Question Answer Kaveri English Chapter 7 Class 9 CBSE Board

Words

Exercise Question
Questions within the Lesson

Exercise Question

Check Your Understanding

I. Fill in the blanks with one word from the poem.One example has been done for you.

In this poem, the poet reflects that words fail to truly satisfy what the heart wants to convey. Words are compared to summer birds who 1. depart, leaving nothing behind. The heart is equated to a 2. pilgrim who finds that words are as worthless as 3. weeds when needed. He feels that a few sincere words can bring more 4. joy than many meaningless ones. He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a 5. lonely place does not say much, but the few words it does are very precious. Moreover, if words could satisfy us, the 6. world would celebrate but words often fail to do that. The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a 7. fruit.

II. Let us appreciate the poem

1. Read the poem again. Find any four sets of rhyming words and also write the rhyme scheme of the poem.

Ans:- Rhyming words:

1. heart – depart
2. care – air
3. earth – worth
4. needs – weeds

Rhyme scheme: ABAB

2. Read the following phrases and sentences taken from the poem. Identify the poetic device in each of them and explain what the poet wants to communicate through their usage.

(i) But words, like summer birds, depart…
Ans:-  Simile – Words are compared to birds to show they quickly go away and do not stay.

(ii) heart, a pilgrim upon earth…
Ans:-  Metaphor – The heart is called a pilgrim, showing it is always searching for true feelings.

(iii) words are of as little worth / As just so many weeds
Ans:-  Simile – Words are compared to weeds to show they can be useless.

(iv) If words could satisfy the chest… Oft satisfy the least!
Ans:- Irony – Words are expected to satisfy but actually fail to do so.

(v) The world might hold a feast…
Ans:-  Hyperbole – It exaggerates that the whole world would celebrate.

(vi) Like plants that make a gaudy show / All blossom to the root
Ans:-  Simile – Words are compared to showy plants that look attractive but are not useful.

(vii) But whose poor nature cannot grow / One particle of fruit!
Ans:-  Metaphor – Words are like plants that cannot produce fruit, meaning they have no real value.

3. Which words are repeated in the poem? Why does the poet use repetition?
Ans:-  Repeated words: words, heart
The poet uses repetition to emphasise the contrast between true feelings and empty words and to highlight the main idea of the poem.

4. The stanzas 4, 5, and 6 end with exclamation marks. Choose the option that displays the emotions being expressed through them.
(i) 4. disillusionment 5. admiration and 6. frustration
(ii) 4. frustration 5. admiration and 6. disillusionment
(iii) 4. admiration 5. frustration and 6. disillusionment
(iv) 4. frustration 6. admiration 5. disillusionment

Ans:-  (ii) 4. frustration, 5. admiration and 6. disillusionment

 III. Identify examples of hyperbole from the given lines.

If words could satisfy the chest,
The world might hold a feast.

Ans:- The line “The world might hold a feast” is a hyperbole because it exaggerates that the whole world would celebrate if words could truly satisfy feelings.

Work in pairs. Complete the sentences given below with hyperboles. Use the hints given in the brackets.

1. I have tonnes of things to do on this weekend. (lots of/tonnes of)

2.The player missed the basket by a mile.(a mile/ an inch)

3. My mother is so tired that she can sleep for a decade. (night/decade)

4. I will be back in two seconds. (five minutes/two seconds)

IV. Rhythm gives a lyrical quality to a poem. The rhythm (pattern of beats) in a line of poetry is described by a metrical form. A metre is formed by a stressed and an unstressed syllable. Syllable is the name given to a single unit of speech/beats of spoken language.

The metrical form in the first four lines is given below. The stressed syllables have been underlined.

If words could sa tis fy the heart,
The heart might find less care;
But words, like sum mer birds, de part,
And leave but emp ty air.

Now, listen to the teacher read the poem. As you listen, underline the syllables that are stressed in all the lines of the poem. Share your answers with the teacher.

Ans:- This is an activity-based question. Students should listen carefully to the teacher and underline the stressed syllables to understand the rhythm and metre of the poem.

Critical Reflection

I. Read the following lines and answer the questions.

1.The heart, a pilgrim upon earth,
Finds often, when it needs,
That words are of as little worth
As just so many weeds.

(i) Why has the poet referred to the heart as ‘a pilgrim’?
Answer: The heart is called a pilgrim because it is always searching for true feelings, understanding, and emotional connection.

(ii) When would a heart ‘need’ words?
Answer: The heart needs words when it wants to express deep emotions like love, pain, or sorrow.

(iii) Complete the sentence:
The words are like weeds because they are useless and have no real value when true feelings are needed.

(iv) Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing when it finds words to be of ‘little worth’.
Answer: Disappointment and frustration.

(v) What do these lines suggest about the nature of communication?
Answer: These lines suggest that communication is not always effective through words alone; true feelings are often beyond words.

2. If words could satisfy the chest,
The world might hold a feast;
But words, when summoned to the test,
Oft satisfy the least!

(i) How can words ‘satisfy the chest’?
Answer: Words can satisfy the chest by expressing true emotions and bringing comfort to the heart.

