The Stream’s Song 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 The Stream’s Song question answers along with a clear summary of the poem. Written by Lascelles Abercrombie, the poem describes the journey of a stream as it moves through different landscapes, facing various obstacles before finally joining the sea.
The explanations are written in a calm academic tone to help students understand the theme clearly and write structured answers in the examination.
Table of Contents
Summary of The Stream’s Song
“The Stream’s Song” is a poem by Lascelles Abercrombie that describes the movement of a stream from its source to its final destination in the sea. The poem presents the stream as a symbol of life’s journey. As the stream flows forward, it encounters rocks, mud, and other obstacles. These barriers create noise and disturbance, but they cannot stop the stream from moving ahead.
At first, the stream enjoys its lively movement and the sound it creates. However, as it moves closer to the sea, the joyful noise gradually decreases. The stream begins to lose its excitement as it nears its end. The poet suggests that the stream’s journey represents human life — full of energy, struggle, and excitement in the beginning, but gradually becoming calm and quiet toward the end.
The central idea of the poem is that life is a journey filled with obstacles and changes. Just as the stream continues its path despite difficulties, human beings must also move forward through challenges until they reach their final destination.
Textual comprehensive questions
✔ Q1. Say whether the following statements are true or false.
Q2.
a) What happens to the rocks and boulders against the current of the stream?
Ans: The rocks and boulders that stand against the stream are gradually worn down and destroyed by its powerful and continuous flow.
b) How does the stream clear its way?
Ans: The stream clears its way by its strong and steady current. It breaks down rocks and removes obstacles through its force and movement.
c) What is the stream’s challenge to the “voiceless things”?
Ans: The stream challenges the silent rocks and lifeless obstacles by moving forward fearlessly. It proves its strength by overcoming all barriers in its path.
d). “The steadfast perish.”
The songs do not perish because
a) Music is eternal.
b) Other streams will continue to sing.
c) The power of the stream will remind the world of its song.
(Choose the appropriate answer from the alternatives.)
Ans: c) The power of the stream will remind the world of its song.
Textual Application Questions
Q1. “Hey” and “play” end in similar sounds. They rhyme in the first stanza; the first and third lines, the second and the fourth line rhyme. If one rhyme is “a” and second “b” then the arrangement of rhymes is aabb.
Find the rhyme arrangement (scheme) of the other stanzas.
Ans: The poem follows the same rhyme scheme pattern in the other stanzas. The second and fourth lines rhyme together. Therefore, the rhyme scheme remains consistent throughout the poem.
Q2. In this poem, the stream is speaking to the stones. The stream is not a living being, but it is made to behave like a person/human being. When non-living things are treated like human beings, this is known as “personification”. Here the stream has been personified. Go through the other poems in your course and find other cases of personification.
Ans: In “The Stream’s Song,” the stream is personified because it is given human qualities such as speaking and expressing joy. Another example of personification can be found in poems where natural elements like wind, sun, or rivers are described as acting like human beings.
Q3. In this poem, the stream itself speaks. Hence, the use of “I”, or the first person. Compare this with “The Brook: Henrick’s poem ‘To Daffodils’”. In that case of Personification.
Ans: In this poem, the stream speaks using the first person “I,” which strengthens the effect of personification. In poems like “To Daffodils,” flowers are given human qualities but do not speak directly in the first person. This makes the personification slightly different.
Q4. Other poems have “I” are written by human beings in the first person. “In this case of Personification, a non-living thing uses ‘I’ and ‘I’ (or ‘I am’).”
Ans: When a non-living object uses the first person “I,” it becomes a strong example of personification. The poet gives human voice and emotions to lifeless things like streams, rocks, or trees to make the poem more expressive and meaningful.
Q5. In the poem, two sets of words occur: one refers to joy and happiness; the other refers to strength and seriousness. In your exercise books, make two columns, number them 1 and 2. Under 1, write down all the words in the poem that relate to joy and happiness. Under 2, do the same for words showing strength and seriousness.
