A Thing of Beauty Class 12: Important Questions and Answers Explained

"A Thing of Beauty" is a poem by John Keats that explores the idea of beauty and its impact on our lives. If you're a Class 12 student studying this poem, you may want to know about the important questions and answers that can be asked in your 2023-24 board exam. Here are some important questions and answers to help you better understand and prepare this chapter for your exams.

Subject	English Language & Literature
Class	12
Board	CBSE
Chapter Name	A Thing of Beauty
Type	Important Questions and Answers
Session	2023-24
Book Name	Flamingo
Literature	Poem

Success is the result of nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.

- Jim Rohn

A Thing of Beauty Class 12 (Flamingo Chapter 3) Important Questions and Answers

Q. No. 1) Read the given extract to attempt the questions with reference to context.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth

(A Thing of Beauty)

i. Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the first line of the extract.

a. I’m as happy as I can be.

b. Life is a roller coaster ride.

c. Nature is God’s gift to us.

d. The dazzling divas enchanted all.

Ans. Option (b)

ii. What does the phrase ‘a bower quiet’ indicate?

a. serenity

b. morality

c. superiority

d. Diversity

Ans. Option (a)

iii. The benefits of a thing of beauty for humans include.

1. healthy body
2. calm mind
3. struggle-free life
4. better relationships
5. hope to carry on

Choose the most appropriate option.

a. Only (5)

b. (1), (2), and (5)

c. (1), (3), and (4)

d. (2) and (4)

Ans. Option (b)

iv. Answer in ONE word.

When the poet says that ‘a thing of beauty’ will never pass into nothingness, he means that it is _____.

Ans. immortal/everlasting/eternal/undying

v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.

1. We are surrounded by beautiful things.
2. Beautiful things provide us with joy.

a. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot.

b. (2) can be inferred from the extract but (1) cannot.

c. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.

d. (2) is the reason for (1) and can be inferred from the extract.

Ans. Option (b)

vi. Which of the following is an apt title for the extract?

a. Full to the Brim with Joy

b. Beauty Galore

c. Live Life King Size

d. Hope Floats

Ans. Option (d)

Q. No. 2) Keats celebrates trees as a “boon” in the poem A Thing of Beauty. With reference to this statement, which of the following options is NOT TRUE?

a. Trees give us sustenance.

b. Trees provide relief from the heat.

c. Trees help keep the Earth clean.

d. Trees appear beautiful to the eye.

Ans. Option (b)

Q. No. 3) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.

Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.

i. In which of the following options can the underlined words be replaced with ‘despondence’?

a. The man paced about the room showing restlessness.

b. A chat with a close friend can take away our blues.

c. I was in jitters, seeing the boy trapped in the trench.

d. Being dogged is what led him to negotiate the challenges.

Ans. Option (b)

ii. Pick the option that is NOT an example of ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways.’

a. A person who is egoistic and looks down upon others.

b. A person who seeks God’s help for all his problems.

c. A person who uses evil ways to deceive others.

d. A person who is corrupt and manipulative.

Ans. Option (b)

iii. Pick the option that enumerates what ‘noble natures’ would include.

1. selflessness
2. insensitivity
3. enthusiasm
4. aggression
5. meticulousness
6. judiciousness

a. 1, 4, and 5

b. 2, 3, and 6

c. 2, 4, and 5

d. 1, 3, and 6

Ans. Option (d)

iv. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.

• Statement 1: The earth without beautiful things is a place full of despair and unpleasantness.
• Statement 2: The ornate band created by human beings; ushers hope in their lives.

a. Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.

b. Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.

c. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.

d. Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

Ans. Option (c)

Q. No. 4) ‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

i. Based on the extract, complete the following analogy:

have heard: alliteration:: _____: oxymoron

Ans. Mighty dead

ii. Which of these best indicates the phrase 'mid-forest brake'?

a. hidden pond

b. mass of shrubs

c. canopy of trees

d. sparkling stream

Ans. Option (b)

iii. According to the extract, which of these brings joy to human life?

1. shady trees
2. delightful drinks
3. fragrant flowers
4. changing seasons
5. enchanting stories

a. (1) and (3)

b. (3) and (5)

c. (1), (4), and (5)

d. (2), (3), and (4)

Ans. Option (b)

iv. Complete the given sentence appropriately. When the poet mentions 'an endless fountain of immortal drink', he refers to __________.

