MCQs on Riders to the Sea by J.M. Synge :Ray and Martin Question Bank Solved Class 12 Sem 3 2026

 QUESTION BANK WITH ANSWER KEY

ENGLISH-XII (Sem-3 & 4) | Riders to the Sea by J.M. Synge

MCQs on Riders to the Sea by J.M. Synge :Ray and Martin Question Bank Solved Class 12 Sem 3 2026 

Q1. In which year was the play 'Riders to the Sea' written?

(a) 1902

(b) 1904

(c) 1903

(d) 1910

Correct Answer: (c) 1902   Published 1903


Q2. How many acts are there in the play?

(a) 4

(b) 3

(c) 1

(d) 2

Correct Answer: (c) 1


Q3. Synge's 'Riders to the Sea' is considered a one-act-

(a) comedy

(b) tragi-comedy

(c) tragedy

(d) farce

Correct Answer: (c) tragedy


Q4. The setting of the one act play 'Riders to the Sea' is-

(a) Donegal Islands

(b) Aran Islands

(c) Galway Islands

(d) Connemara Islands

Correct Answer: (b) Aran Islands


Q5. In the play, what natural element heavily influences the family's life?

(a) Wind

(b) Rain

(c) Sea

(d) Fire

Correct Answer: (c) Sea


Q6. The mention of 'oil-skins' in the opening scene suggests that -

(a) the characters in the play are celebrating a festival

(b) the characters ride to the sea frequently

(c) the characters are setting up a marketplace

(d) the characters are attending a religious ceremony

Correct Answer: (b) the characters ride to the sea frequently


Q7. The word 'spinning wheel' indicates the -

(a) end of life

(b) life in a stagnant situation

(c) misery of life

(d) continuity of life

Correct Answer: (d) continuity of life


Q8. Cathleen is a girl of about -

(a) twenty-five years

(b) nineteen years

(c) twenty years

(d) twenty-nine years

Correct Answer: (c) twenty years


Q9. What is Cathleen doing at the beginning of the play?

(a) Singing

(b) Sewing

(c) Reading

(d) Kneading cake

Correct Answer: (d) Kneading cake


Q10. After entering the cottage kitchen, Nora asks about-

(a) Bartley

(b) Sheamus

(c) the priest

(d) Maurya

Correct Answer: (d) Maurya


Q11. What does Cathleen say Maurya is doing at the beginning of the play?

(a) Lying down

(b) Singing

(c) Kneading cake

(d) Wailing

Correct Answer: (a) Lying down


Q12. What is Maurya worried about at the beginning of the play?

(a) Losing her sheep

(b) Michael and Bartley's well-being

(c) The approaching storm

(d) The lack of food

Correct Answer: (b) Michael and Bartley's well-being


Q13. Who gave the bundle of clothes to Nora?

(a) A villager

(b) Bartley

(c) The young priest

(d) Maurya

Correct Answer: (c) The young priest


Q14. The bundle of clothes contained -

(a) a coat and trousers

(b) a shirt and a plain stocking

(c) a hat and boots

(d) a rosary and a bible

Correct Answer: (b) a shirt and a plain stocking


Q15. What news does Nora bring at the beginning of the play?

(a) Michael has returned home.

(b) Bartley is leaving for the mainland.

(c) A body has been found in Donegal that might be Michael's.

(d) There's a storm coming.

Correct Answer: (c) A body has been found in Donegal that might be Michael's.


Q16. Nora and Cathleen assumed that Michael died by-

(a) illness

(b) committing suicide

(c) a gunshot

(d) drowning

Correct Answer: (d) drowning


Q17. If the clothes belong to Michael, Cathleen and Nora should tell their mother that Michael has already been given -

(a) new cloth

(b) food

(c) a decent burial

(d) a new life

Correct Answer: (c) a decent burial


Q18. Cathleen wanted Nora to talk to the priest about-

(a) Michael's arrival

(b) stopping Bartley from going to the sea

(c) Maurya's health

(d) her marriage

Correct Answer: (b) stopping Bartley from going to the sea


Q19. The priest said that he would not stop Bartley from going to the sea because -

(a) he had faith in Bartley

(b) he had no intention of saving Bartley

(c) he had faith that God is not so cruel to take away Maurya's last son

(d) he didn't want to get involved

Correct Answer: (c) he had faith that God is not so cruel to take away Maurya's last son


Q20. What does the phrase 'middling bad' mean?

(a) Totally different situation

(b) Exceptionally bad

(c) Neither too bad nor too good

(d) Extremely good

Correct Answer: (c) Neither too bad nor too good


Q21. When will the big storm be worse?

(a) When the rain starts

(b) At night

(c) After landfall

(d) When the tide faces the wind

Correct Answer: (d) When the tide faces the wind


Q22. To whom did the priest entrust the duty of identifying the stocking?

(a) Nora

(b) Maurya

(c) Cathleen

(d) Both (a) & (c)

Correct Answer: (d) Both (a) & (c)


Q23. "It's a long time we'll be, and the two of us crying" - Why would they be crying?

(a) They would remember their childhood.

(b) Their mother might go missing.

(c) They might find out that the stocking belongs to Michael.

(d) Nora was suffering from a deadly disease.

Correct Answer: (c) They might find out that the stocking belongs to Michael.


Q24. Cathleen and Nora hid the bundle in the turf-loft because -

(a) they wanted to preserve it

(b) they were not sure what to do with it

(c) they wanted to hide it from Maurya

(d) the young priest asked them to do so

Correct Answer: (c) they wanted to hide it from Maurya


Q25. Who was baking the cake for Bartley?

