Class 10 English Solution New Course | Unit 8 Climbing by by Amy Lowell Stanza- Wise Summary, Themes - II

Unit 8

Reading II

Climbing by Amy Lowell

About the Poem

"Climbing" by Amy Lowell explores the themes of adventure, discovery, and the joy of exploration. The poem is a celebration of the human spirit of adventure and discovery. The speaker's journey up the apple tree is a metaphor for the journey of life. The speaker faces challenges and obstacles along the way, but she never gives up. She is determined to reach the top, and she is rewarded for her perseverance with a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Just as the speaker of the poem climbs the apple tree, we all climb our own personal paths in life. There will be challenges along the way, but if we keep climbing, we will eventually reach our goals. The poem also celebrates the joy of exploration and discovery. As we climb, we see new things and learn new things about the world around us. This process of discovery can be exhilarating and rewarding.

The poem ends with the speaker looking down at the earth from the top of the apple tree. She feels a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at having reached the top, but she also knows that there is still more to see and do. The poem encourages us to keeps climbing, to keep exploring, and to never stop learning.

Stanza-Wise Summary

Stanza 1

The speaker is climbing an apple tree. The sky is above her, and the earth is below. Each branch is like a step on a staircase that leads to a town in the distance. The speaker is excited to climb the tree and reach the town. She describes each branch as a step on a 'wonderful stair', which suggests that she is not just climbing a tree, but embarking on an exciting journey.

Stanza 2

The speaker continues to climb higher and higher. She is interrupted by a gust of wind. However, she is able to see a spire in the distance. This is a sign that she is getting closer to their goal. The speaker can now see more of the town. She can see the gleam of a turret and the glint of a dome. These are signs of civilization and progress. The town is sparkling in the sunlight. It is a beautiful sight to behold. The speaker is filled with a sense of wonder and excitement.

Stanza 3

The speaker continues to climb the apple tree, moving from branch to branch. The leaves are thick and make it difficult to see, but the speaker pushes through them anyway. In the past, the speaker always had to stop climbing before she reached the top of the tree. However, today, the speaker is confident that she will reach the top of the tree.

Stanza 4

The speaker finally reaches the top of the tree. She can see the town in all its glory. The 'glittering pinacles' are the spires of the town that the speaker can see from the top of the tree. They represent the rewards of success, which the speaker is eager to reach. She can see the town spread out below her, and she feels a sense of accomplishment and joy.

A. Find the words from the text above that have the following meanings.

a. a small flash of light, especially a reflected one- glint

b. main branch of a tree-bough

c. a little tower of a building or a castle- turret

d. a set of steps leading from one floor of a building to another- stair

e. causing great wonder; extraordinary- marvelous

B. Choose the correct answer.

a. What does the speaker view from the branch of the tree?

i. the sky ii. the earth iii. the town

iii. the town

b. What aids the speaker to go up and up?

i. the apple tree ii. the branches on the tree iii. a stair bought for her support

ii. the branches on the tree

c. What does the speaker compare the glow of a dome with?

i. a turret ii. a spire iii. sea foam

iii. sea foam

d. Which of the following statements is true?

i. The speaker used to climb onto the tree top.

ii. The speaker is sure to get to the top of the tree now.

iii. The tree leaves will certainly prevent her from going higher and higher.

ii. The speaker is sure to get to the top of the tree now.

e. Which of the following statements carries the message of the poem?

i. We should not give up in the middle of any situation or a goal.

ii. Be satisfied with what you have at the moment.

iii. We cannot enter the heaven without a staircase.

i. We should not give up in the middle of any situation or a goal.

C. Answer these questions.

a. Why does the speaker want to climb on the tree?

The speaker wants to climb on the tree to see the town shinning up.

b. What things are shining brightly when viewed from above?

A turret and dome are shinning brightly when viewed from above.

c. Is it the first time that the speaker has climbed up the tree? How do you know?

No, it is not the first time that the speaker has climbed up the tree. She says that before she always had to stop, but today she is sure she will reach the top. This implies that she attempted the climb before.

d. Make a list of words from the poem which describe the light or brightness.

shining

gleam

glint

glittering

flash

e. What do the sky and the earth symbolise in the poem?

