Correct Answer: C. Nostalgia

Correct Answer: D. Iago

Correct Answer: C. Synecdoche

Correct Answer: A. The tale was good enough to win a woman's heart

Correct Answer: D. Show Contempt

Correct Answer: A. Duke

Explanation

The poem is about birches, trees that grow in temperate regions and are noted for their resilience. The poet describes a situation in which the trees are bent either by a boy swinging them, or by nature through the effect of snow and ice-storms. Details of the ravages brought upon the trees are provided as they click 'crash' under the snow until summer when the warmth of the sun melts the snow and enables them to rise again. Even so, they are cut and loaded off as timber.

The emphasis throughout the poem is on the resilience of the trees, whether they are bent by humans or by nature itself And in spite of the fact that they never right themselves to their former heights, they never fall never to rise "years afterwards", as their trunks arch in the woods attractively, like girls' hair tossed "before them over their heads to dry".

The poet even recalls a memorable incident of some boy that had taken to swinging birches, and taken care not to swing too low to lose hold as the trees swing back. He remembers his own childhood experience too. The very fact of the experience is not lost upon the poet. Indeed the resilience of the trees provides a lesson for his own determination to endure life the way birches do. Their supple frame enables them to endure what both man and nature do to them. And that is the lesson of endurance the poet learns from the observation of and experience with swinging the trees.

Points to note:

(a) The havoc wreaked on the birch trees by snow and ice storms which bend them.

(b) The resilience of the birch trees as they lie or bend.

(c) The swinging of birch trees for sport by "some boy" and the speaker, illustrating their ability to withstand abuse.

(d) The lesson the speaker learns about the birch trees through observation and experience.

Correct Answer: B. Fable

Explanation

A Fable is a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters

Correct Answer: C. Desdemona's attraction to Othello

Explanation

The home setting of the Youngers throws light upon them as a close-knit family. Though they share facilities with neighbours and are cramped in, Mama, their pillar of unity, believes in the importance of family and this drives her to ensure that all the members toe the line, one way or the other. As individuals, they have their dreams but in the background is a well-bonded family and no one is left out of the fold. Ruth does her bit by making sure the family wakes up early to use the shared bathroom on time before others encumber it. Travis's hope is restored when his father (Walter) satisfies him with the fifty cents for school. Travis also gets an extra fifty cents for fruits from his father.

This shows that there is always someone who cares for the rest, even Travis, in times of need. No one acts alone in the Younger family. Walter craves for his wife's (Ruth's) support to convince Mama that his request for a share of the insurance money for establishing a liquor store is worthwhile. To keep the family united, Mama relents in her criticism of Walter's business proposal. Thus, when Walter is duped of his money, he is not left to bear the sorrow alone. Indeed the family's unending arguments and different views do not break them apart as they pursue their individual dreams.

The Younger family's closeness is anchored on Mama's attitude to everyone. She insists, for instance, that Beneatha put on a robe in the cold morning; she offers to help Ruth in her ironing and does not forget to seek assurance that Travis has had hot oats for breakfast instead of cold cereal. Mama's habit of noticing how Ruth feels and behaves makes Ruth feel like Mama's own daughter. She admonishes Ruth to eat well and makes excuses for her to "stay home from work". Also Mama shares the joy of the expected cheque with Ruth first.

The Youngers' closeness as a family is expressed in the way Mama uses her discretion and goodwill in putting the ten thousand dollar-insurance money to use to make everyone happy. Beneatha's dream of attending medical school as well as Walter's longing to own a store are all catered for by the cheque. Buying a bigger house at Clybourne Park is also a dream come true as it keeps the family together. It moves them up a little higher. For the first time, Mama is happy that she gets a gift of gardening tools and a hat even though it isn't Christmas time. But the unity of the Younger family is brought under severe stress and strain as the family confronts and rejects Mr. Karl Lindner's offer to buy them off their new acquisition of the house at Clybourne Park. By this act they prove that together, they can fight the racial bigotry and prejudices of their white counterparts.

Points to note:

(1) The Younger's background and setting.

(2) Mama as the pillar/anchor/fulcrum on/around which the family rest/revolve.

(3) Their togetherness in spite of their individual differences and aspirations.

(4) The family's ability to resist the racist offer to keep them out of Clybourne Park.