Poetry Comprehension Practice Test 12

(Q. 1-6): Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting the most appropriate option.

The Last Conqueror
Victorious men of earth, no more
Proclaim how wide your empires are;
Though you bind-in every shore
And your triumphs reach as far
As night or day,
Yet you, proud monarchs must obey
And mingle with forgotten ashes, when
Death calls ye to the crowd of common men.
Devouring Famine, Plague, and War,
Each able to undo mankind,
Death’s servile emissaries are;
Nor to these alone confined,
He hath at will
More quaint and subtle ways to kil;
A smile or kiss, as he will use the art,
Shall have the cunning skill to break a heart.

1. “Servile emissaries” means
(1) risky behaviour
(2) those who protect
(3) humble messengers
(4) messengers of peace

Ans. 3

2. “More quaint and subtle ways to kil:/ A smile or kiss, as he will use the art”
– tells the reader that the speaker
(1) believes in human goodness
(2) is afraid of his enemies
(3) hates wars
(4) distrusts human nature

Ans. 4

3. “The cunning skill” refers to
(1) skilful soldier
(2) hidden threat
(3) a weapon of war
(4) a manipulative king

Ans. 2

4. “… mingle with forgotten ashes” means
(1) fires on the battlefield
(2) dead persons
(3) threats to life
(4) hidden dangers

Ans. 2

5. Here, ‘subtle’ means
(1) stupid
(2) suggestive
(3) hidden
(4) sullen

Ans. 3

6. “And your triumphs reach as far/ As night or day,” The poetic device found in these words is a
(1) pathetic fallacy
(2) simile
(3) metaphor
(4) formula

Ans.2