Sea Fever by John Masefield – Textual Questions and Answers

John Masefield’s poem Sea Fever beautifully captures the longing for the sea, adventure, and freedom. This article provides answers to the textual questions including comprehension and grammar exercises, sentence transformations, and writing tasks. Whether you’re a student preparing for an exam or a literature enthusiast, this guide will help you better understand the poem and related linguistic concepts. Let’s dive into the questions and answers!

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The poet asks for a sail the colour of which would be (i) blue (ii) grey (iii) black (iv) white

(b) While going down to the sea, the poet wants to hear the crying of (i) seagulls (ii) cuckoos (iii) eagles (iv) swallows

(c) The wind on the sea is like a whetted (i) sword (ii) axe (iii) knife (iv) spear

2. True or False with Supporting Statements

(a) To steer the ship the poet needs the moon.
Answer: False – The poet does not need the moon to steer the ship; he asks for a star.
Supporting statement: “And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;”

(b) The call of the running tide is wild and clear.
Answer: True – The call of the running tide is both wild and clear.
Supporting statement: “Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;”

(c) The poet is going out to the sea for the first time.
Answer: False – The poet has sailed before and longs to return.
Supporting statement: The repeated phrase “I must go down to the seas again” suggests he has been to the sea before.

3. Short Answer Questions

(a) During what time of the day does the poet wish to go down to the seas?
Answer: The poet wishes to go down to the seas at dawn, as indicated by the phrase “a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.”

(b) What kind of day does the poet prefer for sailing?
Answer: The poet prefers a windy day for sailing, as he asks for “a windy day with the white clouds flying.”

(c) What does the poet prefer to hear from a fellow rover?
Answer: The poet prefers to hear a merry yarn (story) from a laughing fellow rover, as stated in the line “And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover.”

4. Do as directed:

(a) What a shocking sight! (change into an assertive sentence)
Answer: It is a very shocking sight.

(b) I am sure of his success. (change into a complex sentence)
Answer: I am sure that he will succeed.

(c) Snigdha is not only wise but also brave. (change into a simple sentence)
Answer: Snigdha is both wise and brave.

5. Write a summary of the following passage (within 100 words):

Egyptian kings are called Pharaohs. Tutankhamun was an Egyptian king who ruled between 1332-1323 BC. Tutankhamun was very young when he became the king. He was only ten years old when he ascended the throne. He was the son of Akhenaten who was also a Pharaoh. As the king, Tutankhamun undertook many building projects. These building projects were centered around Thebes and Karnak.

Tutankhamun built many temples and monuments. At that time many temples

were in ruins. Tutankhamun ordered them to be rebuilt. Tutankhamun had various physical disabilities. He suffered from ill health for a long period in his life. Tutankhamun required the support of a cane to walk because of his physical disabilities.

In ancient Egypt, the body of a Pharaoh was preserved after his death. This preserved body was known as the mummy. The preserved body of Tutankhamun was discovered by Howard Carter, an Englishman. He discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. The tomb was nearly intact when it was discovered. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb attracted wide interest all over the world. The discovery sparked an interest in ancient Egypt.

Summary:

Pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled Egypt from 1332–1323 BC, ascending the throne at just ten years old. He was the son of Pharaoh Akhenaten and undertook many building projects in Thebes and Karnak, restoring ruined temples. Despite his achievements, he suffered from physical disabilities and needed a cane to walk. After his death, his body was preserved as a mummy. In 1922, Englishman Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s nearly intact tomb, which gained worldwide attention and sparked interest in ancient Egypt.

6. Write a newspaper report (within 100 words) on the incident of burglary in a flat in Kolkata using the following points:

date and place – time – occupants of the house – number of robbers – list of articles stolen – police investigation

Burglary in Kolkata Flat: Valuables Stolen

Kolkata, April 2: A burglary took place at a flat in South Kolkata late last night around 2 AM. The house was occupied by Mr. Arup Sen and his family, who were asleep during the incident. Reports suggest that a group of three masked robbers broke in and stole cash, jewelry, and electronic gadgets worth several lakhs. Upon receiving the complaint, the local police arrived at the scene and started an investigation. Forensic experts have been called in, and CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined to identify the culprits. No arrests have been made yet.