Chapter 2.4: Upon Westminster Bridge
A bridge connects people on either side of a river or valleys in cities or villages. Discuss with your partner the importance of a bridge to both the cities and the villages and complete the table.
Solution
Building a bridge needs careful planning. Think about what goes on before the actual construction begins.
Proper planning
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Solution
Proper planning
Deciding the exact location to build the bridge
Taking permissions and completing paperwork
Gathering materials for the construction
Conducting necessary tests before construction
Cost Estimation
Selecting the type of foundation depending upon scientific analysis of soil, etc.
Redirecting necessary traffic to ensure smooth construction.
You might have visited a bridge. Complete the web describing the sights you could see from the bridge.
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You might have visited a bridge. Complete the web describing the sights you could see from the bridge. |
Solution
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You might have visited a bridge. Complete the web describing the sights you could see from the bridge. |
For preparing questions based on the poem, an overall understanding of the poem is a must. Discuss with your partner and prepare a set of five questions.
For example:
What is the name of the bridge?
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Solution
What is the name of the bridge?
Which city has been referred to in the poem?
What time of the day is the poet talking about?
Why does the poet call the air 'smokeless'?
What does the poet mean by the last two lines of the poem?
Identify the poetic devices used by the poet in this poem.
Choose the correct alternative for the given line. Focus on the inference of the poet.
‘Earth has not anything to show more fair:’
The line means - _________________.
Solution
The poet thinks that the place was not so good.
The poet thinks that there is another place that is more beautiful than this.
The poet thinks that there is no place on the earth which is as beautiful as this one.
‘Dull would he be of soul who could pass by’
The line means - __________________.
Solution
One can walk over the bridge and ignore the surrounding beauty
One can halt at the place to enjoy the beauty.
Anyone with an appreciative mind would not be able to ignore the beauty.
‘Earth has not anything to show more fair.’
This line expresses the poet’s feelings. The sight he saw from the bridge is beautiful. There are a few more lines similar to the above. With the help of your partner find them and discuss what they express.
Solution
'A sight so touching.'
The line expresses the poet's feelings of admiration.
'Never did sun more beautifully steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;'
The line expresses the poet's feelings of wonder at the effect created by the first rays of the sun hitting the city. The poet feels as if the sun had never shone so beautifully over any natural form the way it did on the structures of the city that morning.
'Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm, so deep!'
The line expresses the poet's feelings of calmness after witnessing nature's beauty from the bridge.
The poem creates a delightful picture of the city, rich in its natural beauty. Work in pairs, groups and pick out the lines from the poem which give the pictorial effect to the poem. Write it in your own words.
Solution
The poem creates a delightful picture of London by depicting ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples vividly; in front of our eyes. These structures lie open to the clear sky and glitter brightly in the sunshine. The poet paints a picture of the first rays of the sun in all its splendour (glory) falling on these structures. The Thames flowing at its own pace and the silent houses before the beginning of a new day all add to the imagery of a still and sleeping city.
Find out the words and phrases which describe the following. One is done for you.
Solution
sighttouching in its majestyairsmokelessriverSweet WillhouseAsleepmorningsilent and baresunSteep in his splendour
‘The city now, doth, like garment wear’. The poet imagines that the city is wearing a beautiful garment. Hence, the figure of speech is personification. Find out more examples of personification from the poem.
Solution
An example of Personification can be found in the line,
'This City now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning;'
In this line, the city is said to wear the beauty of the morning like a garment. Thus, the city has been compared to a person wearing clothes.
“In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;”
Personification – 'The sun' has been personified using the male pronoun 'his'.
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Personification – The river has been given the animate quality of having its own 'will'.
‘Dull would he be of soul who could pass by.’
This line of the poem can be rewritten as:
'He would be of a dull soul.'
The figure of speech is known as ‘Inversion’.
Find out one more example of Inversion from the poem.
Solution
“Dull would he be of soul who could pass by”
Inversion - The words in the line have been rearranged for poetic effect. The correct order should be “He could pass by would be of the dull soul”.
“Never did sun more beautifully steep”
Inversion - The words in the line have been rearranged for poetic effect. The correct order should be “The sun never did more beautifully steep”.
“Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm, so deep!”
Inversion - The words in the line have been rearranged for poetic effect. The correct order should be “I ne'er (never) saw, never felt, a calm so deep!”.
The poem is a Petrarchan Sonnet. The poem is divided into two parts -
An Octave
The first part comprising eight lines.
A sestet
The second part comprising six lines.
Read the first four lines of the poem. The rhyme scheme is a b b a. Read the rhyme scheme for the next four lines. It is a b b a. Now read the first three lines of the sestet and note the rhyme scheme. It is c d c. The rhyme scheme of the last three lines is d c d. This is the common design of a Petrarchan Sonnet.
This is a Petrarchan Sonnet. Complete the given table by giving examples from the poem.
Solution
The pride of any city is its skyline.
Write 5 lines about the place where you reside and what makes you feel proud of it.
