1. HOW TO ANSWER A ‘REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT’ QUESTION.

2. Reference to the context helps us in-
Interpreting the thoughts, attitude, mood, etc of the writer and expressing our reaction to these;
Developing the skill to organize material in a thematic (based on the theme) manner;
Learning to explain the literary devices used in the lesson.

3. THE FORMAT:-
While attempting a Reference to context question, divide your answer into three sub-headings:-

4. 1). Reference to the chapter;
2). Summary of the lesson;
3). Explanation of the given lines.

5. WRITING REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT:-

6. I). Begin by naming the lesson and the writer;
Example:- This is an extract from the poem…….. written by…….. OR
These lines have been taken from the lesson………written by……..

7. II). Write a brief summary of the lesson/poem.

8. III). Explanation of the given lines:-
a). Give a simple, brief meaning of the passage;
b). Briefly describe the context/situation in which the given lines occur;
c). Identify its relevance to the rest of the lesson; where and when it occurs; who speaks the lines, etc.

9. In the explanation,
i). Look for hidden meanings conveyed through poetic/literary devices. Mention use of similes, metaphors, symbols, personification, etc.
ii). Bring out meaning of the poetic devices. Relate the relevance of the devices by commenting on their effect in the poem/lesson.

10. Let us take up an example from the English Reader of Class XI.

11. Explain with reference to the context:-
“…..Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;”

12. I).Reference:-
These lines are an extract from the poem “Where the Mind is Without Fear”, written by India’s first Nobel Laureate for Literature, Rabindranath Tagore, a famous and very gifted poet, writer, artist as well as philosopher.

13. II). SUMMARY OF THE POEM:-
This poem is a prayer made to the Almighty in which Tagore shares the vision, the dream he has of what kind of a freedom he would like his country to achieve. According to him, a truly free nation would be one in which people could live fearless, honest, dignified lives, without petty differences and divisions. Everyone would be free to acquire an education, and the nation would not be restricted from progressing and moving forward by narrow, superstitious beliefs and traditions. Above all, people’s thoughts and actions would be guided by God.

14. III). EXPLANATION:-
In the given lines, Rabindranath Tagore prays that the citizens of his free nation would not be satisfied with just being free from an oppressive rule, and take their freedom for granted, but would keep before their eyes an ideal society possessing all the qualities and attributes discussed above, and that they would make continuous, consistent efforts to achieve that perfection in every sphere of their lives. The poet has expressed this beautifully by using the poetic techniques of imagery and personification.

15. Tireless efforts to achieve perfection is shown as people stretching out their arms in order to reach for the trophy, the prize, the goal of perfection. Thus, through the use of personification, a powerful image is created of the people of a free India never giving up in their efforts to achieve perfection in every walk of life in order to ensure an ideal nation. The imagery used in the given lines is a visual one, a metaphor, as well as an example of personification.

16. a). “….he suddenly smote the door, even louder, and lifted his head:-
ASSIGNMENT FOR CLASS XI:-
Explain with reference to the context:-
a). “….he suddenly smote the door, even
louder, and lifted his head:-
‘Tell them I came, and no one answered,
That I kept my word,’ he said……” (page 56).
b). “Separation cannot be borne when the rains come: this every lyric says……”(page 116)

17. ASSIGNMENT FOR CLASS XII:- Explain with reference to the context:- a)
ASSIGNMENT FOR CLASS XII:- Explain with reference to the context:- a). “ ‘What is the point of getting annoyed, There is no set time for the sun to rise. Whenever it rises, that is sunrise.’ “ b). “ It shook out their hearts, the yellow leaves, scattered them over the ground. Anyone could trample them out of shape undisturbed by a single moan of protest.”