Ans. the eternal joy that beautiful things give / the everlasting joy things of beauty bring.

v. Based on the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.

1. Beautiful things are blessings from the divine.
2. Beauty is an outcome of imagination.

a. Only (1) can be inferred from the extract.

b. Only (2) can be inferred from the extract.

c. Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.

d. Neither (1) nor (2) can be inferred from the extract.

Ans. Option (a)

vi. Which of these best describes the tone of the poet in the given extract?

a. nostalgic

b. generous

c. passionate

d. Contemplative

Ans. Option (d)

Q. No. 5) On the basis of the extract, pick the opinion that is NOT TRUE about the theme of the poem.

a. Option 1

b. Option 2

c. Option 3

d. Option 4

Ans. Option (b)

Q. No. 6) Pick the option that matches the words/phrases with the literary device.

Word/ phrase	Literary device
1. simple sheep	A. imagery
2. gloomy days	B. metaphor
3. bower quiet	C. symbolism
	D. transferred epithet

a. 1-C, 2-D, 3-B

b. 1-B, 2-A, 3-D

c. 1-D, 2-B, 3-C

d. 1-C, 2-A, 3-B

Ans. Option (a)

Q. No. 7) Pick the statement that contradicts the idea of beauty as expressed by the poet.

a. People are beautiful not in looks but just in what they are.

b. Beautiful people have known suffering, struggle, and loss.

c. We must think of all the beauty that is left around us and be happy.

d. We must dwell on the beauty in life and be inspired by it.

Ans. Option (b)

Q. No. 8) Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

i. Pick the quote that matches best with—

‘And such too is the grandeur of the dooms we have imagined for the mighty dead.’

a. In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.

b. When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.

c. Endings are not always bad, most times they’re just beginnings in disguise.

d. Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once.

Ans. Option (b)

ii. Pick the option that refers to what ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ suggests.

1. inspirational deeds of great men
2. a ceaseless series of dreams
3. an infinite source of strength
4. an elixir of life for the upliftment of the soul
5. an eternal source of delight
6. a boundless gift of love

a. 1, 4, and 5

b. 2, 3, and 5

c. 1, 2, and 6

d. 2, 4, and 6

Ans. Option (a)

iii. Pick the option that pairs the TRUE statements based on the extract, from the list below.

1. The bushes with fragrant flowers lift the human spirit and bring joy.
2. Death is inevitable and everyone faces it no matter how powerful.
3. Immortality is achieved by man when he drinks the nectar of joy.
4. Legendary heroes and their heroic deeds instill inspiration in us.

a. 1 and 2

b. 2 and 4

c. 1 and 4

d. 2 and 3

Ans. Option (c)

iv. Pick the option that uses the same literary device as the ‘mighty dead’.

a. sleepless nights

b. deafening silence

c. glaring lights

d. time is a thief

Ans. Option (b)

Q. No. 9) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

i. The phrase immortal drink refers to

a. blessings of our ancestors.

b. the teachings of nature.

c. a life-giving force.

d. the beauty of heaven.

Ans. Option (c)

ii. ‘All lovely tales’ evoke the feeling of

a. sadness and nostalgia.

b. only nostalgia.

c. inspiration and pride.

d. only pride.

Ans. Option (a)

iii. The rhyme scheme of the above extract is

a. aabb

b. abab

c. aaab

d. abbb

Ans. Option (a)

iv. The literary device used by the poet in the following lines is ______________.

An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.

a. personification.

b. allegory.

c. imagery.

d. synecdoche. 

Ans. Option (c)

Q. No. 10) If you were given an opportunity to share your perception of beauty, what would you say? Explain.

Ans. Beauty, to me, is a radiant harmony that touches my soul. It can be found in nature's wonders, in the laughter of loved ones, and in acts of kindness. Beauty uplifts my spirit, bringing joy and a sense of peace that transcends words.

Q. No. 11) ‘Beauty is best left undefined’. Support your position on this statement with your rationale, coupled with ideas in the poem.

Ans. The statement "Beauty is best left undefined" holds merit as beauty is a subjective experience, unique to each individual. In the poem, Keats emphasizes the transformative power of beauty, suggesting that trying to confine it within a rigid definition would limit its vast and personal impact on our lives.

Q. No. 12) Artists, singers, and musicians have a different perception of beauty as compared to people who are in other professions. Comment.

