The Tale of Melon City

What is the central message of The Tale of Melon City?

1. Kings should never punish criminals.
2. Laws are always more important than justice.
3. Good governance requires wisdom, reason, and responsible leadership.
4. Citizens should never question their rulers.

The melon in the poem symbolizes:

1. Wealth and prosperity
2. Empty and meaningless authority
3. Agricultural success
4. Religious devotion

The wise man in the poem can best be described as:

1. Selfish and dishonest
2. Clever and strategic
3. Cowardly and fearful
4. Lazy and indifferent

The poem mainly criticizes:

1. Scientific discoveries
2. Blind justice and foolish governance
3. Environmental pollution
4. Industrialization

Which literary device dominates the poem?

1. Romantic imagery
2. Satire and irony
3. Epic narration
4. Symbolism only

Why did the citizens accept the melon as their king?

1. They believed it was magical.
2. They respected the ministers completely.
3. They were accustomed to accepting any ruler.
4. They feared foreign invasion.

Who became the new ruler after the king's death?

1. The minister
2. The prince
3. A melon
4. The chief justice

Why did the king agree to be executed?

1. He admitted his mistake.
2. He wanted to set an example.
3. The wise man claimed the execution time was auspicious.
4. He became ill.

Who was eventually selected for execution?

1. The architect
2. The king
3. The minister
4. The mason

Why could the guilty person not be hanged immediately?

1. He escaped from prison.
2. He was found innocent.
3. He was too thin for the noose.
4. The executioner refused to work.

Who was first blamed for the faulty arch?

1. The mason
2. The architect
3. The chief of police
4. The minister

Why was the king angry after passing under the arch?

1. The arch collapsed.
2. The arch was too narrow for his horse.
3. He hit his head against the arch.
4. The workers refused to salute him.

Why did the king order the construction of an arch?

1. To celebrate a festival
2. To welcome foreign visitors
3. To improve the appearance of the city
4. To commemorate a military victory

Who is the author of The Tale of Melon City?

1. Vikram Seth
2. Stephen Spender
3. D.H. Lawrence
4. John Keats