1. Factual Questions
Q1. Who is referred to as “they” in the poem?
A. “They” refers to the planners, architects, and authorities who redesign the city.
Q2. What do the planners fill “with cement”?
A. They fill gaps, cavities, and empty spaces with cement.
Q3. What does the land grid “refer to”?
A. It refers to the perfect, mathematically planned structure of the new city.
Q4. What gets “erased” according to the poet?
A. The land’s past, history, and natural identity get erased.
Q5. What does the poet say will be “knocked off”?
A. Old buildings, memories, and imperfections are “knocked off”.
Activity-Based Questions
Q1. Pick out one example of imagery from the poem.
A. “The buildings are in alignment” creates a clear visual picture.
Q2. Write two examples that show the city is artificially perfect.
A.
“The buildings are in alignment.”
“The land is in grids.”
Q3. Pick out one metaphor and write it down.
A. “Dental cavities are plugged” – city construction compared to dental filling.
Q4. Find a line that shows the planners want no flaws.
A. “All gaps are plugged.”- Inference Type Questions
Q1. Why does the poet compare city-building to dental surgery?
A. To show how planners forcefully “correct” and “fill” imperfections the way dentists fix cavities, making everything artificially perfect.
Q2. What does the poet mean by “the past is knocked off”?
A. Development destroys heritage, memories, and historical landmarks.
Q3. What can we infer about the planners’ attitude toward nature?
A. They ignore or destroy it; they prefer straight lines, concrete, and order. - Interpretative Questions
Q1. Why does the poet use the word “gleaming”?
A. It suggests shiny, new surfaces but also artificiality and emotional emptiness.
Q2. The poet feels “helpless.” Explain.
A. He cannot stop the planners from destroying the natural and historical beauty of the land.
Q3. What is the effect of “mathematical perfection” on the city?
A. It creates a lifeless, uniform environment without character or memories.- Personal Response Questions
Q1. Do you think modern development destroys our connection with the past? Explain.
A. Yes. Development often replaces old buildings, natural spaces, and cultural landmarks, which weakens our emotional connection with history.
Q2. What line in the poem did you find most powerful and why?
A. “The past is knocked off” is powerful because it shows how quickly development can erase identity and heritage.
Q3. Should planners balance development with conservation?
A. Yes. A city must grow, but it should also protect natural surroundings and cultural memories. - Poetic Device Questions
Q1. Identify the figure of speech: “Dental cavities are plugged.”
A. Metaphor – city expansion compared to dental treatment.
Q2. Identify and explain the personification in the poem.
A. “The city drills and plugs” – giving human actions to a city.
Q3. Pick out an example of alliteration.
A. “Planned, perfect” – repetition of the ‘p’ sound.
Q4. What is the overall tone of the poem?
A. Critical, sad, and reflective. - Poetic Creativity Questions
Q1. Add a line using imagery that could fit into this poem.
A. “The sky disappears behind rising towers of glass.”
Q2. Compose one metaphor that expresses loss of nature.
A. “The forest becomes a memory written in dust.”
Q3. Write two lines showing conflict between nature and planners.
A.
“Where trees once breathed freely, machines now roar.”
“The river’s song is silenced by the concrete’s heavy voice.”