The Rhime of the Ancient Mariner

Exercise Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1: The Ancient Mariner stopped one of the three wedding guests because…………

1. He wanted to attend the wedding with him
2. He wanted him to sit with him
3. He wanted him to listen to his story
4. He wanted to stop him from going to the wedding
   
   Answer: (c) He wanted him to listen to his story

Question 2: The wedding guest remarked that he was ‘next of kin’ which means that …………….

1. He was a close relation of the bridegroom
2. He was a close relation of the bride
3. He was next in line to get married
4. He had to stand next to the bridegroom during the wedding
   
   Answer: (a) He was a close relation of the bridegroom

Question 3: ‘He cannot choose but hear’ means …………………….

1. The mariner was forced to hear the story of the wedding guest
2. The wedding guest was forced to hear the story of the mariner
3. The mariner had the choice of not listening to the story of the wedding guest
4. The wedding guest had the choice of not listening to the story of the mariner
   
   Answer: (b) The wedding guest was forced to hear the story of the mariner

Question 4: ‘The sun came up upon the left, /Out came he’ This line tells us that the ship …………………….

1. Was moving in the northern direction
2. Was moving eastwards
3. Was moving in the western direction
4. Was moving towards the south
   
   Answer: (d) was moving towards the south

Question 5: The Wedding-Guest beat his breast because ……………….

1. He could hear the sound of the bassoon
2. He was forced to listen to the Mariner’s tale when he wanted to attend the wedding
3. The sound of the bassoon meant that the bride had arrived and the wedding ceremony was about to begin and he could not attend it.
4. The sound of the bassoon announced the arrival of the bride and the start of the wedding ceremony.
   
   Answer: (b) He was forced to listen to the Mariner’s tale when he wanted to attend the wedding

Question 6: The storm blast had been described as being tyrannous because …………………

1. It was so fierce that it frightened the sailors
2. It took complete control of the ship
3. The storm was very powerful
4. The sailors were at its mercy
   
   Answer: (d) The sailors were at its mercy

Question 7: The sailors felt depressed on reaching the land of mist and snow because……………………..

1. There was no sign of any living creature
2. They fell they would die in that cold weather
3. They were surrounded by icebergs and there seemed to be no sign of life
4. Everything was grey in colour and they felt very cold
   
   Answer: (c) They were surrounded by icebergs and there seemed to be no sign of life

Question 8: The sailors were happy to see the albatross because …………………..

1. It was the first sign of life and therefore gave them hope that they might survive
2. It split the icebergs around the ship and helped the ship move forward
3. It was a messenger from God and it lifted the fog and mist
4. It gave them hope of survival by splitting the icebergs
   
   Answer: (a) It was the first sign of life and therefore gave them hope that they might survive

Question 9: The two things that happened after the arrival of the albatross were …………………..

1. The icebergs split and the albatross became friendly with the sailors
2. The icebergs split and a strong breeze started blowing
3. The ship was pushed out of the land of mist and the ice melted
4. The albatross started playing with the mariners and ate the food they offered
   
   Answer: (b) The icebergs split and a strong breeze started blowing

Question 10: ‘It perched for vespers nine’ means ……………………

1. The ship stopped sailing at nine o’clock every day
2. The albatross would appear at a fixed time everyday
3. The albatross would sit on the sail or the mast everyday
4. The albatross was a holy creature
   
   Answer: (b) The albatross would appear at a fixed time everyday

Question 11: ‘God save thee, ancient Mariner, /From the fiends that plague thee thus! Why look’st at thou so? Means ………………

1. The mariner wanted to know why the wedding guest was looking so tormented
2. The wedding guest wanted to know why the mariner was looking so tormented
3. The wedding guest wanted to know whether some creatures were troubling the ancient mariner
4. The ancient mariner wanted to know whether something was troubling the wedding guest
   
   Answer: (b) The wedding guest wanted to know why the mariner was looking so tormented