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The Power of Music: ICSE

Class 10 English answers,
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Get notes, line-by-line explanation, summary, questions

and answers, critical analysis, word meanings, extras, and
pdf of the poem “The Power of Music” by Sukumar Ray,
which is part of ICSE Class 10 English (Treasure Chest: A
Collection of ICSE Poems and Short Stories). However, the
notes should only be treated as references, and changes
should be made according to the needs of the students.

Table of Contents [Close]

[Close]

Summary
Line-by-line explanation of the poem
Word meanings
About the author
Evergreen workbook
answers/solutions
Multiple Choice Questions
Comprehension Passages
Morning Star workbook
answers/solutions
Multiiple Choice Questions II
Context questions and answers
Extras/additional
Questions and answers
Multiple Choice Questions
(MCQs)

Summary
The poem describes how the singer Bhisma Lochan
Sharma’s voice spreads far and wide during the summer,
from Delhi to Burma. His singing is energetic and intense,
as if he has staked his life on it. The people who hear his
singing are left amazed and dazed.

Though they know his intentions are good, Bhisma

Lochan’s powerful singing causes chaos and havoc
wherever he goes.

Bullock carts overturn on the roads, horses line the

roadsides, and animals are left confused and frightened
by his booming voice. Even the fish dive to the bottom of
lakes and the trees shake violently, trying to get away
from his singing. The birds in the sky turn upside down in
panic upon hearing him. Everyone pleads for him to stop
singing before he kills them.

But Bhisma Lochan is unconcerned and continues

bellowing out his songs, heedless of the pleas and cries
around him. The heavens weep at his screeching voice
and mighty mansions collapse under its force.

Finally, a clever billy goat comes along and charges at

Bhisma Lochan, bellowing right back at him. This finally
makes Bhisma Lochan stop singing, granting the world
silence once again.

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Video tutorial

Line-by-line explanation of the

poem
When
When summer
summer comes,
comes, we
we hear
hear the
the hums/Bhisma
hums/Bhisma
Lochan
Lochan Sharma.
Sharma.

These opening lines introduce us to Bhisma Lochan

Sharma, who is a singer with a very loud and powerful
voice. In summer, his voice spreads all over and people
can hear him humming and singing loudly.

You
You catch
catch his
his strain
strain on
on hill
hill and
and plain
plain from
from Delhi
Delhi
down
down to
to Burma/He
Burma/He sings
sings as
as though
though he’s
he’s staked
staked
his
his life,
life, he
he sings
sings as
as though
though he’s
he’s hell-bent;
hell-bent;

Bhisma Lochan’s voice carries very far – all the way from
Delhi to Burma! This shows us how loud and strong his
singing is. The next lines say that he sings with full energy
and passion, as if his life depended on it. He is completely
obsessed with and lost in his singing.

The
The people,
people, dazed,
dazed, retire
retire amazed
amazed although
although they
they
know
know it’s
it’s well-meant./They’re
well-meant./They’re trampled
trampled in
in the
the
panic
panic rout
rout or
or languish
languish pale
pale and
and sickly,
sickly,

Now, though Bhisma Lochan means no harm, his intense

singing confuses people and leaves them astonished. In
fact, his booming voice causes chaos – people get
trampled and injured in the panic and become unwell and
pale.

And
And plead,
plead, ‘My
‘My friend,
friend, we’re
we’re near
near our
our end,
end, oh
oh
stop
stop your
your singing
singing quickly!’/The
quickly!’/The bullock-carts
bullock-carts are
are
overturned,
overturned, and
and horses
horses line
line the
the roadside;
roadside;

People now desperately plead with Bhisma Lochan to

stop singing soon, before they meet their end. To show
how disruptive his voice is, the poet says even bullock
carts overturn on the roads and horses stand frightened
along the sides.

But
But Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan,
Lochan, unconcerned,
unconcerned, goes
goes booming
booming
out
out his
his broadside./The
broadside./The wretched
wretched brutes
brutes resent
resent
the
the blare
blare the
the hour
hour they
they hear
hear it
it sounded,
sounded,

However, lost in his own world of song, Bhisma Lochan

pays no attention to the chaos and continues bellowing
loudly. The animals strongly dislike and resent his loud
singing from the moment they hear it.

They
They whine
whine and
and stare
stare with
with feet
feet in
in air
air or
or wonder
wonder
quite
quite confounded./The
confounded./The fishes
fishes dived
dived below
below the
the
lake
lake in
in frantic
frantic search
search for
for silence,
silence,

The animals are left totally confused by his voice – they

whine, stand puzzled with feet in the air, and wonder
what is happening. Even the fish dive to the bottom of
lakes trying to escape his loud singing.

