NCERT Solutions Kaveri Chapter 7 Words — Critical Reflection

Read the following lines and answer the questions. 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’? (ii) When would a heart ‘need’ words? (iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. The words are like weeds because ____________. (iv) Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing when it finds words to be of ‘little worth’. (v) What do these lines suggest about the nature of communication?

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’? (ii) How can words be ‘summoned to the test’? (iii) What does ‘the world’ holding ‘a feast’ imply? (iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because ______________. (v) Select the word that does not mean the same as ‘oft’. A. always B. usually C. frequently D. often

Answer the following questions. What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and ‘empty air’?

According to the poet meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain.

Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to ‘words’ in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not? 4. The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support this statement with examples from the text. 5. How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this?