(a) Maurya

(b) Cathleen

(c) Nora

(d) Michael

Correct Answer: (b) Cathleen


Q26. Why was Bartley in need of a cake?

(a) He loved to eat cake.

(b) He was hungry.

(c) He wanted to take the cake to Michael.

(d) He was going to sail to Connemara.

Correct Answer: (d) He was going to sail to Connemara.


Q27. Why according to Maurya, can't Bartley go to Connemara?

(a) His health is deteriorating.

(b) The young priest has asked him not to.

(c) It is raining cats and dogs.

(d) The wind is rising from the south and west.

Correct Answer: (d) The wind is rising from the south and west.


Q28. Who does Maurya think will stop Bartley from going to Connemara?

(a) His own conscience

(b) The young priest

(c) Nora

(d) Cathleen

Correct Answer: (b) The young priest


Q29. Whom did Nora hear saying Bartley would go to Connemara?

(a) Eamon Simon, Stephen Pheety and Colum Shawn

(b) Eamon Pheety, Colum Simon and Stephen Shawn

(c) Eamon Shawn, Stephen Simon and Colum Pheety

(d) Eamon Paul, Stephen George and Colum Shawn

Correct Answer: (a) Eamon Simon, Colum Simon and Stephen Shawn


Q30. According to Nora, why did Bartley go down?

(a) To ride horses

(b) To check if there would be another boat sailing in the week

(c) To find halter for his horses

(d) To talk to the priest

Correct Answer: (b) To check if there would be another boat sailing in the week


Q31. The boat that Bartley went down to check at the sea was coming from the -

(a) south

(b) east

(c) west

(d) north

Correct Answer: (b) east


Q32. After entering the house, Bartley was looking for the -

(a) cake

(b) fishing net

(c) stick

(d) new rope

Correct Answer: (d) new rope



Q33. Where was the rope hanging which Bartley was looking for?

(a) Near the turf-loft

(b) On a nail by the white boards

(c) Beside the pot-fire

(d) Behind the door

Correct Answer: (b) On a nail by the white boards


Q34. Which animal was chewing on the rope?

(a) A sheep

(b) A cat

(c) A pig with the black feet

(d) A dog

Correct Answer: (c) A pig with the black feet


Q35. According to Maurya, when will the rope be needed?

(a) When Bartley would start his journey

(b) When Maurya will take out the cake

(c) When Michael would return

(d) When Michael's body would be found

Correct Answer: (d) When Michael's body would be found


Q36. According to Maurya, the rope will be needed-

(a) to do household chores

(b) to hang the clothes

(c) to dig a deep grave for Michael

(d) to use it in the well

Correct Answer: (c) to dig a deep grave for Michael


Q37. Bartley wants the rope for-

(a) the coffin

(b) a halter

(c) the well

(d) a noose

Correct Answer: (b) a halter


Q38. Who wanted to go to the Galway fair?

(a) Bartley

(b) Maurya

(c) Cathleen

(d) Nora

Correct Answer: (a) Bartley


Q39. Why was Bartley in a hurry?

(a) The current boat might be the only boat to carry him to the Galway fair.

(b) He wanted to go looking for Michael.

(c) He had to save his red mare.

(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (a) The current boat might be the only boat to carry him to the Galway fair.


Q40. Bartley wanted to go to the Galway fair to -

(a) buy boats

(b) sell pigs

(c) sell horses

(d) buy clothes

Correct Answer: (c) sell horses


Q41. Which family member insisted on Bartley's need to sell the horses?

(a) Maurya

(b) Cathleen

(c) Michael

(d) Nora

Correct Answer: (b) Cathleen


Q42. What has Bartley heard about the Galway fair?

(a) One can earn enough money there through gambling.

(b) One can make good money there by selling horses.

(c) One can earn good money there by selling pigs.

(d) One can earn enough money there by selling cakes.

Correct Answer: (b) One can make good money there by selling horses.


Q43. The fine white boards were bought from-

(a) Galway

(b) Dublin

(c) Connemara

(d) Donegal

Correct Answer: (a) Galway


Q44. Bartley and the others have been looking for Michael's body for -

(a) seven days

(b) four days

(c) nine days

(d) ten days

Correct Answer: (c) nine days


Q45. According to Maurya, the value of a son cannot be replaced by the price of-

(a) a hundred or a thousand horses

(b) a herd of cattle

(c) a bag of gold

(d) a chest of treasure

Correct Answer: (a) a hundred or a thousand horses


Q46. What should Nora and Cathleen do if the west wind continues to last until the last bit of the moon?

(a) They should find a job.

(b) They should sail.

(c) They should collect enough weed for another cock for the kelp.

(d) They should take care of the horse and the pig.

Correct Answer: (c) They should collect enough weed for another cock for the kelp.


Q47. "It's hard set we'll be from this day with no one in it but one man to work." - Who is the speaker of this line?

(a) Nora

(b) Cathleen

(c) Bartley

(d) Maurya

Correct Answer: (d) Maurya


Q48. What was the boat doing when Bartley asked about it?

(a) The boat was sailing away.

(b) The boat was coming to the shore.

(c) The boat was being repaired.

(d) The boat was passing the green head and dropping its sails.

Correct Answer: (d) The boat was passing the green head and dropping its sails.


Q49. Who helped Bartley prepare for his trip?