The
The very
very trees
trees collapse
collapse and
and shake
shake –
– you
you hear
hear the
the
crash
crash aa mile
mile hence
hence -/And
-/And in
in the
the sky
sky the
the feathered
feathered
fly
fly turn
turn turtle
turtle while
while they’re
they’re winging,
winging,

Bhisma Lochan’s powerful voice makes trees collapse,

violently shaking. You can hear them crashing from a mile
away! It even makes the birds in the sky flip upside down
in a panic.

Again
Again we
we cry,
cry, ‘We’re
‘We’re going
going to
to die,
die, oh
oh won’t
won’t you
you
stop
stop your
your singing?/But
singing?/But Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s soared
soared beyond
beyond
our
our reach,
reach, howe’er
howe’er we
we plead
plead and
and grumble;
grumble;

People once more desperately plead with Bhisma Lochan

to stop as they are going to die. But he is lost in his own
musical world, beyond anyone’s control, ignoring all pleas
and complaints.

The
The welkin
welkin weeps
weeps to
to hear
hear his
his screech,
screech, and
and mighty
mighty
mansions
mansions tumble./But
tumble./But now
now there
there comes
comes aa billy
billy
goat,
goat, aa most
most sagacious
sagacious fellow,
fellow,

His harsh, screeching singing makes even the sky weep,

and mighty mansions collapse! But then a clever billy goat
comes along.

He
He downs
downs his
his horns
horns and
and charges
charges straight,
straight, with
with
bellow
bellow answering
answering bellow./The
bellow./The strains
strains of
of song
song are
are
tossed
tossed and
and whirled
whirled by
by blast
blast of
of brutal
brutal violence,
violence,

The goat aggressively charges at Bhisma Lochan, bleating

just as loudly. The goat’s loud bleats blast and toss
around Bhisma’s singing strains violently.

And
And Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan grants
grants the
the world
world the
the golden
golden
gift
gift of
of silence.
silence.

Finally, Bhisma Lochan stops singing, giving the world the

precious gift of silence once again.

Word meanings
hums
hums: low, continuous sounds

strain
strain: a particular style, sound or melody of music

Delhi
Delhi: capital city of India

Burma
Burma: present-day Myanmar

staked
staked his
his life
life: risked his life

hell-bent
hell-bent: determined to do something no matter what

dazed
dazed: stunned, confused

retire
retire: withdraw, move away

well-meant
well-meant: good intentioned

trampled
trampled: crushed underfoot

panic
panic: sudden uncontrollable fear

rout
rout: disorderly retreat

languish
languish: lose strength and health

pale
pale: lacking color or brightness

sickly
sickly: unhealthy, weak

plead
plead: beg, appeal urgently

bullock-carts
bullock-carts: carts pulled by bullocks/oxen

overturned
overturned: turned upside down

booming
booming: loud, resounding

broadside
broadside: strong verbal attack

wretched
wretched: unhappy, troubled

brutes
brutes: animals/beasts

resent
resent: feel bitter/indignant about something

blare
blare: loud, harsh noise

sounded
sounded: produced a noise

whine
whine: make a long, high-pitched complaining cry

stare
stare: look fixedly with eyes wide open

confounded
confounded: confused, perplexed

fishes
fishes: fish

dived
dived: plunged into water head first

frantic
frantic: desperate, wild with fear

silence
silence: complete absence of noise

turn
turn turtle
turtle: turn upside down

winging
winging: flying with wings

welkin
welkin: sky, heavens

weeps
weeps: cries

screech
screech: unpleasantly loud, shrill noise

mansions
mansions: large houses

tumble
tumble: fall suddenly and helplessly

billy
billy goat
goat: male goat

sagacious
sagacious: wise, discerning

downed
downed: lowered, bent down

horns
horns: hard pointed growths on a goat’s head

charges
charges: rushes forward quickly to attack

straight
straight: directly, without deviating

bellow
bellow: loud deep cry of an animal like ox, cow etc.

strains
strains: melodies, refrains

tossed
tossed: thrown about violently

whirled
whirled: spun round rapidly

blast
blast: explosive noise

brutal
brutal: savage, cruel

golden
golden: extremely valuable and precious

About the author

Sukumar Ray (1887-1923) was a pioneering Bengali
humorous poet, story writer and playwright who is often
considered the father of Bengali nonsense verse.

Born in Kolkata into a family of writers and artists,

Sukumar started writing humorous poems, short stories
and plays from an early age, drawing inspiration from
Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

His best known works include “Abol Tabol”, “Pagla Dashu”

and “HaJaBaRaLa” which showcase his unique sense of
humor, whimsy and imaginative wordplay. Sukumar
masterfully used the rhythms and sounds of Bengali
language to create new words and impossible situations
that made people laugh.

Though he died young at age 36, Sukumar’s legacy and

influence on Bengali literature has been immense. He is
celebrated for taking Bengali poetry to a new dimension
of absurd, nonsense verse that was unexplored before
him.