(ii) How can words be ‘summoned to the test’?
Answer: Words are summoned to the test when they are used to express deep or important feelings in difficult situations.

(iii) What does ‘the world’ holding ‘a feast’ imply?
Answer: It implies great happiness and celebration if words could truly express and satisfy human emotions.

(iv) Complete the sentence:
The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because they often fail to express true emotions effectively

(v) Select the word that does not mean the same as ‘oft’.
A. always
B. usually
C. frequently
D. often

Answer: A. always

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and ‘empty air’?
Answer: The poet compares words to empty air to show that they can be meaningless and leave no real impact.

2. According to the poet meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain.
Answer: A few sincere and heartfelt words can bring true happiness and understanding, while many meaningless words fail to touch the heart.

3. Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to ‘words’ in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer: Yes, the poet shows that while words can sometimes express feelings, they often fail and seem empty compared to true emotions.

4. The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support this statement with examples from the text.
Answer: The line “a lonely home to cheer” shows loneliness, where few kind words can bring comfort to someone who feels alone.

5. How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this?
Answer: The poet compares words to weeds and showy plants without fruit, showing they may look attractive but lack value. To address this, we should use fewer but sincere and meaningful words.

Vocabulary in Context

Q I. The poet has used some figurative phrases. Match the phrases in Column 1 with their correct meanings in Column 2. Use each phrase in a sentence of your own.

Ans:- 

Sentences:

1. satisfy the heart:
Her kind words truly satisfied the heart of the sad child.

2. depart and leave but empty air:
His promises departed and left but empty air, as he never fulfilled them.

3. hosts of words:
He used hosts of words but failed to explain his feelings clearly.

4. never touch the heart:
The speech sounded good but never touched the heart of the audience.

5. wins its sunny way:
Her cheerful smile wins its sunny way into everyone’s life.

6. plants that cannot grow fruit:
His efforts were like plants that cannot grow fruit, bringing no results.

Q II. Create a ‘Word Map’ for each of the words from the poem given in the box.

Ans:-

Word	Meaning	Synonym	Antonym	Sentence	Sketch
depart	to go away or leave	leave	arrive	The train will depart from the station at 5 p.m.
pilgrim	a person who travels in search of something meaningful	traveler	resident	The pilgrim walked a long distance in search of peace.
cheer	to express happiness or encouragement	comfort	sadden	The audience cheered her for her great performance.
word	a unit of language used to express ideas	term	silence	His kind words made her feel better.
sunny	bright and full of happiness	cheerful	gloomy	It was a sunny day and everyone felt happy.
satisfy	to fulfill a need or desire	fulfill	disappoint	His answer did not satisfy the teacher.
heart	the center of feelings and emotions	soul	mind	She spoke from her heart.

Writing Task

I. Write an essay on any one quotation from speaking activity. Follow the guidelines given below while drafting the essay.

Answer (Essay):

Quotation: “It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Introduction: This quotation by Mahatma Gandhi highlights the importance of sincerity in our feelings and expressions. It means that true emotions are more valuable than empty words. I chose this quotation because it teaches us to be honest and genuine. The purpose of this essay is to explain why heartfelt feelings are more important than just speaking many words.

Body Paragraph 1: Firstly, the quotation shows that words without feelings are meaningless. A person may speak politely, but if there is no real emotion behind those words, they do not have any value. For example, saying “sorry” without truly feeling regret does not make a difference.

Body Paragraph 2: Secondly, actions and true feelings are more powerful than words. Sometimes, a person may not say much, but their actions show their care and love. For instance, helping someone in need silently can express more than many spoken words.

Body Paragraph 3: In addition, this idea is very useful in our daily life. We should always try to speak honestly and from the heart. Simple and sincere words can build trust and strong relationships with others.

Counterargument: However, some people believe that words are the only way to express feelings clearly. While words are important, they are not effective without true emotions. Therefore, feelings must come before words.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this quotation teaches us that sincerity is more important than speech. We should always express our true feelings rather than using empty words. This will make our communication meaningful and impactful.

Questions within the Lesson

Reflect and Respond

I. Why are words important? Can we communicate without words? How? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:- Words are important because they help us express our thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. They allow us to communicate with others, share knowledge, give instructions, and build relationships. Words also help us understand each other better and avoid confusion.

Yes, we can communicate without words. This is called non-verbal communication. We can do this through facial expressions, gestures, body language, eye contact, and even silence. For example, a smile shows happiness, a nod shows agreement, and hand gestures can convey different messages. Therefore, even without words, we can express our feelings and ideas effectively.

II. Use the given sentences as clues to Find words from the grid and Fill the blanks. One example has been done for you.

My mother summoned me to introduce her friends.

Answer:

• My mother summoned me to introduce her friends.

1. We eat food to satisfy our hunger.
2.The train will depart from the station at 5.00 p.m.
3. The gardener was removing the weeds to clean the flower beds.
4. The view from the top of the hill was worth the difficult climb.
5. The herbs and spices add flavour to food.
6. Flowers bloom in spring.
7. We enjoyed a delicious feast after the ceremony.

Ans:-