Ans:
Joy and Happiness:
Play, laughter, joy, song, delight.
Strength and Seriousness:
Crushes, steadfast, perish, resist, power.
Textual Composition Questions
Q1. Write the summary (substance) of the poem.
Ans: “The Stream’s Song” by Lascelles Abercrombie describes the journey of a stream as it moves from its source toward the sea. Along the way, it encounters rocks and obstacles but continues to flow with strength and joy. The poem symbolizes human life, showing that despite difficulties, one must move forward with courage until reaching the final destination.
Q2. Imagine you are a bird which flies around in joy. The wind, storms and trees disturb flying. Write a paragraph saying how they disturb flying and how you will not be disturbed by them.
Ans: If I were a bird flying freely, strong winds and storms might disturb my flight. Heavy rain and shaking trees could make it difficult to move smoothly. However, I would continue to fly with courage and determination, adjusting my wings to face the wind and not allowing obstacles to stop me from enjoying the sky.
EXTRA QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. What does the last hour belong to, according to the poet?
Ans: The last hour belongs to joy, according to the poet.
Q2. Why does the stream ask the boulders to thwart it for a while?
Ans: The stream asks the boulders to block it for a while so that it can prove its strength by overcoming them.
Q3. What is the central idea of the poem “The Stream’s Song”?
Ans: The central idea is that life is a journey filled with obstacles, but with strength and joy, one can overcome all difficulties and continue moving forward.
Q4. What does the stream tell the “voiceless things” or stones and ways?
Ans: The stream tells the silent stones and obstacles that it will not stop. It will continue to flow with joy and strength until it reaches the sea.
Q5. How does the stream lose half the delight of its song in the end?
Ans: As the stream nears the sea, its lively song becomes softer. After overcoming many obstacles, its excitement decreases as it approaches its final destination.
Explain The Following
You will not forever
Cumber my play
With joy and awe
I clear my way
Ans: These lines show the confidence and strength of the stream. It declares that no obstacle can block its joyful movement forever. The stream clears its path with power and determination.
For the last hour
To joys belong
The steadfast perish
But not the song
Ans: In these lines, the poet explains that joy belongs to the final stage of the stream’s journey. While rocks and obstacles may perish, the song of the stream continues. This shows that strength and spirit remain even after overcoming difficulties.
📘 Difficult Word Meanings
- 🔹 Obstruct – To block or stop something
- 🔹 Current – The flow of water in a stream or river
- 🔹 Voiceless – Without sound or speech
- 🔹 Steadfast – Firm and determined
- 🔹 Perish – To die or be destroyed
- 🔹 Personification – Giving human qualities to non-living things
- 🔹 Symbolizes – Represents something
- 🔹 Obstacle – Something that blocks the way
- 🔹 Destination – The final place of arrival
- 🔹 Courage – Bravery to face difficulties
- 🔹 Determination – Strong decision to continue
- 🔹 Cumber – To burden or trouble
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the central idea of The Stream’s Song?
The central idea of The Stream’s Song is that life is like a stream flowing toward its destination. Although it faces obstacles such as rocks and boulders, it continues to move forward with strength and joy until it reaches the sea.
Who wrote The Stream’s Song?
The Stream’s Song was written by Lascelles Abercrombie. He presents the stream as a symbol of life’s journey and uses personification to make the poem lively and meaningful.
How is personification used in The Stream’s Song?
In the poem, the stream is given human qualities such as speaking, feeling joy, and challenging obstacles. This use of personification helps readers understand the stream as a symbol of human life and struggle.
What do the rocks and boulders represent in the poem?
The rocks and boulders represent difficulties and obstacles in life. Just as the stream overcomes them through its strong current, humans must overcome challenges with courage and determination.
Why does the stream’s song become softer near the end?
As the stream approaches the sea, its excitement and liveliness diminish. This symbolizes the later stage of human life when energy decreases, and life becomes calmer
