PSEB Class 12 Poem 6 The Road Not Taken Important Question Answers from A Rainbow of English book
PSEB Class 12 English The Road Not Taken Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for PSEB Class 12 A Rainbow of English Book Poem 6 The Road Not Taken? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 12 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Poem 6 The Road Not Taken now. The questions listed below are based on the latest PSEB exam pattern. All the Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered.
Related:
PSEB Class 12 English Poem 6 The Road Not Taken Textbook Questions
I. COMPREHENSION AND ENJOYMENT
1. Give the central idea of the poem.
Ans. The central idea of Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” is about the choices we make in life and their lasting impact. The diverging roads in the yellow wood symbolize different opportunities or directions one can take. Since a person cannot travel both paths, they must make a decision, which shapes their future. The poem reflects on how decisions are often difficult, sometimes uncertain, and how people often wonder about the path they did not choose. It shows that our choices define our journey and make all the difference in our lives.
2. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
(a) Name the poet.
(b) What does the poet see in front of him?
(c) What is the poet sorry about?
(d) What is the symbolic meaning of two different paths in the woods?
Ans.
(a) The poet is Robert Frost.
(b) The poet sees two roads diverging in a yellow wood, representing a choice he must make.
(c) The poet is sorry that he cannot travel both roads at the same time, as he has to choose only one path.
(d) The two different paths symbolize life’s choices and decisions. Each road represents a different direction in life, and once chosen, it determines one’s journey and experiences.
3. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.
(a) Which path did the poet choose to travel?
(b) What does the poet mean by the word ‘difference’ in the last line?
(c) Is the poet doubtful about his decision?
(d) Justify the title of the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’.
Ans.
(a) The poet chose the road less travelled by, the one that seemed less worn.
(b) The word “difference” means that his choice shaped his life in a unique way. The decision to take the less common path brought experiences that differentiated his life from what it might have been otherwise.
(c) Yes, the poet is somewhat doubtful. He acknowledges earlier in the poem that both roads were actually “worn about the same,” and he wonders if he will ever come back to try the other. This shows uncertainty about whether his choice was just different from others or better.
(d) The title is justified because the poem focuses not on the road the poet travelled, but on the one he left behind, i.e., the “road not taken.” It highlights the curiosity that humans have about the choices they do not make and how they might have changed their lives.
PSEB Class 12 English Poem 6 The Road Not Taken Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based Questions
A. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;”
Q1. In which season is the wood described?
Ans. The wood is described in autumn, symbolized by the word “yellow.”
Q2. What does the word “diverged” mean in the poem?
Ans. “Diverged” means separated or split into different directions.
Q3. Why did the poet look down the road for a long time?
Ans. The poet looked down the road to see where it might lead before making his decision.
Q4. What difficulty does the poet face here?
Ans. The poet faces the difficulty of choosing between two paths, knowing he cannot travel both.
Q5. What does the undergrowth hide from the poet’s view?
Ans. The undergrowth hides the further direction of the road, making the choice uncertain.
B. “Then took the other, just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.”
Q1. Why did the poet call the second road “just as fair”?
Ans. The poet called the second road “just as fair” because it looked equally attractive as the first road, and it seemed to offer the same opportunities for travel.
Q2. What reason does the poet give for choosing the second road?
Ans. The poet chose the second road because it appeared grassy and less used, meaning that it had not been taken by many travellers before him.
Q3. How does the poet correct himself later in the stanza?
Ans. Later, the poet corrects himself by admitting that in reality, both roads were worn about the same, and there was not much difference between them.
Q4. Which human quality is reflected in the poet’s decision here?
Ans. The human quality reflected here is the desire to be different and take a unique path, even when the options are almost the same.
Q5. What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?
Ans. The rhyme scheme of this stanza is ABAAB.
C. “And both that morning equally lay
In leaves, no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.”
Q1. How were the two roads similar that morning?
Ans. Both roads were similar that morning because they were covered with fresh fallen leaves on which no one had yet stepped. Therefore, both seemed equally unused.
Q2. Why did the poet postpone travelling on the first road?
Ans. The poet postponed travelling on the first road because he decided to keep it for another day, hoping that he might return to it later.
Q3. What does “way leads on to way” suggest?
Ans. The phrase “way leads on to way” suggests that one choice leads to another, and as life moves forward, it becomes impossible to return and try the other path.
Q4. What does the poet’s doubt reveal about life’s journey?
Ans. The poet’s doubt reveals that life is a one-way journey. Once we make a decision, it is very rare that we get an opportunity to go back and undo it.
Q5. Which poetic device is used in “no step had trodden black”?
Ans. The poetic device used is imagery, as the line creates a clear picture of fresh leaves lying untouched on the ground.
D. “I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Q1. What does the phrase “ages and ages hence” mean?
Ans. The phrase “ages and ages hence” means a very long time in the future, when the poet will look back on this choice.
Q2. What emotion is expressed by the word “sigh”?
Ans. The word “sigh” expresses a mixture of regret and satisfaction. The poet is thoughtful about what he gained or lost by making his choice.
Q3. How does the poet describe the road he chose?