Solution
I stay in Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Mumbai. I am proud of the –
view of the sea that I get to enjoy every day
of the wide, clean footpaths that allow people of all ages to take long walks by the sea
The curved structure of the main road, known as Queen‟s necklace, which lights up the night
the beach that brings people from all walks of life together
the food stalls on the streets that bring out the flavour of the city life as people crowd around them for an evening snack.
There is a common belief that cities have always flourished only after human intrusion over nature. Write a speech expressing your opinion about it.
Solution
Good morning everyone,
Today, I shall express my views against the common belief that cities have always flourished only after human intrusion over nature. In the process of building cities and aiding their development, the beauty of nature is often ruined. To provide land and resources for the growth of human or commercial settlements, we often encroach upon the habitats of animals and other creatures that call nature their home. In addition, cities often contribute to large scale pollution, depletion of natural resources like trees, and extinction of species. Building cities that coexist with nature and preserve its beauty is a difficult but not impossible task. When building a city, it is important to dedicate sufficient space for wildlife. Understanding and nurturing plant life within the city can help local flora and fauna survive. Using renewable energy sources and responsible waste disposal can help limit our negative impact on the surroundings. It is high time that we understood this and stopped intruding on nature's perimeters and started coexisting with it. Thank you for being such patient listeners.
Compose a poem in an imaginary village. Try to maintain the rhyme scheme in the poem. You may begin like this….
Settled on the bank of a river
Like a queen
Is my beautiful village
Full of bushes green.
Solution
Settled on the bank of a river
Like a queen.
Is my beautiful village
Full of bushes green.
People busy with their chores,
Few houses huddled around,
Little kids, little joys,
Heaven on Earth; my heart is bound.
Write an appreciation of the sonnet. Refer to the earlier poems for the points to be covered for appreciation.
About the poem / poet / title
Theme
Poetic devices, language, style
Special features / novelties / focusing elements
Values, message
Your opinion about the poem
Solution
Appreciation of the poem
'Upon Westminster Bridge'
'Upon Westminster Bridge' is a Petrarchan sonnet by William Wordsworth and thus is a fourteen-line poem, divided into an octave (observation) and a sestet (conclusion). The poem offers a vivid description of the view of the city of London through the eyes of the poet as he finds himself atop the Westminster Bridge in the wee hours of the morning. The poem tries to convey the poet's feelings of captivation as the early morning sun covers the landscape of the city of London in its first rays. The poet makes use of simple poetic devices (like simile, hyperbole, and personification) and easy language, in line with his intention to write the poem for the common people. The use of simile in the line 'This City now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning;' creates a powerful image of a city wearing the morning sunshine like a piece of clothing thus describing the poet's sense of wonder. Most notably, the poet uses personification to give life to the houses that 'seem asleep' or to compare the city of London to a 'mighty heart' that is lying still. Thus, he paints a picture of a sleeping city. The river, too, is referred to as a living being flowing at 'its own street will'. Wordsworth uses end rhymes to give a song-like rhythm to the poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem is abbaabba cdcdcd. The main message of the poem is the beauty of the city in its natural setting before any activities have begun. This highlights the negative impact of industrialization which the poet believes will ruin the city. In addition, by describing the beauty of a city, the poet shows that even a city is capable of making a person feel calm like nature; in the early hours of a morning when everything is silent and unmoving.
Overall, the poem is a good read and allows the reader to visualize the picture painted by Wordsworth and draws similarities between the city and nature.
Write a summary of the sonnet. Refer to the earlier poems for the points to be covered for writing the summary.
Title
Introductory paragraph (about the poem, type, nature, tone)
Main body (central idea, the gist of the poem)
Conclusion (opinion, views, appeal).
Solution
Upon Westminster Bridge
'Upon Westminster Bridge' is a sonnet composed by William Wordsworth. It is a Petrarchan sonnet consisting of an octave and a sestet. The tone of the poem changes from overwhelmed to calm to excited and amazed by the end.
The poet begins by describing a majestic scene that he has set his eyes upon – the city of London in the wee hours of a morning from Westminster's Bridge. He describes the beauty of the early morning sun adorning the city with sunshine and observes the silence and stillness of the city before its people awake. As he gazes at the structures of the city i.e. ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples, he notes that they lie open to the sky and glitter in the rays of the morning sun. The poet observes that the air is not polluted because it is early in the day and work hasn't begun. He describes the beginning of a new day with the first rays falling on the sleeping city and notices how even the river flows calmly, at its own pace, thus evoking a sense of calm in the poet. Tying up the two contrasting ideas of a busy city and nature, the poet paints a beautiful picture in our minds. He finally ends the poem by calling out to God in sheer amazement and refers to the sleeping city of London as the 'mighty heart' that is lying still. It is a sublime finish to the fourteen-line sonnet.
The poem is a beautiful comparison between a city and nature and how both have a calming effect on a person when they are observed in the silence of the morning. The subject of the poem substantiates the fact that Wordsworth was a true Nature poet. The use of simple language makes it easy to understand and this is the biggest appeal of the poem as it makes the poem attractive to readers.
While building a bridge, a group of people comes together. They are architects, designers, engineers, officers, masons, politicians, building material suppliers, carpenters, etc. Write about the qualifications of these people. Choose any career from the list above and complete the table.
