Chapter 7: Carrier of Words – Complete Solutions
About the Chapter (Simple Summary)
This chapter is about Khetaram, a Gramin
Dak Sewak (village postman) in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. He walks
long distances in extreme heat to deliver letters, money orders, and news to
remote villages near the India-Pakistan border. The chapter highlights his hard
work, the trust people have in him, and how he connects families living in
faraway places.
Reflect and Respond (Page 223)
Q1. Which profession do the people in the pictures belong
to?
Answer: They are postmen (dak sevaks).
Q2. Do they face any difficulties while doing their duty?
Answer: Yes, they face many difficulties like extreme heat,
sandstorms, long walking distances, heavy mailbags, and lack of proper roads.
Q3. How does their profession affect the people they
meet?
Answer: They bring happiness (letters from loved ones, news of
weddings/births), sadness (news of death), and financial help (money orders).
They are the only link between villagers and the outside world.
Q4. How can ‘words’ be ‘carried’?
Answer: Words can be carried through letters, postcards, telegrams,
emails, phone calls, or even by speaking.
Q5. Who could be a carrier of words?
Answer: A postman, a messenger, a courier person, or even a
friend/family member.
Q6. What are the means for people to stay connected?
Answer: Post offices, letters, phones, internet, email, social
media, and messengers.
Reading for Meaning (Part I) – Pages 224-227
Check Your Understanding (Page 207)
Fill up the information sheet for Khetaram:
|
Field |
Information |
|
Name |
Khetaram |
|
Position |
Gramin Dak Sewak (Village Postman) |
|
Employer |
India Post (Indian Postal Department) |
|
Official Address |
Somarad Branch Post Office, Rajasthan (near Indo-Pak
border) |
|
Mode of Transport |
On foot (walking) |
|
Key Responsibilities |
1. Deliver mail to far-flung hamlets/dhaanis. |
Q1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this
challenging job?
Answer: Khetaram took up this job because farming was unreliable
due to famines. He gets only one crop of bajra in a good year, which was not
enough to feed his family of five. This job provides him a steady income to
survive.
Q2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about taking up
this challenging task every day?
Answer: He might feel tired due to the heat and long walks, but he
also feels proud, responsible, and grateful because the job gives him a purpose
and a livelihood. He feels happy that people trust and respect him.
Reading for Meaning (Part II) – Pages 208-210
Check Your Understanding (Page 210)
Q1. Complete the table with situations and reasons.
|
Column 1 (Situation) |
Column 2 (Reason) |
|
When the temperature is recorded as 50 degrees celsius and
above, a state holiday has to be declared. |
Because it becomes too dangerous for people to work. |
|
Khetaram can dwell on any threshold. |
Because everyone in the village trusts him and welcomes
him warmly. |
|
BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. |
Because they appreciate his hard work and he also delivers
their mail (dak). |
Q2. Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village
when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
Answer: Jaggery is a traditional sweet offered as a gesture of
happiness and gratitude. Villagers offer it to Khetaram to thank him for
bringing good news and to share their joy.
Q3. How would phone lines help Khetaram in his job?
Answer: Phone lines would help him become a Gramin Sanchar
Sewak. He would then carry a mobile phone and the post, allowing people to
communicate faster while still receiving letters. It would modernize his role.
Critical Reflection (Pages 210-212)
Extract-Based Questions
Extract 1 (Page 210-211):
"Akaal or famine is a way of life here. In a good year, I get one crop
of bajra. That cannot feed my family of five. We would starve without this
job," he says...
(i) Complete the sentence: One crop of bajra
makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because it is not
enough to feed their family for the whole year.
(ii) Why did Khetaram term famine as ‘a way of life’? Because
droughts and food shortages happen very frequently in the desert region.
(iii) Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job. To feed
his family of five and prevent them from starving.
(iv) Complete the analogy: Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram
: His job (as GDS)
(v) What would ‘a good year’ signify? A year with enough rainfall
for a good bajra crop.
Extract 2 (Page 211):
"There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right
corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death... He
stands outside, reads out the letter twice, then tears it to bits."
(i) Who could have torn the right corner of the envelope? B.
Sender of the letter
(ii) The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because he
wants to make sure the sad news is understood clearly.
(iii) What was Khetaram’s philosophy regarding bad news? He
believed that bad news must be destroyed and should not be carried into the
house.
(iv) True or False: Khetaram’s action of tearing the letter
differed from his beliefs. False.
(v) Mention one aspect of Khetaram’s temperament. He is sensitive,
respectful, or thoughtful.
Long Answer Questions (Page 212)
Q1. Justify the statement... role of GDS is ‘invaluable’.
