CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 11: The Voice of the Rain NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Hornbill) Chapter 11, "The Voice of the Rain." It breaks down the poem, explaining the dialogue between the poet and the rain, the cyclical nature of rain, and its comparison to music. The solutions clarify poetic devices, identify contrasting elements, and explain the significance of the poem's structure. Students will find step-by-step explanations to understand the poem's deeper meanings and answer critical questions. These solutions are designed to aid in thorough revision and exam preparation, ensuring a clear grasp of the poem's themes and literary techniques.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English Hornbill
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 11

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Voice of the Rain' (Chapter 11) in CBSE Class 11 English (Hornbill) focuses on understanding the poem's central dialogue between the poet and the rain. It explores the personification of rain, its self-description as the 'poem of Earth,' and the parallels drawn between rain and music. The solutions also highlight the cyclic process of rain, comparing it to scientific concepts, and analyze the poem's structure and use of contrasting imagery. This chapter's solutions aim to enhance comprehension of poetic language and themes.

Learning outcomes

Understand the personification of the rain and its dialogue with the poet.
Identify and explain the parallels drawn between rain and music.
Describe the cyclic movement of rain as presented in the poem and relate it to the water cycle.
Analyze the meaning of specific phrases like 'strange to tell'.
Recognize and list pairs of opposites used in the poem.
Explain the structural choices made by the poet, such as the use of brackets.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Personification of Rain
Poet-Rain Dialogue
Rain as 'Poem of Earth'
Rain and Music Analogy
Cyclic Movement of Rain
Water Cycle Comparison
Poetic Devices
Pairs of Opposites
Poem Structure and Brackets
Prose Rewriting of Poetic Lines

Important topics

The dialogue between the poet and the rain
The comparison of rain's journey to a song's cycle
The explanation of the rain's cyclic movement
Identification of poetic devices like personification
Understanding the significance of bracketed lines

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

There are two voices in the poem. Who do they belong to? Which lines indicate this?

Solution: The poem features two distinct voices. The first voice belongs to the poet, who initiates the conversation by asking a question. This is indicated by the lines, "And who art thou?" said I to the soft-falling shower... The second voice belongs to the rain itself, which responds to the poet's query. This is evident from the rain's declaration, "I am the poem of Earth," and its subsequent explanation of its origin and journey.

Question 2

What does the phrase "strange to tell" mean?

Solution: The phrase "strange to tell" signifies that the answer provided by the rain is unusual, unexpected, and remarkable. The poet finds it extraordinary that the rain, a natural phenomenon, can speak and offer such a profound explanation about its identity and purpose.

Question 3

There is a parallel drawn between rain and music. Which words indicate this? Explain the similarity between the two.

Solution: The poem indicates a parallel between rain and music through phrases like "For song, issuing from its birth place... duly with love returns." The similarity lies in their cyclical nature and their origin. Just as a song originates from its source, travels, and eventually returns, the rain originates from the Earth, wanders, and returns to its origin after fulfilling its task. Both are seen as expressions that arise, travel, and return, fulfilling a purpose.

Question 4

How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem? Compare it with what you have learnt in science.

Solution: The poem describes the cyclic movement of rain by stating that it "rises" from the land and the sea, implying evaporation and transpiration. It then "descends" upon the dry land, signifying precipitation. This entire process, where water evaporates, forms clouds, and falls back to Earth, is a complete cycle. This closely mirrors the scientific concept of the Water Cycle, which explains how water continuously moves on, above, and below the surface of the Earth through processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

Question 5

Why are the last two lines put within brackets?

Solution: The last two lines of the poem are placed within brackets because they represent a general observation or reflection made by the poet, rather than being part of the direct dialogue between the poet and the rain. These lines offer a concluding thought about the nature of a song's journey, which is related to the rain's own journey but stands slightly apart from the main conversation.

Question 6

List the pair of opposites found in the poem.

Solution: The poem contains several pairs of opposites that highlight different aspects of the rain's journey and existence:

Day and Night
Reck'd (reckoned/valued) and Unreck'd (unvalued/unnoticed)
Rise and Descend

These contrasts emphasize the comprehensive and continuous nature of the rain's cycle and its impact.

Question 7

Notice the following sentence patterns. And who art thou? said I to the soft-falling shower. I am the Poem of Earth, said the voice of the rain. Eternal I rise For song...duly with love returns Rewrite the above sentences in prose.

Solution: Here are the sentences rewritten in prose form:

I asked the soft-falling shower, "Who are you?"
The voice of the rain said, "I am the Poem of Earth."
I rise eternally, and after originating from my birthplace, I wander and return with love, whether I am valued or not, in due course.

These prose versions clarify the meaning and structure of the poetic lines, making them easier to understand.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the 'two voices' in the poem.
Failing to connect the rain's journey to the concept of a cycle.
Not fully grasping the comparison between rain and music.
Overlooking the significance of the poet's structural choices (e.g., brackets).

Revision tips

Read the poem aloud to better understand the dialogue between the poet and the rain.
Focus on the key metaphors: rain as 'poem of Earth' and its comparison to 'song'.
Draw a diagram of the water cycle to visually reinforce the poem's explanation.
List the pairs of opposites and consider how they contribute to the poem's meaning.
Pay attention to the poet's direct questions and the rain's responses.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who are the two distinct voices present in the poem 'The Voice of the Rain'?

Q2. What does the rain claim to be, according to the poem?

Q3. The phrase 'strange to tell' suggests that the rain's answer was:

Q4. What natural phenomenon is directly compared to the rain's journey in the poem?

Q5. The cyclic movement of rain described in the poem is similar to which scientific concept?

Q6. Why are the last two lines of the poem placed within brackets?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Voice of the Rain' in Class 11 English?

The main theme is the cyclical journey of rain, its origin, its purpose in nourishing the Earth, and its comparison to a song, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature and art.

Who speaks in the poem 'The Voice of the Rain'?

There are two voices: the poet, who asks questions, and the rain, which responds and describes its own nature and journey.

How does the poem explain the cycle of rain?

The poem explains that rain originates from the Earth (land and sea), rises as vapor, and then descends again to nourish the Earth, eventually returning to its origin, similar to the scientific water cycle.

What is the significance of the rain calling itself the 'Poem of Earth'?

This signifies that rain, like a poem, is a creation of the Earth, possessing beauty, rhythm, and the power to evoke feelings and sustain life.

How can these NCERT Solutions help with exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions, helping students understand the poem's nuances, literary devices, and themes, which is crucial for answering exam questions effectively.

What does the phrase 'strange to tell' imply in the context of the poem?

It implies that the rain's self-description and its explanation of its origin and journey are unusual, extraordinary, and perhaps surprising to the poet.

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