Chapter 7: Words - Complete Solutions
📖 About the Poem
Poet: Charles Swain
Theme: The true value and power of words in human communication
📝 Poem Summary (in Simple
Words)
The poet tells us that words alone cannot fully satisfy our
hearts. He compares words to summer birds that fly away, leaving nothing
behind. The heart is like a traveler who finds that useless words are like
worthless weeds when needed most.
The poet says that a few sincere words can bring more joy
than many meaningless words. A voice that brings happiness to a lonely home
doesn't say much, but whatever it says is very precious.
If words could truly satisfy us, the world would celebrate -
but words often fail to do that. Empty words may look impressive on the
outside, but they cannot produce anything valuable, just like plants that have
many flowers but cannot grow fruit.
✅ Check Your Understanding -
Complete Solutions
Fill in the blanks (with one word from the poem)
|
Blank |
Answer |
|
1. |
depart |
|
2. |
pilgrim |
|
3. |
weeds |
|
4. |
joy |
|
5. |
lonely |
|
6. |
world |
|
7. |
fruit |
🎭 Let Us Appreciate the
Poem - Complete Answers
1. Rhyming Words (any four sets)
|
Word 1 |
Word 2 |
|
heart |
depart |
|
care |
air |
|
needs |
weeds |
|
earth |
worth |
|
said |
head |
|
impart |
heart |
|
way |
day |
|
cheer |
dear |
|
chest |
feast |
|
test |
least |
|
show |
grow |
|
root |
fruit |
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB (alternate lines rhyme)
2. Poetic Devices - Complete Analysis
|
Phrase/Sentence |
Poetic Device |
What the Poet Wants to Communicate |
|
"But words, like summer birds, depart..." |
Simile |
Words are temporary and leave quickly, just like birds fly
away |
|
"heart, a pilgrim upon earth" |
Metaphor |
The heart is on a journey searching for meaning, like a
traveler |
|
"words are of as little worth As just so many
weeds" |
Simile |
Useless words have no value, just like unwanted weeds |
|
"If words could satisfy the chest … Oft satisfy the
least!" |
Hyperbole & Contrast |
Even if words could satisfy, they satisfy the least -
exaggerated for effect |
|
"The world might hold a feast…" |
Hyperbole |
Exaggeration to show how different life would be if words
could truly satisfy |
|
"Like plants that make a gaudy show All blossom to
the root" |
Metaphor |
Empty words look impressive outside but have no real
substance |
|
"But whose poor nature cannot grow, One particle of
fruit!" |
Metaphor |
Words without meaning cannot produce anything valuable |
3. Words Repeated in the Poem
Repeated words: "words" and
"heart"
Why the poet uses repetition:
- To
emphasize the main subject of the poem
- To
show the contrast between empty words and what the heart truly needs
- To
create rhythm and reinforce the central message
4. Emotions in Stanzas 4, 5, and 6
Correct option: (ii) - frustration, admiration,
and disillusionment
🔍 Critical Reflection -
Complete Answers
Extract 1: Lines 5-8
Lines:
"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'?
The poet calls the heart a pilgrim because, like a traveler on a journey, the
heart is always searching for true meaning and genuine connection. Just as a
pilgrim seeks something sacred, the heart seeks meaningful communication.
(ii) When would a heart 'need' words?
A heart needs words during times of emotional distress, loneliness, joy, or
when trying to express deep feelings, love, grief, or important thoughts to
others.
(iii) Complete: "The words are like weeds
because..."
Answer: Words are like weeds because they grow abundantly but have
no real value or usefulness when they are empty and meaningless.
(iv) Two emotions the heart might experience when it
finds words of 'little worth':
- Disappointment -
when words fail to express true feelings
- Frustration -
when communication doesn't bring the desired understanding
(v) What do these lines suggest about the nature of
communication?
These lines suggest that communication is not just about using many words. True
communication requires meaningful, sincere words that touch the heart. Empty
words are worthless, no matter how many are used.
Extract 2: Lines 13-16
Lines:
"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'?
Words can satisfy the chest (heart/emotions) when they are sincere, meaningful,
and truly express what a person feels or needs to hear. They satisfy when they
bring comfort, joy, understanding, or resolution.
(ii) How can words be 'summoned to the test'?
Words are summoned to the test when they are used in important situations -
like giving advice, expressing love, apologizing, comforting someone, or making
promises. We test words by seeing if they prove true and meaningful.