The sky represents the ultimate goal or destination, while the earth represents the starting point or the journey towards that goal. The sky and the earth emphasize the sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching the top of the tree or achieving one's goals.

D. "The more determined you are, the better opportunity you will achieve in life and obtain what you want in life." Do you agree with this statement? Discuss.

On one hand, determination can play a significant role in achieving one's goals. Being determined and persistent in pursuing a particular objective can lead to increased motivation and focus, making it more likely that one will overcome obstacles and reach their desired outcome. It can also help individuals develop a strong work ethic and a positive mindset, which can be beneficial in all areas of life.

On the other hand, simply being determined may not always be enough to guarantee success. Other factors, such as access to resources and opportunities, socioeconomic status, and systemic barriers, can all impact an individual's ability to achieve their goals, regardless of how determined they are. Additionally, being overly fixated on a particular outcome can lead to tunnel vision and prevent individuals from being open to alternative paths or opportunities that may ultimately lead to greater success or fulfillment.

While determination can be an important factor in achieving one's goals, it is not the only factor. Success is often the result of a combination of factors, including hard work, determination, access to resources, and sometimes even luck. It is important to recognize the role that determination can play, but also to acknowledge that success is not always solely determined by an individual's level of determination.

Grammar II

A.

Now,change the following sentences with passive voice using 'being' or 'having'.

a. Puja hates people shouting at her in the street.

Puja hates being shouted at in the street.

b. Jahagir can't stand beggars wiping his feet.

Jahagir can't stand having his feet wiped.

c. Our class teacher detests students flattering her.

Our class teacher detests being flattered.

d. The headteacher likes teachers checking students' homeworks.

The headteacher likes having students' homeworks checked.

e. The actress does not mind journalists following her.

The actress does not mind being followed.

f. Rebika prefers people writing to her better than talking to her on the lines.

Rebika prefers being written to better than talked to on the lines.

B. Change the following sentences into active voice.

a. A lot of books are stored online by various sites.

Various sites store a lot of books.

b. Computers are repaired with warranty here.

We repair computers with warranty here.

c. Chinese is rarely spoken in our community.

People in our community rarely speak Chinese.

d. The criminal is thought to have fled to another country.

Police think that the criminal has fled to another country.

e. It is believed that the film can spell the spectators.

Many believe that the film can spell the spectators.

f. It is expected that the war is going to end soon.

We expect the war is going to end soon.

g. She is supposed to be married.

They suppose she is married.

h. I hate being kept waiting.

I hate people keeping waiting me.

i. She loves having her clothes praised.

She loves me praising her clothers.

j. This road is not very often used.

People do not use this road very often.

k. Ajima is never punished by teachers.

Teachers never punish Ajima.

l. Many accidents are caused by speeding.

Speeding causes many accidents.

Writing II

A. Imagine you are the headteacher of a school and your school has a vacancy for the post of Secondary Level English teacher. Write an advertisement for the post mentioning the required academic qualification, experience, deadline and other necessary information.

Vacancy Announcement

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Secondary Level English Teacher.

Key Responsibilities:

- Delivering high-quality English language lessons to secondary level students

- Preparing lesson plans and teaching materials to meet the needs of diverse learners

- Assessing students’ progress and providing timely feedback to students and parents

- Collaborating with colleagues to plan and implement a comprehensive English language curriculum

- Participating in school activities and events as required

Qualifications and Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in English language

- Teaching certification or licensure

- At least 3 years of experience teaching English language at the secondary level

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

- Strong organizational and time management skills

- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to abcschool@gmail.com no later than March 20, 2023. Please indicate “Secondary Level English Teacher” in the subject line of your email.

ABC School Pokhara, Nepal

B.

Paraphrase the following text.

a.

paraphrased text

Historically, women were predominantly perceived as caregivers and homemakers. However, in recent years, they have started to make notable progress in entering the workforce. Although achieving complete gender equality with men is still a distant goal, there has been noticeable improvement in the situation.

b.

Paraphrased text

During the 1920s, Elton Mayo, a scholar from America, conducted research on how the physical environment influenced workers' productivity. The study, commonly known as the Hawthorne Studies after the electrical company where it was conducted, discovered that minor changes to the workplace, like adjusting lighting or room arrangement, could stimulate workers to increase their productivity.