2.

A Concrete Example
➢ Fill in the Blanks.
1. Mrs. Jones' garden path is described as a crazy path', suggesting it is not
straight or
ordinary.
2. A unique feature of the garden is a sundial wrapped in a strange device.
3. The plants in Mrs. Jones' garden are so small that they could be planted
with a pin .
4. The speaker finds the garden unusual and compares it to a fairy garden.
5. According to the poem, Mrs. Jones thinks her garden is rather nice , even
though it is very
different from others.
➢ Say whether the following statements are True or False.
1. Mrs. Jones has a garden that is filled with colourful flowers and tall trees. -
False
2. The sundial in Mrs. Jones' garden has a strange device attached to it. - True
3. The speaker admires Mrs. Jones' garden and calls it a fairy garden. - True
4. Mrs. Jones' garden is described as very modern and expensive. - False
5. The plants in Mrs. Jones' garden are so delicate that they could be planted
with a pin. - True
➢ Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
A. "My-next-door neighbour, Mrs. Jones,
has got a garden full of stones:
A crazy path, a lily pond,
a rockery and, just beyond
A sundial with a strange device,
which Mrs. Jones thinks rather nice."
1. What are the main elements in Mrs. Jones' garden mentioned in this
extract?
Ans. A crazy path, lily pond, rockery and a sundial with a strange device.
2. State whether the following sentence is True or False.
The speaker seems impressed by the garden's traditional beauty.
Ans. False
3. What could the 'crazy path' symbolise in this context?
 Ans. It may symbolise Mrs. Jones' unconventional or quirky personality.
4. What is Mrs. Jones' attitude towards the sundial in her garden?
(a) She ignores it (b) She finds it
unpleasant
(c) She finds it rather nice (d) She wants to replace
it
B. "She's planted little flowers between
The coloured stones - red, blue and green -
Tiny flowers, pink and yellow,
That make her feel all warm and mellow.
They are so delicate and thin,
She says she plants them with a pin."
1. What could planting with a pin' symbolise?
Ans. It symbolises extreme care, attention to detail and the fragility of the
flowers.
2. How do the tiny flowers affect Mrs. Jones emotionally?
(a) They make her feel bored (b) They make her feel angry
(c) They make her feel warm and mellow (d) They make her feel
nervous
➢ Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.
1. What kind of garden does Mrs. Jones have?
Ans. Mrs. Jones has a stone-filled garden with decorative things like a rockery
and a sundial.
2. How does the poet describe the size of the plants in Mrs. Jones'
garden?
Ans. The plants are described as very tiny and delicate, almost too small to
notice.
3. What makes the poet curious about the way plants are placed?
Ans. The poet wonders how the plants are put in between stones and jokes
that they might be
planted with a pin.
4. Why does the sundial stand out in the poem?
Ans. It is said that sundial have a strange design that Mrs. Jones finds
attractive.
 5. How long did the poet and Mrs. Jones talk about a flower?
Ans. The poet and Mrs. Jones talked about it for around fifteen minutes.
6. What surprised the poet about the flower he came to see?
Ans. He was surprised to find that he had been standing on it the whole time.
7. What does the poet's reaction to the flower show about his visit?
Ans. It shows he didn't notice the tiny flower at first, which made the visit
amusing.
➢ Answer the following questions in brief.
1. How is Mrs. Jones' garden different from a typical garden?
Ans. Mrs. Jones' garden is different because it is filled with stones instead of
plants. It has a
crazy path, a rockery and a sundial, making it unusual and unique.
2. What kind of tone does the speaker use to describe Mrs. Jones' garden?
Ans. The speaker uses a mix of amusement and irony, showing curiosity and
slight mockery
toward the odd elements in the garden.
3. Why do you think Mrs. Jones is proud of her garden?
Ans. Mrs. Jones is proud because she finds beauty and charm in the stones
and tiny plants,
showing that she values her personal taste.
4. What does the poem suggest about Mrs. Jones' personality?
Ans. The poem portrays Mrs. Jones as quirky, imaginative and content with
her unusual
gardening style, finding joy in simple things.
5. How does the poet use contrast in the poem?
Ans. The poet contrasts expectations of a lush garden with the reality of a
stone-filled one,
creating humour and surprise for the reader.
6. What does the poet mean by calling the path a 'crazy path'?
Ans. The term 'crazy path' refers to an irregular, uneven path made of
randomly placed stones,
reflecting the garden's unconventional look.
7. How does Mrs. Jones respond when the speaker praises a lovely stone?
Ans. She amusingly responds him that he has been standing on it all the time,
highlighting the
 unexpected placement of beauty in her garden.
8. What central idea does the poem convey about perception and
beauty?
Ans. The poem suggests that beauty is subjective and that people, like Mrs.
Jones, can find joy in things others might overlook.