Chapter 3 – Autumn Extra Questions and Answers

Content structure

  • A. Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
  • B. Fill in the blanks
  • C. True or False
  • D. Short questions & answers
  • E. Long questions & answers
  • F. Grammar

A. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

WB 9 All Notes

1. What shakes the window all day in the poem?
(a) Rain
(b) Gust of wind
(c) Sparrow
(d) Raven

Ans: (b) Gust of wind

2. Where do the fallen leaves twirl and fall?
(a) On the roof
(b) Inside the house
(c) By the window and down the lane
(d) Into the pond

Ans: (c) By the window and down the lane

3. Where does the sparrow sit?
(a) On the window
(b) On the cottage roof
(c) On the tree
(d) On the mill sails

Ans: (b) On the cottage roof

4. With whom does spring seem to be “flirting”?
(a) Winter
(b) Summer
(c) Autumn
(d) Rain

Ans: (b) Summer

5. What rises upward through the bare trees?
(a) Dust
(b) Fog
(c) Cottage smoke
(d) Mist

Ans: (c) Cottage smoke

6. Where are the pigeons found nestled?
(a) On the tree
(b) On the roof
(c) Near the cote
(d) By the window

Ans: (c) Near the cote

7. In which month are the days described as dull?
(a) March
(b) May
(c) November
(d) December

Ans: (c) November

Click here for Solutions

8. Who crows on the dung-hill?
(a) Hen
(b) Cock
(c) Sparrow
(d) Raven

Ans: (b) Cock

9. What keeps moving on the heath?
(a) The twigs
(b) The mill sails
(c) The sparrow
(d) The pigs

Ans: (b) The mill sails

10. Whose feather falls on the stubble field?
(a) Pigeon’s
(b) Crow’s
(c) Raven’s
(d) Sparrow’s

Ans: (c) Raven’s

11. Where does the raven’s feather fall?
(a) On the roof
(b) On the stubble lea
(c) On the water
(d) On the lane

Ans: (b) On the stubble lea

12. What falls pattering down the tree near the crow’s nest?
(a) Feathers
(b) Fruits
(c) Acorns
(d) Stones

Ans: (c) Acorns

13. What word is used to describe the elm tree?
(a) Leafy
(b) Tall
(c) Mossy
(d) Old

Ans: (c) Mossy

14. What natural force causes the twig to shake?
(a) Rain
(b) Thunder
(c) Wind
(d) Animals

Ans: (c) Wind

15. What does the cock’s crowing symbolize?
(a) Quietness
(b) Liveliness in the countryside
(c) End of the day
(d) Sadness

Ans: (b) Liveliness in the countryside

WB 9 All Notes

B. Fill in the blanks

1. The faded leaves are blown away from the mossy ______ tree. (elm)
2. The twig keeps dancing till the shut of ______. (eve)
3. The sparrow’s chirp makes one believe that ______ has returned. (spring)
4. The poet loves to see the cottage ______ curling upwards. (smoke)
5. The pigeons are nestled round the ______. (cote)
6. The poem describes dull days in the month of ______. (November)
7. The cock crows upon the ______. (dung-hill)
8. The sails of the ______ keep moving on the heath. (mill)
9. A feather from the ______’s breast falls on the stubble field. (raven)
10. The feather falls on the stubble ______. (lea)
11. The pigs wait eagerly for the ______ to fall. (acorns)
12. The leaves that fall from the tree are ______. (faded)
13. The poet notices the twig ______ in the wind. (shaking)
14. The poet describes the sparrow’s sound as a cheerful ______. (chirp)
15. The cottage smoke is seen on ______ November days. (dull)

Click here for Solutions

C. True or false

1. The poet loves the gust that shakes the casement. (True)
S/S: The poet clearly says, “I love the fitful gust that shakes the casement all day.”

2. The elm-tree takes away fresh green leaves. (False)
S/S: It says the elm takes away “the faded leaves.”

3. The sparrow’s chirp feels like winter is near. (False)
S/S: The poet says its chirp makes one believe spring is near.

4. Spring is described as flirting by in summer’s lap. (True)
S/S: The poem says, “Spring was just now flirting by in summer’s lap.”

