A Day Class 12 Exercise: Question Answers Notes
Understanding the text
Answer the following questions.
a. How does the poet describe the morning sun in the first stanza?
➜ The poet describes the morning sun as rising slowly, “a ribbon at a time,” showing how sunlight spreads gradually across the sky. The church steeples glow in a soft violet color, like amethyst, giving the morning a magical and calm beauty. This imagery helps the reader feel the quiet wonder of a new day beginning.
b. What does the line ‘The news like squirrels ran’ mean?
➜ This line shows how the news of the sunrise spreads quickly and energetically, just like squirrels running. It also suggests that the morning brings life and activity, as people start their day and everything around awakens. The poet cleverly compares sunlight to news, showing how it spreads fast and affects everything.
c. What do you understand by the line ‘The hills untied their bonnets’?
➜ The poet imagines that the hills are removing their “bonnets” or coverings of darkness and mist as the sun rises. It is a poetic way of saying that the hills become bright and visible in the morning light. This line gives a lively, joyful picture of nature awakening and celebrating the new day.
d. Is the speaker watching the morning sun? Why? Why not?
➜ The speaker is not literally watching the sunrise but is using imagination to describe it. Through poetic images and metaphors, the speaker paints a picture of the sun rising and its effect on nature. This allows the poet to express feelings of beauty, joy, and wonder, rather than just a literal view of the morning.
e. How does the sun set?
➜ The sunset is described softly and gently. The “purple stile” represents the horizon, and the “little yellow boys and girls” symbolize the last rays of sunlight fading away. On the other side, a “Dominie in gray” leads them away and closes the “evening bars,” showing night taking over. This gives a peaceful, calm, and slightly sad image of the day ending.
Reference to the Context
a. What, according to the speaker, is a day?
➜ According to the speaker, a day is more than just a measure of time; it is a journey from morning to night, full of life, beauty, and activity. A day begins gently with the sunrise, spreading light like “ribbons” across the sky, and ends peacefully with the sunset, where the last rays fade like children climbing a “purple stile.” The poet sees a day as a living, moving experience, where nature, sunlight, and life all play their parts. A day is thus portrayed as both a natural event and a symbolic experience of joy and calm.
b. What purpose does the hyphen in the first line serve in the poem?
➜ The hyphen in the first line (“I’ll tell you how the sun rose, ___”) serves as a pause that makes the reader slow down and pay attention. It emphasizes the poet’s careful and deliberate description of the sunrise, showing that it does not happen all at once but gradually, “a ribbon at a time.” This pause also gives a rhythmic flow to the line, adding a musical quality to the opening and inviting the reader to imagine the scene step by step.
c. What makes this poem lyrical and sonorous? Discuss.
➜ This poem is lyrical because it expresses the poet’s personal feelings and observations in a musical, flowing way. It is sonorous due to its use of soft, melodic words like “ribbon,” “amethyst,” and “squirrels,” which produce a pleasant sound when read aloud. The rhythm, gentle imagery, and repetition of natural elements, such as hills, birds, and sunlight, create a musical quality. This combination of emotion, imagery, and rhythm makes the poem both pleasing to hear and moving to read, touching the imagination and feelings of the reader.
d. Who are the target audience of the speaker? Why?
➜ The target audience appears to be children or anyone who enjoys observing the world with wonder. The poet uses playful and imaginative imagery, like “yellow boys and girls” to represent sunlight, and simple, vivid descriptions of nature’s morning activities. Such language and imagery appeal to the curiosity and imagination of young minds. However, adults who appreciate the beauty of nature and poetic imagination can also enjoy the poem, seeing both its literal and symbolic meanings.
e. The poem seems to describe a day for children. How would the adult people respond to this poem? Discuss.
➜ Adults may respond to this poem with nostalgia and reflection. Many might recall the joy, simplicity, and wonder of childhood mornings when reading about the sunrise and the playful imagery of children. They may also interpret deeper meanings in the poem, such as the passage of time, the calm of evening, and the gentle rhythm of life. Adults can enjoy the poem not just as a beautiful description of nature, but also as a reflection on life’s cycles and innocence. It reminds them of the harmony between nature and human experience, connecting both imagination and thought.
Reference beyond the text
a. Observe your surroundings of one fine morning and write a poem based on your own experiance.
A Morning Walk
b. Write a personal essay on "A Day in the School".
A Day in the School
A day in school is always full of learning, laughter, and little surprises. My school opens its gates early in the morning, welcoming students with the fresh air and the sound of birds singing outside. As I enter the classroom, I feel a sense of excitement mixed with curiosity about what the day will bring.
The day usually begins with the morning assembly. We sing the national anthem, listen to the principal’s speech, and sometimes share important news or announcements. The assembly fills the school with energy and sets a positive tone for the day. After that, we move to our classrooms for lessons.
Each subject has its own charm. Mathematics challenges my mind, encouraging problem-solving and logical thinking. Science classes make me curious about the world around me, especially when we perform experiments that show how things really work. Language classes help me express myself better, whether through writing or speaking. Teachers guide us patiently, making learning interesting and engaging.
Break time is always fun. Friends gather in the playground, talking, laughing, and playing games. It’s a time to relax, share stories, and enjoy the small joys of school life. After the break, we continue with our lessons, often including group activities, discussions, or creative projects, which help us work together and think creatively.
The day ends with a short reflection or a quiet reading session. As the bell rings and we leave the classroom, I feel a sense of accomplishment. School is not just a place for studies; it is where we learn discipline, make friends, and develop habits that shape our future.
A day in school may seem ordinary, but it is full of experiences that teach us, inspire us, and help us grow. Every day spent in school adds a new memory, a new lesson, and a new reason to love learning.
