Poetry Comprehension Practice Test 23

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.
If you can dream and not make dreams your master;
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools.

Rudyard Kipling

1. The word ‘twisted’ can be replaced by
(1) moulded
(2) saluted
(3) paired
(4) simulated

Ans. 1

2. In the first line, ‘head’ refers to
(1) holding of the head with both the hands.
(2) keeping up one’s calm and mental balance.
(3) taking care of one’s head to protect against an accident.
(4) ensuring that people regard you with respect and honour.

Ans. 2

3. Which of the following qualities is hinted in “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting”?
(1) Kindness
(2) Patience
(3) Courage
(4) Nativity

Ans. 2

4. The poetic device used in “not make dreams your master” is ___.
(1) exaggeration
(2) hyperbole
(3) simile
(4) personification

Ans. 4

5. In the poem, ‘Impostors’ stand for
(1) two friends
(2) victory and defeat
(3) good and bad
(4) joy and sorrow

Ans. 2

6. The central theme of the poem is associated with ___.
(1) escapism
(2) stoicism
(3) humanism
(4) pessimism

Ans. 2