Ans. Artists, singers, and musicians often have a heightened sensitivity to beauty, as their creative expressions rely on capturing and conveying aesthetic experiences. Their professions demand a deep understanding and appreciation of various forms of beauty, making their perception of beauty more nuanced and profound compared to those in other professions.

Q. No. 13) Rationalize why Keats uses the metaphor ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ in his poem, A Thing of Beauty.

Ans.

• Things of beauty are just like the immortal drink of the gods that flow continuously and never dies.
• Just as the endless fountain of immortality is an elixir of life, similarly things of beauty are constant/ perennial in providing everlasting joy/ motivation/bliss.

Q. No. 14) Read the given extract and answer the questions given:

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.

i. Name the poem and the poet.

Ans. A Thing of Beauty by John Keats.

ii. Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?

a. The beauty of nature

b. The power of imagination

c. The immortality of art and literature

d. The inevitability of death

Ans. Option (c) [The extract emphasizes the idea that the tales of the mighty dead are an "endless fountain of immortal drink" that pour down to us from the heavens, suggesting that these stories and legends are timeless and will never truly die. This theme speaks to the enduring power of art and literature to transcend time and space and to continue to inspire and move people long after their creators have passed away.]

iii. State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract.

By referring to the dead as "mighty", the poet emphasizes their importance and the power they exerted on the people.

Ans.  False. [The dead are referred to as "mighty" in the poem because they have achieved greatness in their lifetime. They may have contributed to society in a significant way or achieved great things in their respective fields. It is not about the power they exerted on the people. By referring to them as "mighty," the poet emphasizes their importance and the positive impact or influence they have had on the world.]

iv. Complete the sentence appropriately.]

The "endless fountain of immortal drink" is an apt analogy for the tales of the mighty dead because _____.

Ans. ...just as a fountain constantly pours forth water, the tales of the mighty dead pour forth endless inspiration and wisdom for the living. [The term "immortal drink" suggests that the stories are never-ending and that they have the power to nourish and sustain us in much the same way that water does.]

v. The use of the word "brink" in the extract suggests that the immortality that is being poured onto us is on the verge of overflowing. This creates a powerful image of _____.

Ans. abundance [ The use of the word "brink" in the poem suggests that the immortality that is being poured onto us is on the verge of overflowing. This powerful image suggests that the beauty and grandeur of the dooms are so great that they are overflowing from heaven. This image of abundance reinforces the idea that the beauty and grandeur of the dooms are endless and that there is an infinite supply of it.]

vi. Based on the poem rhyme scheme, evident in lines 2-5, of the given extract, which word would rhyme with line 1?

said

think

tombs

Ans.  tombs

vii. Select the option that is NOT true about the lack of punctuation at the end of line 1 in the extract.

a. Creates a sense of continuity and flow that connects the line with the second line.

b. Encourages the reader to continue reading seamlessly without any pause.

c. Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader.

d. Encourages a revisit to the ideas in the preceding lines.

Ans. Option (d) [the lack of punctuation at the end of the first line has a subtle yet significant impact on the poem, creating a sense of flow and continuity while also building anticipation and engaging the reader's imagination.]

viii. Who are the 'mighty dead'?

Ans. Those martyrs who have died bravely for a cause.

ix. Why is 'grandeur' associated with the ' mighty dead'?

Ans. They will always be remembered for their noble and splendid deeds and creations.

They have left behind a legacy for us to enjoy.

x. Identify and explain the poetic device used in the last two lines.

Ans. Metaphor- Endless fountain is indirectly compared to love/thing of beauty/

Hyperbole. It is an exaggerated statement. An endless fountain of immortal drink…… Heaven’s brink.

Q. No. 15) How does Keats’ poem, A Thing of Beauty appeal richly to the senses, stimulating the reader’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell? Write your answer in about 120-150 words.

Ans. Introduction

• Keats’ descriptions allow for a deeper perception of the imaginary, converting it into a life-like experience stimulating the reader’s inner sight as well as the sense of touch and smell.

Justification

• Keats establishes this with powerful imagery and wordplay.
• The cooling comfort of the bower, dancing daffodils in its green environs, the babbling stream, and the mid-forest brake with the musk rose blooms evoke our imagination, sense of hearing, touch, and smell.
• The stories of the mighty and the doom that befalls them appeal to our intellect.
• The endless fountain may be an allusion of the fountain of youth however it has a sublimating effect on the reader.
• Keats's poetic descriptions present beauty that appeals to our senses and gives delight.

