Question

Read the poem “If—” by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:



If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:



If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’



If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

In Rudyard Kipling’s “If—”, the repeated phrase “If you can …” begins many lines. What is the primary figurative effect of this repetition?(5 points)
Responses

It mirrors the rhythm of natural speech, making the advice feel conversational.
It mirrors the rhythm of natural speech, making the advice feel conversational.

It represents the challenges and moral tests a person must face to grow into maturity.
It represents the challenges and moral tests a person must face to grow into maturity.

It emphasizes the unpredictability of life and the need to adapt to circumstances.
It emphasizes the unpredictability of life and the need to adapt to circumstances.

It highlights the contrast between success and failure throughout the poem.
It highlights the contrast between success and failure throughout the poem.
Question 5
A — Attitude (Tone)
Which best describes the speaker's tone in the poem?
(5 points)
Responses

Sarcastic and mocking
Sarcastic and mocking

Encouraging and guiding
Encouraging and guiding

Judgmental and harsh
Judgmental and harsh

Depressed and hopeless
Depressed and hopeless
Question 6
S — Shifts
Which of these represents a significant shift in the poem?

(5 points)
Responses

From instructions about dreaming to instructions about business.
From instructions about dreaming to instructions about business.

From talking about others’ opinions to talking about personal virtue and resilience.
From talking about others’ opinions to talking about personal virtue and resilience.

From childhood nostalgia to war imagery.
From childhood nostalgia to war imagery.

From nature imagery to urban life.
From nature imagery to urban life.
Question 7
T — Title (After Reading)
After reading the poem, what deeper meaning does the title “If—” take on?

(5 points)
Responses

It presents a set of conditions that are difficult but achievable, guiding the reader toward personal growth.
It presents a set of conditions that are difficult but achievable, guiding the reader toward personal growth.

It frames the poem as a series of moral challenges, where meeting these conditions leads to maturity and fulfillment.
It frames the poem as a series of moral challenges, where meeting these conditions leads to maturity and fulfillment.

It encourages reflection on personal responsibility and self-discipline in shaping one’s character.
It encourages reflection on personal responsibility and self-discipline in shaping one’s character.

It suggests that life is unpredictable and requires careful navigation.
It suggests that life is unpredictable and requires careful navigation.
Question 8
T — Theme
What is the central theme of “If—”?

(5 points)
Responses

Life rewards those who balance ambition with integrity and self-discipline.
Life rewards those who balance ambition with integrity and self-discipline.

Developing self-control, perseverance, and maturity is essential for a fulfilling life.
Developing self-control, perseverance, and maturity is essential for a fulfilling life.

True character is revealed by how one responds to both success and adversity.
True character is revealed by how one responds to both success and adversity.
Skip to navigation

Answer 1

Here are the best answers (with brief justifications):

Repetition (“If you can …”) — primary figurative effect:
- Answer: It represents the challenges and moral tests a person must face to grow into maturity.
- Justification: The repeated condition frames a series of tests the speaker sets for becoming a mature, responsible person.

Question 5 — Attitude (Tone):
- Answer: Encouraging and guiding.
- Justification: The speaker offers advice and instruction in a supportive, didactic voice.

Question 6 — Shifts:
- Answer: From talking about others’ opinions to talking about personal virtue and resilience.
- Justification: The poem moves from handling outside judgment to inward qualities like will and self-control.

Question 7 — Title (After Reading):
- Answer: It frames the poem as a series of moral challenges, where meeting these conditions leads to maturity and fulfillment.
- Justification: “If—” introduces conditional requirements whose fulfillment results in becoming “a Man.”

Question 8 — Theme:
- Answer: Developing self-control, perseverance, and maturity is essential for a fulfilling life.
- Justification: The poem emphasizes qualities like patience, courage, integrity, and perseverance as central to true character.