Chapter- 3.4 The Brook
1. What does the brook say it does “about, and in and out”?
Answer:
The brook says that it winds about and flows in and out through the landscape. This means the brook moves in a winding path through valleys, fields, and hills instead of flowing in a straight line.
2. What sails on the brook here and there?
Answer:
The brook says that blossoms sail on its surface here and there. These blossoms fall from nearby trees and float gently on the flowing water, making the scene beautiful and lively.
3. Name two fishes mentioned in the poem.
Answer:
The two fishes mentioned in the poem are trout and grayling. These are freshwater fish that live in clear streams and rivers, showing that the brook is full of life.
4. What floats on the surface of the brook as it travels?
Answer:
As the brook travels, foamy flakes float on its surface. These are small bubbles of foam created by the movement of water as it flows quickly over stones and gravel.
5. What kind of water break does the brook make?
Answer:
The brook makes a silvery water break as it flows. When sunlight falls on the moving water, it shines like silver and creates a sparkling effect on the surface.
6. Over what does the brook flow?
Answer:
The brook flows over golden gravel. The gravel at the bottom of the stream shines through the clear water, giving the impression of golden stones beneath the flowing brook.
7. Where does the brook finally flow to?
Answer:
The brook finally flows to join the brimming river. After passing through many hills, villages, and fields, the brook meets a larger river and becomes part of it.
8. What line shows the difference between human life and the brook?
Answer:
The line “For men may come and men may go, but I go on for ever” shows the difference between human life and the brook. Humans live for a short time, but the brook continues to flow forever.
9. What movements of the brook are described in the poem?
Answer:
The poet describes the brook as it slips, slides, glooms, and glances. These words show the different ways the water moves—sometimes gently, sometimes quickly, and sometimes reflecting light.
10. Which birds skim over the brook?
Answer:
Swallows skim over the brook. They fly quickly and lightly over the water, sometimes touching the surface as they catch insects.
11. What does the brook make the sunbeam do?
Answer:
The brook makes the netted sunbeam dance. When sunlight falls through leaves and reflects on the water, it creates dancing patterns of light on the surface.
12. Where do the sunbeams dance?
Answer:
The sunbeams dance against the sandy shallows of the brook. The shallow parts of the stream allow sunlight to reach the bottom and create bright sparkling reflections.
13. When does the brook murmur softly?
Answer:
The brook murmurs softly under the moon and stars at night. In the quiet night, the gentle sound of flowing water can be heard clearly.
14. Where does the brook murmur?
Answer:
The brook murmurs in brambly wildernesses, which are wild places filled with bushes and plants. The natural surroundings make the sound of the water peaceful and musical.
15. Where does the brook linger?
Answer:
The brook lingers by its shingly bars, which are small areas of pebbles and stones in the stream. Here the water slows down before moving forward again.
16. Where does the brook loiter round?
Answer:
The brook loiters round its cresses, which are water plants growing in the stream. The flowing water moves gently around these plants.
17. What does the brook do again after lingering?
Answer:
After lingering for some time, the brook curves and flows again. It continues its journey toward the river without stopping.
18. What does the word “thorpe” mean?
Answer:
The word “thorpe” is an old English word that means a small village or settlement. The poet uses this word to describe the small villages the brook passes during its journey.
19. What are “skimming swallows”?
Answer:
“Skimming swallows” are swallows that fly very close to the surface of the water, lightly touching it as they move quickly in search of insects.
20. What is the central idea of the poem?
Answer:
The central idea of the poem is that human life is short and temporary, but nature continues forever. The brook symbolizes the continuous flow of nature that never stops.
Answer by Dimpee Bora
