Questions from Poems SSC 2026

O Me! O Life!

Walt Whitman

Questions & Answers-­­­­

1. What is the main theme of the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’

Ans. The main theme of the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’ is the meaning of life. It shows that even in a world full of struggles, life is valuable.

2. What recurring questions does the poet mention?

Ans. The poet mentions recurring questions about the purpose of life. He wonders what good life has among foolish people and endless struggles.

3. What does the poet mean by ‘empty and useless years’?

Ans. By ‘empty and useless years’, the poet means the wasted and empty years. These are years without purpose or success.

4. Is age an identity marker? What are the attributes of old age?

Ans. Yes, age is an identity marker. Age shows who we are at different stages. Old age often brings weakness, wisdom, and experience.

5. What do ‘sordid’ and ‘plodding’ mean?

Ans. Sordid means dirty or unpleasant. Plodding means slow and without energy.

6. What ‘faith’ does the poet mention in the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’

Ans. In the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’, the poet mentions losing faith in people and himself. He sees people as foolish and unfaithful.

7. Is there a symbolic meaning of ‘contribute a verse’ in the last line of ‘O Me! O Life!’?

Ans. Yes, there is a symbolic meaning of ‘contribute a verse’ in the last line of the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’ it means everyone can add something special to life. Each person can make life more meaningful.

8. Do you find the answer section of the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’ convincing?

Ans. Yes, the answer section of the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’ is convincing. It gives hope that life is valuable and we can make a difference.

9. Who has written the poem ‘O Me! O Life!’ and what its main tone?

Ans. The poem ‘O Me! O Life!’ is written by Walt Whitman. Its tone is thoughtful but hopeful.

10. Why does the poet reproach himself in the poem "O Me! O Life!"?
Ans. In the poem "O Me! O Life!", the poet reproaches himself because he feels foolish and faithless like the people around him. He often blames himself for weakness and doubt.

11. Why does the poet mention 'struggle ever renews' in the poem "O Me! O Life!"?
Ans. In the poem "O Me! O Life!", the poet mentions it to show that life is full of continuous struggles. Problems never end; they always come again and again.

12. What is the poet's attitude towards life in the poem "O Me! O Life!"?
Ans. The poet first feels sad about life, but later he becomes hopeful. He realizes life has value because each person can add meaning to it.

13. What does the poet ask us to remember about life in the poem "O Me! O Life!"?
Ans. The poet asks us to remember that life exists and we have an identity. Each of us can contribute something valuable to the world.

14. What type of people does the poet in the poem "O Me! O Life!" find around him?
Ans. In the poem "O Me! O Life!", the poet finds foolish, faithless, and hopeless people around him. They live without purpose and seem lost in life.

Two Mothers Remembered

Joann Snow Duncanson

Questions & Answers-­­­­

1. Who has written the poem “Two Mothers Remembered” and what its main tone?

Ans. The poem “Two Mothers Remembered” is written by Joann Snow Duncanson. Its main tone is loving and thoughtful. It shows respect and care for both mothers.

2. How are the two mothers different from each other?

Ans. The first mother gave birth and raised the speaker. The second mother is the first mother when her mind became weak. They are different in age and role. Thus the two mothers are different from each other.

3. How are the two mothers the same?

Ans. Both mothers are the same woman. They both loved the speaker deeply. Their face and body look the same.

4. What did the first mother do to the speaker?

Ans. The first mother gave birth to the speaker and cared for her. She taught her lessons in life. She shared love and laughter with her.

5. Who was the speaker’s second mother? Describe her briefly.

Ans. The speaker’s second mother was the first mother after her mind had become weak. She became like a child, and the speaker had to care for her.

6. What would be the speaker’s advice to her own children?

Ans. The speaker would advise her children to love both their mothers. She wants them to care for their new mother as well as the old one.

7. Who are the three women referred to in the poem? Briefly describe them.

Ans. Three women are referred to in the poem “Two Mothers Remembered”. The first woman is the speaker’s mother who gave birth. The second woman is the same mother after her mind weakened. The third is the speaker herself.

8. What should children do to their mothers and why?

Ans. Children should love and care for their mothers. Both old and new mothers have loved them, so they should be loved in return.

9. Do you like this poem “Two Mothers Remembered”? Why?

Ans. Yes, I like the poem “Two Mothers Remembered”. It is a beautiful poem. It shows love, respect, and care for mothers. It teaches us to value our family.

10. What happened to the speaker’s mother when the speaker grew up?

Ans. When the speaker grew up, her mother’s mind became weak and clouded. She changed and became like a child. The speaker had to care for her as she had cared for the speaker before.

11. What is the main theme of the poem 'Two Mothers Remembered'?
Ans. The main theme of the poem “Two Mothers Remembered” is the strong love between a daughter and her mother. It shows how the mother changes when she grows old and sick, but the daughter’s love and care for her never end.

Time, You Old Gipsy Man

Ralph Hodgson

Questions & Answers-­­­­

1. Why does the poet call time an ‘old gipsy man’?

Ans. The poet calls time an old gypsy man because it never stays in one place. Like a gypsy, time is always moving and traveling.

2. Make a list of things the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day.

Ans. The poet will offer time silver bells for his horse, a golden ring, peacocks bowing, little boys singing, and sweet girls with flowers if it stays just for a day. All these are to make time stay.

3. What can you offer time if it stays for a day?

Ans. I can offer time love, respect, and peace if it stays for a day. I would also give time joy and my best wishes.

4. Who has written the poem ‘Time, You Old Gipsy Man’ and what its main tone?

Ans. The poem “Time, You Old Gipsy Man’ is written by Ralph Hodgson. Its main tone is serious and thoughtful, showing how quickly time passes.

5. What is the main theme of the poem 'Time, You Old Gipsy Man'?
Ans. The main theme of the poem “Time, You Old Gipsy Man” is the quick passing of time. The poet wants time to stop for a while, but time keeps moving and never waits for anyone. It shows that life is short and time is always running away.

Solitude

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Questions & Answers-­­­­

1. Explain the following lines in your own words:

“Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone;”

Ans. People like to share happiness, so they stay with us when we are happy. But in sadness, they leave us alone.

2. Explain the following lines in your own words:

“Succeed and give, and it helps you live,

But no man can help you die.”

Ans. Success and kindness bring support and joy in life. But death is a journey we must face alone.

3. When do you have many friends and when do they leave you?

Ans. We have many friends when we are happy and successful. They leave us when we are sad or in trouble.

4. Who has written the poem ‘Solitude’ and what its main tone?

Ans. The poem ‘Solitude’ is written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Its main tone is serious and thoughtful, teaching the truth of life.

5. What is the main theme of the poem 'Solitude'?
Ans. The main theme of the poem “Solitude” is that people enjoy being with us when we are happy, but they leave us when we are sad. Joy brings friends, but sorrow and pain must be faced alone. It shows the reality of human life and relationships.