Important Questions Class 8 Chapter 15 English MP Board

A Secret

Short Questions

1. Where do birds live?

• Birds live in trees, nests, and sometimes human-made structures.

2. Where do birds lay their eggs?

• Birds lay their eggs in nests they build in safe places.

3. Who are the “three” in the secret mentioned in the poem?

• The robin, the cherry tree, and the speaker are the three.

4. What does the robin know best?

• The robin knows the secret best as she built the nest.

5. How many eggs did the robin lay?

• The robin laid four eggs in the nest.

6. What does the speaker promise to do about the secret?

• The speaker promises to try their best to keep the secret.

7. When will the secret be revealed?

• The secret will be revealed when the little birds fly out.

8. Who told the speaker the secret?

• The tree told the speaker the secret.

9. What is the speaker afraid of?

• The speaker is afraid of accidentally revealing the secret.

10. What does the speaker rely on the robin and tree for?

• The speaker relies on the robin and tree not to peep.

Long Questions

1. What is the significance of the secret shared among the robin, the cherry tree, and the speaker?

• The secret symbolizes a bond of trust and shared joy between nature and the speaker. It reflects an appreciation of the simple, beautiful moments in life.

2. How does the poem emphasize the importance of keeping secrets?

• The poem highlights self-restraint and the value of privacy by showing how the speaker struggles but resolves to honor the secret of the robin and the tree.

3. Why does the speaker feel it will be hard to keep the secret?

• The speaker feels a mix of excitement and pride in knowing the secret, which makes it challenging to hold back from sharing it with others.

4. What role does the cherry tree play in the secret?

• The cherry tree acts as a confidant and intermediary in the secret, showing how nature connects with humans in mysterious and endearing ways.

5. Describe the relationship between the speaker and nature in the poem.

• The speaker shares a close and harmonious relationship with nature, as evident in their intimate bond with the robin and the tree.

6. What emotions does the speaker experience throughout the poem?

• The speaker experiences joy, curiosity, pride, and slight anxiety as they learn, hold, and try to keep the secret.

7. How does the poem convey the cycle of life through the robin and her nest?

• The poem reflects life’s cycles by focusing on the robin building a nest, laying eggs, and eventually the birds flying out, symbolizing growth and independence.

8. Why is the robin central to the story of the poem?

• The robin represents the beauty of nature and the essence of motherhood, as she builds a safe home and nurtures her young ones.

9. What is the significance of the phrase, “Then the whole secret will be out”?

• This phrase signifies the inevitability of nature’s course and how some secrets are revealed in time, emphasizing the natural flow of events.

10. How does the poem celebrate the innocence and simplicity of life?

• Through its gentle narrative and focus on the robin, the tree, and the speaker’s joy, the poem cherishes the purity of life’s simple pleasures.