A Plus Topper

Improve your Grades

Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning Question and Answers

by

“Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning: Question and Answers” is a poem by the American poet and writer Shel Silverstein. It is a short poem that tells the story of a child who is going to outer space the next morning. The child is excited and nervous about the journey, but they are also determined to make the most of it. Read More Class 10 English Question and Answers.

Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning Question and Answers

Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning Question and Answers 2

Question 1.
Why does the poet say ‘you can take a last look’ and ‘you can cross out my name in the telephone book’?
Answer:
The poet might be saying these words both teasingly and seriously. In the first instance, going by the jovial tone throughout the poem, we can say that it is his way of saying goodbye and as it is the space voyage, he would be out of touch with his near and dear ones. So he says they can take a last look and cross out his name from the telephone book. However, we cannot rule out another more serious interpretation. Maybe deep down, the speaker has a doubt whether he will ever come back because anything can happen to him. So maybe he indirectly refers to this tragic possibility.

Question 2.
‘Space’ and ‘confinement’ signify concepts that are opposite. Why does the poet choose to talk about ‘solitary confinement’ in ‘outer space’?
Answer:
Space is boundless, vast and open. Yet, unlike on the earth, none can freely move around in space. One has to remain in the spaceship. That is why the poet refers to his existence in the spaceship as solitary confinement.

Question 3.
Why does Norman Nicholson feel that he is imprisoned in space?
Answer:
The speaker would be totally cut off from the world. Nobody would visit him nor would he have a friend near him. He would not write any letters nor would he receive any. He would be like a prisoner.

Question 4.
The speaker in ‘Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning’ is uncertain of his return. How does he express this?
Answer:
The speaker says that people can take a last’ look at him as he is all set to go to outer space. The word ‘last’ is indicative of the fact that the speaker is uncertain of his return. Further, the speaker says that his name could be crossed out from the telephone book. It is as if he has the feeling that his existence on the earth needn’t be recorded.

The poem’s conclusion is both hopeful and inspiring. The child is ready to embark on their journey to outer space, and they are excited to see what the future holds. The poem reminds us that anything is possible if we have imagination, determination, and the courage to follow our dreams.