The Sea
James Reeves
Summary:
The poem compares the sea to a starving dog. In the first part, the sea is wild and rough, like a dog that growls and gnaws at bones. It crashes on the shore with loud noises and strong waves. In the second part, during stormy nights, the sea becomes even more fierce—howling and leaping like an angry dog. But in the final part, the sea becomes calm and peaceful, just like a tired dog resting quietly on the beach.
Activity - 1
Tick the correct alternative:
- The sea is compared to a
(a) lazy cat
(b) active man
(c) hungry dog
Answer:(c) hungry dog. - The sea rolls on the beach
(a) all day
(b) all evening
(c) only at night.
Answer: (a) all day. - The sea, seen as a dog, has
Answer: greasy paws. - The sea remains quiet in the
Answer: middle of the year.
Activity - 2
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
- The sea rolls on the beach with his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws.
- At night when the wind roars, the sea bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs.
- In May or June even the grasses on the dune don’t play their reedy tune.
- On quiet days the sea, like a dog, lies on the sandy shores with his head between his paws.
Activity - 3
Answer the following questions:
Why does the sea become quiet at a certain time of the year?
Answer: The sea becomes quiet in the middle of the year because the weather is calm and there are no strong winds.
Activity - 4
Fill in the following chart with information from the text:
| Action | Done by whom |
|---|---|
| Licks his greasy paws | The sea |
| Roars | The night wind |
| Rocks in the stormy cloud | The grey gull |
| Stop their tune | The grasses on the dune |
Activity - 5
Answer the following questions:
- What does the sea look like?
Answer: The sea looks wild and angry, with waves rolling and crashing loudly. - Who rocks in the stormy cloud?
Answer: The grey gull rocks gently in the stormy cloud, flying smoothly even in strong winds. - Where does the sea shake at his wet slides like a dog?
Answer: The sea shakes at the shore, splashing water everywhere like a dog shaking off after a swim. - How do the grass on the dune behave in May or June?
Answer: In May or June, the grasses on the dune remain silent and do not sway or make their usual reedy sound.
Activity - 6 (a)
Underline the infinitives in the following sentences:
- To lie is a sin.
- I am sorry to disturb you again.
- He wanted to retire from service.
- To err is human.
Activity - 6 (b)
Identify the Noun phrases, Adjective phrases and Adverb phrases and fill in the chart:
| Noun Phrases | Adjective Phrases | Adverb Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Shelter Her voice Mrinal Yourself |
Pleasing to the ear A jewel of a boy |
At home |
Activity - 6 (c)
Identify the Main or Principal clause and the Dependent clause and fill in the chart:
| Main Clause | Dependent Clause |
|---|---|
| I know a man | Who is a doctor |
| Tell me | Who opened the door |
| She is the girl | Who always takes care of her friends |
| We shall stay at home | If it rains |
Activity - 7
Make meaningful sentences of your own with following words:
- Giant: The giant robot walked across the city.
- Moans: The wind moans through the trees at night.
- Dune: We sat on a sandy dune near the beach.
- Quiet: The room was quiet after the bell rang.
Activity - 8 (a)
Write a story in about eighty words using the following hints:
The King and the Power of Nature
Once there was a king who was proud of his power. He claimed he could control everything on earth, even nature. To prove this, he took his courtiers to the sea shore. Standing tall, he ordered the waves to move back. But the mighty sea paid no attention. The waves rushed forward and splashed at the king’s feet. Frightened, the king stepped back. He realized that no one, not even a king can rule over nature. His pride melted into humble silence.
Activity - 8 (b)
Write a letter in about eighty words to your younger brother advising him to be kind to animals:
Cooch Behar – 736101
08/07/2025
Dear Akash,
I hope you're doing well. I want to remind you how important it is to be kind to animals. They may not speak like us, but they feel just the same. Always treat them with care and respect. Never hurt them, even for fun. Instead, help them, feed them, and protect them. A gentle heart makes a strong person. I know you’ll show kindness always because you are a good boy.
With love,
Your Sister
Muskan
Akash H.
Assam