With his wit, humor and linguistic exuberance, Sukumar

Ray remains one of the most beloved icons of Bengali
literature.

Evergreen workbook
answers/solutions
Multiple
Multiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions

1.
1. What
What kind
kind of
of poem
poem is
is “The
“The Power
Power of
of Music”?
Music”?

A. serious B. light-hearted C. ironical D. elegiac

Answer
Answer: B. light-hearted

2.
2. What
What kind
kind of
of person
person was
was Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan
Sharma?
Sharma?

A. pleasant B. stubborn C. gentle D. arrogant

Answer
Answer: B. stubborn

3.
3. Which
Which of
of these
these statements
statements is
is NOT
NOT true?
true?

A. Human listeners cannot tolerate Bhisma’s noisy

singing. B. Animals too protest against Bhisma’s noisy
singing. C. Only the sky remains watching carelessly. D.
Big trees and buildings collapse under the impact of
Bhisma’s loud voice.

Answer
Answer: C. Only the sky remains watching carelessly.

4.
4. Which
Which of
of these
these animals
animals are
are pitied
pitied upon?
upon?

A. horses B. goats C. fishes D. flies

Answer
Answer: A. horses

5.
5. In
In what
what state
state of
of mind
mind are
are human
human listeners?
listeners?

A. cheerful B. dazed C. indi"erent D. sullen

Answer
Answer: B. dazed

6.
6. Which
Which of
of these
these collapse
collapse on
on hearing
hearing Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s
voice?
voice?

A. roads B. buildings and trees C. bridges D. none of the

above

Answer
Answer: B. buildings and trees

7.
7. The
The satire
satire in
in the
the poem
poem is
is directed
directed against
against

A. bad, loud singing B. human listeners C. fishes D. horses

Answer
Answer: A. bad, loud singing

8.
8. “The
“The welkin
welkin weeps
weeps to
to hear
hear his
his screech…”
screech…” Which
Which
literary
literary device
device is
is used
used here?
here?

A. simile B. metaphor C. hyperbole D. irony

Answer
Answer: B. metaphor

9.
9. How
How is
is the
the billy
billy goat
goat described
described in
in the
the poem?
poem?

A. harmful B. intelligent C. silly D. eccentric

Answer
Answer: B. intelligent

10.
10. Despite
Despite their
their irritation,
irritation, people
people agree
agree that
that the
the
song
song is…
is…

A. foolish B. well-meant C. moralistic D. sensuous

Answer
Answer: B. well-meant

Comprehension
Comprehension Passages
Passages

PASSAGE-1
PASSAGE-1

When summer comes, we hear the hums Bhisma Lochan

Sharma
You catch his strain on hill and plain from Delhi down to
Burma
He sings as though he’s staked his life, he sings as though
he’s hell-bent;

(i)
(i) Who
Who is
is Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan Sharma?
Sharma? How
How does
does he
he
sing?
sing?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma Lochan Sharma is a character known for
his loud and determined singing that resonates from
Delhi down to Burma.

(ii)
(ii) In
In Lines
Lines 3-4
3-4 the
the poet
poet uses
uses aa hyperbole.
hyperbole. What
What
is
is its
its purpose?
purpose?

Answer:
Answer: The hyperbole emphasizes the extreme
dedication and intensity with which Bhisma Lochan
Sharma sings, suggesting he sings as if his life depends
on it.

(iii)
(iii) What
What kind
kind of
of person
person is
is Bhisma?
Bhisma?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma is depicted as a stubborn and
determined individual, passionate about his singing to the
point of being oblivious to its e"ects on others.

(iv)
(iv) How
How are
are people
people a"ected
a"ected by
by his
his song,
song, as
as
revealed
revealed later
later in
in the
the context?
context?

Answer:
Answer: People are adversely a"ected; they run in panic,
get trampled, or become pale and sick due to the loud
and discordant nature of his singing.

(v)
(v) What
What do
do they
they plead
plead with
with Bhisma?
Bhisma? Does
Does he
he
listen
listen to
to them?
them? If
If not,
not, why
why not?
not?

Answer:
Answer: They plead with Bhisma to stop his singing as
they can bear no more. He does not listen, likely due to
his stubbornness and determination to sing regardless of
its impact on others.

PASSAGE-2
PASSAGE-2

The people, dazed, retire amazed although they know it’s

well-meant.
They’re trampled in the panic rout or languish pale and
sickly,
And plead, ‘My friend, we’re near our end, oh stop your
singing quickly!’

(i)
(i) What
What has
has confounded
confounded the
the people?
people?

Answer:
Answer: The people are confounded by Bhisma Lochan
Sharma’s loud and discordant singing, which causes them
distress.

(ii)
(ii) Though
Though unhappy,
unhappy, people
people do
do not
not doubt
doubt the
the
intentions
intentions of
of the
the singer.
singer. Why?
Why?

