Here are extract-based MCQ from “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.. These include a balanced mix of inference-based, HOTS, vocabulary, and poetic devices questions — ideal for Class 9 CBSE English exams.
Extract 1
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;”
- What does “yellow wood” symbolize?
a) Spring season
b) A forest with yellow flowers
c) Autumn and aging
d) A desert place
✅ Answer: c) Autumn and aging - Why does the poet feel “sorry”?
a) He is lost
b) He has to make a choice between two roads
c) He is afraid of forests
d) He does not like nature
✅ Answer: b) He has to make a choice between two roads - Which poetic device is used in “yellow wood”?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Alliteration
d) Symbolism
✅ Answer: d) Symbolism - The word “diverged” means:
a) Ended
b) Appeared
c) Split into different directions
d) Joined together
✅ Answer: c) Split into different directions - What does the undergrowth suggest about the road?
a) It is frequently used
b) It is blocked completely
c) It is less visible or uncertain
d) It is beautifully decorated
✅ Answer: c) It is less visible or uncertain
Extract 2
“Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;”
- What does “wanted wear” mean?
a) The road was damaged
b) The road needed clothes
c) The road was less used
d) The road was popular
✅ Answer: c) The road was less used - The poet chose the second road because:
a) It looked adventurous
b) It was better maintained
c) It seemed less travelled
d) It had signboards
✅ Answer: c) It seemed less travelled - The phrase “as just as fair” means:
a) Less attractive
b) Equally appealing
c) Quite dull
d) Difficult to walk
✅ Answer: b) Equally appealing - What poetic device is used in “as just as fair”?
a) Repetition
b) Simile
c) Alliteration
d) Hyperbole
✅ Answer: b) Simile - What does this stanza reveal about the poet’s decision-making?
a) He is confused and avoids all choices
b) He chooses based on curiosity and subtle difference
c) He is forced to choose
d) He regrets his decision
✅ Answer: b) He chooses based on curiosity and subtle difference
Extract 3
“And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!”
- What does “no step had trodden black” mean?
a) The road was freshly painted
b) The road was not walked on yet
c) The road was clean and shiny
d) The road was burned
✅ Answer: b) The road was not walked on yet - Why did the poet keep the first road for another day?
a) He didn’t want to go on it
b) He planned to explore it later
c) It was under construction
d) It looked dangerous
✅ Answer: b) He planned to explore it later - What does “way leads on to way” imply?
a) One choice leads to another, making return difficult
b) Roads are never-ending
c) All ways are the same
d) One road leads to the same place
✅ Answer: a) One choice leads to another, making return difficult - What tone does this stanza reflect?
a) Joyful
b) Humorous
c) Regretful and realistic
d) Angry
✅ Answer: c) Regretful and realistic - Which poetic device is present in “Oh, I kept the first for another day!”?
a) Repetition
b) Irony
c) Personification
d) Onomatopoeia
✅ Answer: b) Irony
Extract 4
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:”
- What does “ages and ages hence” mean?
a) Many years later in the future
b) Long time ago
c) Present day
d) One year from now
✅ Answer: a) Many years later in the future - The word “sigh” suggests:
a) Anger
b) Relief or regret
c) Joy
d) Sleepiness
✅ Answer: b) Relief or regret - What poetic device is used in “with a sigh”?
a) Simile
b) Symbolism
c) Alliteration
d) Metaphor
✅ Answer: c) Alliteration - What does the poet mean by “telling this with a sigh”?
a) He is tired of the journey
b) He will reflect on the decision emotionally
c) He will boast about it
d) He is sad about the road conditions
✅ Answer: b) He will reflect on the decision emotionally - What idea does this line convey about life choices?
a) Choices are easy
b) Choices don’t matter
c) Choices shape our future and stay with us
d) We should avoid making choices
✅ Answer: c) Choices shape our future and stay with us
Extract 5
“I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
- What does “less traveled by” suggest?
a) Dangerous road
b) Road not chosen by many
c) Shortcut
d) Busy highway
✅ Answer: b) Road not chosen by many - What does “made all the difference” mean?
a) Created a unique outcome in the poet’s life
b) Caused confusion
c) Made no change
d) Helped the poet reach faster
✅ Answer: a) Created a unique outcome in the poet’s life - What tone is reflected in this stanza?
a) Sarcastic
b) Celebratory
c) Thoughtful and reflective
d) Angry
✅ Answer: c) Thoughtful and reflective - Which poetic device is used in “less traveled by”?
a) Repetition
b) Irony
c) Symbolism
d) Hyperbole
✅ Answer: c) Symbolism - What theme does this line highlight?
a) Nature and peace
b) Conflict and war
c) Individual choices and their consequences
d) Friendship and unity
✅ Answer: c) Individual choices and their consequences