Year Wise Question Answer Asked From "Asleep In The Valley"
[2015] Justify the title of the poem ‘Asleep In The Valley’. 6
Ans: The title “Asleep in the Valley” is deeply ironic and evocative, perfectly capturing the poem’s essence. At first glance, it suggests a peaceful and serene scene of rest in nature. The soldier appears to be in a tranquil sleep amidst the beauty of the valley, with the warm sun and soft grass creating a comforting environment: “A small green valley where a slow stream flows,” and “His feet among the flowers, he sleeps.” However, as the poem progresses, it becomes evident that the soldier is not merely asleep but dead, as revealed by “In his side there are two red holes.” The title underscores the tragic contrast between the serene setting and the harsh reality of the soldier’s death, highlighting the futility of war.
[2016] “A soldier, very young, lies open-mouthed” – (a) Who is the soldier referred to here? (b) Narrate in your own words how the soldier lies in the valley. 2+4
Ans: (a) The soldier referred to here is a young, presumably fallen soldier who has died in battle and now lies in a peaceful valley, appearing as if he is merely asleep.
(b) The soldier lies open-mouthed, resting in the lush, green valley. His head rests on a pillow of fern, and he is surrounded by flowers. Despite the serene and sun-soaked surroundings, his lifeless state is hinted at through his stillness and the tranquility of the scene.
[2017] “In his side there are two red holes” — (a) Who is the person referred to here? (b) What do the two ‘red holes’ signify? 30 (c) What attitude of the poet to war is reflected here? 1+2+3
Ans: (a) The person referred to here is the young soldier lying in the valley.
(b) The two red holes signify bullet wounds, indicating that the young soldier was fatally shot in battle.
(c) The poet’s attitude to war is one of sorrow and critique. By juxtaposing the serene, beautiful valley with the stark image of the dead soldier and his wounds, the poet highlights the senseless loss and tragedy of war, emphasizing its devastating impact on young lives and the natural world.
[2018] (a) How does the poet express the futility of war through his poem ‘Asleep In The Valley? (b) What message does he want to convey? 4+2
Ans: (a) The poet expresses the futility of war by presenting a peaceful, idyllic valley where a young soldier lies dead. The serene environment contrasts sharply with the violent death the soldier has suffered, indicated by the “two red holes” in his side. This stark juxtaposition underscores the senseless loss of life caused by war.
(b) The poet conveys the message that war is a futile and tragic waste of young lives. Through the innocent, peaceful imagery of the valley, he highlights the senseless destruction brought about by conflict.
[2019] “… His smile/is like an infant’s …” – (a) Whose smile is being referred to here? (b) Why is his smile compared to the smile of an infant? (c) How does nature take care of him? 1+3+2
Ans: (a) The smile of the young soldier is being referred to here.
(b) His smile is compared to that of an infant to emphasize its innocence and purity. This comparison highlights the soldier’s youth and the tragic irony of his death, as he lies in eternal peace, undisturbed by the horrors of war that claimed his life.
(c) Nature takes care of him by providing a peaceful resting place. The valley, with its warm sunlight and lush greenery, acts as a gentle, nurturing environment, almost as if cradling him in a final, serene embrace.
[2020] “The humming insects don’t disturb his rest.” – (a) Who rests and where? (b) Why is his rest not disturbed by the insects? 1+1+4
Ans: (a) The young soldier rests in a small, green valley, lying peacefully amidst the natural surroundings.
(b) His rest is not disturbed by the insects because he is dead, lying in a state of eternal sleep. The insects’ humming, which would normally be a minor annoyance to a living person, has no effect on him, emphasizing his tragic, premature death and the absolute stillness of his final repose.
[2022] “His smile/ Is like an infant’s…” – (a) Whose ‘smile’ is being referred to here? (b) Explain the comparison in the given lines. (c) How does Nature take care of him? 1+3+2
Ans: (a) The smile of the young soldier is being referred to here.
(b) The comparison to an infant’s smile underscores the innocence and purity of the young soldier. It highlights the tragic loss of his young life and the peacefulness of his final rest, juxtaposing the brutality of his death with the serenity of his appearance.
(c) Nature takes care of him by enveloping him in a tranquil and beautiful setting. The sun-soaked valley, the grass, and the flowers create a peaceful resting place, as if providing a gentle, comforting embrace in his eternal sleep.
[2022] “In his side there are two red holes” – (a) Who is the person referred to here? (b) What do the two red holes’ signify? (c) What attitude of the poet to war is reflected here? 1+2+3
Ans:(a) The person referred to here is the young soldier lying in the valley.
(b) The two red holes signify bullet wounds, indicating that the soldier was fatally shot in battle. These wounds reveal the cause of his death and bring a stark contrast to the otherwise peaceful scene.
(c) The poet’s attitude to war is one of sorrow and critique. By highlighting the young soldier’s death amidst a serene and beautiful setting, the poet emphasizes the senselessness and tragedy of war. He portrays war as a cruel force that destroys innocent lives and disrupts the natural harmony, underscoring its futility and devastating impact.
[2023] MCQ – The stream flows through the valley (a) in a zigzag course (b) swiftly (c) at a slow (d) in a halting manner. 1
Ans: (c) at a slow.
SA – What is seen on the side of the soldier? 1
Ans: There are two red holes on the side of the soldier, indicating bullet wounds.
LSA – “A soldier, very young, lies open-mouthed.” – (a) Describe the place where the soldier lies. (b) Why does he lie ‘open- mouthed? (c) Who takes care of him and how? 2+1+3
Ans: (a) The soldier lies in a small green valley where a slow stream flows, creating a tranquil and serene environment. The valley is filled with bright grass, flowers, and is bathed in warm sunlight streaming from the mountaintop, making it a peaceful resting place.
(b) He lies open-mouthed because he is dead, his mouth having fallen open naturally after death.
(c) Nature takes care of him by providing a serene and beautiful resting place. The valley’s greenery, sunlight, and the soft grass create a nurturing environment, while the warm sun and surrounding flowers offer a peaceful and comforting atmosphere, almost cradling him in his eternal rest.
[2024] MCQ – The soldier appears – (a) cold (b) warm (c) pale (d) bright. 1
Ans: (c) pale.
SA What was the soldier’s pillow made of? 1
Ans: The soldier’s pillow was made of fern.
SA – Who is not expected to disturb the soldier’s rest? 1
Ans: The humming insects are not expected to disturb the soldier’s rest.
LSA – ‘A small green valley where a slow stream flows’… – (a) Who lies in the valley? (b) How does he lie? (c) Describe his bed and pillow? (d) How does the poet describe the smile on his face? 1+1+2+2
Ans: (a) A young soldier lies in the valley.
(b) He lies peacefully, stretched out in the heavy undergrowth, with his feet among the flowers and his head resting on a pillow of fern.
(c) His bed is the warm, green, sun-soaked earth of the valley, covered in grass and flowers. His pillow is made of soft, green fern, providing a natural and gentle cushion for his head.
(d) The poet describes the smile on his face as being like an infant’s—gentle and without guile. This comparison highlights the soldier’s innocence and the peacefulness of his final rest, creating a poignant contrast to the violence that caused his death.
