Class 8 English Literature – The Prize Poem by P. G. Wodehouse | Questions and Answers, Reference to Context | ICSE
The Prize Poem
by P.G. Wodehouse
(Mulberry) (Standard Version)
1. There are some words in the English language that have no words that rhyme perfectly with them. They are called refractory rhymes. In the list given below, circle the refractory rhymes.
Words given:
wood, wolf, false, put, orange, month, width, liar, bulb, warmth
Answer:
The refractory rhymes are:
Orange
Month
Width
Bulb
Warmth
These words are considered refractory rhymes because there are no perfect rhyming words for them in standard English.
2. Here is a story about a poetry competition for students at St Austin's College. The prize for the competition was sponsored by a rich man and its topic was chosen by the Headmaster. A handful of students looked forward to this, but most considered it a burden. Read the story to find out what happens when students struggle to come up with a poem for the competition.
Answer:
Most of the students found it difficult to write a poem because they had little interest or talent in poetry. Reynolds, who enjoyed writing verses, agreed to write a poem for his friend Smith. While writing in the infirmary, a gust of wind blew copies of his unfinished poem into the field. Montgomery found one copy and completed it, while another copy was found by Evans and later given to Morrison, who also submitted it. As a result, three poems began with the same four lines.
The examiner noticed this unusual similarity and informed the Headmaster. Mr Percival investigated the matter by questioning Smith, Montgomery and Morrison. The truth eventually came out that Reynolds was the original author. Instead of punishing the boys, the Headmaster realised that making the poetry competition compulsory was unfair. At the next Board Meeting, the rules were changed so that only students who genuinely wished to write poetry would participate.
Making Connections
Quick Answers
1. Every story has some essential elements that allow the reader to understand the events that happen in the story. In the table given below, match the story elements to the examples.
Elements of a Story Correct Example
a. The characters are individuals in a story, a play or a film. → ii. Smith, Reynolds, Morrison, Mr Percival
b. The setting is the location of the action. → v. St Austin's College
c. The conflicts are the problems that exist within the plot of a story. → i. The competition was compulsory; three entries had the same verse.
d. The climax is the highest moment of suspense and excitement; the turning point of the story. → iv. The three poets looked at one another in speechless astonishment.
e. The resolution is the part of the plot that is the solution to the problem or conflict. → iii. The competition was not compulsory any longer; only those who wanted to write poetry could take part.
Answer (Matching):
a → ii
b → v
c → i
d → iv
e → iii
Reference to Context
2. “If it gets the prize,” repeated Reynolds, with asperity, “you’ll have to tell the Old Man all about it.”
(a) Which prize is being referred to here?
Answer: The prize referred to here is the Sixth Form Poetry Prize organised by St Austin's College. The competition was sponsored by a wealthy man, and the Headmaster selected the topic for the competition. The winner would receive the prize for writing the best poem on the given subject.
(b) Who chose the subject for the competition? What was the subject this year?
Answer: The Headmaster chose the subject for the competition.
The subject for that year was "The College." Every participant had to write a poem praising or describing St Austin's College.
(c) How did the students react to the announcement of the competition?
Answer: The students did not welcome the announcement enthusiastically. Only a few students looked forward to the competition, while most of them considered it a burden because they did not enjoy writing poetry. Many students lacked confidence in their poetic abilities and wished they could avoid taking part.
3. “This is a very extraordinary communication. Exceedingly so. Yes, very.” “Who is it from?”
(a) Between whom did this conversation take place? Who is speaking these lines? Whom is the speaker addressing?
Answer: The conversation took place between Mr Percival, the Headmaster of St Austin's College, and Mrs Percival, his wife, during breakfast.
The lines "This is a very extraordinary communication. Exceedingly so. Yes, very." were spoken by Mr Percival.
He was addressing Mrs Percival, who became curious after noticing his puzzled expression.
(b) Who was the extraordinary communication from?
Answer: The extraordinary communication was from Mr Wells, an old and trusted friend of Mr Percival.
Mr Wells had been requested to examine and judge the poems submitted for the Sixth Form Poetry Prize. He wrote to Mr Percival after discovering something unusual about the entries.
(c) Why did the speaker say that the communication was ‘extraordinary’?
Answer: Mr Percival described the communication as extraordinary because Mr Wells informed him that the three best poems all began with exactly the same four lines.
Although the poems were different afterwards, the identical opening lines made it clear that something unusual had happened. This unexpected similarity suggested that someone had copied another person's work, prompting Mr Percival to investigate the matter.