(iii) What does 'the world' holding 'a feast' imply?
It implies that if words could truly satisfy our emotional needs, everyone
would be constantly celebrating and happy. A feast represents joy, abundance,
and celebration.
(iv) Complete: "The poet mentions that words satisfy
the least because..."
Answer: Words satisfy the least because most words spoken are
empty, insincere, or meaningless, and they fail to truly touch the heart or
solve real emotional needs.
(v) Select the word that does NOT mean the same as 'oft':
Answer: A. always
(Explanation: 'Oft' means 'often' or 'frequently' - not
'always')
📚 Long Answer Questions -
Complete Solutions
Q1. What is the comparison that the poet draws between
words and 'empty air'?
Answer: The poet compares words to "empty
air" to show that many spoken words have no real substance or lasting
impact. Just as empty air cannot be held or used for anything meaningful,
meaningless words disappear without creating any lasting effect. When words are
spoken without sincerity or purpose, they leave nothing behind - no comfort, no
understanding, no change. The poet wants us to understand that empty words are
as useless as air that we breathe out and forget.
Q2. According to the poet, meaningful words are more
precious than a lot of them. Explain.
Answer: The poet strongly believes that having a
few sincere words is much better than having many meaningless ones. He says,
"A little said, and truly said, Can deeper joy impart Than hosts of
words." This means:
- Quality
matters more than quantity - A few honest, heartfelt words can
bring more happiness than thousands of empty ones
- Meaningful
words touch the heart - They reach deep inside us and create real
emotional connection
- Empty
words only reach the head - They provide information but no
emotional value
- Example
from the poem - Words that never touch the heart are worthless,
like weeds
Q3. 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 presents contrasting ideas
about words throughout the poem. Here are the main contrasts:
|
Contrast |
Explanation |
|
Few words vs. Many words |
A few sincere words bring joy; many words satisfy the
least |
|
Words that touch heart vs. Words that don't |
Some words reach the heart; others only reach the head |
|
Words as valuable vs. Words as worthless |
True words are precious; empty words are like weeds |
|
Words that satisfy vs. Words that fail |
Some words bring comfort; most words fail the test |
The poet uses these contrasts to help readers understand
that not all words are equal - their value depends entirely on their sincerity
and meaning.
Q4. The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support
this statement with examples from the text.
Answer: The theme of loneliness appears
throughout the poem in several ways:
|
Evidence from Poem |
How it Shows Loneliness |
|
"heart, a pilgrim upon earth" |
A traveler journeying alone, searching for meaning |
|
"words, like summer birds, depart, And leave but
empty air" |
When words leave, emptiness and loneliness remain |
|
"The voice that wins its sunny way, A lonely home to
cheer" |
Direct mention of a "lonely home" needing
cheering |
|
"The world might hold a feast" (but doesn't) |
The world doesn't celebrate - implying isolation |
|
"never touch the heart" |
Emotional disconnection leads to loneliness |
The poet suggests that when words fail to connect
meaningfully, people feel lonely and isolated despite being surrounded by
words.
Q5. How does the poet convey the superficial nature of
words? What ought to be done to address this?
