Words Class 9 Extra Questions and Answers English Poem 7

Words Poem Extra Question Answer

Question 1.

Why does the poet compare words to "summer birds"?

Answer:

The poet compares words to summer birds (migratory birds) because just as these birds leave when the season changes, empty words are fleeting and abandon you when you truly need comfort, leaving behind only "empty air".

Question 2.

How does the poet describe the heart in the second stanza?

Answer:

The poet describes the heart as "a pilgrim upon earth," personifying it as a weary traveller journeying through life in search of genuine emotional fulfillment and solace.

Question 3.

What does the poet mean by the phrase "hosts of words"?

Answer:

The phrase "hosts of words" refers to a large multitude or excessive number of words spoken by someone, which often lack genuine feeling or sincerity.

Words Short Question Answer

Question 4.

According to the poem, what has the power to impart "deeper joy"?

Answer:

The poet states that "a little said, and truly said"-meaning a few words spoken with absolute sincerity-has the power to impart much deeper joy than a long, emotionless speech.

Question 5.

What is the fundamental difference between words that reach the 'head' and words that touch the 'heart'?

Answer:

Words that reach the 'head' appeal only to logic and the intellect, offering no real comfort. In contrast, words that touch the 'heart' connect emotionally and provide true solace.

Question 6.

How does a voice bring cheer to a "lonely home"?

Answer:

A voice brings cheer to a lonely home not by talking excessively, but by speaking "the fewest words" that are incredibly sincere, warm, and "dear".

Question 7.

In the poet's imagination, what would happen if words could truly "satisfy the chest"?

Answer:

The poet exaggerates that if mere words were enough to fulfill human emotions, the world would "hold a feast," meaning there would be a constant, universal celebration free of sorrow.

Question 8.

What happens when words are "summoned to the test"?

Answer:

When words are put to the ultimate test during times of crisis or deep sorrow, they "oft satisfy the least," proving inadequate in providing real, tangible relief.

Words Class 9 Extra Question Answer

Question 9.

Why does the poet compare words to "weeds"?

Answer:

Weeds are unwanted plants that grow abundantly but have no value. The poet compares words to weeds because, in times of emotional need, a multitude of empty words proves to be completely worthless.

Question 10.

To what kind of plants does the poet compare insincere words in the final stanza?

Answer:

He compares them to plants that make a "gaudy show"-they have abundant, flashy blossoms all the way to the root, but their nature is so poor that they cannot grow even a single "particle of fruit".

Words Long Question Answer

Question 1.

Discuss the various similes and metaphors used by Charles Swain to illustrate the futility of empty words.

Answer:

Charles Swain masterfully uses nature-based similes and metaphors to expose the emptiness of insincere words. First, he compares them to "summer birds" that depart, highlighting their fleeting and unreliable nature. He then uses a metaphor calling the heart a "pilgrim," portraying human emotion as a traveller seeking true sustenance. When this pilgrim needs help, words are found to be as worthless as "weeds"-plentiful but without value. Finally, he compares words to "gaudy" plants that blossom beautifully but bear no "fruit," perfectly symbolizing how eloquent speech can look attractive on the outside but offer no real emotional nourishment or meaningful outcome.

Question 2.

Elaborate on the contrast the poet draws between the quantity and the quality of words.

Answer:

Throughout the poem, Swain contrasts the sheer volume of words with their underlying sincerity. He points out that "hosts of words" might sound intelligent and "reach the head," but they completely fail to "touch the heart". On the other hand, the quality of words is championed; "a little said, and truly said" imparts a much deeper, more profound joy. He reinforces this by stating that a voice that cheers up a lonely home often has the "fewest words to say," yet those few words are incredibly precious because they are driven by genuine love and care.

Question 3.

"But words, when summoned to the test, / Oft satisfy the least!" Analyze this statement in the context of the poem's central theme.

Answer:

This statement captures the core philosophy of the poem. The "test" refers to difficult situations in life, such as grief, loss, or intense loneliness, where a person desperately needs real emotional support and empathy. In these critical moments, people often offer platitudes or cliched phrases. The poet argues that when we actually rely on these spoken phrases to heal our pain, they fail miserably, satisfying us "the least". It emphasizes the theme that words, without action or deep, heartfelt sincerity, are fundamentally hollow and incapable of healing a wounded soul.

Question 4.

Explain the personification of the heart as a "pilgrim upon earth." Why does this pilgrim find words to be like "weeds"?