4. “And did you, Smith, also find that poem on a piece of paper in the field? There was a metallic ring of sarcasm in his voice.”
(a) Who was the author of the poem? How had it reached the field?
Answer: The real author of the poem was Reynolds.
While Reynolds was composing the poem in the infirmary, Mrs Lee suddenly entered the room carrying tea. A strong gust of wind blew through the open window and scattered Reynolds's papers. Two copies of the poem were blown outside and landed in the field near the infirmary.
Later, Montgomery found one copy and completed it, while Evans found another copy and gave it to Morrison, who also submitted it for the competition.
(b) Why was there a metallic ring of sarcasm in the speaker’s voice?
Answer: There was sarcasm in Mr Percival's voice because Smith claimed that Reynolds had written the poem for him, whereas Morrison had claimed that he had found the poem in the field.
Mr Percival already knew that Smith's explanation could not be true if he too claimed to have found the same poem in the field. He asked the question sarcastically to expose the contradictions in the boys' statements and uncover the truth.
(c) What reply did the speaker receive from Smith?
Answer: Smith replied honestly that he had not found the poem in the field.
Instead, he admitted that he had asked Reynolds to write the poem for him because he himself could not write poetry. He explained that there had been no intention to cheat unfairly, as Reynolds was not expected to win the competition. Smith promised that if he had won the prize, he would have confessed everything.
Read, Reflect and Write
5. How did Smith expect the Headmaster to respond to their deception?
Answer: Smith expected the Headmaster to become extremely angry and punish him severely for submitting a poem written by someone else. He thought Mr Percival would accuse him of cheating, cancel his entry, and possibly take strict disciplinary action against him. Smith therefore waited nervously for the Headmaster's reaction, expecting a serious scolding or punishment.
6. How did the Headmaster respond to the deception? Why did he respond in that way?
Answer: The Headmaster reacted very differently from what the boys expected. Instead of becoming furious or punishing them, he remained calm and thoughtful. He listened carefully to everyone's explanation and understood that Smith had not acted with the intention of dishonestly winning the prize. He also realised that forcing students who had no interest or talent in poetry to compete had encouraged such behaviour.
The examiner's letter made him recognise that compelling unwilling students to write poems was unfair. Therefore, instead of punishing the boys harshly, he decided that the rules of the poetry competition needed to be changed.
7. We are told that at the next Board Meeting Mr Percival gave a very convincing speech. What do you think he said?
Answer: Mr Percival might have said:
"Gentlemen, the recent poetry competition has taught us an important lesson. Our intention was to encourage a love for poetry, but by making participation compulsory, we forced many boys who neither enjoyed nor understood poetry to write verses against their wishes. This resulted in confusion, copying, and embarrassment rather than creativity. Poetry should come from imagination and genuine interest, not from fear of punishment or the pressure of rules. Therefore, I strongly recommend that the Sixth Form Poetry Prize should no longer be compulsory. Only those students who truly wish to write poetry should be allowed to participate. Such a change will encourage genuine talent and preserve the dignity of the competition."
8. Trace the events of the plot that led the three pupils to the Headmaster's office.
Answer: The chain of events is as follows:
The Headmaster announced the Sixth Form Poetry Competition on the topic "The College."
Reynolds, who was in the infirmary, agreed to write a poem for his friend Smith.
While Reynolds was writing, a strong gust of wind scattered his papers, and two copies of the unfinished poem blew into the field.
Montgomery found one copy, completed it himself, and submitted it for the competition.
Evans found another copy and gave it to Morrison, who also submitted it.
Smith submitted the poem written by Reynolds.
Mr Wells, the examiner, noticed that all three poems began with exactly the same four lines and informed Mr Percival by letter.
Curious and suspicious, Mr Percival called Smith, Montgomery, and Morrison to his office to explain why their poems had identical openings.
During the questioning, the entire truth was revealed.
9. Extended Writing: It is commonly quoted that laughter is the best medicine. What lessons can one learn from this story?
Answer: The story The Prize Poem is humorous, but it also teaches several valuable lessons.
Firstly, it reminds us that honesty is always the best policy. Although Smith accepted Reynolds's help, he finally admitted the truth instead of continuing to lie. His honesty helped resolve the misunderstanding.
Secondly, the story teaches that people should not be forced to do something for which they have neither interest nor talent. The compulsory poetry competition placed unnecessary pressure on students who disliked poetry, leading to unexpected problems.
