Class 9 English - HARYANA

Poetry: The Duck and the Kangaroo

The chapter 'The Duck and the Kangaroo' is a delightful nonsense verse written by Edward Lear, prescribed for Class 9 students under the Haryana Board (BSEH). It narrates a humorous and heartwarming conversation between a dissatisfied Duck who is stuck living in a nasty pond and a friendly Kangaroo who hops around the world. The poem explores themes of friendship, mutual help, and adventure. For board exams, students must understand the central message, poetic devices like rhyme scheme, and answer comprehension questions based on the text to score high marks.

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Key Concepts

Nonsense Verse

A humorous genre of poetry characterized by whimsical, silly elements, imaginary situations, and playful language, which Edward Lear was famous for.

The Duck's Discontent

The Duck feels bored living in a stationary pond all day and longs to see the wide world beyond her water boundaries.

The Kangaroo's Offer

The kind Kangaroo agrees to carry the Duck on the end of his tail, though he requests the Duck to sit quietly and keep her cold feet warm.

Preparation for the Journey

To ensure a comfortable trip, the Duck buys four pairs of worsted socks and a cloak to protect herself from the cold wind.

Rhyme Scheme

The poem follows a consistent and musical rhyme scheme (AABB or similar patterns depending on the stanza) that adds to its lyrical and playful rhythm.

Important Formulas

Rhyme Scheme: The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line in a poem.
Alliteration: The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of adjacent words.
Refrain: A phrase or line repeated at intervals in the poem for musical effect.

Board Exam Info

In the Haryana Board (BSEH) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include short answer questions about the plot, reference-to-context questions based on stanzas, and questions identifying poetic devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Duck want to leave the pond?

The Duck felt bored and unhappy living in a small, dull pond all day and wanted to travel and see the world.

What condition did the Kangaroo put forward before taking the Duck on a ride?

The Kangaroo asked the Duck to sit quite still and keep her wet, cold feet tucked away so they wouldn't give him the roo-Matiz.

How did the Duck prepare herself for the long journey?

The Duck bought four pairs of worsted (thick woolen) socks to keep her feet warm and a cloak to protect herself from the cold wind.

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