(a) Cathleen and Nora

(b) The neighbours

(c) His mother

(d) A friend

Correct Answer: (a) Cathleen and Nora


Q50. What did Bartley take along with his purse before sailing?

(a) Handkerchief

(b) Tobacco

(c) The cake

(d) Money

Correct Answer: (b) Tobacco


Q51. How much time will it take to reach the pier?

(a) One hour

(b) Half an hour

(c) Three days

(d) Two hours

Correct Answer: (b) Half an hour


Q52. Bartley said that he can return in two days or three days or perhaps in four days if -

(a) the wind becomes unfavourable

(b) the boat stops working

(c) it rains

(d) he wishes to stay

Correct Answer: (a) the wind becomes unfavourable


Q53. What is Maurya's final plea to Bartley?

(a) To marry soon

(b) To find Michael

(c) To remain at home

(d) To bring back fortune

Correct Answer: (c) To remain at home


Q54. Maurya says that Bartley is a cruel man because-

(a) he doesn't care about his lost brother Michael.

(b) he is selling the horses for money.

(c) he is leaving the family behind to live in Connemara.

(d) he is not listening to his old mother who is trying to prevent him from going to the sea.

Correct Answer: (d) he is not listening to his old mother who is trying to prevent him from going to the sea.


Q55. Bartley cannot be stopped from going to the sea because he is -

(a) determined

(b) selfish

(c) careless

(d) blessed

Correct Answer: (a) determined


Q56. "It's the life of a young man to be going on the sea" - Who is the speaker of this line?

(a) Bartley

(b) Nora

(c) Maurya

(d) Cathleen

Correct Answer: (d) Cathleen


Q57. Who will accompany Bartley in his journey by running behind him?

(a) The red mare

(b) The gray horse

(c) The gray pony

(d) The red pony

Correct Answer: (c) The gray pony


Q58. What were the last words of Bartley before leaving for the sea?

(a) "I am leaving."

(b) "See you soon."

(c) "The blessing of God on you."

(d) "With the grace of God I promise to return with Michael soon."

Correct Answer: (c) "The blessing of God on you."


Q59. How did Maurya finally bid goodbye to Bartley?

(a) Reluctantly

(b) Wholeheartedly

(c) Indifferently

(d) Grudgingly

Correct Answer: (d) Grudgingly


Q60. Why was Maurya unhappy about Bartley's leaving?

(a) She feared the sea would claim his life.

(b) She wanted him to stay and work on the farm.

(c) She believed he wasn't old enough.

(d) He wanted to abandon the family traditions.

Correct Answer: (a) She feared the sea would claim his life.


Q61. What did Maurya do as soon as Bartley left?

(a) She laughed insanely.

(b) She cried out.

(c) She prayed to God.

(d) She shouted loudly.

Correct Answer: (b) She cried out.


Q62. "...when the black night is falling..." Here the phrase 'black night' symbolises -

(a) a night when Bartley will face death.

(b) a night when Bartley will find Michael.

(c) a night of utter darkness.

(d) both (a) & (c).

Correct Answer: (d) both (a) & (c).


Q63. According to Cathleen, who put a hard word in Bartley's ear before his departure?

(a) Nora

(b) Bartley himself

(c) Maurya

(d) The young priest

Correct Answer: (c) Maurya


Q64. What did Cathleen advise her mother when Maurya was prophesying about Bartley's death?

(a) Maurya should not utter bad words as it would bring bad luck.

(b) Maurya should pray harder instead of prophesying.

(c) Maurya should not think anything positive.

(d) Maurya should prepare the coffin.

Correct Answer: (a) Maurya should not utter bad words as it would bring bad luck.


Q65. Who takes up the tongs and begins to rake the fire aimlessly after Bartley's departure?

(a) Nora

(b) The old man

(c) Maurya

(d) Cathleen

Correct Answer: (c) Maurya


Q66. What is the girls' attitude toward their mother just after Bartley left the hut?

(a) Obedient

(b) Friendly

(c) Helpful

(d) Hostile

Correct Answer: (d) Hostile


Q67. Who asked for forgiveness when they realised that they forgot to give Bartley his share of the cake?

(a) Nora

(b) Cathleen

(c) Maurya

(d) Sheamus

Correct Answer: (b) Cathleen


Q68. Since when has Bartley not eaten anything?

(a) Since two days

(b) Since the previous nightfall

(c) Since the sun went up

(d) Since he started his voyage

Correct Answer: (b) Since the previous nightfall


Q69. "There's no sense left on any person in a house" -- In which context has the speaker said this line?

(a) When they forgot to bid Bartley goodbye.

(b) When Maurya spoke negatively.

(c) When they forgot to wish Bartley good luck.

(d) When they forgot to give Bartley his slice of the cake.

Correct Answer: (d) When they forgot to give Bartley his slice of the cake.


Q70. "Maurya sways herself on her stool" - What does this movement of Maurya reflect?

(a) Maurya's emotional state

(b) Maurya's carelessness

(c) The weight of emotional burden Maurya carries

(d) Both (a) & (c)

Correct Answer: (d) Both (a) & (c)


Q71. Whom did Cathleen ask to deliver the piece of cake to Bartley?

(a) The old man

(b) Nora

(c) Maurya

(d) Eamon

Correct Answer: (c) Maurya


Q72. What lies in the sea according to Maurya?

