Meadow Surprises | English | Melody VII | Summary | Questions and Answers

 

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English | Melody VII

JANDKNCERT – provides free solutions for most of the ncert books. In the library of JANDKNCERT, you will find almost all kinds of study material. In this post, you will find the summary, questions and answers to the poem ‘Meadow Surprises’, taken from the recently introduced English for JK UT students, Melody VII. It is actually a Honeycomb version of ncert that has already been introduced in other states of the Country. Some of the chapters are already been added to the English Tulip Series of Class 7th and you can check these chapters by clicking this link https://www.jandkncert.com/p/free-ncert-solutions-for-class-7th_43.html. Here we will try to provide you the easy solutions for the chapters given in this Melody VII or Honeycomb. Read the poem from the Textbook of English Melody VII of JK or download the same as the Honeycomb series from the ncert website.

 

Unit 8
Summary | Questions | Answers |

Poem 8. Meadow Surprises (Lois Brandt Phillips)

 

Meadow Surprises

 

Meadows have surprises,

You can find them if you look;

Walk softly through the velvet grass,

And listen by the brook.

 

You may see a butterfly

Rest upon a buttercup

And unfold its drinking straws

To sip the nectar up.

 

You may scare a rabbit

Who is sitting very still;

Though at first you may not see him,

When he hops you will.

 

A dandelion whose fuzzy head

Was golden days ago

Has turned to airy parachutes

That flutter when you blow.

 

Explore the meadow houses,

The burrows in the ground,

A nest beneath tall grasses,

The ant’s amazing mound.

 

Oh! Meadows have surprises

And many things to tell;

You may discover these yourself,

If you look and listen well.

 

(Lois Brandt Phillips)

 

Short Summary

The poem "Meadow Surprises" by Lois Brandt Phillips celebrates the wonders of nature found in meadows. The poet encourages readers to explore meadows with a keen eye and attentive ear. Meadows, according to the poem, is filled with surprises waiting to be discovered. From butterflies sipping nectar from buttercups to rabbits hidden in the grass, the meadow is depicted as a lively and dynamic environment. The poet also draws attention to the transformations in nature, such as dandelions turning into airy parachutes. The poem encourages readers to observe and appreciate the small details and hidden marvels within the meadow, conveying a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

 

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Read the lines in which the following phrases occur. Then discuss with your partner the meaning of each phrase in its context.

(i) Velvet grass

(ii) drinking straws

(iii) meadow houses

(iv) amazing mound

(v) fuzzy head

 

Answer:

(i) Velvet grass:

In the line "Walk softly through the velvet grass," the term "velvet grass" refers to a type of grass that has a soft and smooth texture, reminiscent of velvet. The poet is encouraging the reader to tread gently through this grass, implying a sense of delicacy and appreciation for the natural surroundings.

 

(ii) Drinking straws:

In the line "And unfold its drinking straws to sip the nectar up," the phrase "drinking straws" metaphorically describes the proboscis or elongated mouthpart of a butterfly. The poet vividly portrays how a butterfly extends its proboscis to sip nectar from a flower, resembling the action of using a straw.

 

(iii) Meadow houses:

The phrase "meadow houses" appears in the line "Explore the meadow houses, the burrows in the ground." Here, "meadow houses" refers to the various habitats or shelters found in the meadow, including burrows created by animals like rabbits. The poet encourages the exploration of these natural dwellings.

 

(iv) Amazing mound:

The term "amazing mound" is found in the line "A nest beneath tall grasses, the ant’s amazing mound." In this context, it refers to the intricate and impressive structure built by ants, which is often a mound of soil. The poet emphasizes the marvel of these tiny creatures' construction.

 

(v) Fuzzy head:

"Fuzzy head" is mentioned in the line "A dandelion whose fuzzy head was golden days ago." Here, "fuzzy head" describes the distinctive, fluffy, and seed-bearing structure of a mature dandelion flower. The phrase captures the transformation of the dandelion from a golden bloom to a later stage when its seeds are ready to disperse.

 

In each case, the poet uses descriptive language to evoke images and sensations related to the natural elements present in the meadow, contributing to the overall charm and wonder of the poem.

 

Question 2. Which line in the poem suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow? Read aloud the stanza that contains this line.

Answer:

The line in the poem that suggests the need for a keen eye and a sharp ear to enjoy a meadow is found in the last stanza. Here's the stanza:

 

"Oh! Meadows have surprises

And many things to tell;

You may discover these yourself,

If you look and listen well."

 

In these lines, the poet is conveying the idea that meadows are full of surprises and interesting details, but to truly appreciate and enjoy them, one must actively engage their senses. Looking and listening attentively are highlighted as essential actions for discovering the hidden wonders of the meadow.

 

Question 3. Find pictures of the kinds of birds, insects and scenes mentioned in the poem.

Answer:

Birds, insects and scenes mentioned in the poem are:

Birds: Rabbit

Insects: Ants, butterflies

Scenes: Velvet grass, butterfly on a buttercup, hopping of rabbit, fuzzy head of dandelion, a nest beneath tall grasses

 

Question 4. Watch a tree or a plant, or walk across a field or park simultaneously every day for a week. Keep a diary of what you see and hear. At the end of the week, write a short paragraph or a poem about your experiences. Put your writing up on the class bulletin board.

 

Read the following poem about the world of nature, which is as busy as the world of human beings.

 

Busy World

 

Bees are buzzing, frogs are hopping,

Moles are digging. There’s no stopping

Vines from climbing, grass from growing,

Birds from singing, winds from blowing,

Buds from blooming. Bees are humming,

Sunbeams dancing, raindrops drumming.

All the world is whirling, dizzy,

Summertime is very busy!

(Frances Gorman Risser)