Answer:
Answer: Despite their unhappiness, people understand
that Bhisma’s intentions are not malicious; he means well,
even if his singing is intolerable.

(iii)
(iii) How
How does
does Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s music
music a"ect
a"ect them?
them?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma’s music causes people to panic, get
trampled, or become pale and sickly due to its loud and
unpleasant nature.

(iv)
(iv) What
What do
do they
they want?
want?

Answer:
Answer: They want Bhisma to stop his singing
immediately, as they feel it is endangering their wellbeing.

(v)
(v) Who
Who else
else besides
besides humans
humans are
are a"ected
a"ected by
by
Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s singing?
singing? How?
How?

Answer:
Answer: Animals, such as bullock-carts being overturned
and horses lining the roadside in distress, are also
negatively a"ected by Bhisma’s singing.

PASSAGE-3
PASSAGE-3

The bullock-carts are overturned, and horses line the

roadside;
But Bhisma Lochan, unconcerned, goes booming out his
broadside.
The wretched brutes resent the blare the hour they hear it
sounded,
They whine and stare with feet in air or wonder quite
confounded.

(i)
(i) What
What happens
happens to
to bullock-carts
bullock-carts and
and horses?
horses?
Answer:
Answer: Bullock-carts are overturned, and horses line
the roadside, a"ected by the loud singing.

(ii)
(ii) Who
Who are
are wretched
wretched brutes?
brutes? Why
Why do
do they
they
behave
behave abnormally?
abnormally?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘wretched brutes’ are the animals,
particularly horses, that behave abnormally due to
distress caused by the loud and unpleasant singing.

(iii)
(iii) Explain
Explain the
the last
last two
two lines.
lines.

Answer:
Answer: The last two lines describe the animals’
confusion and distress; they whine, stare, and exhibit
bewildered behavior due to the blaring music.

(iv)
(iv) Even
Even fishes
fishes in
in the
the lake
lake are
are a"ected
a"ected by
by
Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s singing?
singing? How?
How?

Answer:
Answer: Yes, even fishes dive below the lake in a frantic
search for silence, trying to escape the noise.

PASSAGE-4
PASSAGE-4

The fishes dived below the lake in frantic search for

silence,
The very trees collapse and shake – you hear the crash a
mile hence –
And in the sky the feathered fly turn turtle while they’re
winging.

(i)
(i) What
What exaggerated
exaggerated situations
situations has
has the
the poet
poet
depicted
depicted earlier
earlier in
in the
the context?
context? What
What e"ect
e"ect do
do
they
they create?
create?

Answer:
Answer: The poet has depicted exaggerated situations
of chaos and distress caused by Bhisma’s singing,
creating a humorous yet critical portrayal of its e"ects on
the environment and living beings.

(ii)
(ii) Why
Why do
do the
the fishes
fishes dive
dive below
below the
the lake?
lake?

Answer:
Answer: The fishes dive below the lake in a frantic search
for silence, attempting to escape the loud and disturbing
noise of Bhisma’s singing.

(iii)
(iii) What
What happens
happens to
to trees?
trees?

Answer:
Answer: The trees collapse and shake violently enough
that the sound of their crashing can be heard from a mile
away, indicating the extensive disturbance caused by the
singing.

(iv)
(iv) What
What is
is amusing
amusing about
about the
the image
image of
of the
the flying
flying
birds
birds in
in Lines
Lines 5-6
5-6 here?
here?

Answer:
Answer: The image of flying birds turning turtle, or
flipping over in the air, due to the confusion caused by
the loud singing, is amusing because it’s an absurd and
exaggerated reaction to noise.

(v)
(v) Which,
Which, according
according to
to you,
you, is
is the
the most
most absurd
absurd
situation
situation depicted
depicted in
in the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The most absurd situation might be the trees
collapsing and shaking due to the singing, as it
humorously anthropomorphizes nature’s reaction to
noise, showcasing the poem’s satirical tone.

PASSAGE-5
PASSAGE-5

Again we cry, ‘We’re going to die, oh won’t you stop your

singing?’
But Bhisma’s soared beyond our reach, howe’er we plead
and grumble;
The welkin weeps to hear his screech, and mighty
mansions tumble.

(i)
(i) Who
Who are
are ‘we’?
‘we’? Why
Why have
have they
they to
to plead
plead
repeatedly
repeatedly with
with Bhisma
Bhisma to
to stop
stop singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: ‘We’ refers to the people and possibly animals
a"ected by Bhisma’s singing. They plead repeatedly
because his singing causes extreme distress and chaos,
making them fear for their lives.

(ii)
(ii) Who
Who are
are badly
badly a"ected
a"ected by
by Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: Both humans and animals are badly a"ected,
experiencing physical and psychological distress due to
the loud and unpleasant nature of Bhisma’s singing.

