What does the poem imply about the relationship between different communities?

They have perennial feuds and seasonal alliances

They are indifferent to each other

What is A.K. Ramanujan best known for?

His pioneering translations of ancient Tamil poetry into modern English

His work as a professor of mathematics

His novels about South Indian culture

His paintings of Indian landscapes

Which of the following best describes the impact of A.K. Ramanujan's translations of ancient Tamil poetry?

They made ancient Tamil poetry accessible to a global audience.

They focused solely on literal translations without cultural context.

They were limited to academic circles in India.

They were criticized for deviating from original texts.

What does the poem suggest about the clocktowers' chimes?

They are slightly off each other's time.

They are perfectly synchronized.

They are slightly off each other's time.

They are silent and non-functional.

Which of the following best describes A.K. Ramanujan's contribution to linguistics?

He developed a new language for South Indian cultures.

He focused exclusively on the syntax of English.

He translated only religious texts.

How does A.K. Ramanujan's role as a linguist influence his poetry?

By incorporating diverse linguistic elements and cultural nuances.

By limiting his work to technical linguistic analysis.

By incorporating diverse linguistic elements and cultural nuances.

By focusing only on modern English expressions.

By avoiding complex linguistic structures.

What role does the 'maker's shaking hand in Switzerland' play in the poem 'Time and Time Again'?

It symbolizes the imperfections and unpredictability in cultural artifacts.

It represents the precision of Swiss engineering.

It symbolizes the imperfections and unpredictability in cultural artifacts.

It denotes the superiority of Swiss clockmakers.

It highlights the global influence of Swiss culture.

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CBSE

Class 12 Commerce

English

Time and Time Again

Learning Objectives

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Understand the significance of time in A.K. Ramanujan's poetry.
Analyze the poet's attitude towards communal disharmony.
Explore the implicit comparisons made between different clocks in the poem.
Discuss the impact of nature as described in the poem.
Reflect on the poet's representation of human violence and nature's fury.

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Revision Notes & Summary

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Notes on A.K. Ramanujan's Poem

Overview

A.K. Ramanujan is a prominent Indian English-language poet known for his translations of ancient Tamil poetry.
He was a professor of linguistics at the University of Chicago and recognized as a leading scholar of South Indian languages and culture.
His work reflects a complex distillation of thought and feeling influenced by anthropology and folklore.

Themes

Timekeeping: The poem explores the differences in timekeeping among various clocks, suggesting an implicit comparison between them.
Communal Disharmony: The poet's attitude towards communal disharmony is reflected in the following ways:
- (i) Critical condemnation
- (ii) Helpless acceptance
- (iii) Wistful lament

Imagery and Language

The poem uses vivid imagery to describe clocks in a city, emphasizing their unique sounds and sequences:

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Practice Test – MCQs, True/False

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Multiple Choice Questions

Harvard University

University of Chicago

Oxford University

Stanford University

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

At the time of his death, A.K. Ramanujan was a professor at the University of Chicago.

The uniformity of the clock mechanisms.

The accidents of alloy and a maker's shaking hand.

The standardized manufacturing process.

The centralized control of the clocktowers.

Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The poem describes how the different sequences of clocktower gongs are due to the accidents of alloy, a maker's shaking hand, and other unique factors.

They are always in conflict

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Time and Time Again

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True or False

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt indicates that the poem was reprinted in 2025-26.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt states that the poem represents the complex distillation of a lifetime of unusual thought and feeling.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

He was recognized as the world's most profound scholar of South Indian languages and culture.

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Time and Time Again

Learning Objectives

Practice, Analyze & Improve 🚀

Revision Notes & Summary

Notes on A.K. Ramanujan's Poem

Overview

Themes

Imagery and Language

The poem uses vivid imagery to describe clocks in a city, emphasizing their unique sounds and sequences:

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Practice Test – MCQs, True/False

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1.Which university was A.K. Ramanujan associated with at the time of his death?

Correct Answer: B

Q2.What factors contribute to the different sequences of clocktower gongs in the poem?

Correct Answer: B

Q3.What does the poem imply about the relationship between different communities?

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True or False

Q1.The poem 'Time and Time Again' was reprinted in the year 2025-26.

Correct Answer: True

Q2.The poem 'Time and Time Again' reflects the complex distillation of a lifetime of unusual thought and feeling.

Correct Answer: True

Q3.A.K. Ramanujan was recognized as a profound scholar of South Indian languages and culture.

Correct Answer: True

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Correct Answer: B

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Q4.What is A.K. Ramanujan best known for?

Correct Answer: A

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Q5.Which of the following best describes the impact of A.K. Ramanujan's translations of ancient Tamil poetry?

Correct Answer: A

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Q6.A.K. Ramanujan is renowned for his work in which field, in addition to being a poet?

Correct Answer: B

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Q7.What does the poem suggest about the clocktowers' chimes?

Correct Answer: B

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Q8.Which of the following best describes A.K. Ramanujan's contribution to linguistics?

Correct Answer: B

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Q9.How does A.K. Ramanujan's role as a linguist influence his poetry?

Correct Answer: B

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Q10.What role does the 'maker's shaking hand in Switzerland' play in the poem 'Time and Time Again'?

Correct Answer: B

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Q4.A.K. Ramanujan was a professor of linguistics at the University of Chicago.

Correct Answer: True

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Q5.The poem 'Time and Time Again' includes references to Hindu, Christian, and Muslim alliances.

Correct Answer: True

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Q6.A.K. Ramanujan is best known for his original poetry rather than translations.

Correct Answer: False

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Q7.A.K. Ramanujan was recognized as the world's most profound scholar of South Indian languages and culture.

Correct Answer: True

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Q8.A.K. Ramanujan was alive during the reprint of his poem in 2025-26.

Correct Answer: False

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Q9.A.K. Ramanujan was a professor of anthropology at the University of Chicago.

Correct Answer: False

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Q10.A.K. Ramanujan was primarily known for his work in anthropology.

Correct Answer: False