MCQs of An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum by Stephen Spender are very important for students of CBSE Class 12 English. This poem is included in the NCERT Flamingo book and frequently appears in board examinations in the form of multiple choice questions. Practicing these MCQs helps students understand the poem’s theme, imagery, and message in a clear way.
These Class 12 English Flamingo Poem An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum MCQs are prepared according to the latest CBSE exam pattern and are useful for board exams, school tests, and revision.
Why Practice Class 12 English Flamingo Poem MCQs?
- MCQs are regularly asked in CBSE board exams
- Helpful for quick revision before exams
- Improve understanding of themes and poetic devices
- Based strictly on NCERT syllabus
- Useful for self-assessment and practice
About the Poem: An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum
- Poet: Stephen Spender
- Book: Flamingo (NCERT)
- Class: 12
- Genre: Social poetry
- Main Theme: Poverty, social injustice, and unequal education
The poem presents a realistic picture of children studying in a slum classroom. The poet highlights the harsh living conditions of slum children and criticizes society for ignoring their suffering.
Class 12 English Flamingo Poem An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum MCQs with Answers
For correct answers, see the end of the post.
Q1. Who has written the poem An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum?
A) Rudyard Kipling
B) William Wordsworth
C) Kamala Das
D) Stephen Spender
Q2. What is the central theme of the poem?
A) Childhood happiness
B) Social injustice and inequality
C) Nature and beauty
D) School discipline
Q3. What does the poet mainly portray in the poem?
A) Joyful childhood
B) School celebrations
C) The suffering of slum children
D) Modern education system
Q4. What contrast does the poet show in the poem?
A) Teacher and student
B) City and village
C) Rich and poor children
D) Past and present
Q5. What kind of life do slum children live?
A) Comfortable
B) Full of joy
C) Hopeless and full of struggle
D) Luxurious
Q6. What is the color of the classroom walls compared to?
A) Rotten vegetables
B) Sour cream
C) Stale bread
D) Burnt coal
Q7. Which poetic devices are used in the poem?
A) Simile and alliteration
B) Metaphor and imagery
C) Irony and symbolism
D) All of these
Q8. What does “their future is painted with fog” suggest?
A) Bright future
B) Confusion and uncertainty
C) Happiness
D) Wealth
Q9. What do the children’s faces reflect?
A) Confidence
B) Energy
C) Sadness and despair
D) Excitement
Q10. Why are the pictures and maps ironic?
A) They are expensive
B) They show a world the children cannot access
C) They are very old
D) They are damaged
Q11. What does “paper-seeming boy” mean?
A) A boy holding paper
B) A thin and weak boy
C) A fair-skinned boy
D) A clever boy
Q12. What is meant by the “Tree Room”?
A) A classroom with trees
B) A place of freedom and imagination
C) A playground
D) A library
Q13. What do “catacombs” symbolize?
A) Education
B) Open spaces
C) Darkness and confinement
D) Knowledge
Q14. Why are the maps meaningless for slum children?
A) They are torn
B) They show a world far from their reality
C) They are outdated
D) They are too colorful
Q15. How can powerful people help slum children?
A) By giving charity only
B) By ignoring them
C) By ending inequality and injustice
D) By closing schools
Q16. What does the poem mainly describe?
A) A modern classroom
B) A slum classroom
C) A village school
D) A private school
Q17. What does the poet wish for slum children?
A) Good health
B) Freedom and education
C) Happiness
D) All of these
Q18. “Like rootless weeds” refers to:
A) Strong children
B) Healthy children
C) Children without support or care
D) Naughty children
Q19. Why is the tall girl’s head weighed down?
A) Due to heavy books
B) Due to tiredness
C) Due to the burden of her life
D) Due to illness
Q20. What does “rat eyes” suggest?
A) Intelligence
B) Sharp vision
C) Hunger and fear
D) Happiness
Answers Key:
1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-C, 5-C, 6-B, 7-D, 8-B, 9-C, 10-B,
11-B, 12-B, 13-C, 14-B, 15-C, 16-B, 17-D, 18-C, 19-C, 20-C
An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum (Q21–Q40)
Q21. What kind of appearance do the slum children have?
A) Healthy and cheerful
B) Bright and confident
C) Pale faces and untidy hair
D) Well-dressed
Answer: C
Explanation: The poet describes pale faces and scattered hair to show poverty and neglect.
Q22. What does “His eyes live in a dream” suggest?
A) Love for movies
B) Sleepy nature
C) Dream of better life and freedom
D) Fear of teachers
Answer: C
Explanation: The boy dreams of open spaces, games, and a better future.
Q23. Who sits at the back of the dim classroom?
A) A girl
B) A teacher
C) An old man
D) A young boy
Answer: C
Explanation: An old man sits at the back, symbolizing lost hope and wasted life.
