Note

Lustre-glossed Shiny and smooth.

Cautioned Gave a warning.

Sagging-Hanging down or sinking.

Amber A warm, yellow-brown colour.

Stiffened-Became hard or tense.

Steamed Gave off steam or mist.

Vocabulary Box: “Something Told the Wild Geese”

Answer the following questions:

1. What makes the geese decide to leave?
2. What happens to the leaves and berries in the poem?
3. What changes in nature tell us that winter is near?

Here are 30 WH questions on the poem “Something Told the Wild Geese” by Rachel Field:

1. What did something tell the wild geese?
2. When were the wild geese told to go?
3. What lay golden in the fields?
4. What whispered the word “snow”?
5. Which leaves were green and stirring?
6. What looked lustre-glossed in the poem?
7. Where was the warmth hidden in the geese?
8. What cautioned the wild geese about frost?
9. Which orchards were sagging in the poem?
10. What steamed with amber spice?
11. What stiffened in the wild geese?
12. At what memory did the wild breasts stiffen?
13. Who remembered the ice?
14. What told the wild geese it was time to fly?
15. What was shining on their wings?
16. What season was on the wings of the geese?
17. What season was hidden in their cry?
18. How did the geese feel beneath their warm feathers?
19. Why did the wild geese prepare to fly?
20. When did the orchards fill with amber spice?
21. Which fruits or berries were lustre-glossed?
22. What does the word “frost” symbolize in the poem?
23. How did the wild geese sense the coming winter?
24. Why did the summer sun not stop their flight?
25. What does the cry of the wild geese remind us of?
26. What natural signs appeared before the geese left?
27. How does the poet contrast summer and winter?
28. What lesson can we learn from the wild geese?
29. What shows the instinct of the wild geese in the poem?
30. How does the poem describe the change of seasons?

Answers:

1. The wild geese were told that it was time to go. Their instinct guided them to leave.
2. They were told to leave when the season was about to change. Winter was coming soon.
3. The fields lay golden with ripened crops. They looked bright and full.
4. A whisper reminded them about snow. It warned them of the coming cold.
5. The leaves were still green and moving. They stirred gently in the wind.
6. The berries were shining with a glossy look. They seemed fresh and bright.
7. Warmth was hidden beneath their feathers. It kept them safe from cold.
8. Their instinct warned them of frost. It helped them prepare for winter.
9. The orchards were bending with fruits. They were heavy and sagging.
10. The orchards gave off a sweet amber spice. The smell filled the air.
11. The wild geese stiffened their breasts. They were ready for flight.
12. They stiffened at the memory of ice. It reminded them of past winters.
13. The geese remembered the ice of winter. That memory made them cautious.
14. The instinct told the wild geese to fly. It was the signal of change.
15. The summer sun was shining on their wings. It gave them strength to move.
16. Summer was still on their wings. It showed warmth and brightness.
17. Winter was hidden in their cry. Their voices carried sadness and warning.
18. The geese felt cautious beneath their feathers. They sensed the chill of frost.
19. The wild geese prepared to fly to survive. They knew winter would be hard.
20. The orchards filled with amber spice in autumn. It was a sign of the season.
21. The berries were glossy and shining. They added beauty to the fields.
22. Frost symbolizes cold and hardship. It signals the coming winter.
23. The wild geese sensed the change by instinct. Nature guided their movement.
24. The summer sun did not stop them. Winter’s call was stronger.
25. The cry of the wild geese reminds us of winter. It is both sad and strong.
26. Signs like golden fields and sagging orchards appeared. They showed the season’s change.
27. The poet contrasts summer with winter. Warmth is set against cold.
28. We can learn to be prepared for change. Nature teaches us to adjust.
29. The instinct of the wild geese shows their wisdom. They knew when to leave.
30. The poem shows the change of seasons clearly. Summer ends and winter begins.