1.) ‘We were crowded in the cabin,
Not a soul would dare to sleep’.
a.) Who does the word ‘we’ refer to here?
Answer: The word ‘we’ refers to the sailors.
b.) Not a soul would dare to sleep – why was it so?
Answer: They didn’t dare to sleep because it the midnight during the winter season and their ship was caught by the violent storm.
2.) Usually storms are formed in the deep sea. What precaution have the sailors got to take before a voyage?
Answer: Firstly, the sailors need to be good swimmers. They should be good at direction of wind and the sea. They should carry life jacket for safety purpose.
3.) The poet says, “Tis a fearful thing in winter…” According to the poet, what is referred to as a fearful thing in winter? How would be the condition in the deep sea during winter on the sea?
Answer: In the shivering winter, the condition is quite dangerous. During the winter, the water becomes very chill and gets frozen into ice. This leads to a serious condition. The rescue becomes a difficult task which might lead to death too.
4.) How does ‘it’ affect the sailors? (Read the first two stanzas)
Answer: It was a fearful night for the sailors. It was winter night and it was storm. It had such impact that because of it, the sailors couldn’t sleep and they feared a lot.
5.) The speaker and his crew-mates sat in darkness and prayed. What did they hear?
Answer: The speaker and his crew-mates prayed for their safety. They heard the shout of the captain that they were lost.