5. The trees are covered with thick leaves. (False)
S/S: The poet calls them “the naked trees.”

6. The poet talks about bright summer days. (False)
S/S: He says, “On dull November days like these.”

7. A feather falls from the raven’s breast. (True)
S/S: The poet writes, “The feather from the raven’s breast falls.”

8. The acorns fall with a pattering sound. (True)
S/S: The line says, “Fall pattering down the tree.”

9. The poet dislikes November days. (False)
S/S: He expresses love for even “dull November days like these.”

10. The raven’s feather falls silently. (True)
S/S: The poem does not mention any noise, only that the feather falls.

WB 9 All Notes

D. Short questions and answers

1. What does the poet love about the gust of wind?
Ans: The poet loves the sudden gust of wind because it shakes the windows and blows faded leaves from the elm tree. The leaves twirl past the window and scatter down the lane, adding beauty and liveliness to autumn.

2. How does the sparrow’s chirping affect the poet?
Ans: The sparrow’s cheerful chirping on the cottage roof makes the poet feel as if spring has returned. Its sound creates an illusion that spring is still near, playfully blending with autumn, and filling the poet with delight and warmth.

3. How is the cottage smoke described in the poem?
Ans: The cottage smoke is described as curling upwards gracefully through the bare trees on dull November days. Its soft movement adds a homely charm to the scene and contrasts with the emptiness of the leafless trees, creating warmth and comfort.

4. What role do pigeons play in the imagery?
Ans: The pigeons are shown as nestled around the cote, adding softness and calmness to the November setting. Their presence creates a sense of safety, warmth, and gentle domestic life, balancing the dullness of the cold, bare, and lifeless trees.

5. What is the significance of the cock crowing on the dung-hill?
Ans: The cock’s crowing on the dung-hill symbolizes the rhythm of rural life. It gives energy to the otherwise dull November days. Its sound echoes in the countryside, reminding people of morning routines, work, and the natural cycle of farm life.

6. How does the image of the mill sails add movement?
Ans: The image of the mill sails turning on the heath adds motion to the quiet November scene. It shows life and work continuing despite the season’s stillness. The movement of sails contrasts with the calmness of trees and pigeons.

Click here for Solutions

7. What does the raven’s feather symbolize?
Ans: The raven’s black feather, falling onto the stubble field, symbolizes the simplicity and beauty found in ordinary things. It adds a touch of mystery to the autumn countryside, reminding the poet of how even small details enrich the seasonal scene.

8. What does the falling of acorns represent in the poem?
Ans: The falling acorns near the old crow’s nest represent autumn’s abundance and nature’s way of feeding animals. The sound of acorns pattering down adds liveliness to the scene, while also reminding readers of harvest, provision, and rural richness.

9. What contrast is created between bare trees and cottage smoke?
Ans: The bare trees look lifeless, but the curling smoke rising through them shows warmth and life inside cottages. This contrast highlights the balance between nature’s emptiness in autumn and human comfort, giving the scene both beauty and homely peace.

10. How does the poem show the closeness of nature and humans?
Ans: The poem blends human life with nature smoke rising, pigeons nesting near cottages, and animals feeding on acorns. This shows the harmony of people and creatures in rural life, where both depend on the season and live together in the countryside.

11. What does the phrase “fitful gust” suggest about autumn winds?
Ans: The phrase “fitful gust” suggests that autumn winds are irregular and sudden, not steady. They come unexpectedly, shaking windows and blowing away leaves. This irregularity adds excitement and movement, making the season feel full of natural energy and surprise.

12. How is the elm tree described in the poem?
Ans: The elm tree is described as mossy, with faded leaves that the autumn gust shakes away. Its image captures the season’s change, showing a tree that once was full but now lets go of leaves, signaling autumn’s arrival and passing.

13. What role do birds play in the poem’s imagery?
Ans: Birds like sparrows, pigeons, and ravens add sound, movement, and life to the autumn countryside. They chirp, nest, and drop feathers, reminding readers that even in dull November days, nature’s creatures keep the landscape lively, warm, and full of beauty.

14. Why is the crow’s nest mentioned in the poem?
Ans: The crow’s nest is mentioned to show the natural setting where acorns fall. It connects the imagery of falling nuts to a bird’s home, adding realism and depth to the countryside picture, where every detail of nature plays a role.

15. What season is described in the poem, and how is it shown?
Ans: The poem describes the autumn season, especially dull November days. It is shown through falling leaves, bare trees, cottage smoke, crowing cocks, nesting pigeons, and pigs eating acorns. These details capture both the quietness and liveliness of autumn.

WB 9 All Notes

E. Long questions and answers

1. How does the poet describe the effect of the autumn wind on the elm tree and its leaves?
Ans: The poet describes how a fitful gust of autumn wind shakes the window and strips faded leaves from the mossy elm tree. These leaves twirl gracefully past the windowpane and join countless others moving down the lane. The lively movement brings beauty and activity to the otherwise quiet countryside. Through this image, the poet captures the charm of autumn winds and shows how even the falling of leaves can add rhythm, life, and interest to a dull November day.