(a) Fortune

(b) Danger

(c) Adventure

(d) Peace

Correct Answer: (b) Danger


Q73. Why did Cathleen insist on Maurya's delivering the piece of cake to Bartley?

(a) So the bad word will be broken.

(b) Maurya then will finally say some good words to Bartley.

(c) Maurya then can bid her son goodbye with good luck.

(d) All of the above.

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above.


Q74. What difficulty does Maurya mention when she stands up?

(a) She is too weak to carry the bread.

(b) It is difficult for her to walk.

(c) She cannot see clearly.

(d) She has lost her stick.

Correct Answer: (b) It is difficult for her to walk.


Q75. What did Cathleen ask Nora to give her mother?

(a) The cake

(b) A stick

(c) A book

(d) The shawl

Correct Answer: (b) A stick


Q76. Why did Cathleen want her mother to take the stick?

(a) To protect herself

(b) To give it to Bartley

(c) As the stick would help her to maintain her balance over the big stones

(d) As Maurya would be lost without the stick.

Correct Answer: (c) As the stick would help her to maintain her balance over the big stones


Q77. From where did Michael buy the stick?

(a) Dublin

(b) Galway

(c) Donegal

(d) Connemara

Correct Answer: (d) Connemara


Q78. According to Maurya, what is the custom of old people?

(a) Old people always make their children listen to them.

(b) Old people can never buy luxurious things without their children's consent.

(c) Old people leave things for the comfort of their children.

(d) Old people look after their children.

Correct Answer: (c) Old people leave things for the comfort of their children.


Q79. Which custom is seen to be reversed in the play?

(a) The custom of women inheriting property from their husbands.

(b) The custom of old people leaving possessions behind for the young.

(c) The custom of fishermen passing down boats to their sons.

(d) The custom of daughters caring for their mothers.

Correct Answer: (b) The custom of old people leaving possessions behind for the young.


Q80. Why did Nora climb up the ladder after Maurya went outside?

(a) To bring down the bundle of clothes.

(b) To look for the treasure hidden by Maurya.

(c) To bring down her shawl.

(d) To bring down Bartley's shirt.

Correct Answer: (a) To bring down the bundle of clothes.


Q81. Why did Cathleen think that her mother could come back quickly?

(a) She knew her mother very well.

(b) She knew that her mother's state of mind could make her do anything at any time.

(c) She had forgotten to give the cake to her mother.

(d) Her mother told her so.

Correct Answer: (b) She knew that her mother's state of mind could make her do anything at any time.


Q82. "God help her" - Here 'her' refers to -

(a) Nora

(b) Maurya

(c) the old woman

(d) Cathleen

Correct Answer: (b) Maurya


Q83. "Throw it down quickly" - What is 'it' being referred to here?

(a) The shawl

(b) The bundle of clothes

(c) Some turf

(d) The new rope

Correct Answer: (b) The bundle of clothes


Q84. What is the priest's role in the news about Michael?

(a) He delivers the clothes himself.

(b) He saw Michael's dead body.

(c) He seeks a confirmation about the owner of the clothes.

(d) Both (a) & (c)

Correct Answer: (c) He seeks a confirmation about the owner of the clothes.


Q85. Who told Nora that there were two men who had seen the dead body?

(a) Stephen

(b) Eamon

(c) The young priest

(d) Shawn

Correct Answer: (c) The young priest


Q86. How many days will it take to untie the string from sea water?

(a) Seven

(b) Six

(c) Five

(d) Four

Correct Answer: (d) Four


Q87. Who told Cathleen that it would take a week to reach Donegal from those rocks?

(a) Michael

(b) Stephen

(c) Bartley

(d) A man who sold the knife to them

Correct Answer: (d) A man who sold the knife to them


Q88. "They look at them eagerly" - What is referred to as 'them'?

(a) Michael and Bartley

(b) The boards bought by Maurya

(c) The shirt and the stocking given by the young priest

(d) The spinning wheel and the fishing net

Correct Answer: (c) The shirt and the stocking given by the young priest


Q89. Bartley put Michael's shirt on him because -

(a) he was missing Michael

(b) his own shirt was heavy with the salt in it

(c) his shirt didn't fit him properly

(d) he liked Michael's shirt very much

Correct Answer: (b) his own shirt was heavy with the salt in it


Q90. With what did the two sisters compare the flannel shirt of the dead man to confirm if it's Michael's?

(a) A piece of sleeve

(b) Cuffs

(c) A bit of collar

(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (a) A piece of sleeve


Q91. Why does the matching of sleeve does not confirm Michael's death?

(a) Many people may have shirts of the same flannel.

(b) These pieces are common in the shops of Galway.

(c) Michael was known to change his clothes frequently.

(d) Both (a) & (b).

Correct Answer: (d) Both (a) & (b).


Q92. The only thing found from Michael's dead body was -

(a) a piece of his jacket

(b) a pair of yellow stocking

(c) a shirt and a plain stocking

(d) a bit of apron

Correct Answer: (c) a shirt and a plain stocking


Q93. Who started to count the stitches?

(a) Cathleen

(b) Maurya

(c) Nora

(d) Eamon

Correct Answer: (c) Nora


Q94. Nora's character is portrayed as -

(a) carefree

(b) judgemental

(c) jealous

(d) practical

Correct Answer: (d) practical


Q95. As soon as Nora found out the stocking belonged to Michael, she thought -

(a) how would they bear such pain.

(b) how would she handle Cathleen.

(c) what would be her mother's reaction upon hearing her son's death news.