Answer: The poet conveys the superficial
(surface-level only) nature of words through:
1. Use of metaphors:
- "Like
plants that make a gaudy show" - words look impressive outside but
have no depth
- "All
blossom to the root" - flowers on the surface, but nothing
substantial underneath
- "Cannot
grow one particle of fruit" - no real results or lasting value
2. Use of similes:
- "Like
summer birds, depart" - temporary and fleeting
- "Like
weeds" - common but worthless
What ought to be done:
|
Solution |
Explanation |
|
Speak truly |
Say only what is sincere and honest |
|
Say less but mean more |
Use fewer words but make each word count |
|
Touch the heart |
Ensure words create emotional connection |
|
Weigh your words |
Think before speaking - is it necessary? Is it true? Is it
kind? |
📚 Vocabulary in Context -
Complete Solutions
Matching Phrases with Meanings
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 (Meaning) |
|
satisfy the heart |
makes one happy |
|
depart and leave but empty air |
makes no impact |
|
hosts of words |
many words |
|
never touch the heart |
does not appeal to our emotions |
|
wins its sunny way |
cheers up a person |
|
plants that cannot grow fruit |
there is no outcome |
🗺️ Word Map Activity -
Complete Example
For the word: CHEER
|
Component |
Answer |
|
Meaning |
to give happiness or encouragement; a shout of joy |
|
Synonym |
comfort, encourage, delight, gladden |
|
Antonym |
sadden, depress, discourage |
|
Sentence |
The audience cheered the performer for her great act. |
|
Sketch/Symbol |
😊 smiley face,
sunshine, sunflower |
Additional Word Maps:
|
Word |
Meaning |
Synonyms |
Antonyms |
Sentence |
Symbol |
|
depart |
to leave or go away |
leave, exit, withdraw |
arrive, stay |
The train will depart at 6 PM. |
🚂 leaving station |
|
pilgrim |
a traveler on a sacred journey |
traveler, seeker, devotee |
settler, resident |
The pilgrim walked miles to reach the temple. |
🚶♂️ walking with staff |
|
satisfy |
to fulfill a need or desire |
please, gratify, fulfill |
disappoint, frustrate |
Only truth can satisfy the hungry heart. |
✅ check mark |
|
heart |
center of emotions; core feeling |
soul, spirit, core |
mind, intellect |
Speak from the heart to truly connect. |
❤️ red heart |
🎧 Listen and Respond -
Complete Solution
Task: Mark four true statements from 1-6
The conversation is between a girl (Sonali) and a boy
(Vivek) about a declamation contest.
True Statements (4):
|
Statement |
Why True |
|
2. The boy was doubtful about the suitability of the
topic chosen for the contest. |
Vivek asks if the topic "Use of English Language for
Communication" can lead to an engaging talk, showing doubt. |
|
3. The girl explained that people prefer to keep their
personal experiences to themselves. |
Sonali says people want to "relate their
experiences" but many hesitate due to lack of confidence. |
|
4. The boy was unaware of the role played by body
language in reflecting the speaker's confidence. |
Vivek asks "Body language? How?" showing he
didn't know its importance. |
|
6. The girl had issued the book on body language
earlier from the library. |
She mentions books on body language are in the reference
section and can be issued from the librarian. |
False Statements:
- 1.
False - The girl was excited? Actually yes (she registered
first), so this might be true - check carefully
- 5.
False - The girl says body language has a SIGNIFICANT role, not
insignificant
💬 Speaking Activity -
Complete Guide
Quotations with Explanations
|
Quotation |
Speaker |
Explanation |
|
"Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care
for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." |
Gautama Buddha |
Words have power to help or hurt. Choose carefully. |
|
"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care
about what you think." |
Swami Vivekananda |
Thoughts become words. Good thoughts lead to good words. |
|
"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words
than words without a heart." |
Mahatma Gandhi |
Sincerity matters more than many words. Fits perfectly
with the poem! |
|
"The path from dreams to success does exist. May you
have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance
to follow it!" |
Kalpana Chawla |
Encouraging words that inspire action. |
|
"The words of my book nothing, the drift of it
everything." |
Walt Whitman |
The meaning matters more than the exact words. |
|
"Saying nothing... sometimes says the most." |
Emily Dickinson |
Silence can be more powerful than empty words. |
|
"Words empty as the wind are best left unsaid." |
Homer |
Empty words should not be spoken at all. |
|
"In the End, we will remember not the words of our
enemies, but the silence of our friends." |
Martin Luther King, Jr. |
Silence during important moments hurts more than enemies'
words. |
Cues for Speaking:
To state your choice:
- "I
chose _____ because…"
- "I
selected _____ since…"
- "I
decided on _____ due to…"
- "I
picked _____ as…"
- "I
settled for _____ because…"
✍️ Writing Task - Complete Guide
Essay on Chosen Quotation
Best choice for this chapter: Mahatma
Gandhi's quotation - "It is better in prayer to have a heart
without words than words without a heart."
