Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Comprehension - (Poetry / Literary)

Question:

Read the poem and answer the following questions

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chickenpox
And there's one more—that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut—my eyes are blue—
It might be Instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke—
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is—what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"  

 

Which of the following themes are evident in the poem? 

Options:

Humourous 

Innocense 

Deceit

All of the above 

Correct Answer:

All of the above 

Explanation:

The correct answer is OPTION 4 - All of the above

  • Humorous: The poem is filled with exaggerated and absurd ailments, making it amusing. The twist at the end, where the child forgets all her illnesses upon realizing it’s Saturday, adds to the humor.

  • Innocence: The child’s exaggerated complaints reflect the innocence of childhood, as she tries to avoid school in a playful and imaginative way.

  • Deceit: Peggy Ann McKay pretends to be sick to avoid school, which shows an element of harmless deceit. However, this deceit is portrayed in a lighthearted and humorous manner.