Thirdly, the story shows the importance of understanding rather than punishment. Mr Percival acted wisely by discovering the real cause of the problem instead of punishing the boys immediately.
Another lesson is that creativity cannot be forced. Poetry should come from imagination, interest, and inspiration rather than obligation.
Finally, the story proves that humour can help us see serious issues in a gentle way. The amusing incidents make readers laugh while also encouraging them to think about fairness, education, honesty, and the importance of encouraging talent instead of forcing it.
Thus, the story teaches us that honesty, understanding, kindness, and respect for individual talents are more valuable than rigid rules and unnecessary pressure.
Word Wall
Genres
1. A genre is a style or category of literature. Poetry is a genre of literature, and odes and sonnets are sub-genres of poetry. Given below are clues to the names of other literary genres. Solve the clues and fill in the crossword.
Across
3. Imaginative stories that involve magic and adventure.
Answer: Fantasy
4. A group of words set to music and meant to be sung.
Answer: Lyrics
6. A poem mourning the death of someone.
Answer: Elegy
7. A story that revolves around the solution for a crime.
Answer: Mystery
9. A humorous poem of five lines.
Answer: Limerick
10. A form of text performed for an audience; a play.
Answer: Drama
11. A very long poem narrating heroic deeds and events.
Answer: Epic
Down
1. A short moral story that usually has animals for characters.
Answer: Fable
2. A short piece of writing on a particular subject.
Answer: Essay
3. A story that is passed down from one generation to another.
Answer: Folktale
5. The genre of the story 'The Prize Poem'.
Answer: Comedy
8. A detailed description of a person's life, written by someone else.
Answer: Biography
Making Sentences
2. Using a word or a short phrase, give the meaning of the following phrases. Then use the phrases in sentences of your own.
(a) without enthusiasm
Meaning: Unwillingly; without interest; half-heartedly.
Sentence: The students listened to the lecture without enthusiasm because they were tired.
(b) speechless astonishment
Meaning: Great surprise that leaves someone unable to speak.
Sentence: We watched the magician's final trick in speechless astonishment.
(c) fairly decent
Meaning: Quite good; reasonably satisfactory.
Sentence: Ravi scored a fairly decent mark in the English examination.
(d) waited for the storm to burst
Meaning: Waited for someone to become angry or for trouble to begin.
Sentence: After breaking the window, the boys waited for the storm to burst when the teacher arrived.
Grammar Time
Prepositions
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions.
(a) I will go to Delhi next week ________ my parents.
Answer: with
Sentence: I will go to Delhi next week with my parents.
(b) She is ________ the room. You could go and meet her there.
Answer: in
Sentence: She is in the room. You could go and meet her there.
(c) Place the slice of cheese ________ the two slices of bread.
Answer: between
Sentence: Place the slice of cheese between the two slices of bread.
(d) He lives ________ Tokyo.
Answer: in
Sentence: He lives in Tokyo.
(e) She is driving ________ Mumbai.
Answer: to
Sentence: She is driving to Mumbai.
(f) I am expecting a guest ________ 5 o'clock sharp.
Answer: at
Sentence: I am expecting a guest at 5 o'clock sharp.
(g) I have been waiting ________ 2 o'clock.
Answer: since
Sentence: I have been waiting since 2 o'clock.
(h) I collected money ________ a good cause.
Answer: for
Sentence: I collected money for a good cause.
(i) There have been a lot of changes made to the city ________ the last decade.
Answer: during
Sentence: There have been a lot of changes made to the city during the last decade.
(j) I believe ________ the goodness of man.
Answer: in
Sentence: I believe in the goodness of man.
Coordinating and subordinating conjuctions
1. Join the following pairs of sentences using the conjunctions given in brackets.
Here are the correct answers.
(a) I knocked on the door. No one answered. (but)
Answer:
I knocked on the door, but no one answered.
(b) Tom likes being in a boarding school. He misses his family. (although)
Answer:
Although Tom likes being in a boarding school, he misses his family.
(c) My family gave me a library membership card for my birthday. I love reading. (since)
Answer:
My family gave me a library membership card for my birthday since I love reading.
OR (more natural):
Since I love reading, my family gave me a library membership card for my birthday.
(d) We must harvest rainwater. We can recharge our wells. (so that)
Answer:
We must harvest rainwater so that we can recharge our wells.
(e) We can play chess. We can do a jigsaw puzzle. (either … or)
Answer:
We can either play chess or do a jigsaw puzzle.
