The Solitary Reaper

By William Wordsworth
Question Answer
1. What is the central idea of the poem?
(a) Reapers can sing like birds.
(b) Sweet music appeals to all
(c) Beautiful experiences have long-lasting effects.
(d) Rich harvest makes the reaper happy
Ans: Sweet music appeals to all

2. The setting of the poem is_______________________________

(a) the Arabian deserts
(b) the British Islands
(c) the Hebrides Islands
(d) the mountain regions of Scotland
Ans: The mountain regions of Scotland.

3. Who are the people described in the poem?

Ans: The poet and the solitary reaper are described in the poem.

4. Who does the expression 'Highland Lass' refer to? Why does he describe her as
"You solitary Highland Lass?"
Ans: Here 'Highland Lass' refers to the solitary reaper whom the poet saw in the valley. The poet
described her as "Yon solitary Highland Lass" because the girl was alone over there. Besides he
knew that the girl must be a native of that mountain region.

5. What is the girl doing?

Ans: The girl is cutting the grains and binding them and at the same time she is singing a song.

6. Who does the poet say 'Stop here or gently pass'? Why does he say so?
Ans: The melodious song of the girl appeals to the poet. He says "stop here or pass gently" to the
passers-by. He says so that the girl will not be disturbed.

7. Pick out the words which tell that the girl does not have anyone by her side.
Ans: The words like ‘solitary', 'single', and 'alone' tell that the girl does not have anyone by her side.

8. What is the tone of her song-happy, sed, soothing or sympathetic?

Ans: The tone of her song is soothing.

9. "Overflowing with sound”-Explain.

Ans: The poet finds a young girl singing an enchanting song in a loud voice. The entire valley is
flooded with her beautiful voice.

10. The solitary reaper's song reminds the poet of other singers. Who are they?
Ans: The solitary reaper's song reminds the poet of other singers. They are the nightingale and the
cuckoo.

11. Who sings welcome notes? Where? For whom? What for?
Ans: The nightingale sings welcome notes in the shady places among the Arabian sands for the
tired travelers to welcome and soothe them.

12. Whose voice is thrilling?

Ans: The voice of the cuckoo-bird is thrilling

13. Where does it sing? When?

Ans: It sings in the most remote group of islands of the sea in Scotland in spring

14. Who does Wordsworth compare the farmer girl with? Why?
Ans: Wordsworth compares the farmer girl with the nightingale and the cuckoo-bird because
her tone was as melodious as the cuckoo's and nightingale's.

15. The peasant girl's song is not intelligible to the poet because ____________
(a)her song is in a dialect he does not understand.
(b)he is far away to hear the words of the song.
(c)her voice is not clear as she is humming the words.
(d)her voice is too soft for him to get.
Ans: her song is in a dialect he does not understand.

16. What does the phrase 'humble lay' mean?

Ans: The phrase ‘humble lay’ means ordinary song or modest song.

17. The expression 'plaintive numbers' refers to sad music. Pick out another phrase in
the poem carrying the same meaning.
Ans: The expression ‘Plaintive numbers' refers to sad music. Another phrase in the poem carrying
the same meaning is 'melancholy strain’.

18. What does the poet mean to say "As if her song could have no ending."?
(a) Her song is too long to end.
(b) She keeps on singing and seems not to end.
(c) The poet does not want the song to end.
(d) The song contains an everlasting universal theme which recycles.
Ans: She keeps on singing and seems not to end.
19. The poet listens 'motionless and still because___________________
(a) the rich melodious voice of the singer holds him mesmerised and spellbound.
(b) he was tired after walking uphill.
(c) he wanted to learn the words and rhythm of the song.
(d) he is rooted to the spot by the girl's beauty,
Ans: the rich melodious voice of the singer holds him mesmerised and spellbound.

20. How did the song affect the narrator?

Ans: No doubt the song of the solitary reaper was melodious. The narrator was deeply impressed by
the sweet tone of the girl. It held him mesmerised and spellbound.

21. In stanza-I and stanza-2, four words and phrases have been used to show that the girl
working in the fields is without anyone by her. Pick out these words and phrases.
Ans: In stanza-1 and 2, four words and phrases have been used to show that the girl working in the
fields is without anyone by her. These words and phrases are single, solitary, by herself, alone, cuts
and binds and sings.

22. The theme of the solitary reaper's song contains sadness. What other words are used in
place of "sad"?
Ans: The theme of the solitary reaper's song contains sadness. The other words used in place of
'sad' are melancholy, plaintive, unhappy and sorrow.

23. What are the two synonyms for the 'young girl'?
Ans: The two synonyms for the "young girl' are 'Lass’ and ‘Maiden'.

24. Three other words are used to mean 'song’. What are they?
Ans: Three other words are used to mean 'song'. They are 'notes', 'strain' and 'numbers"/"lay".

25. A melancholy strain' in stanza-2 means 'sad song’. Find out another phrase in stanza 5
with similar meaning.
Ans: A melancholy strain in stanza-2 means 'sad song’. Another phrase in stanza-5 with similar
meaning is "Plaintive numbers".

