Page 3 - Class-VIII-CB The Way Through The Woods

1. What happened to the road mentioned in the poem?

The road was shut seventy years ago and is now hidden by the natural
growth of the forest, making it invisible to most people.

2. How has nature taken over the abandoned road?
Trees, bushes, and wildlife have reclaimed the road. Birds nest there,

and animals roam freely as if the road never existed.

3. What does the poet say about the creatures in the woods?

The poet mentions badgers, ring-doves, and otters that live peacefully
in the woods, adding life and mystery to the place.

4. Why do people no longer see the road?
Because nature has completely covered it with trees and plants, and

only those who listen closely to the woods may sense its presence.

5. What atmosphere does the poet create through his description of the

woods?
The poet creates a mysterious, peaceful, and magical atmosphere
where nature is alive and history quietly lingers beneath the surface.

B. Answer the following questions in 20-30 words:

1. Compare the road’s past with its present as described in the poem.
The road was once busy and visible but now is overgrown, silent, and

full of wildlife, completely reclaimed by nature.

2. How does Kipling use imagery to depict the forest’s transformation?

Kipling uses vivid images of trees, birds, and wind to show how the
forest has quietly erased all signs of the old road.

3. What message does the poem convey about the power of nature?
The poem shows that nature can heal, reclaim, and transform human

changes over time, restoring its original beauty and balance.

4. Analyze the significance of the “they shut it” line in the poem.

The line highlights a mysterious human decision to close the road,
leading to its eventual disappearance under nature’s slow, steady

growth.