(d) what would happen to them in the future.

Correct Answer: (c) what would be her mother's reaction upon hearing her son's death news.


Q96. Among Nora's three score stitches, she dropped -

(a) one

(b) two

(c) three

(d) four

Correct Answer: (c) three


Q97. What according to Cathleen, is a bitter thing to think of?

(a) That Michael has floated far away to the north and there was no one to mourn for him at that time.

(b) That Bartley has gone to the sea knowing that he will not return.

(c) That their mother would not return.

(d) That they are going to starve to death.

Correct Answer: (a) That Michael has floated far away to the north and there was no one to mourn for him at that time.


Q98. There was none to shed tears upon Michael's body because -

(a) he was liked by none.

(b) he went to the sea alone.

(c) the other riders were also dead.

(d) he didn't want anyone to shed tears upon his body.

Correct Answer: (b) he went to the sea alone.


Q99. The black birds were flying on the-

(a) desert

(b) seashore

(c) sea

(d) clouds

Correct Answer: (c) sea


Q100. Nora has described her brother Michael as a/an-

(a) coward man

(b) selfish fisher

(c) arrogant brother

(d) great rower and fisher

Correct Answer: (d) great rower and fisher


Q101. According to Nora, what is a pitiful thing?

(a) To sell the horses at the Galway fair.

(b) To die in the sea.

(c) The existence of a brave fisher to be proved only by a piece of shirt and a plain stocking.

(d) The fate of her brothers, father and grandfather.

Correct Answer: (c) The existence of a brave fisher to be proved only by a piece of shirt and a plain stocking.


Q102. How did Cathleen understand that her mother was coming?

(a) She saw her.

(b) Her mother was calling her name.

(c) She guessed it.

(d) She could hear her footsteps on the path.

Correct Answer: (d) She could hear her footsteps on the path.


Q103. What did Cathleen think her mother would feel after meeting Bartley?

(a) Sad

(b) Angry

(c) Easier

(d) Anxious

Correct Answer: (c) Easier


Q104. Cathleen suggested that they should not reveal the news of Michael's death to their mother until -

(a) Bartley returns from the sea

(b) she feels comfortable

(c) her health condition improves

(d) they get Michael's dead body

Correct Answer: (a) Bartley returns from the sea


Q105. Where does Nora put the bundle of clothes after realising that the clothes are Michael's?

(a) Under Maurya's bed

(b) In the cupboard beside the spinning wheel

(c) In a hole in the chimney corner

(d) Behind the door of the cottage

Correct Answer: (c) In a hole in the chimney corner


Q106. The girls look at each other surprisingly, because -

(a) Michael came and stood at the doorway.

(b) Maurya came and without noticing the girls, she sat at the other side of the fire with the bundle of bread in her hand.

(c) Maurya scolded Nora without any reason.

(d) Maurya returned and started laughing insanely.

Correct Answer: (b) Maurya came and without noticing the girls, she sat at the other side of the fire with the bundle of bread in her hand.


Q107. When Maurya returned, the bread wrapped in the cloth was still -

(a) on the table

(b) in Maurya's bag

(c) in Maurya's hand

(d) in the pot

Correct Answer: (c) in Maurya's hand


Q108. After Maurya's return, who pointed to the bundle of bread?

(a) Michael

(b) Bartley

(c) Nora

(d) Cathleen

Correct Answer: (d) Cathleen


Q109. On being asked by Cathleen why she didn't give Bartley his bit of bread, Maurya started -

(a) smiling

(b) crying loudly

(c) wailing

(d) keening softly

Correct Answer: (d) keening softly


Q110. Seeing Maurya keening, Cathleen asked her -

(a) why she has not given him the bread.

(b) the reason for her crying.

(c) if she had seen Bartley riding down.

(d) about the weather outside.

Correct Answer: (c) if she had seen Bartley riding down.


Q111. "My heart's broken from this day" - Whose 'heart' is being referred to here?

(a) Maurya

(b) Cathleen

(c) Sheamus

(d) Nora

Correct Answer: (a) Maurya


Q112. "I seen the fearfulest thing" – What did the speaker see?

(a) The speaker saw Bartley falling into the sea.

(b) The speaker saw Michael coming.

(c) The speaker saw Michael riding on the gray pony behind Bartley.

(d) The speaker saw all her sons together riding on gray ponies behind Bartley.

Correct Answer: (c) The speaker saw Michael riding on the gray pony behind Bartley.


Q113. Maurya's hair has been described as -

(a) gray

(b) black and curly

(c) white tossed

(d) black and rough

Correct Answer: (c) white tossed


Q114. What was Maurya's reaction upon her experience of seeing Michael behind Bartley?

(a) She was happy.

(b) She was frightened.

(c) She was unbothered.

(d) Both (b) & (c)

Correct Answer: (b) She was frightened.


Q115. According to Maurya, what is the most fearful thing that any person has ever seen?

(a) Jesus Christ being tortured and crucified.

(b) Bride Dara seeing a dead soldier coming to take away an ill child.

(c) A vampire sucking blood from a child's neck.

(d) Bride Dara seeing a dead man carrying a child in his arms.

Correct Answer: (d) Bride Dara seeing a dead man carrying a child in his arms.


Q116. Maurya, by saying her experience of seeing Michael riding behind Bartley and Bride Dara seeing a dead man carrying a child in his arms, has made a/an-

(a) sharp comparison between them.

(b) ridicule of the situation.

(c) identification of Michael.