(iii)
(iii) What
What is
is personified
personified in
in this
this extract?
extract? What
What is
is
the
the purpose?
purpose?

Answer:
Answer: The sky (welkin) is personified as weeping to
hear Bhisma’s screech. The purpose is to emphasize the
universal distress caused by the singing, a"ecting even
the natural world.

(iv)
(iv) In
In what
what way
way are
are you
you a"ected
a"ected when
when you
you read
read
about
about the
the fate
fate of
of humans,
humans, animals,
animals, and
and even
even non-
non-
living
living things
things impacted
impacted by
by the
the unpleasant
unpleasant voice
voice of
of
the
the singer?
singer?

Answer:
Answer: Readers might feel a mix of amusement and
sympathy, amused by the exaggerated reactions yet
sympathetic towards those su"ering from the cacophony.

(v)
(v) Who
Who stops
stops Bhisma
Bhisma from
from singing
singing and
and how?
how?

Answer:
Answer: A sagacious (wise) billy goat stops Bhisma by
charging at him and hitting him with its horns, thus
ending the singing and restoring silence.

PASSAGE-6
PASSAGE-6

But now there comes a billy goat, a most sagacious

fellow,
He downs his horns and charges straight, with bellow
answ’ring bellow.
The strains of song are tossed and whirled by blast of
brutal violence,
And Bhisma Lochan grants the world the golden gift of
silence.

(i)
(i) Who
Who have
have failed
failed to
to stop
stop Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s song?
song? Why
Why
are
are they
they unhappy?
unhappy?

Answer:
Answer: Humans and possibly other animals have failed
to stop Bhisma’s song. They are unhappy because his
loud and unpleasant singing causes them great distress
and upheaval.

(ii)
(ii) How
How is
is the
the billy
billy goat
goat presented
presented here?
here?

Answer:
Answer: The billy goat is presented as a wise and
decisive character, capable of taking action to end
Bhisma’s disruptive singing.

(iii)
(iii) In
In what
what way
way does
does the
the goat
goat hit
hit the
the singer,
singer, and
and
to
to what
what e"ect?
e"ect?

Answer:
Answer: The goat hits the singer with a charge straight
at him, e"ectively ending the singing and bringing about
the much-desired silence.

(iv)
(iv) What
What do
do you
you mean
mean by
by the
the ‘golden
‘golden gift
gift of
of
silence’?
silence’?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘golden gift of silence’ refers to the precious
and much-appreciated return of quietness and peace
after the cessation of Bhisma’s disturbing singing.

(v)
(v) ‘bellow
‘bellow answering
answering bellow’.
bellow’. Explain.
Explain.

Answer:
Answer: ‘Bellow answering bellow’ describes the
confrontation between the goat’s loud challenge (bellow)
and Bhisma’s singing, leading to a clash that ultimately
silences the singer.

Morning Star workbook

answers/solutions
Multiiple
Multiiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions II
II

1.
1. You
You catch
catch his
his strain
strain on
on hill
hill and
and plain…
plain… What
What is
is
referred
referred to
to as
as ‘his
‘his strain”?
strain”?

A. The people like Bhisma

B. The singers like Bhisma
C. Bhisma Lochan’s singing
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: C. Bhisma Lochan’s singing

2.
2. What
What is
is the
the genre
genre of
of the
the poem,
poem, “The
“The Power
Power of
of
Music”?
Music”?

A. Ballad
B. Sonnet
C. Elegy
D. Nonsense Verse

Answer
Answer: D. Nonsense Verse

3.
3. What
What kind
kind of
of person
person was
was Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan
Sharma?
Sharma?

A. Determined
B. Stubborn
C. Gentle
D. All of the above

Answer
Answer: B. Stubborn

4.
4. Which
Which of
of the
the following
following did
did NOT
NOT happen
happen when
when
people
people heard
heard Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan singing?
singing?

A. They got trampled

B. They became pale and sick
C. They were able to make him stop singing
D. They got confused

Answer
Answer: C. They were able to make him stop singing

5.
5. Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the line
line given
given
below?
below?
‘The
‘The bullock-carts
bullock-carts are
are overturned,
overturned, and
and horses
horses line
line
the
the roadside.’
roadside.’

A. Alliteration
B. Simile
C. Assonance
D. Hyperbole

Answer
Answer: D. Hyperbole

6.
6. Who
Who are
are referred
referred to
to as
as the
the ‘wretched
‘wretched brutes’?
brutes’?

A. The horses
B. The fishes
C. The bulls
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: A. The horses

7.
7. What
What happens
happens to
to the
the wretched
wretched brutes
brutes on
on
hearing
hearing Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan’s
Lochan’s singing?
singing?

A. They raise their feet in the air

B. They cry out in pain
C. They wonder what is happening
D. All of the above

Answer
Answer: D. All of the above

8.
8. What
What happens
happens to
to birds
birds on
on hearing
hearing Bhisma
Bhisma
Lochan’s
Lochan’s loud
loud singing?
singing?