Ans. The poet describes the road he chose as the one less travelled by, meaning it was less commonly chosen by others.
Q4. What impact did the poet’s choice have on his life?
Ans. The poet’s choice had a significant impact on his life because it shaped his journey and experiences, making them different from what they might have been had he taken the other road.
Q5. What universal theme does this stanza highlight?
Ans. This stanza highlights the theme that the choices we make in life determine our future and make all the difference in who we become.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Q1. Who is the poet of the poem The Road Not Taken?
A. William Wordsworth
B. Robert Frost
C. John Keats
D. P.B. Shelley
Ans. B. Robert Frost
Q2. Where does the poet stand in the beginning of the poem?
A. On a hill
B. In a yellow wood
C. By a river
D. In a garden
Ans. B. In a yellow wood
Q3. What does the phrase “two roads diverged” symbolize?
A. Travel and tourism
B. Opportunities in life
C. Different trees in the forest
D. Adventure and fun
Ans. B. Opportunities in life
Q4. Why was the poet sorry?
A. Because the roads were blocked
B. Because he was lost in the forest
C. Because he could not travel both roads at once
D. Because he was late for his journey
Ans. C. Because he could not travel both roads at once
Q5. What does the “yellow wood” signify?
A. Spring season
B. Autumn of life or maturity
C. The colour of sand
D. The brightness of summer
Ans. B. Autumn of life or maturity
Q6. What did the poet do before choosing a road?
A. He sat down under a tree
B. He looked down one road as far as he could
C. He asked someone for guidance
D. He walked on both for some distance
Ans. B. He looked down one road as far as he could
Q7. Which road did the poet finally choose?
A. The shorter one
B. The smoother one
C. The one less travelled by
D. The one with more flowers
Ans. C. The one less travelled by
Q8. Why did the poet think the second road had a better claim?
A. It was broader
B. It was grassy and seemed less used
C. It had better scenery
D. It led to a city
Ans. B. It was grassy and seemed less used
Q9. What did the poet realise later about the two roads?
A. That one was more difficult
B. That both were actually worn about the same
C. That one was dangerous
D. That one was closed
Ans. B. That both were actually worn about the same
Q10. What does “wanted wear” mean?
A. Needed cleaning
B. Needed repair
C. Was less used and looked fresh
D. Was full of weeds
Ans. C. Was less used and looked fresh
Q11. What covered both the roads that morning?
A. Sand
B. Stones
C. Green grass
D. Fallen leaves
Ans. D. Fallen leaves
Q12. Why did the poet doubt if he would ever come back?
A. Because the forest was very dense
B. Because he feared wild animals
C. Because one choice leads to another and life moves ahead
D. Because the road was closed
Ans. C. Because one choice leads to another and life moves ahead
Q13. What does the word “sigh” in the poem suggest?
A. Happiness
B. Confusion
C. Regret and satisfaction
D. Tiredness
Ans. C. Regret and satisfaction
Q14. What difference did the poet’s choice make in his life?
A. It made his life ordinary
B. It made no change
C. It made his life unique and shaped his experiences
D. It made him return to the same point
Ans. C. It made his life unique and shaped his experiences
Q15. What theme does the poem deal with?
A. Beauty of nature
B. Choices and decisions in life
C. Friendship and love
D. Adventures of travelling
Ans. B. Choices and decisions in life
Q16. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
A. ABAB
B. AABB
C. ABAAB
D. ABCB
Ans. C. ABAAB
Q17. Which literary device is used in “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood”?
A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration
Ans. C. Metaphor
Q18. What does the title The Road Not Taken suggest?
A. The path the poet ignored
B. A road in the forest
C. The poet’s favourite road
D. A real journey
Ans. A. The path the poet ignored
Q19. Which emotion dominates the poem?
A. Anger
B. Jealousy
C. Reflection and contemplation
D. Excitement
Ans. C. Reflection and contemplation
Q20. What feeling does the poet express when he imagines himself recounting his choice in the future?
A. Pride and joy
B. Anger and frustration
C. A thoughtful sigh with mixed emotions
D. Indifference and carelessness
Ans. C. A thoughtful sigh with mixed emotions
True or False
State whether the following are true or false-
1. The poet could easily travel on both the roads.
2. The two roads diverged in a green wood.
3. The poet stood for a long time before making his choice.
4. The poet chose the road that looked grassy and less travelled.
5. Both the roads were actually worn about the same.
6. The poet immediately knew which road would make him famous.
7. The poet was sure he would return and walk on the other road.
8. Both roads that morning were covered with untrodden leaves.
9. The poet says that his choice made all the difference in his life.
10. The poet found one road more dangerous than the other.
Answers-
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
9. True
10. False
Fill in the blanks
1. The poet stood at the point where the two roads ______.
2. Two roads diverged in a ______ wood.
3. The poet was ______ that he could not travel both roads.
4. The second road looked grassy and ______ wear.
5. Both roads that morning were covered with ______ leaves.
6. The poet kept the first road for ______.
7. The poet doubted if he should ever come ______.
8. The poet says he will tell this story with a ______.
9. The poet took the road ______ travelled by.
10. The choice of the road has made all the ______ in his life.
Answers-
1. diverged
2. yellow
3. sorry
4. wanted
5. untrodden
6. another day
7. back
8. sigh
9. less
10. difference
Extra Questions
Answer the following questions-
Q1. Why does the poet feel confused at the beginning of the poem?