Solution
Given below are a few famous bridges in India. Find out more information about them and write in your notebook.
The Howrah Bridge.
Laxman Zhula
Pambum Bridge
Worli Sea Link
Solution
The Howrah Bridge
Kolkata’s twin city and also the second-largest city of West Bengal, Howrah is one of the most preferred tourist destinations. The history of this city dates back to almost 500 years ago. Also, an industrial city, plan a trip to this place for your next vacation. There are many places of attraction that can explore in Howrah. Of all the sightseeing attractions, one of the most significant sightseeing spots is the Howrah Bridge that is a cantilever bridge. It is one of a kind and is also the sixth-largest bridge in the whole world. It is 2150 feet in length with a suspending span that right above the Hooghly River. The bridge was commissioned in 1943 and was initially called the New Howrah Bridge since it had replaced the pontoon bridge. It links two cities- both Kolkata and Howrah. In 1965, it was given another name called Rabindra Setu, and this name was kept in honor of the renowned Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore. But today it is popularly known as the Howrah Bridge. On your visit to West Bengal, this is one attraction that you must definitely not avoid visiting. It is no less than a magical wonder that the bridge stands with such grandeur.
The Howrah Bridge is a significant landmark of Kolkata. There are a total of four bridges namely- Vidyasagar Setu bridge, Vivekananda Setu, and the Nivedita Setu bridge that was built recently. It is said that the bridge carries the traffic of 100,000 vehicles and 150,000 pedestrians. When this bridge was first constructed is was the third-longest cantilever bridge and now it stands in the sixth position.
Laxman Zhula
About 2 km from Swarg Ashram lies the well-known Lakshman (Laxman) Jhula, a suspension bridge about 450 ft long. Named after Lord Rama’s younger brother, Lakshmana (Laxman), it has temples on either side, including the famed Lakshmana Temple. The entire bridge is made of iron and is situated at a height of 70 ft from the river. Built-in 1939, over River Ganga, the jhula is one of the most prominent landmarks in Rishikesh. As the legend goes, Lord Lakshmana (Laxman) crossed Ganga on ropes of jute, and hence the bridge has been named in his honour.
Pambum Bridge
It is an engineering marvel that evokes awe! Few can forget a train journey on the Pamban bridge, connecting Rameswaram island to the mainland.
With 143 piers, spanning 2 km between the mainland and the island, it is the second-longest sea bridge in India after the 2.3-km Bandra-Worli sea link on Mumbai's western coast.
German engineer Scherzer designed the central part of the bridge that opens up to allow ferry movement. On average, 10 to 15 boats and small ships pass beneath the bridge every month. As India's first sea bridge, it has also become a tourist attraction by itself as people watch in awe when the two leaves of the bridge open up to let ships pass through.
Worli Sea Link
The Bandra Worli Sea Link is a ubiquitous symbol of 21st century Mumbai. The 5.6-kilometre cable-stayed bridge is a remarkable technical feat, the first of its kind built over open seas in India. To Mumbai’s elite, the Sea Link epitomizes connectivity and a jet-setting lifestyle. To the city’s aspiring classes, it is bound up with dreams of dignity and escaping the crushing commute of overcrowded local trains and buses.
FYJC English Latest Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Balbharati Solutions for English Yuvakbharati 11th Standard Maharashtra State Board Chapterwise List
The answers for the Balbharati books are the best study material for students. These Balbharati Solutions for English Yuvakbharati 11th Standard Maharashtra State Board will help students understand the concepts better.
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| FYJC English Latest Syllabus 2020 - 2021 |
11th Standard English Yuvakbharati Balbharati Solutions for Maharashtra State Board
FYJC English Latest Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Balbharati Solutions for English Yuvakbharati 11th Standard Maharashtra State Board Chapterwise List
The answers for the Balbharati books are the best study material for students. These Balbharati Solutions for English Yuvakbharati 11th Standard Maharashtra State Board will help students understand the concepts better.
Chapter 1.1: Being Neighborly
Chapter 1.2: On To The Summit : We Reach The Top
Chapter 1.3: The Call of the Soil
Chapter 1.4: Pillars of Democracy
Chapter 1.5: Mrs. Adis
Chapter 1.6: Tiger Hills
Chapter 2.1: Cherry Tree
Chapter 2.2: The Sower
Chapter 2.3: There is Another Sky
Chapter 2.4: Upon Westminster Bridge
Chapter 2.5: Nose versus Eyes
Chapter 2.6: The Planners
Chapter 3.1: Expansion of Ideas
Chapter 3.2: Blog Writing
Chapter 3.3: E-mails
Chapter 3.4: Interview
Chapter 3.5: Film Review
Chapter 3.6: The Art of Compering
Chapter 4.1: History of English Drama
Chapter 4.2: The Rising of the Moon
Chapter 4.3: Extracts of Drama - (A) A Midsummer - Night's Dream
Chapter 4.3: Extracts of Drama - (B) An Enemy of the People
About: English Yuvakbharati 11th Standard Maharashtra State Board
Author: Balbharati
Publisher: Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research