A. They lose control over their wings

B. They start chirping loudly
C. They stop flying forever
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: A. They lose control over their wings

9.
9. The
The billy
billy goat
goat has
has been
been compared
compared to
to which
which of
of
the
the following?
following?

A. A trained musician
B. Bhisma Lochan
C. A wise man
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: B. Bhisma Lochan

10.
10. Which
Which of
of the
the following
following grants
grants the
the golden
golden gift
gift
of
of silence
silence to
to the
the world?
world?

A. The wise man

B. The goat
C. Bhisma Lochan
D. None of the above

Answer
Answer: B. The goat

11.
11. Which
Which of
of the
the following
following lines
lines contains
contains the
the
same
same literary
literary device
device as
as the
the one
one in
in Sukumar
Sukumar Ray’s,
Ray’s,
“The
“The welkin
welkin weeps
weeps to
to hear
hear his
his screech…”?
screech…”?

A. I learnt upon a coppice gate, When Frost was spectre-

grey.
B. …..life is too much like a pathless wood, Where our face
burns and tickles with cobwebs.
C. We circle well-worn grooves of water on a single note.
D. To know I’m farther o" from heaven than when I was a
boy!

Answer
Answer: A. I learnt upon a coppice gate, When Frost was
spectre-grey.

Context
Context questions
questions and
and answers
answers

Extract
Extract 11

When summer comes, we hear the hums

Bhisma Lochan Sharma.
You catch his strain on hill and plain from Delhi
down to Burma
He sings as though he’s staked his life, he sings
as though he’s hell-bent;
The people, dazed, retire amazed although they
know it’s well-meant.

(i)
(i) Who
Who is
is Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan Sharma?
Sharma? How
How is
is his
his
singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma Lochan Sharma is a singer whose
powerful singing can be heard from Delhi to Burma. His
singing is intense and passionate, as if he is singing with
all his energy and determination.

(ii)
(ii) Why
Why does
does the
the speaker
speaker say
say that
that ‘his
‘his strain’
strain’ can
can
be
be heard
heard ‘on
‘on hill
hill and
and plain
plain from
from Delhi
Delhi down
down to
to
Burma’?
Burma’?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker exaggerates to highlight the wide-
reaching and overwhelming nature of Bhisma Lochan
Sharma’s singing, implying that his loud voice can be
heard across a vast distance.

(iii)
(iii) What
What does
does the
the speaker
speaker say
say about
about Bhisma
Bhisma
Lochan’s
Lochan’s continuous
continuous singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: The speaker suggests that Bhisma Lochan
Sharma’s singing is relentless and forceful, and though
people find it overwhelming and confusing, they
understand that his intentions are good.

(iv)
(iv) Although
Although the
the people
people get
get confused
confused on
on hearing
hearing
Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan’s
Lochan’s singing,
singing, what
what do
do they
they think
think
about
about him?
him? What
What does
does it
it suggest
suggest about
about him?
him?

Answer:
Answer: Although the people are confused by his
singing, they believe it is well-meant. This suggests that
Bhisma Lochan Sharma is sincere and committed to his
art, even if his style is hard for others to appreciate.

(v)
(v) Explain
Explain briefly
briefly the
the genre
genre of
of this
this poem.
poem. State
State
the
the figure
figure of
of speech
speech used
used to
to attain
attain the
the
characteristics
characteristics of
of this
this genre.
genre.

Answer:
Answer: The genre of this poem is satire. The poet uses
exaggeration (hyperbole) to comically describe the
overwhelming e"ect of Bhisma Lochan Sharma’s singing
on people and nature, enhancing the satirical tone.

Extract
Extract 22

They’re trampled in the panic rout or languish

pale and sickly,
And plead, ‘My friend, we’re near our end, oh
stop your singing quickly!’
The bullock-carts are overturned, and horses
line the roadside;

(i)
(i) Who
Who are
are ‘They’
‘They’ referred
referred to
to in
in the
the first
first line
line of
of
the
the extract?
extract? What
What happens
happens to
to them?
them?

Answer:
Answer: ‘They’ refers to the animals and people who are
a"ected by Bhisma Lochan Sharma’s singing. They are
either trampled in the chaos or become weak and sick.

(ii)
(ii) To
To whom
whom do
do they
they plead
plead and
and why?
why?

Answer:
Answer: They plead to Bhisma Lochan Sharma, begging
him to stop singing because his voice is causing them
distress and physical discomfort.

(iii)
(iii) What
What is
is the
the e"ect
e"ect of
of their
their pleading?
pleading? What
What
does
does it
it suggest
suggest about
about the
the man
man whom
whom they
they plead
plead
for?
for?