Ans. At the beginning of the poem, the poet feels confused because he stands in a yellow wood where two roads diverge and he cannot travel both at the same time. He wants to choose the best path, but each road seems fair and inviting to him. The poet looks down one road as far as he can and tries to see where it leads, but the undergrowth hides its end. This moment showcases the common experience of facing important decisions in life, where uncertainty and the desire to make the right choice create confusion and hesitation.
Q2. What do the two roads in the poem symbolize?
Ans. In the poem, the two roads symbolize different choices or directions in life that one could take. The poet’s dilemma is rooted in the human experience of having to make decisions without knowing the full consequences of the choice that they took. The road that is “less travelled by” symbolizes less popular choices, while the other road represents the more common or expected path to be taken. This metaphor shows that life is full of choices, and the decisions we make shape our journey and our experiences.
Q3. Why does the poet regret not being able to travel both roads?
Ans. The poet regrets not being able to travel both roads because he is curious about the experiences and outcomes each path might offer. He knows that he is a single traveller and must make a choice, meaning he cannot explore all possibilities. This feeling reflects a common human dilemma, wherein we often wonder about the “what ifs” in life. The regret is not about the road or the choice itself but about the impossibility of experiencing multiple options at the same time. Thus, Frost aptly showcases the tension between desire for exploration and the necessity of decision-making, highlighting the thorough contemplation that humans go through before every important choice in life.
Q4. What is the significance of the phrase “the road less travelled by”?
Ans. The phrase “the road less travelled by” signifies choices that are unconventional, less popular, or more challenging. It represents the poet’s decision to take a path that few people might choose, reflecting individuality and courage. Symbolically, it highlights the idea that life’s most meaningful experiences often come from decisions that are not dictated by social expectations or common trends. Frost does not just glorify the road but emphasizes the thoughtful process behind making a unique choice.
Q5. How does the poet describe the roads in the yellow wood?
Ans. The poet describes the roads as diverging in a yellow wood, indicating the autumn season. One road is grassy and “wanted wear,” while the other appears just as fair. He notices that both roads are covered with fresh, untrodden leaves. Initially, the second road seems less travelled, but he later observes that both are actually worn about the same. The imagery emphasizes the difficulty of differentiating one path from another and reflects the uncertainty that one has in their life’s choices.
Q6. Why does the poet say he will tell this story “with a sigh”?
Ans. The poet says he will tell the story “with a sigh” to express a mix of emotions, mainly, reflection, regret, and satisfaction. The sigh reflects the inevitability of choice and the curiosity about the path not taken. It shows that while he values his decision, he also wonders how his life might have been different had he taken the other road. The phrase captures the feelings of contemplation and the emotional weight of decisions. The poet emphasizes that choices are permanent and memorable, and people often recall them with mixed emotions. While they appreciate the uniqueness of the choice they also ponder on the possible alternatives that they could have taken instead.
Q7. What does Frost suggest about life’s choices in the poem?
Ans. Frost suggests that life is full of choices and decisions, each with consequences that shape our future. Every choice leads to different experiences. People often face dilemmas where no option seems perfect, and the outcomes are uncertain. The poem emphasizes that one must make a choice and accept its results, as it is rare to retrace steps. By taking the “road less travelled by,” Frost reflects the human desire to make individual, meaningful decisions. The poem conveys that choices define life’s journey, and even ordinary decisions can have lasting effects.
Q8. How are the roads similar and different according to the poet?
Ans. The roads appear similar in that both are covered with untrodden leaves and equally inviting. Initially, the poet thinks one road may be less worn and therefore more appealing, but he later notices that both roads are actually about the same. The difference is only perceived, wherein the poet chooses one believing it to be less travelled, yet the poem shows that the difference is subtle. This reflects real-life decisions, where options often seem different, but the outcomes may be similar. Frost uses this observation to highlight the uncertainty and subjectivity that are inherent in choice.
Q9. Why does the poet doubt if he should ever return to the first road?
Ans. The poet doubts he should ever return to the first road because life’s journey moves forward, and one decision leads to another. Once a path is chosen, circumstances and experiences often prevent going back. The phrase “way leads on to way” reflects the idea that decisions are interconnected and shape the course of life, making it unlikely to revisit earlier options. This highlights the permanence and importance of choice. Frost conveys that while people may hope to explore alternate paths later, reality rarely allows it, emphasizing careful consideration when making decisions.
Q10. What is the overall message of the poem?
Ans. The overall message of the poem is that the choices we make in life matter and shape our future. Robert shows that life presents multiple paths, each with unknown consequences, and one must make decisions despite this uncertainty. Even if paths seem similar, the act of choosing is vital, and it can lead to unique experiences. The poem highlights human curiosity about roads not taken and reminds us that while we cannot explore all possibilities, our choices define our journey and that ultimately make all the difference in life.