Couplets – Alexander Pope | Class 8 English Q&A

COUPLETS – Question & Answer Worksheet

Poet: Alexander Pope | Class 8 English Literature

50 Questions with Simple Answers – Textual + Extract Based

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A. Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each)

1. 1. What is a couplet? Two rhyming lines expressing one idea.
2. 2. Who wrote the poem “Couplets”? Alexander Pope.
3. 3. What does the poet compare our judgments to? Watches.
4. 4. What does each person believe about his judgment? He thinks he is right.
5. 5. Who “knows to live,” according to Pope? One who lives a balanced life.
6. 6. What does “middle state” mean? A balanced, moderate way of living.
7. 7. What do fools contest about? Types of governments.
8. 8. What kind of government is best? The one that is managed well.
9. 9. What does “zealots” mean? Fanatic people who fight blindly for religion.
10. 10. What cannot be wrong? A life lived with good actions.
11. 11. What two things does the world disagree about? Faith and hope.
12. 12. What is mankind’s common concern? Charity.
13. 13. Which quality does Pope value the most? Charity or kindness.
14. 14. What is the rhyme scheme of a couplet? AA – both lines rhyme.
15. 15. What are “modes of faith”? Different religions or ways of worship.

B. Word Meanings (1 mark each)

16. 16. Contest – argue or fight.
17. 17. Lean – bend toward one side.
18. 18. Administered – managed or governed.
19. 19. Charity – kindness; helping others.
20. 20. Graceless – without good sense or goodness.

C. Extract-Based Questions (Reference to Context)

Extract 1: “’Tis with our judgments as our watches, none / Go just alike, yet each believes his own.”

21. 21. What is compared to watches? People’s judgments.
22. 22. Why does each person believe his own? Because everyone trusts himself.
23. 23. What does the poet show about human nature? People think differently but still believe they are right.

Extract 2: “He knows to live, who keeps the middle state / And neither leans on this side nor on that.”

24. 24. What is “middle state”? A balanced way of life.
25. 25. Why avoid leaning to one side? Extremes cause problems.
26. 26. What type of person is wise? One who lives with balance.

Extract 3: “For forms of government let fools contest; / Whate’er is best administered is best.”

27. 27. What do fools fight about? Which government is best.
28. 28. What makes a government truly good? Good administration.
29. 29. What message does the poet give here? Stop arguing—look at how well the government works.

Extract 4: “For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight; / His can’t be wrong whose life is in the right.”

30. 30. What do zealots fight about? Religion and rituals.
31. 31. What is the true test of a person? Good actions and a good life.
32. 32. What does “life is in the right” mean? Living honestly and kindly.

Extract 5: “In faith and hope the world will disagree, / But all mankind’s concern is charity.”

33. 33. Why does the world disagree? People have different beliefs.
34. 34. What is one value all accept? Charity.
35. 35. What final message does the poet give? Helping others is most important.

D. Short Answer Questions (2–3 marks each)

36. 36. How are opinions and watches similar? Both differ from person to person, yet people trust their own.
37. 37. Why does the poet stress balance in life? Because extremes lead to trouble; balance keeps life stable.
38. 38. What does Pope say about those who debate governments? Arguing is useless; good management matters more.
39. 39. How does Pope define true religion? Through good actions, not through fighting or rituals.
40. 40. Why are zealots called “graceless”? They fight without wisdom or kindness.
41. 41. How does the poet discourage narrow thinking? By showing that arguments about opinions, governments, and religions are pointless.
42. 42. What does the poet want people to learn? Be balanced, kind, humble, and avoid fights over beliefs.
43. 43. Why is charity above faith and hope? Because charity helps everyone; beliefs divide people.
44. 44. Explain “Each believes his own.” Everyone thinks their opinion is correct.
45. 45. How does Pope use simple images? He uses everyday things (watches, fights) to teach deep truths.

E. Long Answer Questions (4–5 marks each)

46. 46. Explain the main ideas of all the couplets. People trust their own opinions too much, balanced living is best, a government is good only if run well, fighting over religion is foolish, and charity is the greatest virtue.
47. 47. How does Pope criticize human pride? He shows we blindly trust our opinions, argue about governments, and fight about religion—all due to pride. He urges us to be humble.
48. 48. Why is moderation the best way to live? Extremes cause stress and conflict. A balanced life leads to peace, wisdom, and stability.
49. 49. How does the poet show that political and religious fights are useless? He says forms of government and kinds of faith are not worth fighting over. What matters is good administration and good behaviour.
50. 50. Why does the poem end with “charity”? Because charity is the only value accepted by all humans. It brings peace and unites people, unlike religion or politics.

Note: Use this sheet for class practice, homework, or exam revision. Students should be encouraged to answer in their own words after understanding.