(3)… but after the airport’s

security check, standing a few yards

away, I looked again at her, wan pale
as a late winter’s moon and felt that old

(a) Who went to see off the poet at the airport?

(i) her aunt (ii) her mother (iii) her friend (iv) her grandmother

(b) Why has the mother been compared to the late winter’s moon?

(c) Select the word that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.

The meaning of the word ‘wan’ is the same as ___________

(i) pale (ii) colourless (iii) crystal clear (iv) discoloured

(d) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.

In ‘as a late winter’s moon’ simile has been used because the poet’s mother’s
pale appearance is compared to that of a late winter’s moon.

(e) What has been compared with late winter’s moon?

(f) Complete the sentence appropriately

The poet after the security check looked ___________ at her mother.

Ans. (a) (ii) her mother

(b) The mother has been compared to the late winter’s moon as she is very old
and her face is ashen, pale and withered. She looks very dull and lifeless like the
late winter’s moon.

(c) (iii) crystal clear

(d) True

(e) The poet’s mother’s face has been compared with the late winter’s moon.

(f) again

1 Name the poem and the poet of the above stanza.

Ans. This extract is taken from the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ written by ‘Pablo Neruda’.

2 What does the poet mean by “inactivity‟?

Ans. This poem emphasises the importance of remaining calm and quiet. The poet believes that all of
our problems stem from the frantic pace of our lives. However, his point of view should not be
confused with complete inactivity. His idea of ‘keeping quiet’ is silence, not inactivity, lethargy, or
idleness.He advises everyone to take a break from the world’s frenzy. He believes that observing
stillness every now and then helps people to spring back into action.

3 Explain what life is all about, according to the poet?

Ans. The poem’s title alludes to the significance of silence. The poem emphasises the significance of
self-examination and introspection. It is also an appeal for global peace. It conveys the message of
finding peace and tranquillity through leisurely introspection.

4 What is the ultimate expectation of the poet from all human beings?

Ans. Taking a break from our monotonous routine by ‘counting up to twelve’ and ‘keeping still,’
according to the poet, will help us better understand ourselves and those around us. The silence will
help us understand the importance of peace and tranquillity in this age of futile activities. As a result,
they will aid us in introspection and self-analysis.

What is the theme of Keeping Quiet?

Pablo Neruda's poem "Keeping Quiet" highlights the importance of sustaining peace and silence. He
emphasizes being peaceful and non-harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. He claims
that to sustain peace and harmony, we must take time to pause and reflect.

A. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:

“The child will grow up to become the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions.
But… they bit their lips and swallow hard. When compelled to continue, the astrologers came out
with it. “This is a secret which should not be revealed at all. And yet we are forced to speak out. The
child born under this star will one day have to meet its death.”

1. Name the chapter.

A Evans Tries an O Level

B Memories of Childhood

C The Tiger King

D The Third Level

Ans C The Tiger King

2. Who is the author of this chapter?

A Tishani Doshi

B Kalki

C Pearl S Buck

D William Saroyan

Ans B Kalki

3. Who has been referred to as a child in this extract?

A Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur

B Khiledar Major

C The Tiger King

D All of these

Ans D All of these

4. What does the narrator mean by the phrase ‘They bit their lips’?

A They hesitated

B They spoke confidently

C They replied angrily

D They replied happily

Ans A They hesitated

A. “My children this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order came from Berlin to teach only
German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last
French lesson.”

Question 1. In which language is the last lesson ?

A. German

B. American

C. French

D. British

Answer: C

Question 2. Who is the speaker in the above lines?

A. Franz

B. Hauser

C. M.Hamel

D. Wachter

Answer: C

Question 3. Where has the order come from ?

A. France

B. Berlin

C. Lorraine

D. Alsace

Answer: B

Question 4. Speaker is speaking to _________.

A. Franz

B. villagers

C. class

D. soldiers

Answer: C

What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave his last French lesson? (Delhi 2009)

Answer:

When M.Hamel was giving his last French ; lesson, the mood in the classroom was solemn and
sombre. When he announced that this was their last French lesson everyone present in the
classroom suddenly developed patriotic feelings for their native language and genuinely regretted
ignoring their mother tongue.