Q24. Who is the “unlucky heir” in the poem?
A) A rich child
B) A thin boy with inherited poverty
C) A teacher
D) A tall girl
Answer: B
Explanation: Poverty and disease are inherited by the child, making him unlucky.
Q25. What is the stunted boy reciting?
A) A poem
B) A prayer
C) A lesson
D) A song
Answer: C
Explanation: He is mechanically reciting lessons, showing lack of real learning.
Q26. What does the classroom wall color indicate?
A) Happiness
B) Prosperity
C) Poverty and decay
D) Discipline
Answer: C
Explanation: The sour-cream color reflects poor conditions of the slum.
Q27. What does the “open-handed map” symbolize?
A) Knowledge for all
B) Power of the poor
C) World denied to slum children
D) Easy education
Answer: C
Explanation: The map shows a world the slum children cannot reach.
Q28. “Awarding the world its world” means:
A) Giving freedom to the rich
B) Giving power to children
C) Letting the poor access the world
D) Teaching geography
Answer: C
Explanation: The poet wants equal opportunities for slum children.
Q29. How are slum children different from others?
A) Intelligence
B) Wisdom
C) Clothing
D) Lack of access to opportunities
Answer: D
Explanation: Their world is limited due to poverty and neglect.
Q30. What kind of future do slum children have?
A) Bright
B) Secure
C) Clear
D) Uncertain and hopeless
Answer: D
Explanation: Fog and darkness symbolize an unclear future.
Q31. What attracts slum children the most?
A) Animals
B) Movies
C) Ice cream
D) Sun, ships, and nature
Answer: D
Explanation: They long for beauty, freedom, and open spaces.
Q32. “From fog to endless night” shows:
A) Day to night
B) Natural change
C) Lifelong darkness and suffering
D) Sleep cycle
Answer: C
Explanation: It shows continuous hopelessness from birth to death.
Q33. Which images show the plight of slum children?
A) Flowers and bells
B) Open map and fog
C) Playground
D) Green fields
Answer: B
Explanation: Fog and blocked maps symbolize restricted lives.
Q34. What blots the maps of slum children?
A) Garbage
B) Poverty and slums
C) Stones
D) Smoke
Answer: B
Explanation: Slums destroy access to opportunity.
Q35. “Slums as big as doom” means:
A) Slums are large
B) Slums bring destruction
C) Slums are noisy
D) Slums are temporary
Answer: B
Explanation: Slums ruin the future of children.
Q36. Who do “governor, inspector, visitor” represent?
A) Teachers
B) Parents
C) Powerful authorities
D) Students
Answer: C
Explanation: They symbolize those who can bring change.
Q37. What have the windows done to children’s lives?
A) Provided air
B) Given light
C) Trapped them inside
D) Protected them
Answer: C
Explanation: Windows block sunlight and limit growth.
Q38. What freedom does the poet want for children?
A) Food
B) Money
C) Roaming
D) Knowledge and expression
Answer: D
Explanation: Education and wisdom bring true freedom.
Q39. “Break O break open” suggests:
A) Breaking doors
B) Breaking social barriers
C) Breaking windows
D) Breaking rules
Answer: B
Explanation: The poet urges to end injustice and inequality.
Q40. What does the poet finally want?
A) Send children abroad
B) Send children to cities
C) Send children to open fields of learning
D) Close slum schools
Answer: C
Explanation: He wants children to experience freedom, nature, and education.
FAQs: An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum
❓ Is An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum important for CBSE exams?
Yes, it is one of the most important poems from the Class 12 English Flamingo book, frequently asked in MCQs and short answers.
❓ Who wrote An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum?
The poem was written by Stephen Spender.
❓ What is the main theme of the poem?
The poem focuses on poverty, social injustice, and unequal access to education.
❓ Are MCQs from this poem asked in board exams?
Yes, CBSE regularly includes MCQs from Flamingo poems.
Important Themes of An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum
- Poverty and hunger
- Social inequality
- Importance of education
- Neglect of slum children
- Responsibility of the powerful
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem
- Metaphor: “rootless weeds”
- Imagery: pale faces, fog, narrow streets
- Irony: Maps and pictures in the classroom
- Symbolism: Fog and darkness represent hopeless future
Importance of This Poem for CBSE Class 12 Exams
This poem is important because it focuses on social awareness, a common topic in CBSE exams. Questions are asked from themes, poetic devices, and meanings of expressions. Practicing MCQs from this poem improves accuracy and confidence.
Reflection of An Elementary School Classroom:
Class 12 English Flamingo Poem An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum MCQs are essential for exam preparation. These questions help students understand the poem deeply and score better marks in CBSE exams. Regular practice of MCQs, along with reading the summary and themes, ensures strong preparation.