(f) You leave right now. You will miss the bus. (unless)
Answer:
Unless you leave right now, you will miss the bus.
(g) Daniel plays the piano. He plays the drums. (not only … but also)
Answer:
Daniel plays not only the piano but also the drums.
(h) The athletes must be very tired. They have been working out all morning. (as)
Answer:
The athletes must be very tired as they have been working out all morning.
(i) Jane is not present. Jane's parents are not present. (neither … nor)
Answer:
Neither Jane nor her parents are present.
(j) I will return your book. I will finish reading it. (as soon as)
Answer:
I will return your book as soon as I finish reading it.
SPELLING
1. Tick the spellings that are correct. Check a dictionary to see how many you got right.
Answer:
a. maintenance ✔
b. millennium ✔
c. minuscule ✔
d. perseverance ✔
e. supersede ✔
f. vacuum ✔
g. noticeable ✔
h. privilege ✔
i. precede ✔
j. receipt ✔
WRITING
Persuasive Writing
Question
The students in the story you have just read are asked to write a poem even though they do not have a talent for it. 'We should only do those things we have a talent for.' Express your views either for or against this statement. You may use the following questions as cues.
Decide on a stand or position.
Draw up your arguments.
Support them with evidence or proof to persuade readers.
Disprove the stand or position of the opposing argument.
Sum up and restate your arguments.
Answer: We Should Not Do Only the Things We Have a Talent For
I do not agree with the statement that we should only do the things we have a talent for.
Talent is important, but it is not the only way to achieve success. Many people become skilled through practice, hard work and determination. If we only do the things we are naturally good at, we may never discover new abilities or improve ourselves. Learning something new often seems difficult at first, but regular effort can help us become better.
At the same time, forcing people to do something they completely dislike is also not right. In the story The Prize Poem, the students were compelled to write poems even though many of them had no interest in poetry. This led to confusion and dishonest behaviour. Therefore, while we should try new things, we should not be forced to pursue activities that do not match our interests.
Some people may argue that everyone should do only what they are naturally talented at. However, if this were true, no one would ever learn new skills. Great musicians, writers, scientists and athletes became successful because they practised continuously, not merely because they had talent.
In conclusion, I believe that we should try different activities, work hard to improve ourselves and follow our interests. Talent helps, but perseverance and dedication are equally important.
LISTEN AND SPEAK WELL
1. Listen to the reading of a poem. Then arrange the jumbled words to get the text of the poem. Not every line is jumbled.
Answer:
Try, Try Again
'Tis a lesson you should heed,
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try again;
If you will persevere,
Then your courage should appear,
You will conquer, never fear;
Try, try again;
Once or twice, though you should fail,
If you would at last prevail,
Try, try again;
If we strive, 'tis no disgrace
Though we do not win the race;
What should you do in the case?
Try, try again.
— T. H. Palmer
2. Write a 'How to Write a Poem' poem by listing five tips on penning a poem. The lines may rhyme if you like but they need not. Then end with a line of surprise at having written a poem! Read your poem out in class.
Answer:
How to Write a Poem
Take a blank sheet, calm and bright,
Think of an idea that feels just right.
Choose simple words from heart and mind,
Read every line and improve what you find.
Add feelings, rhythm and a little rhyme.
Final Line:
Oh! I can't believe it—I have written my very own poem!
About the Author:
Sir P. G. Wodehouse (1881–1975)
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, popularly known as P. G. Wodehouse, was one of the greatest English humorists and novelists of the twentieth century. He was born on 15 October 1881 in Guildford, Surrey, England.
Wodehouse is best known for his witty, light-hearted stories filled with memorable characters and humorous situations. His writing is admired for its clever dialogue, amusing plots, and graceful use of the English language. He wrote more than 90 novels, over 300 short stories, numerous plays, poems, articles, and song lyrics for musical comedies.
Among his most famous creations are Jeeves, the brilliant valet, and Bertie Wooster, his well-meaning but often confused employer. These characters have become classics of English literature.
The story "The Prize Poem" reflects Wodehouse's characteristic style of gentle humour, irony, and entertaining storytelling. Through amusing incidents and misunderstandings, he highlights the importance of honesty, understanding, and encouraging genuine talent rather than forcing people to do something against their interests.
P. G. Wodehouse was knighted in 1975 for his outstanding contribution to English literature. He passed away on 14 February 1975 in Southampton, New York, USA, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to delight readers around the world.