While one group struggles for basic survival, the other enjoys the fruits of progress and development. Addressing these disparities is crucial for a just and equitable society.
Q6. Imagine you are Pablo Neruda of ‘Keeping Quiet’. He advises Robert Frost in the context of his conflict and pain at the plight of the roadside stand owners. Pen down your advice in a letter to Robert Frost. You may begin.
Dear Frost,
You seem very pained at the plight of the roadside stand owners, and I would like to advise you… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear Frost,
You seem very pained at the plight of the roadside stand owners, and I would like to advise you that death is not a solution to any problem. Please do not feel dejected that you consider death as the only solution to end the plight of the rural poor. We must aim to reach at a solution which solves their problems and provides them growth and prosperity.
I suggest that you must organise these rural folks. The organization should be registered as a co-operative union. All the products like farm produce, dairy items, handicrafts, handloom goods should be sold through this organization. Then the rural workers will get a better price for their products and they can even market the items at various exhibitions and fairs. This will definitely uplift them. Also, please arrange volunteers who can educate them and guide them on health and sanitation. Cleanliness is also essential to ensure better living conditions.
Once the rural people will earn better and live better, they will become a happy lot and you will experience joy by bringing a change in their lives.
I hope you will find my advice useful.
Your friend
Pablo
Questions from the Poem in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand too pathetically pled,
It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,
But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
The flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.
The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong
(i) What is the tone of the poet in the extract?
Choose the correct option:
(a) optimistic
(b) resigned
(c) sympathetic
(d) indifferent
Ans. (b) resigned
(ii) With reference to the given extract, what harm has been caused by the ‘artless paint’?
Ans. It has spoiled the natural beauty of the landscape.
(iii) The city is compared to ______.
(a) a landscape
(b) signs of N and S
(c) a flower
(d) a dole of bread
Ans. (a) a landscape
(iv) Choose the correct option :
The roadside stand is
(a) at the edge of the road.
(b) marred with artless paint.
(c) like the flower of cities.
(d) well maintained.
Ans. (a) at the edge of the road.
(v) What type of expectations do the stand owners have from the city dwellers who come there?
Ans. They expect the city dwellers to stop at the shed, buy the produce kept on sale and give them money.
(vi) Complete the analogy with a word from the given extract.
donate : contribute : : dying : __________
Ans. sinking
Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer.
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car,
Of all the thousand selfish cars that pass,
Just one to inquire what a farmer’s prices are,
(i) What is the sentiment expressed in the above extract?
(i) remorse
(ii) regret
(iii) empathy
(iv) disappointment
(v) guilt
Choose the correct appropriate option.
(a) (iii) and (iv)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (iv) and (v)
(d) (i) and (v)
Ans. (a) (iii) and (iv)
(ii) Identify the phrase in the extract that suggests ‘innocent desires’.
Ans. childish longing
(iii) The roadside stand owners pray for _____ .
(a) a relief from the heat
(b) free housing
(c) cars stopping
(d) benefits from pollution
Ans. (c) cars stopping
(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly :
He fought like a lion : Simile :: selfish cars : _____
Ans. Personification
(v) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below :
(1) The people who have put up the roadside stand keep waiting for customers.
(2) They become sad when someone turns up.
(a) (1) is true, but (2) is false.
(b) (1) is false, but (2) is true.
(c) Both (1) and (2) are true.
(d) Both (1) and (2) are false.
Ans. (a) (1) is true, but (2) is false
(vi) Fill the blank appropriately with reference to the extract.
‘Squeal of brakes’ implies ___________.
Ans. Stopping of cars
Q3. What was the expectation of the people who had set up the roadside stand? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The people who had set up the roadside stand expected to attract city dwellers who would stop by, buy their farm produce, and provide them with some financial support. They hoped to gain some economic relief from their struggling livelihoods.
Q4. Who does the poet accuse of having double standards in “The Roadside Stand”? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The politicians who are called ‘party in power’ have double standards. They promise the rural people a good life but they swarm over their lives, take benefits from them and soothe them out of their wits.
Q5. What does the expression ‘polished traffic’ refer to? What does it reveal about city people? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The expression ‘polished traffic’ refers to the the well groomed, rich city people travelling by the polished traffic. It tells that the city people are educated and rich.
Q6. A Roadside Stand is a social satire depicting the two contrasting worlds existing in society. Justify this statement with reference to the poem. [120-150 Words]
Ans. “A Roadside Stand” by Robert Frost is a social satire that portrays the two contrasting worlds that exist in society. The poet talks of the rural countryside, where there is a roadside stand selling farm produce like squash and wild berries. Two social classes of the rich and poor are highlighted in the poem.
The poem describes the wealthy people who stop at the stand. They are shown to be busy in themselves and look down upon the untidy sheds. They stop by the stand not to buy fruits and vegetables, but to show off their wealthy status by asking the directions or by asking if they sell gas. They at times, turn around their cars or complain that the untidy sheds spoil the landscape of the place.
The poor people are shown false promises by the politicians in power. These greedy people are like beasts of prey and fool the rural people to by soothing them out of their wits.
Through the contrast between the wealthy and the poor, the poem highlights the social and economic inequalities that exist in society. The wealthy are portrayed as shallow and self-centered, while the poor are portrayed as honest and hardworking.
Questions from the Poem in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. Read the extracts given below and briefly answer the questions that follow each.
Sometimes I feel myself I can hardly bear
The thought of so much childish longing in vain,
The sadness that lurks near the open window there,
That waits all day in almost open prayer
For the squeal of brakes, the sound of a stopping car.
(i) Why does the poet call this desire childish?
Ans. The desire is childish because the rural folk are innocent. Despite the city cars not stopping by the stand, they still put up the stand and keep on waiting for them.
(ii) Why is there sadness among people?
Ans. They are sad because the cars that pass by, do not stop at the stand.
(iii) Why do these people pray for a car to stop?
Ans. They pray for a car to stop by and buy some farm produce so that they also gey some city money in hand.
(iv) What does the word ‘squeal’ mean?
Ans. Squeal is a sudden jerk sound caused by sudden brake of the car.
Q2. What are the probable causes of the passing cars to stop near the roadside stand? [30-40 words]
Ans. They stop by the stand to ask directions, to reverse the car, to ask if they sell gas, to ask the prices of the goods on sale and to complain about the ugly shed which spoils the landscape.
Also see:
A Roadside Stand Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
A Roadside Stand Summary, Explanation