Q. No. 16) We have often heard the phrase: ‘Beauty is skin deep’. In spite of that, we often see people idolizing actors and celebrities who are good-looking and attractive.

You have a conversation regarding this with your friend who believes that physical beauty defines a person.

Write down that conversation.

Ans.

Friend: You know, I truly believe that physical beauty defines a person. It's what attracts people and makes them idolize actors and celebrities who are good-looking and attractive. After all, we often hear the phrase "Beauty is skin deep," and it seems to hold true in our society.

You: I understand where you're coming from, but I have a different perspective on this. While physical beauty can initially catch someone's attention, it doesn't define a person's worth or character. True beauty goes beyond external appearances.

Friend: But don't you think that attractive people have an advantage in life? They are more likely to succeed and be admired.

You: It may seem that way on the surface, but it's important to remember that beauty fades over time. What truly matters is a person's inner qualities, such as kindness, intelligence, and empathy. These are the qualities that create lasting connections and make a person truly admirable.

Friend: I guess I never thought about it that way. But still, why do people idolize attractive celebrities so much?

You: People idolize celebrities for various reasons, and physical attractiveness may play a part. However, it's essential to separate the persona projected by the media from the real person. It's their talent, achievements, and the impact they make in their respective fields that should be admired, rather than solely focusing on their external beauty.

Friend: I see your point now. It's a reminder to look beyond appearances and value what truly makes a person beautiful from within.

You: Exactly! Beauty lies in the depths of one's character, their actions, and the positive contributions they make to the world. That's the kind of beauty that truly matters and should be celebrated.

Friend: I appreciate your perspective. It's given me something to think about. Thanks for the conversation.

You: You're welcome! I'm glad we could discuss this topic openly. It's always valuable to explore different viewpoints and challenge societal norms.

Q. No. 17) You are a blogger who loves to record travel stories. You recently visited a picturesque location and you were enamored by its beauty.

Pen down the post for your blog giving vivid descriptions of the natural beauty of this place. Supplement your writing with Keats’ ideas about beauty.

Ans. Greetings, fellow wanderers! Today, I am thrilled to share with you the breathtaking beauty I discovered during my recent escapade to a picturesque location that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. As I roamed through its enchanting landscapes, I couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer magnificence of nature.

Every step I took immersed me in a world painted with vibrant hues and adorned with delicate details. Keats' ideas about beauty echoed in my mind as I witnessed the transformative power of nature. Like Keats, I found that a thing of beauty truly becomes a joy forever.

The rolling hills, dressed in lush green carpets, stretched as far as the eye could see. The sun-kissed meadows danced with wildflowers, their vibrant petals swaying in harmony with the gentle breeze. Majestic trees reached for the sky, their branches whispering tales of ancient wisdom.

A pristine river meandered through the landscape, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the azure sky above. The melodious symphony of birdsong filled the air, orchestrating a harmonious chorus that uplifted my spirit.

As I climbed higher, I was rewarded with a breathtaking view. A cascading waterfall, like a celestial veil, showered sparkling droplets that glistened in the sunlight. Its soothing sound created a symphony of serenity, transporting me to a realm of tranquility.

Keats believed that beauty could be found even in the darkest corners of life. And in this place, I witnessed the truth of his words. Amidst the rugged cliffs and hidden caves, I stumbled upon a hidden gem—a secret garden bursting with vibrant blossoms. Its fragrance mingled with the whispers of the wind, enveloped me in a sensory embrace.

In every corner of this paradise, beauty beckoned. It was in the delicate petals of a blooming rose, the symphony of colors at sunset, and the gentle touch of a butterfly's wings.

As I bid farewell to this haven, I carried with me the essence of its beauty—a reminder that amidst life's chaos, there are moments of unparalleled grace and harmony. Just as Keats revered the enduring power of beauty, this journey reinforced my belief that nature's masterpiece is an eternal gift to be cherished.

Remember, fellow explorers, to seek out the beauty that surrounds us. It is there, waiting to be discovered and celebrated. Until our paths cross again, may your travels be filled with wonder, and may the beauty you encounter leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Happy trails!

Also Read: Class 12 Important Questions and Answers Class 12 Notes

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