NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight

For Anne Gregory

Updated For 2024-2025
Exams

 

Thinking About the Poem

Q.1. What does the young man mean by “great
honey-coloured / Ramparts at your ear?” Why does he say that young men are
“thrown into despair” by them?

Answer:
The young man refers to Anne Gregory’s beautiful golden hair as “great
honey-coloured ramparts.” The word “ramparts” suggests that her hair
is like a fortress wall, symbolizing how her outer beauty captivates and
mesmerizes people, making it difficult for them to see beyond it. He says that
young men are “thrown into despair” by her hair because they are infatuated
with her physical appearance and may not love her for who she truly is on the
inside.

Q.2. What colour is the young woman’s hair? What does she
say she can change it to? Why would she want to do so?

Answer:
The young woman’s hair is yellow (golden). She says she can change its colour
to brown, black, or carrot (red) using hair dye. She suggests this to show that
she could alter her appearance in hopes that men would then love her for who
she is, rather than just being attracted to her for her yellow hair.

Q.3. Objects have qualities which make them desirable to
others. Can you think of some objects (a car, a phone, a dress…) and say what
qualities make one object more desirable than another? Imagine you were trying
to sell an object: what qualities would you emphasize?

Answer:
Objects become desirable because of certain qualities like design,
functionality, or exclusivity. For example:

• A car can be desirable for
  its sleek design, fuel efficiency, and advanced technology.
• A phone might be desirable
  for its user-friendly interface, camera quality, and speed.
• A dress could be appealing
  because of its stylish design, comfort, and brand reputation.

If I were
trying to sell a phone, I would emphasize its long battery life, high-quality
camera, large storage capacity, and durability, as these features would make it
more attractive to potential buyers.

Q.4. What about people? Do we love others because we like
their qualities, whether physical or mental? Or is it possible to love someone
“for themselves alone”? Are some people ‘more lovable’ than others? Discuss
this question in pairs or in groups, considering points like the following.

(i) A parent or
caregiver’s love for a newborn baby, for a mentally or physically challenged
child, for a clever child or a prodigy.
(ii) The public’s love for a film star, a sportsperson, a politician, or a
social worker.
(iii) Your love for a friend, or brother or sister.
(iv) Your love for a pet, and the pet’s love for you.

Answer:
(Discussion-based, students should express their thoughts. A possible answer
could be:)
We often love people for their qualities, both physical and mental. However, it
is also possible to love someone “for themselves alone,” especially in cases
like a parent’s love for a child, which is unconditional. While some people may
seem ‘more lovable’ because of their charisma or achievements (like celebrities
or public figures), real love goes beyond superficial qualities and values the
person as a whole. Similarly, the love between family members, friends, or even
between a person and their pet, is often based on deep emotional connections
rather than physical traits or achievements.