Q1. [5]
A dime, another ball, is worthless. Now
He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for any ONE of the two given.
- (i) Comment on the portrayal of the character of the boy in the given extract. [2]
- (ii) Complete the following suitably :
"Money is external" implies that the boy _______ [1]
- (A) values material possessions.
- (B) learns the money cannot restore what is lost.
- (C) believes money is the solution to all problems.
- (D) is indifferent to material wealth.
- (iii) What does the poet mean by the phrase, 'epistemology of loss' ? [1]
- (iv) What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines ?
Select the correct option.
1. reflection 2. intrigue 3. acceptance 4. anger 5. fear [1]
- (A) 1, 4 and 5
- (B) Only 2
- (C) 1 and 3
- (D) 4 and 5
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 2/4/1 Q7 (b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:16 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
(i) The boy is portrayed as deeply distressed — his "desperate eyes" reveal his grief at losing the ball. He is innocent yet on the threshold of a painful realization. He is being transformed from a carefree child into someone who begins to understand responsibility and irreversible loss in a world of possessions.
(ii) (B) learns that money cannot restore what is lost.
(iii) 'Epistemology of loss' means the knowledge or understanding of what it means to lose something permanently. The boy is learning that loss is inevitable and that one must come to terms with it — a lesson every human being faces at some point in life.
(iv) (C) 1 and 3 — The atmosphere is one of reflection (the poet meditates on loss and growing up) and acceptance (the boy must stand up and accept that loss is a universal truth of life).
Source: The Ball Poem, English First Flight, Class X
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Explanation
- (i) Focus on the boy's emotional state ("desperate eyes") and what he is learning — examiners want both observation and inference.
- (ii) "Money is external" directly contrasts with internal/emotional value; the ball cannot be bought back, so (B) is correct.
- (iii) "Epistemology" means the study/theory of knowledge — here it is the knowledge about loss. Keep it simple and exam-relevant.
- (iv) The tone is thoughtful (reflective) and moving toward acceptance; there is no anger or fear — eliminate options accordingly.
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