Answer: The role of GDS is invaluable because they deliver mail to
areas that are completely unreachable by any vehicle. They walk long distances
in deserts, mountains, and riverine areas. They are the only link between
remote villages and the rest of the world, delivering letters, money orders,
and even reading/writing letters for illiterate villagers.
Q2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that
of the British postal system?
Answer: The British postal system was set up to relay company dak
(official mail) between administrative centres for their own benefit. After
independence, the purpose of India Post changed to bringing every citizen
within the mailing ambit, connecting all people, especially those in rural and
remote areas.
Q3. People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support with two
instances.
Answer:
- Illiterate
villagers confidently ask Khetaram to read their personal letters and
write replies for them.
- Rural
depositors entrust their monthly savings to the post office, showing faith
in the postal system.
Q4. Why was Khetaram grateful to continue as GDS even
after 60?
Answer: Khetaram was grateful because the GDS job allowed him to
serve people even after 60. It gave him a new lease of life, a steady income,
and a sense of purpose, unlike farming which was unreliable due to famines.
Q5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like
Khetaram.
Answer: The author pays tribute to them because they work
selflessly under extreme conditions (heat, sandstorms, long walks) to connect
people. They are the unsung heroes who carry not just letters, but
emotions—happiness, sadness, and hope—to remote corners of the country.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context (Pages 212-215)
I. Match phrases with meanings (Page 212):
|
Column 1 |
Column 2 |
|
1. crumbles into sand |
(iii) disappears in the desert |
|
2. give a new lease of life |
(i) get a chance to continue living |
|
3. turn into a trickle before drying out |
(iv) lessen gradually and then finally stop |
|
4. bearing words across this desolate geography |
(ii) carrying letters to less populated areas |
II. Alliteration and Metaphor (Page 213):
- Alliteration: "swirling
sandstorms" (repetition of 's' sound)
- Metaphor: "walking
sandman" (Khetaram is compared to a sandman because he gets covered
in sand).
IV. Present Perfect Tense (Page 214):
Fill in the blanks:
- I have just got a
collection...
- He has
collected these stamps...
- I have
studied most of the stamps...
- I have
begun my own collection...
- Grandfather has truly inspired me.
V. Active and Passive Voice (Page 214-215):
Complete the paragraph (Advice from Khetaram in passive voice):
A. will be expected of you
B. will be expected
C. should be written
D. will be asked
E. should be worn
Listen and Respond (Page 215)
Transcript is on Page 272 (Appendix)
Q1. The speaker concluded her talk with a __________.
Answer: request
Q2. Choose the correct options:
- What
was the occasion? – (iii) Indian Postal Day
- India
Post is famous for... – (ii) in the world
- Letter
writing is being revived because... – (iii) forgotten
- What
will be part of the carnival? – (i) calligraphy and graphology
- What
will the postal department add? – (i) interactive demonstrations
Speaking Activity (Page 216)
Role Play: Postcard, Inland Letter, Envelope, and Money
Order
Use these simple points for your discussion:
- Postcard: "I
am the cheapest. Anyone can afford me. I am good for short, quick
messages."
- Inland
Letter: "I am more private than a postcard because I fold
and seal. I am still cheap and good for personal notes."
- Envelope: "I
am the most protective. You can put many pages, photos, or even small
gifts inside me. I am the safest."
- Money
Order: "You all just carry words. I carry MONEY! Families in
villages depend on me to survive. I am the most important."
Use these phrases: "It seems to me
that...", "Some people say that...", "I would like to point
out that…", "That’s one way to look at it but…"
Writing Task (Page 217)
Condolence Message (on behalf of your parents to your
aunt)
Use this simple format:
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Dear Aunt [Name],
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of our
beloved grandfather (your father). He was a kind and wonderful person. Please
accept our heartfelt condolences.
May God give you and the family the strength to bear this
great loss. We are always here for you.
Yours lovingly,
[Your Name & Parents' Name]
Learning Beyond the Text (Pages 218-219)
Q1. Study the postage stamps (Page 219).
- Discuss
who or what they depict. (Look at the images – they may show
Mahatma Gandhi, national leaders, animals, historical events, or cultural
symbols.)
Q2. Prepare a class board on ‘Philately – Upholding Our
Heritage’.
- Philately =
the study and collection of postage stamps.
- Ideas
for your board:
- Personalities: Stamps
of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
- Celebrations: Diwali,
Republic Day stamps.
- Centenaries: 150th
birth anniversary of someone.
- Nature: Stamps
of tigers, peacocks, lotuses.
- Heritage: Stamps
of Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, classical dancers.
Q3. Telegram (Page 219)
- Telegrams
were fast, short messages charged by the word. They were used for urgent
news like births, deaths, or emergencies.