26. Which word in stanza-5 expresses the poet's guess?

Ans: The word 'perhaps’ in stanza-5 expresses the poet's guess.
1. The speaker describes the Highland girl as:
a) Joyful and carefree.
b) Solitary and melancholic.
c) Energetic and enthusiastic.
d) Content and peaceful.
Answer: b) Solitary and melancholic.
2. The speaker asks the listener to-
a) Join the girl in singing.
b) Hurry past without disturbing her.
c) Stop and listen to her song.
d) Offer the girl some help.
Answer: c) Stop and listen to her song.
3. The phrase “Vale profound” refers to:
a) The sky above the field.
b) The girl’s deep emotions.
c) The valley where the girl works.
d) The girl’s mournful singing voice.
Answer: c) The valley where the girl works.
4. The speaker uses the word “overflowing” to describe:
a) The amount of grain the girl has harvested.
b) The beauty of the surrounding landscape.
c) The abundance of wildlife in the valley.
d) The volume of the girl’s song.
Answer: d) The volume of the girl’s song.
5. What does “melancholy strain” mean?
a) Beautiful song
b) Folk song
c) Love song
d) Sad song
Answer: d) Sad song
II. “No Nightingale did ever chaunt
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne’er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.”
1. According to the speaker, the Highland girl’s song is:
a) Comparable to a nightingale’s song.
b) More beautiful than any bird’s song.
c) A lullaby for weary travelers.
d) A lament for lost loved ones.
Answer: b) More beautiful than any bird’s song.
2. The speaker mentions travelers in “some shady haunt” to emphasize:
a) The harshness of the desert environment.
b) The need for companionship on journeys.
c) The rarity of beautiful singing voices.
d) The contrast between the girl’s song and the desolate landscape.
Answer: c) The rarity of beautiful singing voices.
3. The speaker compares the girl’s voice to the song of the cuckoo-bird in order to convey:
a) A sense of joyful anticipation.
b) A sense of melancholy beauty.
c) A sense of peace and serenity.
d) A sense of mysterious remoteness.
Answer: b) A sense of melancholy beauty.
4. The speaker mentions “the farthest Hebrides” to emphasize:
a) The vastness of the ocean.
b) The girl’s isolation and loneliness.
c) The power of music to travel far and wide.
d) The cultural diversity of Scotland.
Answer: b) The girl’s isolation and loneliness.
ii. “Breaking the silence of the seas / Among the farthest Hebrides…” – This image creates a
sense of vastness and loneliness, highlighting the power of the girl’s voice to break through
the stillness of the remote Hebrides.
a) Both i and ii
b) Only i
c) Only ii
d) Neither of the two
Answer: a) Both i and ii
III. “Will no one tell me what she sings?—
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?”
1. The speaker’s main question in this stanza is:
a) Why is the girl singing?
b) What language is the girl singing in?
c) How beautiful is the girl’s voice?
d) Where did the girl learn to sing?
Answer: a) Why is the girl singing?
2. The speaker suggests that the girl’s song might be about:
a) The joy of working in nature.
b) The beauty of the Highland landscape.
c) The hardships of everyday life.
d) Events from the distant past.
Answer: d) Events from the distant past.
3. The phrase “the plaintive numbers flow” suggests that the girl’s song is:
a) Upbeat and cheerful.
b) Slow and mournful.
c) Loud and passionate.
d) Fast and lively.
Answer: b) Slow and mournful.
4. What do you understand by”humble lay”
a) Ordinary song
b) Classical song
c) Jazz song
d) Disco song
Answer: a) Ordinary song
5. The speaker suggests that the girl’s song might also be about:
a) A specific historical event.
b) A personal loss or pain.
c) The beauty of the natural world.
d) The future of the Highland people.
Answer: b) A personal loss or pain.
IV. “Whate’er the theme, the Maiden sang
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o’er the sickle bending;—
I listened, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.”
1. The metaphor “The music in my heart I bore” suggests that:
a) The speaker memorized the song’s melody.
b) The speaker understood the song’s meaning.
c) The song had a deep emotional impact on the speaker.
d) The speaker became a better singer himself.
Answer: c) The song had a deep emotional impact on the speaker.
2. The phrase “as if her song could have no ending” suggests that the speaker:
a) Is annoyed by the length of the song.
b) Is impressed by the girl’s stamina.
c) Feels a sense of timelessness and endlessness.
d) Wishes he could hear the song again.
Answer: c) Feels a sense of timelessness and endlessness.
3. The speaker describes the girl as “bending” over her sickle to emphasize:
a) Her dedication to her work.
b) Her graceful movements.
c) Her physical exhaustion.
d) Her emotional exhaustion.
Answer: a) Her dedication to her work.
4. The speaker says he listened to the song “motionless and still” to:
a) Show respect for the girl’s talent.
b) Avoid disturbing the girl’s concentration.
c) Focus all his attention on the song.
d) Show his own fatigue from the journey.
Answer: c) Focus all his attention on the song.
5. The speaker’s final statement, “Long after it was heard no more,” implies that:
a) He forgot the song quickly.
b) He missed the girl’s singing dearly.
c) He was grateful for the temporary experience.
d) He was disappointed by the song’s ending.
Answer: b) He missed the girl’s singing dearly.