(d) sharp contrast between them.

Correct Answer: (a) sharp comparison between them.


Q117. "They crouch down in front of the old woman at the fire." - Who are 'they' here?

(a) The old women

(b) Bartley and Cathleen

(c) Cathleen and Nora

(d) Cathleen, Nora and Bartley

Correct Answer: (c) Cathleen and Nora


Q118. Standing at the spring well, Maurya said a -

(a) prayer to Bartley

(b) prayer to herself

(c) prayer to the sea

(d) curse to the sea

Correct Answer: (a) prayer to Bartley


Q119. Bartley was riding -

(a) a gray pony

(b) a black mare

(c) a red mare

(d) a white pony

Correct Answer: (c) a red mare


Q120. What did Maurya see at first while saying the prayers near the spring well?

(a) Bartley waving his hands and bidding goodbye to her.

(b) Michael riding on the red mare.

(c) Michael standing in front of his brother.

(d) Bartley riding the red mare with the gray pony behind him.

Correct Answer: (d) Bartley riding the red mare with the gray pony behind him.


Q121. Why did Cathleen say "...it wasn't Michael you seen..."?

(a) They got a letter from Michael the previous day.

(b) His body had been found in the far north.

(c) He had got a clean burial.

(d) Both (b) & (c).

Correct Answer: (d) Both (b) & (c).


Q122. What was Michael doing when Maurya saw him? / Whom did Maurya see riding the gray pony?

(a) Talking to Bartley.

(b) Riding the gray pony behind Bartley.

(c) Saying goodbye to Maurya.

(d) Crying for help.

Correct Answer: (b) Riding the gray pony behind Bartley.


Q123. What did Maurya want to say to Bartley but couldn't say so?

(a) "May you be happy always."

(b) "May you have a good life."

(c) "God speed you."

(d) "May you prosper in life."

Correct Answer: (c) "God speed you."


Q124. The gray pony on which Maurya saw Michael symbolises -

(a) prosperity

(b) death

(c) happiness

(d) confusion

Correct Answer: (b) death


Q125. How did Michael look like when Maurya saw him?

(a) Michael had fine clothes on him but the shoes were dirty.

(b) Michael had old but clean shoes.

(c) Michael had fine clothes on him with new shoes.

(d) Michael had dirty wet clothes on him.

Correct Answer: (c) Michael had fine clothes on him with new shoes.


Q126. "It's destroyed" - What is destroyed?

(a) The houses

(b) The coffin

(c) The cake

(d) Maurya's family

Correct Answer: (d) Maurya's family


Q127. Maurya's premonition of Michael behind Bartley can be seen as a -

(a) sign of Michael's return.

(b) sign that how much Bartley takes after his brother.

(c) sign of Michael's death.

(d) sign that Bartley is going to face his own death soon.

Correct Answer: (d) sign that Bartley is going to face his own death soon.


Q128. Whom did Maurya ask to call to make a coffin for herself?

(a) The old man

(b) The young priest

(c) Eamon

(d) Shawn

Correct Answer: (a) The old man


Q129. Why did Maurya want a coffin for herself?

(a) She knew that her daughters would be dead soon.

(b) She thought that she could not survive without her sons.

(c) She thought Cathleen and Nora wouldn't be able to make a coffin for her.

(d) She would commit suicide.

Correct Answer: (c) She thought Cathleen and Nora wouldn't be able to make a coffin for her.


Q130. Including Maurya, how many family members were there in her family?

(a) Nine

(b) Ten

(c) Eleven

(d) Twelve

Correct Answer: (a) Nine


Q131. "... and some of them were found and some of them were not found" - Here 'them' refers to -

(a) Maurya's sons

(b) Maurya's daughters

(c) Maurya's husband and sons

(d) The other islanders

Correct Answer: (c) Maurya's husband and sons


Q132. Among the following who is not Maurya's son?

(a) Michael

(b) Eamon

(c) Sheamus

(d) Patch

Correct Answer: (b) Eamon


Q133. Who were lost in a dark night and not a sign of them were seen when the sun went up?

(a) Sheamus

(b) Sheamus' father

(c) Sheamus' grandfather

(d) All of them

Correct Answer: (d) All of them


Q134. How did Patch die?

(a) He died of hunger.

(b) He died as the curagh overturned.

(c) He died being bitten by a dangerous sea-animal.

(d) Someone killed him in the sea.

Correct Answer: (b) He died as the curagh overturned.


Q135. When Patch died, Bartley -

(a) was not born

(b) was a teenager

(c) was a baby

(d) just started going to school

Correct Answer: (c) was a baby


Q136. When can even a mother not recognise the face of her dead child?

(a) When it is covered with blood.

(b) When it floats in sea water for nine days.

(c) When the head is missing.

(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (b) When it floats in sea water for nine days.


Q137. Who gave Maurya the clothes that belonged to Michael?

(a) Nora

(b) Cathleen

(c) The old man

(d) The old women

Correct Answer: (b) Cathleen


Q138. What is Maurya's reaction to the items confirming Michael's death?

(a) Indifference

(b) Consolation

(c) Silent acceptance

(d) Outrage

Correct Answer: (c) Silent acceptance


Q139. What happened to Bartley at the end of the play?

(a) He returned home safely.

(b) He decided to stay back.

(c) He got drowned in the sea.

(d) He got lost in the sea.

Correct Answer: (c) He got drowned in the sea.


Q140. What was solemnly brought back from the shore?