- Example: "REACHING
HOME TOMORROW MORNING STOP LOVE DAD" (Using 'STOP' instead of a full
stop).
Poem: "Words" by Charles Swain (Pages 221-225)
Check Your Understanding (Page 222)
Fill in the blanks:
- depart
- pilgrim
- weeds
- joy
- lonely
- world
- fruit
Let us appreciate the poem (Pages 222-224)
Q1. Rhyme Scheme:
The rhyme scheme of each stanza is ABCB (e.g., heart/depart,
care/air).
Q2. Poetic Devices:
- Simile: "words,
like summer birds, depart" (words are compared to birds flying away).
- Metaphor: "heart,
a pilgrim upon earth" (heart is compared to a religious traveler).
- Simile: "words
are of as little worth / As just so many weeds" (words are compared
to useless weeds).
Q3. Repetition:
The word "words" is repeated many times to emphasize that the poem is
about the nature and value of words.
Q4. Emotions in stanzas 4,5,6:
The correct option is (ii) 4. frustration, 5. admiration, 6.
disillusionment.
Q5. Hyperbole:
"If words could satisfy the chest, / The world might hold a feast."
(Exaggeration to show that words alone cannot bring true happiness or solve
real problems.)
Critical Reflection (Poem) – Pages 224-225
Extract 1 (Page 224):
"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 is the heart called a 'pilgrim'? Because
the heart is always searching for true meaning and connection, just like a
pilgrim travels in search of truth.
(ii) When would a heart ‘need’ words? During times of loneliness,
sadness, grief, or when trying to express deep love.
(iii) Words are like weeds because they can be useless and fail
to provide real comfort when needed most.
(iv) Two emotions: Frustration and sadness.
(v) What does this suggest about communication? Words alone are not
enough; they must be sincere and backed by feelings to truly communicate.
Extract 2 (Page 225):
"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’? By making
a person feel understood, happy, or content emotionally.
(ii) How can words be ‘summoned to the test’? When they are used in
a difficult or important situation, like apologizing or comforting someone.
(iii) ‘The world’ holding ‘a feast’ implies universal
celebration and happiness.
(iv) Words satisfy the least because they are often empty and
fail to address deep emotional needs.
(v) 'Oft' does not mean: A. always
Long Answer Questions (Poem) – Page 225
Q1. Comparison between words and ‘empty air’.
Answer: The poet says that words, like summer birds, depart and
leave behind only empty air. This means that spoken words disappear quickly and
often have no lasting impact or real substance, just like air which we cannot
hold.
Q2. Meaningful words are more precious than a lot of
them. Explain.
Answer: The poet says that "a little said, and truly said, can
deeper joy impart" than "hosts of words". This means that a few
honest, heartfelt words matter much more than many empty, fancy words. Quality
matters more than quantity in communication.
Q3. Does the poet present contrasting ideas about
‘words’?
Answer: Yes. The poet contrasts:
- Words
that are empty vs. words that are truly said.
- Words
that satisfy vs. words that are useless like weeds.
- Words
that touch the heart vs. words that reach only the head.
This contrast shows that words can be both powerful and completely useless, depending on how they are used.
Q4. Theme of loneliness in the poem.
Answer: The poem speaks of a "lonely home" and a heart
that "finds often, when it needs" that words are worthless. This
suggests that in moments of loneliness or need, people often find that regular
words fail to comfort them. Only rare, sincere words can bridge that
loneliness.
Q5. Superficial nature of words and solution.
Answer: The poet shows that words are superficial when they are
like "plants that make a gaudy show" but cannot grow fruit. They look
impressive outside but have no real value. The solution is to use fewer, more
sincere words that come from the heart and touch the heart.
Glossary (Difficult Words from Chapter 7)
|
Word |
Simple Meaning |
|
Sole |
Only |
|
Hamlets |
Very small villages |
|
Ply |
Move regularly (here, bicycles can't move) |
|
Hefted |
Lifted with effort |
|
Stipulate |
Specify or state clearly |
|
Mojri |
Traditional Rajasthani leather shoes |
|
Devoid |
Without something |
|
Inaccessible |
Cannot be reached |
|
Ambit |
Range or scope |
|
Remitted |
Sent (especially money) |
|
Scrap |
Cancel or remove |
|
Dwell |
Stay or live temporarily |
|
Threshold |
Doorstep or entrance |
|
Dreads |
Fears very much |
|
Missive |
A letter |
|
Entail |
Involve or include |
|
Striding |
Walking with long steps |
|
Arid |
Very dry (land) |
|
Desolate |
Empty, barren, lonely |