SYMPATHY Class 8 English Lesson 11 POEM

In this poem, a plump little girl and a thin little bird meet in a sunny meadow. The girl, noticing that the bird has no clothes, feels pity for it and imagines it must be cold. The bird, in turn, looks at the girl and thinks that she must be cold because she has no feathers. Despite the sunshiny weather, both of them are concerned for the other and shiver at the thought of each other’s discomfort. The poem highlights the innocence and empathy of both the girl and the bird, as well as the idea that we sometimes overlook our own needs while worrying about others.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):

Who are the main characters in the poem?
- a) A girl and a dog
- b) A boy and a bird
- c) A girl and a bird
- d) A girl and a butterfly
  Answer: c) A girl and a bird
What is the weather like in the poem?
- a) Rainy
- b) Snowy
- c) Sunshiny
- d) Cloudy
  Answer: c) Sunshiny
What does the girl think about the bird?
- a) It is too small
- b) It must be cold because it has no clothes
- c) It is a beautiful bird
- d) It must be happy
  Answer: b) It must be cold because it has no clothes
What does the bird think about the girl?
- a) She is very tall
- b) She must be cold because she has no feathers
- c) She is very funny
- d) She is not kind
  Answer: b) She must be cold because she has no feathers
What do both the girl and the bird do in the poem?
- a) Sing a song
- b) Shiver
- c) Dance together
- d) Laugh
  Answer: b) Shiver
Why do both characters shiver?
- a) Because they are both cold
- b) Because they are afraid
- c) Because they are excited
- d) Because they are hungry
  Answer: a) Because they are both cold
What is the primary theme of the poem?
- a) The joy of the sun
- b) Empathy and concern for others
- c) The beauty of nature
- d) The friendship between animals and humans
  Answer: b) Empathy and concern for others
Who says the line, “A nice little girl is that”?
- a) The girl
- b) The bird
- c) The narrator
- d) Neither
  Answer: b) The bird
What is the bird’s primary concern in the poem?
- a) The weather
- b) The girl’s lack of feathers
- c) The girl’s clothing
- d) The girl’s happiness
  Answer: b) The girl’s lack of feathers
What does the poem suggest about how we view others?
- a) We often focus only on our own needs
- b) We can easily misunderstand others
- c) We feel empathy for others’ discomfort
- d) We care only about ourselves
  Answer: c) We feel empathy for others’ discomfort
Why does the girl think the bird must be cold?
- a) It is raining
- b) It has no clothes
- c) It is in the shade
- d) It is small
  Answer: b) It has no clothes
What does the poem emphasize about the girl and the bird?
- a) They are both shy
- b) They both experience empathy for the other
- c) They both love nature
- d) They both ignore each other
  Answer: b) They both experience empathy for the other
What literary device is used in the phrase “Although it was sunshiny weather”?
- a) Metaphor
- b) Alliteration
- c) Irony
- d) Hyperbole
  Answer: c) Irony
Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
- a) Humorous
- b) Serious
- c) Compassionate
- d) Angry
  Answer: c) Compassionate
In the poem, who feels sympathy for the other?
- a) Only the girl
- b) Only the bird
- c) Both the girl and the bird
- d) Neither
  Answer: c) Both the girl and the bird
What is the meaning of the word “plump” in the poem?
- a) Thin
- b) Small
- c) Chubby
- d) Tall
  Answer: c) Chubby
What is the bird’s lack of feathers compared to in the poem?
- a) The sun
- b) The girl’s clothes
- c) The girl’s hair
- d) The bird’s wings
  Answer: b) The girl’s clothes
What does the poem teach about empathy?
- a) We should be concerned only for ourselves
- b) It’s important to care for others and understand their needs
- c) Empathy is unnecessary
- d) We should focus only on physical appearances
  Answer: b) It’s important to care for others and understand their needs
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a concern in the poem?
- a) The bird’s lack of clothes
- b) The girl’s lack of feathers
- c) The weather is too cold
- d) Both characters shivering
  Answer: c) The weather being too cold
How does the poem reflect the relationship between humans and animals?
- a) It shows that animals don’t care about humans
- b) It highlights the mutual empathy shared between humans and animals
- c) It suggests that animals are superior to humans
- d) It indicates that animals and humans have no connection
  Answer: b) It highlights the mutual empathy shared between humans and animals

Reading Comprehension

A. Tick (√) the correct sentences:

(i) The little bird was covered with feathers (√)

(ii) They shivered due to the cold weather. (X)

(iii)The weather was rainy and cloudy. (X)

(iv) The girl is thin and the bird is plump. (X)

(v) The little girl and the little bird were out in the meadows. (√)

Now explain:

1. What was the little girl’s feeling about the little bird?

Ans. The little girl had a great feeling of sympathy for the little bird. She thought about how this poor little bird would be facing the cold as it did not have warm clothes like her. The little girl was so sympathetic that although she was in a sweater she shivered thinking of the poor little bird.