The Laburnum Top -Revision( Class 11)

The Laburnum Top – with Answers

Class XI English | Ted Hughes

Section A – Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. Who is the poet of The Laburnum Top?

Answer: Ted Hughes is the poet of The Laburnum Top.

Q2. What happens to the laburnum tree in September?

Answer: In September, the laburnum tree is quiet and still. Its leaves are turning yellow and its seeds have fallen.

Q3. At what time does the goldfinch arrive at the tree?

Answer: The goldfinch arrives in the afternoon.

Q4. What does the poet compare the goldfinch’s movement to?

Answer: The poet compares the goldfinch’s movement to that of a swift and alert creature. Her movement is quick, smooth and sudden.

Q5. Where does the goldfinch enter the tree?

Answer: The goldfinch enters the thick branches of the laburnum tree where her young ones are sheltered.

Q6. What happens to the tree when the goldfinch arrives?

Answer: The silent tree suddenly becomes lively. It trembles and thrills with the activity and sounds of the goldfinch and her chicks.

Q7. Why is the laburnum tree described as “silent”?

Answer: The tree is described as “silent” because there is no movement or sound in it before the arrival of the goldfinch.

Q8. What does “sleek, alert and abrupt” describe?

Answer: These words describe the goldfinch. They show that she is graceful, watchful and quick in her movements.

Q9. How does the poet describe the goldfinch’s chicks?

Answer: The chicks are described as noisy and excited. They become active when their mother arrives with food.

Q10. What happens when the goldfinch flies away?

Answer: When the goldfinch flies away, the tree becomes silent and still again.

Section B – Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe the transformation that takes place in the laburnum tree when the goldfinch arrives.

Answer:

At the beginning of the poem, the laburnum tree is completely silent and still in the yellow September sunlight. Its leaves are turning yellow and its seeds have fallen. Suddenly, a goldfinch arrives and enters the thick branches where her young ones are waiting. Her arrival fills the tree with movement and sound. The chicks become excited and start making noises. The whole tree seems to “tremble and thrill.” The goldfinch brings life and energy to the otherwise quiet tree. When she flies away, the tree becomes silent again. Thus, the poet beautifully presents the contrast between stillness and activity in nature.

Q2. Give a detailed description of the goldfinch.

Answer:

The goldfinch is presented as a beautiful, active and caring mother. She arrives suddenly and enters the thick branches of the laburnum tree. The poet describes her as “sleek, alert and abrupt,” showing her graceful appearance and quick movements. Her arrival creates excitement among her young ones. She feeds and cares for them like a loving mother. The poet compares her to a “machine” or “engine” that provides energy and food for her family. Her departure is equally sudden, and the tree becomes silent again. Through the goldfinch, the poet presents the liveliness and beauty of the natural world.

Q3. How does Ted Hughes create a contrast between silence and activity in the poem?

Answer:

Ted Hughes creates a strong contrast between silence and activity. At first, the laburnum tree is described as “silent, quite still” in the afternoon sunlight. Its yellowing leaves and fallen seeds create an atmosphere of quietness. The arrival of the goldfinch suddenly changes this situation. She enters the tree, and the chicks become active and noisy. The whole tree appears to “tremble and thrill.” After the goldfinch flies away, silence returns once again. Thus, the poet uses the arrival and departure of the bird to show the contrast between stillness and movement in nature.

Q4. Explain the significance of the laburnum tree and the goldfinch.

Answer:

The laburnum tree represents stillness and quietness, while the goldfinch represents life, movement and energy. Before the bird arrives, the tree is silent and lifeless. The arrival of the goldfinch changes everything. She brings food and excitement to her chicks, making the tree lively. The tree becomes like a home filled with family activity. The goldfinch also represents motherhood because she cares for and feeds her young ones. When she leaves, the tree becomes silent again. Through this interaction, Ted Hughes shows how a small creature can bring life and energy to the natural world.

Section C – Extract-Based Answers

Extract 1

“The Laburnum top is silent, quite still

In the afternoon yellow September sunlight”

1. What is the condition of the laburnum tree?

Answer: The laburnum tree is completely silent and still.

2. What time of the day is mentioned?

Answer: The afternoon is mentioned.

3. Which month is referred to?

Answer: September is referred to.

4. What does “silent, quite still” suggest?

Answer: It suggests complete peace, quietness and lack of movement in the tree.

5. Identify the poetic device in “yellow September sunlight.”

Answer: The phrase creates a vivid visual image of the yellow sunlight of September.

Extract 2

“A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen”

1. What season or stage of the year is suggested?

Answer: The lines suggest the beginning of autumn.

2. What has happened to the seeds?

Answer: All the seeds have fallen from the tree.

3. What does “yellowing” indicate?

Answer: It indicates that the leaves are changing colour as the season changes.

4. Why does the poet focus on the leaves and seeds?

Answer: The poet focuses on them to show the quiet and somewhat lifeless condition of the tree.

5. What mood is created by these lines?

Answer: These lines create a quiet, calm and slightly melancholic mood.

Extract 3

“Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings

She enters the thickness”

1. Who is “she”?

Answer: “She” refers to the goldfinch.

2. What does the bird do?

Answer: She enters the thick branches of the laburnum tree to reach her chicks.

3. What sounds are referred to?

Answer: The sounds of the goldfinch and her chicks are referred to through words such as “whistle,” “chirrup” and “whisperings.”

4. Identify the figure of speech in “whistle-chirrup whisperings.”

Answer: It is an example of onomatopoeia, as the words imitate or suggest natural sounds.

5. How does the atmosphere change after the bird’s arrival?

Answer: The atmosphere changes from silence and stillness to activity, movement and sound.

Extract 4

“And the whole tree trembles and thrills.It is the engine of her family.”

1. What causes the tree to tremble?

Answer: The activity and excitement of the goldfinch and her chicks cause the tree to tremble.

2. Who does “her family” refer to?

Answer: It refers to the goldfinch’s young chicks.

3. What does “engine of her family” suggest?

Answer: It suggests that the goldfinch is the source of energy, food and activity for her family.

4. Which poetic device is used in “trembles and thrills”?

Answer: Alliteration is used because of the repetition of the ‘t’ sound.

5. Why is the goldfinch compared to an “engine”?

Answer: She is compared to an engine because she provides energy and nourishment to her chicks and keeps the family active.