Animals
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. (A) Match the words given in table A with their meanings in table B.
| No | A (Words) | B (Meaning) |
|---|---|---|
| (i) | whine | (b) complain in an annoying way |
| (ii) | sin | (a) an offence against religious or moral law |
| (iii) | evince | (e) show |
| (iv) | mania | (c) craze |
| (v) | negligent | (d) failing to take proper care |
1. (B) Find adjectives from the poem which refer to positive and negative thinking.
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| 1. placid | 1. dissatisfied |
| 2. self-contain’d | 2. demented |
| 3. respectable | 3. unhappy |
2. Complete the following.
(a) The poet wishes he could turn and live with animals.
(b) Animals do not complain about their condition.
(c) Animals do not merely discuss their duty to God.
(d) Animals are not crazy about owning things.
3. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Animals are self-reliant. True
(b) Animals quarrel for their possessions. False
(c) Animals do not worship other animals. True
(d) Humans have given up many good qualities. True
(e) Animals suffer humiliation. False
(f) The poet has retained all his natural virtues. False
4. With the help of the poem find the differences between animals and human beings.
| Human Beings | Animals |
|---|---|
| ● Always complain about their condition | ● Never complain about anything |
| ● Lie awake and weep for their sins | ● Do not weep for their sins |
| ● Discuss their duty to God | ● Do not discuss duty to God |
| ● Are crazy about owning things | ● Are not obsessed with possessions |
5. Read the text again, and complete the web, highlighting the good values/habits which we can learn from animals.
Good values and good habits that can be learnt from animals:
- They are placid and self-contained.
- They do not whine or complain.
- They are content and satisfied.
- They show gratitude and simplicity.
- They live without greed or obsession.
6. Find out lines from the poem that are examples of the following Figures of Speech.
| Figures of Speech | Lines |
|---|---|
| ● Repetition | “I stand and look at them long and long.” |
| ● Alliteration | “They do not sweat and whine about their condition.” |
| ● Hyperbole | “Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.” |
7. Identify the Figures of Speech in the following lines.
(a) “I stand and look at them long and long.”
Repetition (repetition of “long”)
(b) “They do not sweat and whine about their condition.”
Alliteration (repetition of ‘w’ sound in “whine” and “condition”)
(c) “They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God.”
Hyperbole (exaggeration of “make me sick”)
(d) “… not one is demented with the mania of owning things.”
Alliteration (repetition of ‘m’ sound in “mania” and “things”)
(e) “They bring me tokens of myself.”
Metaphor (comparing virtues to “tokens”)
(f) “No one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.”
Hyperbole (exaggeration implying no animal is unhappy anywhere)
8. Read the poem again and write an appreciation of the poem in a paragraph format with the help of given points.
The poem “Animals” by Walt Whitman is a beautiful piece of free verse that expresses the poet’s admiration for animals and their simple, peaceful nature. The title itself suggests a focus on animals, contrasting their qualities with human flaws. Whitman uses a reflective tone to convey his desire to live with animals, whom he describes as “placid and self-contain’d.” The central idea is that animals possess virtues like contentment, simplicity, and freedom from greed, which humans have lost over time. The poet employs figures of speech like repetition (“long and long”), alliteration (“sweat and whine”), and hyperbole (“over the whole earth”) to emphasize his points effectively. The language is simple yet powerful, making the poem relatable and thought-provoking. Personally, I appreciate how the poem encourages us to reflect on our own lives and learn from the calm and honest nature of animals.
9. Divide the class into two groups. One group should offer points in favor of (views) and the other against (counterviews) the topic ‘Life of an animal is better than that of a human being.’ Later, use the points to express your own views/counterviews in paragraph format in your notebook.
Views (In Favor):
- Animals live a simple life without worries or stress.
- They do not feel greed or the need to own things.
- Animals are free from societal pressures and expectations.
- They are content with what they have and live in the moment.
Counterviews (Against):
- Humans have intelligence and can create, learn, and grow.
- Animals lack the ability to enjoy art, music, or technology.
- Humans can form deep relationships and build communities.
- Animals face dangers like predators and lack medical care.
My View (Paragraph): I believe that while the life of an animal seems better in some ways, the life of a human being is more fulfilling. Animals, as Walt Whitman describes, are calm, content, and free from greed, which is appealing when we feel frustrated with our complicated lives. However, humans have unique abilities-like thinking, creating, and dreaming-that animals cannot experience. We can build homes, write poems, and help others, which gives our lives purpose. Animals may not worry about possessions, but they also face struggles like survival and cannot enjoy the beauty of knowledge or love in the way humans do. In my opinion, human life, with all its challenges, offers more opportunities for growth and happiness than an animal’s life.
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