Answer:

By personifying the heart as a "pilgrim upon earth," the poet evokes the image of a weary, solitary traveller navigating the difficult and often painful journey of life, constantly seeking a sacred place of comfort and truth. When a pilgrim is exhausted, they need real nourishment and shelter. However, when the heart seeks emotional nourishment from others, it often receives only empty words. The pilgrim finds these words to be like "weeds" because weeds grow everywhere but offer no nutritional value, just as empty words are easily spoken but offer no real spiritual or emotional comfort.

Question 5.

How does the final stanza effectively summarize the entire philosophy of the poem?

Answer:

The final stanza acts as a powerful concluding metaphor for the entire poem. The poet describes plants that put on a "gaudy show" with abundant blossoms right down to the root, yet possess such a "poor nature" that they cannot produce a single "particle of fruit". The gaudy blossoms represent eloquent, excessive, and showy vocabulary. The "fruit" represents a meaningful outcome, genuine comfort, or true connection. By stating that these showy plants bear no fruit, Swain perfectly summarizes his philosophy: superficiality and grand speeches, no matter how beautiful they sound, are entirely useless if they do not yield the 'fruit' of sincere emotional impact.

Words Extract Based Questions and Answers

Extract 1.

"A little said, and truly said,

Can deeper joy impart

Than hosts of words, which reach the head,

But never touch the heart."

(a) What action has the power to impart "deeper joy"?

Answer:

Speaking just a few words, but ensuring they are said with absolute truth and sincerity ("A little said, and truly said").

(b) What do "hosts of words" fail to do?

Answer:

They fail to touch the heart or evoke any genuine emotional response.

(c) Which word in the stanza means 'to give or communicate'?

Answer:

"Impart".

(d) Identify the primary contrast made in these lines.

Answer:

The poet contrasts the intellect ("the head") with human emotion ("the heart"), as well as the quality of words versus the quantity of words.

Extract 2.

"Like plants that make a gaudy show,

All blossom to the root;

But whose poor nature cannot grow,

One particle of fruit!"

(a) What is being compared to "plants that make a gaudy show"?

Answer:

Empty, insincere, and excessive words.

(b) What does the word "gaudy" suggest about the words being spoken?

Answer:

It suggests that the words are excessively bright, flashy, and showy, but ultimately superficial and lacking real substance.

(c) What does the "fruit" represent in this context?

Answer:

The fruit represents a meaningful outcome, tangible support, or genuine emotional comfort.

(d) Name the poetic device used in the first line of this extract.

Answer:

Simile (indicated by the word "Like").

Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the most appropriate option for each question.

Question 1.

To what does the poet compare words that quickly depart when you need them?

(a) Autumn leaves

(b) Summer birds

(c) Winter snow

(d) Spring blossoms

Answer:

(b) Summer birds

Question 2.

How does the poet personify the "heart" in the second stanza?

(a) As a weary soldier

(b) As a lost child

(c) As a pilgrim upon earth

(d) As a soaring bird

Answer:

(c) As a pilgrim upon earth

Question 3.

According to the poem, what effect do "hosts of words" (a multitude of words) usually have?

(a) They touch the heart deeply.

(b) They reach the head but never touch the heart.

(c) They bring immense joy to a lonely home.

(d) They produce a lot of fruit.

Answer:

(b) They reach the head but never touch the heart.

Question 4.

What happens when words are "summoned to the test" during difficult times?

(a) They provide the most comfort.

(b) They satisfy the chest completely.

(c) They satisfy the least.

(d) They turn into a feast.

Answer:

(c) They satisfy the least.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences using appropriate words from the poem.

Question 1.

A voice that manages to cheer up a "lonely home" usually has the ............ words to say.

Answer:

fewest (Line: "Hath oft the fewest words to say")

Question 2.

The poet states that empty words are of as little worth as just so many .............

Answer:

weeds (Line: "As just so many weeds")

Question 3.

The poem concludes by comparing insincere words to "gaudy" plants that blossom to the root but cannot grow one particle of .............

Answer:

Fruit (Line: "One particle of fruit!")

State whether the following statements are True or False based on the poem.

Question 1.

The poet believes that if words could truly satisfy the heart, the world would hold a feast.

Answer:

True (The poet exaggerates that the world would celebrate constantly if words were enough).

Question 2.

"A little said, and truly said" brings far less joy than a long, eloquent speech.

Answer:

False (The poet states the exact opposite: "A little said, and truly said, / Can deeper joy impart").

Question 3.

The poet implies that sincere, limited communication is far more precious than excessive, empty talking.

Answer:

True (This is the central theme of the poem; those few, sincere words are "how dear!").

Class 9 English Extra Questions