What had the narrator counted on to enter the school, unnoticed? (Delhi 2010)

Answer:

The narrator (Franz) had counted on the hustle and bustle that was usual when the school
began in order to enter there unnoticed. He had thought he could depend on the commotion to get
to his desk without anybody noticing that he was late for the class.

What does the writer mean when she says, ‘Saheb is no longer his own master’? (Delhi 2000)

Answer:

Since Saheb now works in a tea-stall, he is now bound to his master and feels burdened. The
steel canister he carries is very heavy as compared to his light plastic bag. The bag was his own and
the canister belongs to his master whose orders he now has to follow. So he is no longer his own
master.

How did Kamala Das put away the thought of her mother’s old age? (Comptt. Delhi 2010)

Answer:

The poet started looking out of the window because she wanted to drive away the pain and
agony she was experiencing by looking at her aged mother. She looked outside at the world which
was full of life and activity. She saw young trees running past her and merry children sprinting out of
their homes to play.

What is the sadness that the poet, Pablo Neruda refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’? (All
India 2011)

Answer:

The sadness that Pablo Neruda is worried about in his poem is the sadness of isolation that
has made modern man its victim. This sadness has made man self-centered and uncaring to the
needs of his fellowmen. He has sacrificed the needs of his emotional self in favour of materialism.

What is the exotic moment the poet Pablo Neruda wishes for? (Comptt. All India 2011)

Answer:
 Pablo Neruda wishes for that exotic moment when mankind will be free from greed, cruelty
and harmful actions. Unnecessary rush and noise have caused unpleasantness and troubles. The
poet wishes the noise of engines and machines should cease and peace and tranquility should
prevail.

Q1 What various titles were bestowed upon the Pratibandapuram King?

Ans The Pratibandapuram ruler was referred to by a variety of names. His Highness Jamedar-
General, Khiledar-Major, Sata Vyaghra Samhari, and Maharajdhiraj Visva are possible titles for him.
Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, Bhuvana Samrat, M.A.D., A.C.T.C., or C.R.C.K.

Q2 How did the Tiger King get the name he had? (CBSE 2009)

Ans As it had been predicted that the 100th tiger would kill the king of Pratibandapuram, he
was known as the Tiger King. As a result, he made the decision to kill 100 tigers before engaging in
any other activities. He was renowned as the Tiger King because he killed so many tigers.

Q3 The future of the Tiger King was foreseen when he was only 10 days old. What about it
was ironic?

Ans Astrologers foretold that the Tiger King would have to die one day when he was a little
child. They added that the death would be caused by the 100th tiger. The one hundredth tiger did
cause the death of the Tiger King. Ironically, however, the tiger wasn’t the real one. It was a wooden
toy tiger.

Aging is a natural process; have you ever thought about what our elderly parents expect
from us ?

Ans. Aging is a natural process. A person becomes weaker as he ages, he needs support both
mentally and physically. So, it is our duty to give our elderly parents the love, emotional support and
respect they deserve. Our parents usually give us the best time of their lives to bring us up.
Therefore, it is our moral duty to respond in kind as they age.

Loneliness is common in the elderly, and they require companionship. The pessimistic
attitude they develop towards life can be avoided only if we lavish them with love, importance, and
empathy. They expect their children to sit quietly and talk to them about what is going on in their
lives, and to consider their advice when making important decisions. Their depleted vitality can thus
be easily restored. This joy will inspire them to live life to the fullest. Thus, ensuring that we give
them the best time of their lives just as they once did for us when we were younger.
 Q1. In a world that is constantly running after ‘more’ chasing the next new thing, would it be
fair to think of Neruda’s call as merely a fanciful idea? (CBSE QB, 2021)

Ans: Yes, Neruda’s call is good, but it is more fanciful in character. However, if we are able to
remain silent, it will have two effects on life in and around the sea.

The fisherman will avoid killing whales, or any other animal for our own benefit for a while
by remaining silent.

Additionally, salt gatherers will have time to heal their injured hands, tend to them and not
overwork and simply rest for a while.

Moreover, man will not harm nature during this period of silence, and both humans and
nature will have time to attend to and heal their wounds.

As a result, everyone will have more time to reflect on themselves, nature or the past and
the decisions taken by them.