Answer:
Answer: Despite their pleas, Bhisma Lochan continues to
sing, suggesting that he is either unaware or indi"erent to
the discomfort he is causing others.

(iv)
(iv) What
What is
is the
the e"ect
e"ect of
of his
his singing
singing on
on animals
animals
and
and birds?
birds?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma Lochan’s singing causes animals to
panic, and some even collapse in fear or confusion. His
singing has a disruptive and distressing e"ect on them.

(v)
(v) Which
Which poetic
poetic device
device is
is used
used by
by the
the poet
poet in
in this
this
extract?
extract? Why?
Why? Does
Does he
he achieve
achieve his
his objective?
objective?
Give
Give reasons
reasons to
to support
support your
your answer.
answer.

Answer:
Answer: The poet uses hyperbole in this extract,
exaggerating the e"ects of Bhisma Lochan’s singing to
create a humorous and satirical tone. The objective of
highlighting the absurdity of the situation is achieved
through these exaggerated descriptions.

Extract
Extract 33

But Bhisma Lochan, unconcerned, goes

booming out his broadside.
The wretched brutes resent the blare the hour
they hear it sounded,
They whine and stare with feet in air or wonder
quite confounded.
The fishes dived below the lake in frantic search
for silence,
The very trees collapse and shake – you hear the
crash a mile hence –
And in the sky the feathered fly turn turtle while
they’re winging.

(i)
(i) What
What was
was Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan unconcerned
unconcerned about?
about?
What
What is
is meant
meant by
by ‘he
‘he goes
goes booming
booming out
out his
his
broadside’?
broadside’?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma Lochan is unconcerned about the chaos
and confusion his singing causes. The phrase ‘he goes
booming out his broadside’ means that he continues to
sing loudly and forcefully, as if launching a powerful
attack.

(ii)
(ii) Who
Who were
were the
the ‘wretched
‘wretched brutes’?
brutes’? Why
Why did
did they
they
behave
behave abnormally?
abnormally?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘wretched brutes’ refer to animals, including
horses and other creatures, that behave abnormally
because they are distressed by the loud and
overwhelming sound of Bhisma Lochan’s singing.

(iii)
(iii) State
State the
the three
three activities
activities done
done by
by the
the
wretched
wretched brutes
brutes on
on hearing
hearing Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan’s
Lochan’s
singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: The wretched brutes whine, stare in confusion,
and collapse or flail their legs in the air, overwhelmed by
the sound.

(iv)
(iv) How
How are
are the
the fishes
fishes and
and the
the trees
trees a"ected
a"ected by
by
Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan’s
Lochan’s singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: The fishes dive frantically in search of silence,
while the trees collapse and shake, causing a loud crash.

(v)
(v) What
What happens
happens to
to the
the birds
birds in
in the
the sky?
sky? Do
Do you
you
agree
agree with
with the
the speaker
speaker of
of the
the poem?
poem? Give
Give reasons
reasons
to
to support
support your
your answer.
answer.

Answer:
Answer: The birds turn upside down (turn turtle) while
flying, unable to maintain their flight due to the
overwhelming noise. Whether one agrees with the
speaker depends on interpreting the poem as satire—if
so, the exaggerated descriptions are meant to be
humorous rather than taken literally.

Extract
Extract 44

The welkin weeps to hear his screech, and mighty

mansions tumble.
But now there comes a billy goat, a most
sagacious fellow,
He downs his horns and charges straight, with
bellow answ’ring bellow.
The strains of song are tossed and whirled by
blast of brutal violence,
And Bhisma Lochan grants the world the golden
gift of silence.

(i)
(i) Who
Who ‘weeps’
‘weeps’ in
in this
this extract
extract and
and why?
why? Which
Which
figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in ‘the
‘the welkin
welkin weeps’?
weeps’?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘welkin,’ meaning the sky, weeps because of
Bhisma Lochan’s screeching. The figure of speech used is
personification, attributing human emotions to the sky.

(ii)
(ii) What
What happens
happens to
to ‘mighty
‘mighty mansions’?
mansions’? Which
Which
natural
natural object
object met
met the
the same
same fate
fate as
as mansions
mansions
earlier
earlier in
in the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The ‘mighty mansions’ tumble due to the force
of Bhisma’s singing. Earlier in the poem, the trees met a
similar fate, collapsing under the impact of his voice.

(iii)
(iii) Why
Why is
is the
the billy
billy goat
goat described
described as
as ‘a
‘a most
most
sagacious
sagacious fellow’?
fellow’?

Answer:
Answer: The billy goat is described as ‘a most sagacious
fellow’ because it intelligently takes action to stop Bhisma
Lochan’s singing by charging at him.

(iv)
(iv) What
What does
does the
the billy
billy goat
goat do
do which
which many
many
others
others could
could not?
not? How?
How?

