To the Cuckoo Question Answer BOSEM Class 10 English

To the Cuckoo Question Answer BOSEM Class 10 Additional English

To the Cuckoo Question Answer BOSEM Class 10 Additional English:

If you are preparing for the BOSEM Class 10 Additional English examination, this page provides simplified and exam-oriented To the Cuckoo question answers along with a clear summary of the poem. Written by William Wordsworth, the poem expresses deep admiration for nature and highlights the special relationship between human beings and the natural world.

In this lesson, Wordsworth describes the cuckoo bird as a mysterious and joyful presence that brings back memories of childhood. The explanations provided here are written in a calm and academic tone to help students understand the central theme clearly and write accurate answers in the examination.



Chapter Summary – To the Cuckoo

“To the Cuckoo” is a nature poem written by William Wordsworth, one of the leading poets of the Romantic age. The poem expresses the poet’s deep admiration for the cuckoo’s sweet, melodious voice. Wordsworth is often called the “Nature Poet” because of his strong emotional connection with nature, and this poem clearly reflects that bond.

The poet welcomes the cuckoo as a joyful messenger of spring. The bird’s voice fills him with happiness and reminds him of his childhood days. Although he often hears the cuckoo’s song, he rarely sees the bird itself. This creates a sense of mystery around it. The cuckoo seems almost like an invisible being or a wandering voice rather than a real bird.

The sound of the cuckoo transports the poet back to his early years when he would search for the bird among trees and bushes. Listening to its song brings feelings of innocence, imagination, and wonder. Through this poem, Wordsworth shows how nature can refresh the human mind and reconnect us to our past memories.


To the Cuckoo Questions and Answers

Textual Comprehension Questions

Q1. Where does the poet hear the Cuckoo’s Song?
Answer: The poet hears the cuckoo’s song while he is lying on the green grass in the open fields. The sound of the bird reaches him across hills and valleys and brings back memories of his childhood.

Q2. Why is the Cuckoo called a “new comer”?
Answer: The cuckoo is called a “new comer” because it appears with the arrival of spring. Every year, the bird’s voice is heard at the beginning of the season, and therefore,
it seems like a fresh arrival bringing joy and renewal to nature.

Q3. Where was the poet when he was listening to the bird?
Answer: The poet was lying on the green grass in the countryside when he was listening to the cuckoo’s song.

Q4. What does the Cuckoo fill the valley with?
Answer: The cuckoo fills the valley with its sweet and melodious voice. Its song spreads across the hills and creates a joyful atmosphere in nature.

Q5. What does the song mean to the poet?
Answer: The song means a great deal to the poet. It brings back pleasant memories of his childhood and fills his heart with happiness and imagination.

Q6. What did the poet do as a boy when he heard the song of the Cuckoo?
Answer: As a boy, the poet eagerly searched for the cuckoo in bushes, trees, and open fields. Although he could clearly hear its voice, he was never able to see the bird.

Q7. What does the song remind the poet of?
Answer: The song reminds the poet of his early childhood days, which were filled with innocence, joy, and curiosity.

Q8. Why does the poet say that the earth appears to be an “unsubstantial, fairy place”?
Answer: The poet says this because the cuckoo’s voice creates a magical and dreamlike feeling. The sweet sound makes the earth seem unreal, like a fairyland, filled with imagination and wonder.

Q9. Why does the poet describe the song to be “at once far off and near”?
Answer: The poet describes the song in this way because the cuckoo’s voice seems to come from a distant place and yet feels close to him. This quality makes the bird appear mysterious and enchanting.

Q10. Why is the bird called “a hope”?
Answer: The bird is called “a hope” because its arrival announces the coming of spring. Spring symbolizes new beginnings, happiness, and freshness. Therefore, the cuckoo becomes a symbol of hope and renewal.

Q11. Why is the bird called a “Wandering voice”?
Answer: The bird is called a “Wandering voice” because its voice moves freely across hills and valleys, but the bird itself remains unseen. The poet hears the sound clearly, yet cannot locate its exact position.

Q12. Why does the poet call the bird “blessed”?
Answer: The poet calls the bird “blessed” because its voice fills him with joy and brings back sweet memories of his childhood. The cuckoo’s song transforms the ordinary world into a magical and delightful place.


Short Answers Type Questions

Q1. In your own words, write one paragraph about what the poet says in the stanzas 1 to 4 of the poem.
Answer: In the first four stanzas, the poet warmly welcomes the cuckoo and expresses his admiration for it. He describes how the bird’s sweet voice fills the valley and creates a joyful atmosphere. Although he hears the cuckoo clearly, he cannot see it. The bird appears mysterious and magical. The poet wonders whether it is truly a bird or simply a wandering voice that moves freely in nature.