2. How are pigeons described in the poem, and what do they add to the autumn scene?
Ans: The pigeons are described as nestled cozily around the cote, giving the countryside a calm and homely touch. Their quiet presence balances the cold November atmosphere and contrasts with the bare trees. Unlike the wind or falling leaves, pigeons bring stillness and safety to the scene. They remind the poet of harmony and family closeness, showing how birds, too, find comfort during harsh seasons. Their gentle imagery adds peace, warmth, and a sense of belonging to the rural life described in the poem.

3. What is the importance of the cock crowing on the dung-hill in the countryside setting?
Ans: The cock crowing on the dung-hill symbolizes rural life’s regular rhythm. Its loud sound breaks the dullness of November and gives the countryside a sense of activity and routine. For farmers, the crowing marks the beginning of daily work, making it a signal of life and labor. In the poem, this crowing becomes a lively detail that shows how rural sounds continue to echo through the season. It reflects the blend of human work and natural cycles that keep the countryside alive.

4. What is the significance of the raven’s feather falling on the stubble field?
Ans: The raven’s feather falling on the stubble field is a small but powerful detail in the poem. It symbolizes how even the simplest things in nature add beauty and meaning to the countryside. The stubble field, already emptied after harvest, seems quiet, but the feather’s fall brings movement and life. It shows how nature never remains still and how every little detail counts. Through this imagery, the poet teaches us to notice and admire even the smallest wonders of the autumn season.

5. How are acorns described in the poem, and what do they symbolize about autumn?
Ans: The acorns are described as falling near the old crow’s nest with a pattering sound. This image highlights autumn as a season of plenty and provision. The falling acorns feed animals like pigs, showing nature’s cycle of care and abundance. Their sound brings liveliness to the countryside, breaking its silence with music-like rhythm. Symbolically, the acorns represent autumn’s richness, as well as the connection between trees, animals, and rural life. The poet uses them to show how nature continues giving even in dull November.

6. What role does sound play in the description of acorns falling?
Ans: Sound plays a central role in describing the acorns. The word “pattering” captures the rhythmic noise of acorns hitting the ground, making the scene lively. This sound contrasts with the stillness of bare trees and empty fields, adding activity to the quiet countryside. It also signals food for waiting pigs, linking sound with life and survival. The poet shows how nature communicates through small noises, reminding us that autumn is not silent but filled with subtle sounds that bring energy and character.

Click here for Solutions

7. How does the poet find beauty in ordinary rural sights and sounds?
Ans: The poet finds beauty in simple, everyday things such as falling leaves, curling smoke, sparrow chirps, crowing cocks, and pigs scrambling for acorns. He describes them with attention and affection, showing how even ordinary sights carry charm and meaning. These details create warmth in November’s dullness. The poet reveals that beauty does not always come from grand or rare things but from small, natural moments of rural life. This perspective teaches readers to appreciate simple pleasures that often go unnoticed around them.

8. How does the poem balance images of stillness and movement in November?
Ans: The poem balances stillness and movement by combining calm images like pigeons nesting and smoke curling with active ones like leaves twirling, acorns pattering, and pigs scrambling. This mixture prevents the countryside from appearing lifeless and shows autumn’s richness. Stillness gives peace, while movement adds excitement and energy. Together, they create a full picture of rural November days, where life continues quietly yet vibrantly. The poet uses this balance to emphasize that every season has its unique beauty and rhythm.

9. What picture of rural life emerges from the countryside descriptions in the poem?
Ans: The poem presents rural life as peaceful, lively, and closely tied to nature. The crowing cock, turning mill sails, curling smoke, and nesting pigeons all reflect human presence and domestic warmth. At the same time, sparrows, ravens, acorns, and pigs show nature’s abundance and energy. Together, these images capture a simple but rich lifestyle where people, animals, and the environment exist in harmony. The countryside is shown as self-sufficient and full of small delights, even in November’s dull days.

10. What is the central theme of the poem, and how is it expressed through imagery?
Ans: The central theme of the poem is finding joy and beauty in the simple sights and sounds of autumn countryside life. The poet uses imagery of wind, leaves, smoke, birds, acorns, and animals to paint November days. Though the season seems dull, these details show warmth, rhythm, and harmony between humans and nature. The mixture of stillness and activity captures life’s richness. Through ordinary moments, the poet teaches us to look deeper into the world around us and value simplicity.

Related Links

WB 9 All Notes