Practise 1
Read stanzas 1-3 of the poem and answer the questions that follow.
1) The words, 'wanderer', 'nomad' and 'tramp' convey the idea of
a) recklessness
b) nervousness
c) stability
d) motion
2) The word 'camp' indicates a place of
a) work
b) leisure
c) camping
d) settlement
3) Where does the river flow? It flows through the
a) hill
b) sea
c) valley
d) valley and hill
4) The river is a hoarder because it likes to
a) steal things
b) keep things
c) wash things
d) destroy things
Practise 2
Read stanzas 4-6 of the poem and answer the following questions.1) The river is happily 'sucking his thumbs'. This idea appeals to our sense of
a) sight
b) touch
c) taste
d) hearing
2) Which line below tells us that the sound of the following river can be heard near and far?
a) The country side echoes
b) He gurgles and hums
c) The notes of his song
d) He just cannot be still
3) The river is called a monster because it is
a) raging
b) useful
c) destructive
d) mesmerising
4) In the last stanza, the river is seen as being harmful to
a) man only
b) the environment only
c) both man and the environment
d) man, animals and the environment
Practise 3
Explain the meaning of the following lines from the poem.
1) 'He twists and he turns,
He just cannot be still.'
2) 'Those little treasures
That he wants to keep.'
3) 'Hungry and vexed,'
4) 'And he'll swallow you next.'
Practise 4
Give short responses to the questions below.
1) What is the message of the poem?
2) Discuss two poetic devices used in the poem.
3) What are the two positive traits shown by the River in stanzas 4 and 5?