(a) Sheamus' belongings

(b) Michael's letter

(c) A fisherman's clothes

(d) Bartley's body

Correct Answer: (d) Bartley's body


Q141. Who first asked the old women if the body was of Bartley's?

(a) Nora

(b) Maurya

(c) Cathleen

(d) Eamon

Correct Answer: (c) Cathleen


Q142. Who assured the body was of Bartley's?

(a) The young priest

(b) One of the old women

(c) One of the men

(d) Cathleen

Correct Answer: (b) One of the old women


Q143. Bartley's body was covered with -

(a) a fisherman's net

(b) a blanket

(c) a bit of a sail

(d) the holy cloth

Correct Answer: (c) a bit of a sail


Q144. How did Bartley die?

(a) He was knocked down into the sea by the gray pony.

(b) Pirates killed him for money.

(c) His boat overturned.

(d) He died of hunger.

Correct Answer: (a) He was knocked down into the sea by the gray pony.


Q145. Why were the old women keening softly?

(a) Their family members had died in the sea.

(b) They were hungry.

(c) It was their custom to keen softly when someone died.

(d) They were given money to do so.

Correct Answer: (c) It was their custom to keen softly when someone died.


Q146. The community's reaction to the family's loss is -

(a) silent

(b) aggressive

(c) indifferent

(d) supportive

Correct Answer: (d) supportive


Q147. How did the women of the village support Maurya and her daughters?

(a) By cooking meals for them.

(b) By keening with them.

(c) By repairing their cottage.

(d) By doing their household chores.

Correct Answer: (b) By keening with them.


Q148. How did Maurya react upon seeing Bartley's body?

(a) She collapsed.

(b) She started laughing hysterically.

(c) She quietly accepted it.

(d) She confined herself to a room.

Correct Answer: (c) She quietly accepted it.


Q149. "... and there isn't anything more the sea can do to me" - These words were uttered by Maurya after-

(a) Michael went missing

(b) Sheamus and his father were lost

(c) Bartley left home

(d) Bartley was found dead.

Correct Answer: (d) Bartley was found dead.


Q150. What did Maurya use to do when the wind broke from the south?

(a) Sing

(b) Cry

(c) Pray

(d) Both (b) & (c)

Correct Answer: (d) Both (b) & (c)


Q151. Why did Maurya use to pray when the wind broke from the south?

(a) For the safety of her daughters.

(b) For the safety of her sons who had gone to the sea.

(c) To bring rain.

(d) For the safety of everyone.

Correct Answer: (b) For the safety of her sons who had gone to the sea.


Q152. Maurya used to get Holy Water in the dark nights after -

(a) Halloween

(b) Samhain

(c) Pchum Ben Day

(d) Gai Jatra

Correct Answer: (b) Samhain


Q153. When is the day of Samhain?

(a) November 30th

(b) October 30th

(c) November 1st

(d) November 2nd

Correct Answer: (c) November 1st


Q154. Maurya still had a small amount of the Holy Water-

(a) inside the cupboard

(b) in the bag

(c) on the dresser

(d) on the trunk

Correct Answer: (c) on the dresser


Q155. Who gave the Holy Water to Maurya?

(a) Nora

(b) Cathleen

(c) Sheamus

(d) Eamon

Correct Answer: (a) Nora


Q156. After Bartley's death Maurya would still have great rest even if they -

(a) had nothing to eat

(b) only had a bit of wet flour

(c) had only a stale fish

(d) both (b) & (c)

Correct Answer: (b) only had a bit of wet flour


Q157. After Bartley's death, Cathleen asked the villagers to -

(a) prepare a meal for the mourners

(b) make coffin for Bartley

(c) fetch Holy Water from the well

(d) sing songs to comfort Maurya

Correct Answer: (b) make coffin for Bartley


Q158. Who bought the fine white boards to make coffin?

(a) Cathleen

(b) Maurya

(c) Nora

(d) Bartley

Correct Answer: (d) Bartley


Q159. Why had Maurya bought those white boards?

(a) To make a coffin for herself.

(b) She knew that Bartley would be dead.

(c) She thought that Michael's body would be found.

(d) To make coffins for both Bartley and Michael.

Correct Answer: (c) She thought that Michael's body would be found.


Q160. Whom did Cathleen ask to prepare the coffin?

(a) Bartley

(b) Eamon

(c) An old man

(d) Both (b) & (c)

Correct Answer: (d) Both (b) & (c)


Q161. What did Cathleen offer the men while they worked on the coffin?

(a) A glass of milk

(b) A new cake

(c) A pot of tea

(d) A loaf of bread

Correct Answer: (d) A loaf of bread


Q162. What essential item was missing for coffin-making?

(a) Nails

(b) Hammer

(c) Rope

(d) Saw

Correct Answer: (a) Nails


Q163. "Are there nails with them?" - The speaker of this line is -

(a) Maurya

(b) the old man

(c) Eamon

(d) Nora

Correct Answer: (b) the old man


Q164. Why did the other man think it to be a great wonder that Maurya forgot to take the nails with the boards?

(a) Maurya never forgot anything.

(b) Maurya was an expert in making coffins.

(c) Maurya in her lifetime had seen the making of several coffins.

(d) None of these

Correct Answer: (c) Maurya in her lifetime had seen the making of several coffins.


Q165. What was Cathleen's logic behind Maurya's mistake about forgetting the nails?

(a) She was ageing.

(b) She did not want to.

(c) She was broken after losing six sons one after the other.

