Answer Key

1. c) The sunset
2. a) Glittering sheaves and fluttering leaves
3. c) A voice that is calling to her heart
4. c) Her dreams that have gone like fluttering leaves
5. cloud
6. cloud
7. alone
8. leaves
9. cloud
10. And why should I stay behind?
11. The sound of the leaves is called ‘rattling’.
12. The poet compares joy to the sunset that hangs on a cloud in the heart of sorrow.
13. The poet is Sarojini Naidu.
14. According to the glossary, ‘sheaves’ means bunches of wheat.
15. The line “The wild wind blows” gives a picture of a strong and powerful wind blowing through the trees, making a loud sound. It feels like a storm or a forceful gust of air.
16. The poet’s heart was sad and alone because her dreams had gone away, just like the fluttering leaves are blown away by the wind in autumn. She feels empty and lonely.
17. This line means that the poet’s hopes and goals have vanished, similar to how leaves are blown away in the wind. The dreams are delicate and have disappeared, leaving the poet feeling lost and without purpose.
18. Two rhyming words for ‘voice’ are choice and rejoice.
19. The synonym for ‘weary’ is ‘tired’.
20. The old man’s body had become **frail** with age.
21. Autumn season is **a time** between **rainy** and **winter**. The poet **says** that the sunset **hangs on a** cloud. It is **like** joy on **top of** a sorrow. It is **a** golden storm. The dreams **have gone and the** heart is alone. **We should not** look back **but** go forward.