Q2. Write a paragraph in stanzas 5 to 8 of the poem.
Answer: In stanzas five to eight, the poet recalls his childhood experiences. As a young boy, he used to search eagerly for the cuckoo among trees, bushes, and fields. Even though he tried hard, he could never see the bird. Its hidden presence made it more mysterious. Listening to its voice filled his heart with happiness and imagination, and it brought back memories of his early life.

Q3. Is there any bird in Manipur that you associate with the spring? Write a paragraph on what you feel when you hear it sings.
Answer: In Manipur, many people associate spring with birds whose sweet songs announce the change of season. When such birds sing, it creates a feeling of freshness and happiness. The pleasant sound reminds us of nature’s beauty and the arrival of a new beginning. It fills the heart with hope and positive energy.

Q4. Do you know of any other English poem about any bird? Ask your teacher to help you find such a poem. After you find it, read the poem and find what similarities and differences there are compared with the poem.
Answer: One well-known English poem about a bird is To the Skylark by P. B. Shelley. Both poems describe birds whose songs bring joy and inspiration. In both cases, the birds are rarely seen, but their voices create a magical effect. However, Wordsworth connects the cuckoo’s song with childhood memories, while Shelley focuses more on the bird’s spiritual and inspirational qualities. Wordsworth’s tone is gentle and nostalgic, whereas Shelley’s tone is more imaginative and philosophical.

Q5. Bring out the thoughts of Wordsworth about the cuckoo when he hears the song of the bird.
Answer: When Wordsworth hears the cuckoo’s song, he feels deep joy and excitement. The sound of the bird takes him back to his childhood memories. He considers the cuckoo mysterious because he hears it clearly but cannot see it. Its song fills him with imagination and transforms the world into a magical and fairy-like place.


Extra Questions And Answers

Q1. Explain with reference to the context:


And I can listen to thee yet;
Can lie upon the plain
And listen, till I do beget
That golden time again.

Answer: These lines show the poet’s strong desire to relive his childhood. By listening to the cuckoo’s song, he feels as if he can bring back the golden days of his youth. The bird’s voice connects his present life with his happy past.


O blessed Bird, the earth we pace
Again appears to be
An unsubstantial, fairy place
That is fit home for thee.

Answer: In these lines, the poet expresses how the cuckoo’s voice makes the world appear magical and unreal. The earth seems like a fairyland suitable for such a mysterious bird. The sweet and unseen presence of the cuckoo creates a dreamlike atmosphere.


📘 Difficult Word Meanings

  • 🔹 Countryside – Rural area outside towns and cities
  • 🔹 Melodious – Sweet and pleasant to hear
  • 🔹 Atmosphere – The mood or feeling created in a place
  • 🔹 Renewal – Beginning again with freshness
  • 🔹 Eagerly – With excitement and strong interest
  • 🔹 Imagination – The ability to form ideas or pictures in the mind
  • 🔹 Innocence – Purity and lack of wrongdoing
  • 🔹 Unsubstantial – Not solid or not real
  • 🔹 Enchanting – Charming or delightful
  • 🔹 Symbolizes – Represents something
  • 🔹 Wandering – Moving from place to place without fixed direction
  • 🔹 Transform – To change completely
  • 🔹 Fairyland – An imaginary magical place
  • 🔹 Curiosity – A strong desire to know or learn
  • 🔹 Mysterious – Difficult to understand or explain

📌 Conclusion & Exam Tip

In To the Cuckoo, William Wordsworth beautifully expresses his deep love for nature and his nostalgic memories of childhood. The poem highlights how the cuckoo’s song connects the present with the past and fills the heart with imagination and joy.

For the BOSEM Class 10 Additional English examination, students should focus on the themes of nature, childhood memory, mystery, and imagination. Write clear and simple answers, mention the symbolic meaning of the cuckoo, and support your explanation with key ideas from the poem to score better marks.


Is To the Cuckoo important for BOSEM Class 10 Additional English?

Yes, To the Cuckoo is an important poem in the BOSEM Class 10 Additional English syllabus. Questions related to its theme, summary, and explanation frequently appear in examinations. Students should understand the central idea and key points to better prepare.

What is the central theme of To the Cuckoo?

The central theme of To the Cuckoo is the poet’s deep love for nature and his nostalgic memories of childhood. The poem shows how the cuckoo’s song connects the present with the poet’s past and fills him with joy and imagination.

Why is the cuckoo called a “wandering voice” in the poem?

The cuckoo is called a “wandering voice” because its sweet song is heard across hills and valleys, but the bird itself remains unseen. This creates a sense of mystery and makes the voice appear as if it is moving freely in nature

How does the poem connect nature with childhood memories?

In the poem, the cuckoo’s call reminds the poet of his early childhood. Listening to the bird’s song makes him feel as if he is reliving those happy moments. Nature becomes a bridge between his past and present.

How can students score full marks in questions from To the Cuckoo?

Students should write clear, simple answers, address the themes of nature and childhood, and explain the symbolic meaning of the cuckoo. Quoting key lines correctly and maintaining proper structure can help secure full marks in BOSEM examinations.

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