(d) Both (a) & (c).

Correct Answer: (d) Both (a) & (c).


Q166. Who sprinkled the Holy Water over Michael's clothes and Bartley's body?

(a) The young priest

(b) The old women

(c) Maurya

(d) Nora

Correct Answer: (c) Maurya


Q167. "She's quiet now and easy;" - Nora said this to Cathleen in a whispering voice. Why do you think Nora whispered?

(a) Her voice was like that.

(b) She was embarrassed.

(c) She did not want to remind Maurya about her dead sons.

(d) She was trying to maintain the silence in the room.

Correct Answer: (d) She was trying to maintain the silence in the room.


Q168. When Maurya heard about Michael being drowned, her crying could be heard from their place to the -

(a) seashore

(b) spring well

(c) other end of their house

(d) priest's house

Correct Answer: (b) spring well


Q169. "They're all together this time," - Who are 'they' here?

(a) The dead members of Maurya's family

(b) The old women

(c) Michael and Bartley

(d) The men and the old women

Correct Answer: (a) The dead members of Maurya's family


Q170. "... the end is come" - Why did the speaker say so?

(a) The play came to an end.

(b) Every man of Maurya's family was dead.

(c) According to Maurya, there was no hope for her in life.

(d) Both (b) & (c).

Correct Answer: (d) Both (b) & (c).


Q171. What final disaster occurs in the play?

(a) A storm destroys the house.

(b) Bartley drowns in the sea.

(c) Maurya being unable to tolerate the deaths of her loved ones, commits suicide.

(d) Both (b) & (c)

Correct Answer: (b) Bartley drowns in the sea.


Q172. In the end, for whom has Maurya prayed to God for mercy? / Maurya's final act of letting go includes -

(a) Bartley

(b) Maurya herself

(c) The dead souls as all well as the living beings in the world

(d) None

Correct Answer: (c) The dead souls as all well as the living beings in the world


Q173. What feeling did Maurya express about the sea taking her children?

(a) Helplessness, anger and bitterness

(b) Resignation and confusion

(c) Joy and hope

(d) Indifference and detachment

Correct Answer: (b) Resignation and confusion


Q174. In the end, Maurya cried more loudly and then sank away. What does this act of Maurya suggest?

(a) She got tired of crying.

(b) She started to accept the truth.

(c) She became unconscious.

(d) Both (a) & (b)

Correct Answer: (d) Both (a) & (b)


Q175. Why do you think Michael's death has been described as a 'clean burial'?

(a) He had a fine coffin to be buried in.

(b) He had his death in the lap of nature, that is, in the sea.

(c) He had a perfect cremation.

(d) He had a peaceful death at his home.

Correct Answer: (a) He had a fine coffin to be buried in.


Q176. Who will have a fine coffin and a deep grave to rest?

(a) Michael

(b) Sheamus

(c) Bartley

(d) Maurya

Correct Answer: (c) Bartley


Q177. What does Maurya say that no man can do?

(a) Be happy forever

(b) Live forever

(c) Stay at home forever

(d) Stay safe forever

Correct Answer: (b) Live forever


Q178. "No man at all can be living for ever" - Why did the speaker say so?

(a) None deserves to live for many years.

(b) Death is the ultimate truth of life.

(c) People don't want to live forever.

(d) Death is much happier and satisfying than living

Correct Answer: (b) Death is the ultimate truth of life.


Q179. Maurya contemplates the future with -

(a) fear

(b) acceptance

(c) negativity

(d) anticipation

Correct Answer: (b) acceptance


Q180. Which line concludes the play 'Riders to the Sea'?

(a) "They are all gone now."

(b) "No man at all can be living for ever, and we must be satisfied."

(c) "God help us all."

(d) "Let us prepare for the burial."

Correct Answer: (b) "No man at all can be living for ever, and we must be satisfied."


Q181. In 'Riders to the Sea', what does the sea primarily symbolise?

(a) A nurturing provider of life and abundance.

(b) A benign backdrop to everyday island life.

(c) An indifferent, all-powerful force that governs life and death.

(d) A mysterious source of supernatural intervention.

Correct Answer: (c) An indifferent, all-powerful force that governs life and death.


Q182. What are the two main religions portrayed in 'Riders to the Sea'?

(a) Hinduism and Christianity

(b) Judaism and Islam

(c) Buddhism and Sikhism

(d) Paganism and Christianity

Correct Answer: (d) Paganism and Christianity


Q183. What is Paganism?

(a) A religion that believes in only one God.

(b) A term used by early Christians who worship many Gods or nature.

(c) A modern philosophy that rejects all forms of spirituality.

(d) A branch of Christianity practised in rural areas.

Correct Answer: (b) A term used by early Christians who worship many Gods or nature.


Q184. Which theme is most central to 'Riders to the Sea'?

(a) The triumph of human ingenuity over nature.

(b) The inevitability of fate and the overwhelming power of nature.

(c) The struggle for political independence.

(d) The beauty of rural life.

Correct Answer: (b) The inevitability of fate and the overwhelming power of nature.


Q185. What does the play suggest about the relationship between the islanders and their environment?

(a) The islanders can easily master the forces of nature.

(b) The isolation of the island leads to a close, harmonious bond with the sea.

(c) Human life is perpetually at the mercy of the sea's capricious power.

(d) The environment is a minor element in the islanders' daily struggles.

Correct Answer: (c) Human life is perpetually at the mercy of the sea's capricious power.


Comments