Essay Structure:
|
Section |
Content |
|
Paragraph 1 (Introduction) |
Mention the quotation and speaker (Mahatma Gandhi). State
why it appealed to you - because it perfectly matches the poem's message
about sincere words vs. empty words. State purpose - to explain why heartfelt
communication matters. |
|
Paragraph 2 (Body Point 1) |
Explain the meaning: Words without heart are empty and
useless. Example: Saying "I'm sorry" without meaning it is worse
than saying nothing. |
|
Paragraph 3 (Body Point 2) |
Connect to the poem: Charles Swain says "A little
said, and truly said, Can deeper joy impart." Both agree - sincerity
matters more than quantity. |
|
Paragraph 4 (Body Point 3) |
Real-life application: When comforting a friend, a silent
hug or a few kind words help more than long speeches. Quality over quantity. |
|
Paragraph 5 (Counterargument) |
Some might say any words are better than silence. But the
poem shows empty words are like weeds - useless. Silence with a caring heart
is better than insincere words. |
|
Paragraph 6 (Conclusion) |
Summarize: Heartfelt words have power; empty words have
none. Gandhi and Swain both teach us to value sincerity over quantity. A
heart without words is better than words without a heart. |
🎮 Learning Beyond the
Text - Complete Guide
Non-Verbal Game - Instructions
Game Name: Non-Verbal Champion / Expression
& Gesture Game
Materials needed:
- Small
slips of paper
- Pen/pencil
for each student
Setup:
- Each
student writes or draws an EMOJI/EXPRESSION on one slip
(e.g., 😊 happy, 😢 sad, 😠
angry, 😲 surprised, 😴
tired, 😨 scared)
- Each
student writes a GESTURE on another slip (e.g., namaste,
thumbs up, victory sign, waving hand, nodding head)
- Mix
all slips together and place them upside down
How to Play:
|
Step |
Action |
|
1 |
Students take turns picking one slip |
|
2 |
They have 30 seconds to enact the
expression or gesture WITHOUT speaking |
|
3 |
Others guess what it is |
|
4 |
First person to guess correctly gets 10 points |
|
5 |
Play for two rounds |
|
6 |
The person with most points is the "Non-Verbal
Champion" |
Examples:
|
Expression |
How to Enact |
Gesture |
How to Enact |
|
😴 Tired |
Yawn, rub eyes, slump shoulders |
🤝 United/Hold hands |
Clasp hands together |
|
😲 Surprised |
Open mouth wide, widen eyes |
🙏 Namaste |
Join palms together |
|
😠 Angry |
Clench fists, furrow brows |
👍 Thumbs up |
Raise thumb upward |
|
😢 Sad |
Wipe tears, droop shoulders |
👋 Wave |
Move hand side to side |
|
😊 Happy |
Big smile, jump slightly |
✌️ Victory |
Make V sign with fingers |
📝 Important Vocabulary
from the Chapter
|
Word |
Meaning |
Sentence |
|
depart |
to leave or go away |
Summer birds depart when winter comes. |
|
pilgrim |
a traveler on a sacred journey |
The heart is like a pilgrim searching for truth. |
|
weeds |
unwanted wild plants |
Empty words are like useless weeds in a garden. |
|
gaudy |
too bright and showy, tasteless |
Gaudy decorations look impressive but lack real beauty. |
|
summoned |
called upon or brought together |
Words are summoned when we need to speak important things. |
|
hosts of |
a large number of |
A host of words cannot replace one sincere sentence. |
|
particle |
a tiny piece |
A particle of truth is better than a mountain of lies. |
|
impart |
to give or pass on |
Good teachers impart wisdom, not just information. |
💡 Key Takeaways from the
Poem
|
S.No. |
Message |
|
1. |
Quality over quantity - A few sincere words
are better than many empty ones |
|
2. |
Words must touch the heart - Words that only
reach the head have little value |
|
3. |
Sincerity matters most - Heartfelt words bring
joy; empty words are like weeds |
|
4. |
Silence can be golden - Sometimes saying
nothing is better than speaking without meaning |
|
5. |
Words have power - They can comfort a lonely
home or leave empty air |
|
6. |
Test your words - Before speaking, ask: Is it
true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? |
📖 Poem Text for Reference
WORDS
If words could satisfy the heart,
The heart might find less care;
But words, like summer birds, depart,
And leave but empty air.
The heart, a pilgrim upon earth,
Finds often, when it needs,
That words are of as little worth
As just so many weeds.
A little said, and truly said,
Can deeper joy impart
Than hosts of words, which reach the head,
But never touch the heart.
The voice that wins its sunny way,
A lonely home to cheer,
Hath oft the fewest words to say;
But, oh! those few, how dear!
If words could satisfy the chest,
The world might hold a feast;
But words, when summoned to the test,
Oft satisfy the least!
Like plants that make a gaudy show,
All blossom to the root;
But whose poor nature cannot grow,
One particle of fruit!
— Charles Swain
*End of Chapter 7: Words - Complete Solutions*