Solution of English Grade IX || Unit 1Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (New Course)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Readning II

About the Poem

‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ was written by Robert Frost in 1922. It was first published in the collection ‘New Hampshire’. The poem has 16 lines which are divided into 4 stanzas. Its rhyme scheme is AABA BBCB CCDC DDDD.

In the poem, human life is compared with a journey. The speaker is a traveller. He has to reach his destination before taking rest. However, he is distracted by the transitory pleasure in the form of the woods. The horse reminds him of his promises in life. The speaker realizes that he has to fulfill many responsibilities before his death.

Stanza-Wise Summary of the Poem

Stanza 1

Whose woods these ______________ fill up with snow.

One evening the speaker stops by the woods for some time on his way. He knows the owner of the woods and even where he lives. He is enjoying his moment in solitude and is a bit relaxed thinking that the owner cannot see him immersed in the beauty of his snow-covered woods. The incomparable beauty has enchanted him. He has stopped there for some time to watch the snowfall in the forest.

Stanza 2

My little horse ________________ evening of the year.

The speaker thinks that his little horse must be finding it strange as he has stopped so far from any civilization. There is no farmhouse close by. They are surrounded by the forest and a frozen lake in the darkest evening of the year. The lines indicate that the speaker is a humble person and they probably spend a lot of time together. Though the horse cannot utter a word but the speaker can feel its emotions.

Stanza 3

He gives his harness ______________ wind and downy flake.

The speaker knows that the horse is shaking his bells attached to his harness to ask his master if there is any problem, as it is unusual for him to stop by the woods in the darkness. The only other sound that the speaker can hear beyond the harness bells' ringing is the sweeping noise coming from the slight wind and the softly falling snow.

Stanza 4

The woods are lovely ______________ go before I sleep.

The speaker describes the woods as beautiful, dark and deep. He is enjoying the beauty of the place and wishes to stay longer there. However, he has other responsibilities to be fulfilled so he cannot stay there. Before he sleeps, he has to go miles. He will be reminded of this glorious view of nature again and again.

A. Find the words from the text that match the following meanings.

a. an area of trees, smaller than a forest - woods

b. strange or unusual - queer

c. the main house on a farm, usually where the farmer lives- farmhouse

d. a set of leather and metal pieces that is put around the body of a horse - harness

e. movement of the air - wind

f. covered in something very soft - downy

B. Choose the correct answer.

a. Why does the speaker stop while on the journey?

i. to watch the woods filled up with snow

ii. to find food for his or her horse

iii. to say hello to the owner of the woods

iv. to go skating on a frozen lake

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Answer:
i. to watch the woods filled up with snow

b. What is the setting of the poem?

i. the woods on a bright, snowy afternoon

ii. a village on a dark, snowy evening

iii. a frozen lake on a bright, snowy afternoon

iv. the woods on a dark, snowy evening

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Answer:
iv. the woods on a dark, snowy evening

c. Which one of the following statements is true?

i. The woods are far away from the village.

ii. The woods are near some houses.

iii. The owner of the woods and speaker are friends.

iv. The speaker of the poem does not like the owner of the woods.

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Answer:
i. The woods are far away from the village.

d. How did the horse respond when the speaker stopped there?

i. stood calm

ii. did nothing

iii. shook its harness

iv. asked the speaker a question

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Answer:
i. shook its harness

e. What does 'miles to go before I sleep' mean?

i. The speaker feels tired and sleepy.

ii. The speaker has lots of desires to fulfill.

iii. The speaker has lots of responsibilities to fulfill.

iv. The speaker has a long distance to travel.

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Answer:
iii. The speaker has lots of responsibilities to fulfill.

C. Fill in the gaps with appropriate words from the box to complete the summary of the poem.

a. journey

b. traveller

c. destination

d. woods

e. promises

f. responsibilities

Additional Questions

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the weather like?

The weather is snowy and cold.

2. Why does the horse give a shake to his bells?

The horse gives a shake to his bells because he is wondering why the poet has stopped in the middle of nowhere.

3. Where does the master of the woods live?

The master of the woods lives in the village, far away from the woods.

4. Why does the poet stop at the woods? The poet stops at the woods because he is drawn to the beauty of the snow-covered forest.

5. How is the lake mentioned in the poem?

The lake is frozen.

6. What sounds does the poet hear at the woods?

The poet hears the sound of the bells on his horse's harness, easy wind, and downy flake(snow).

7. Why can't the owner of the woods see the poet?

The owner of the woods can't see the poet because he is too far away in the village.

8. Where was the poet going?

The poet was going home.

9. What does the phrase 'before I sleep' denote in the poem?

The phrase "before I sleep" denotes death. The poet is aware that he is nearing the end of his life, and he is reflecting on the journey that he has taken.

Write True or False against the following statements.

a. The traveller is not sure about the death owner of the forest.

b. There is a farmhouse between the woods and the lake.

c. The speaker in the poem stopped at the farmhouse.

d. The horse warns the traveller by ringing the bell.

e. The poet thinks the owner of the woods lives in a village.

f. There is no house close to the forest to spend the night.

g. The speaker shakes the harness bells.

h. The destination is not very far from that forest.

Grammar II

A. Use the correct form of verbs given in the brackets to complete the sentences.

a. As per the schedule, the train…………(leave) at 3 o'clock

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Answer:
is leaving 

b. Look, that aeroplane is looking shaky! It………(crash).

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Answer:
is going to crash

c. My daughter says she……(be) a doctor when she grows old.

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Answer:
will be

d. Tomorrow ……………(be) a sunny day, according to the weather forecast.

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Answer:
will be

e. A: What………(do) tomorrow evening?

B: Nothing special. I think I ……………(stay) at home.

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Answer:

are you doing

will stay

f. It’s very stuffy here. Don't worry, I…...…(open) the windows for you.

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Answer:
will open

g. Ann is driving. There is very little gas left in the tank. The nearest gas station is a long way from here. She ……(run) out of gas.

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Answer:
is going to run

h. There is a hole in the bottom of the boat. It is filling up with water quickly. It……………(sink).

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Answer:
is going to sink

Writing II

Write a letter to your friend describing your travel plans for your upcoming holidays. Include the following points in your letter.

Where do you plan to go?

Who will you go with?

Where will you stay?

How long will you stay?

What are you going to see?

Dhulikhel, Kavre

June 4, 2022

Dear Raj,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am delighted to share the exciting travel plans I have made for the upcoming holidays with you. I'm certain you'll be thrilled to hear about them!

My parents and I will be heading to Pokhara for four days. We'll take a scenic bus ride from Kathmandu, enjoying views of rivers, forests, and terraced fields. In Pokhara, we'll explore Taal Barahai Temple, witness cultural dances, marvel at the sunrise from Sarangkot, visit the World Peace Stupa, and venture into Mahendra Cave and Davi's Fall. I can't wait for this incredible trip!

Let me know about your vacation plans, too. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

With love,

Bimal