Answer:
Answer: The billy goat successfully silences Bhisma
Lochan by physically charging at him, which many others
were unable to do despite their pleas and su"ering.

(v)
(v) Which
Which figure
figure of
of speech
speech is
is used
used in
in the
the last
last line
line
of
of the
the extract?
extract? What
What is
is the
the significance
significance of
of this
this
line?
line? Give
Give reasons
reasons to
to support
support your
your answer.
answer.

Answer:
Answer: The figure of speech in the last line is metaphor.
The ‘golden gift of silence’ refers to the relief everyone
feels when Bhisma Lochan finally stops singing. The line
emphasizes the value of peace and quiet after the chaos
caused by his relentless singing.

Extras/additional
Questions
Questions and
and answers
answers

Extract
Extract 11

When summer comes we hear the hums

Bhisma Lochan Sharma.
You catch his strain on hill and plain from Delhi
down to Burma.
He sings as though he’s staked his life he sings
as though he’s hell-bent;
The people dazed retire amazed although they
know it’s well-meant.

(i)
(i) What
What e"ect
e"ect does
does Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan Sharma’s
Sharma’s
singing
singing have
have on
on people?
people?

Answer:
Answer: People are left dazed and amazed by his
singing, even though they understand his intentions are
good.

(ii)
(ii) How
How is
is the
the geographical
geographical scope
scope of
of Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s
singing
singing described?
described?

Answer:
Answer: His singing can be heard across a vast area,
from Delhi down to Burma, indicating its far-reaching
nature.

(iii)
(iii) How
How does
does Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s passion
passion for
for singing
singing
manifest?
manifest?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma sings as though his life depends on it,
showing his intense commitment and determination.

(iv)
(iv) What
What do
do people
people think
think of
of Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s singing,
singing,
despite
despite its
its intensity?
intensity?

Answer:
Answer: While they recognize that his intentions are
well-meaning, they still find his singing overwhelming.

(v)
(v) What
What is
is implied
implied about
about the
the energy
energy and
and
persistence
persistence of
of Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s singing?
singing?

Answer:
Answer: His singing is portrayed as relentless, as he
continues even in the face of the astonishment and
confusion of the people.

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Extract
Extract 55

But now there comes a billy goat a most

sagacious fellow
He downs his horns and charges straight with
bellow answ’ring bellow.
The strains of song are tossed and whirled by
blast of brutal violence
And Bhisma Lochan grants the world the golden
gift of silence.

(i)
(i) What
What role
role does
does the
the billy
billy goat
goat play
play in
in the
the poem?
poem?

Answer:
Answer: The billy goat, described as wise, charges at
Bhisma with force, ultimately putting an end to his
singing.

(ii)
(ii) How
How does
does the
the billy
billy goat’s
goat’s arrival
arrival change
change the
the
situation?
situation?

Answer:
Answer: The billy goat’s charge disrupts Bhisma’s
singing, finally bringing the chaotic situation to a halt.

(iii)
(iii) What
What is
is the
the significance
significance of
of “bellow
“bellow answ’ring
answ’ring
bellow”?
bellow”?

Answer:
Answer: It suggests that the billy goat’s bellow competes
with Bhisma’s singing in intensity, matching his forceful
sound with an equally loud response.

(iv)
(iv) What
What happens
happens to
to Bhisma’s
Bhisma’s song
song as
as aa result
result of
of
the
the goat’s
goat’s actions?
actions?

Answer:
Answer: The goat’s violent charge scatters the song’s
strains, silencing Bhisma’s relentless singing.

(v)
(v) How
How is
is the
the end
end of
of the
the singing
singing described?
described?

Answer:
Answer: Bhisma’s silence is described as a “golden gift,”
highlighting the relief and peace that comes with the
cessation of his overwhelming noise.

Multiple
Multiple Choice
Choice Questions
Questions (MCQs)
(MCQs)

1.
1. Where
Where does
does the
the poet
poet say
say Bhisma
Bhisma Lochan
Lochan
Sharma’s
Sharma’s singing
singing spreads
spreads in
in summer?
summer?

A. Across villages B. From Lanka to China C. From Delhi to

Burma D. Across all of India

Answer:
Answer: C. From Delhi to Burma

Missing answers are only available to

registered users. Please register
register or login
login if
already registered. How
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20.
20. The
The tone
tone of
of the
the poem
poem can
can best
best be
be described
described
as
as _______.
_______.

A. Angry B. Sad C. Humorous D. Boring

Answer:
Answer: C. Humorous

Ron'e Dutta

Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and

blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader
of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering
Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the
world. You can connect with him on social media. He does
personal writing on ronism.

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1 thought on “The Power of Music:

ICSE Class 10 English answers,
notes”

SWARNAVA
SWARNAVA MAIT
MAITYY
NOVEMBER 30, 2024 AT 8:52 PM

Goood

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