CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 5: Bravehearts — A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers Questions and Answers

Unit 5: Bravehearts - A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers

Let us do these activities before we read: I. Homage means 'something that is said or done to show respect publicly for someone'. Whom should every Indian pay homage to? Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Every Indian should pay homage to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who fight to protect our country and sacrifice their lives so that we can lead our lives in peace.

Let us do these activities before we read: II. Work in pairs to complete the table by writing any three ways in which we can celebrate the victories and honour the sacrifices of the soldiers. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Celebrating their Victories	Honouring their Sacrifices
Visiting a war memorial	Offering flowers and wreaths as a mark of respect
Organising presentations and assemblies in schools about their valiant acts	Dedicating patriotic poems and writing letters of gratitude
Creating collages, memory books, or murals depicting their brave stories	Observing moments of silence at national memorials and shrines

Figure 1: School students paying respect and saluting the Indian National Flag.

Figure 2: Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka.

Figure 3: Information board explaining the four concentric circles (Chakras) of the National War Memorial.

Figure 4: Major Padmapani Acharya, Maha Vir Chakra awardee during Operation Vijay (Kargil War 1999).

Let us discuss (Part I - Page 187)

I. Complete the table given below. An example has been done for you. Check your answers with the teacher.

Name of the War Hero	Contribution and Achievement	Award Given
Major Somnath Sharma	Battle of Badgam in 1947	First Param Vir Chakra awarded posthumously
Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla	Exemplary courage and leadership during the 1971 War	Maha Vir Chakra
Lance Naik Albert Ekka	Silenced enemy Machine Guns and saved comrades at Gangasagar in 1971	Param Vir Chakra (posthumously)
Major Padmapani Acharya	Captured a heavily fortified enemy position in Kargil War 1999	Maha Vir Chakra (posthumously)

II. Find the paragraph(s) and sentences in the text that evoke the feelings given below: 1. feeling of wonder, 2. heartening, 3. sense of motivation, 4. pride, 5. visually inspiring, 6. sadness, 7. gratitude, 8. inspiration.

• 1. Feeling of wonder: "The National War Memorial consists of four concentric circles... It also houses bronze and stone murals and graphic panels. Isn't it amazing!"
• 2. Heartening: "It was heartening to know that our government has recognised the sacrifice of brave soldiers."
• 3. Sense of motivation: "It touched my heart and also motivated me... I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the Army!" and "It motivated me to live a life worthy of the sacrifices of our heroes."
• 4. Pride: "It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation."
• 5. Visually inspiring: "The overall environment created an emotive experience that was visually inspiring."
• 6. Sadness: "It was sad to think about the massive devastation and loss of life caused by wars."
• 7. Gratitude: "They exchange letters and share their feelings of gratitude for the freedom they enjoy because of the sacrifices made by the bravehearts of the country."
• 8. Inspiration: "I have written a long letter as I could not help sharing this inspiring experience with you."

III. Which is India's highest gallantry award?

Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest wartime gallantry medal.

IV. How would Ananda feel after reading this letter?

Ananda would feel pleased, deeply moved, proud, and inspired after reading Soumya's letter.

V. Do you think Soumya enjoyed writing this letter? Why or why not?

Yes, Soumya enjoyed writing this letter because she was deeply moved and excited to share her inspiring educational trip to the National War Memorial with her close friend.

Figure 5: Captain Anuj Nayyar, Maha Vir Chakra, and the inspirational soldier quote.

Figure 6: Bronze murals depicting soldiers in action in the Veerta Chakra.

Figure 7: A 15th August 1947 commemorative postage stamp of India.

Let us discuss (Part II - Page 192)

I. Why was Ananda reminded of the poem 'Pushp ki Abhilasha'?

Ananda was reminded of the poem when she saw people offering flowers at the War Memorial in Chandigarh to pay respect to the brave soldiers, matching the poem's theme of a flower wishing to be laid on the path of brave soldiers.

II. How does Soumya's letter help Ananda in pursuing her hobby?

Ananda's hobby is collecting stamps (philately). Soumya's letter contained a beautiful stamp celebrating India's independence on the envelope, which added to Ananda's stamp collection.

III. Ananda is inspired to act after reading the letter from Soumya. What actions does she intend to take up? Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text.

Action Intended	Citing Sentences from Text
1. Visit	"We all wish to visit the National War Memorial, Delhi."
2. Mobile app	"We have found out a mobile app 'National War Memorial and Museum'."
3. Sharing ideas	"Next week, I am going to share this idea with my classmates and my teacher."
4. Creating a collage	"I think it would be great to create a collage capturing the lives and stories of people that can inspire us each day."
5. Joining the army	"I feel motivated and I am seriously thinking of joining the Armed Forces to serve my motherland."
6. Website / Memoir	"his mother Meena Nayyar has written a memoir titled Tiger of Drass... which I shall certainly go through."

Let us think and reflect

I. 1. Read the extract and answer the questions:
"You can see the obelisk surrounded by wreaths that have been placed as a mark of respect. The lighting design is planned in such a way that it transforms the monument's landscape as sunlight changes from dawn to dusk. It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation. I was also overwhelmed by the interminable flame as a metaphor for eternal stories of courage and valour."

(i) Complete the analogy: flame: valour :: wreath: respect

(ii) How does the lighting design make the monument visually appealing?
The lighting design is planned so that it transforms the monument's landscape as sunlight changes from dawn to dusk.

(iii) State whether the sentence is a fact or an opinion: "It truly is a majestic site..."
It is an opinion.

(iv) What does the everlasting flame suggest?
It symbolizes the immortality of the spirit of fallen soldiers and serves as a metaphor for eternal stories of courage and valour.

(v) Choose the correct option for the tone of the writer:
Answer: C. admiring

I. 2. Read the extract and answer the questions:
"I was happy to hear that you got an opportunity to visit the National War Memorial. I have heard a lot about it. Some people might see a war memorial as just a monument, statue, an edifice to celebrate a war or victory and commemorate those who sacrificed their lives or got injured in the war. In my view, it is also an expression of deep gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country."

(i) Choose a line showing Ananda was aware about the National War Memorial:
"I have heard a lot about it."

(ii) Most likely reason for people to consider a war memorial as a monument:
Because they view it merely as a physical statue or edifice built to celebrate a war or victory and commemorate those killed or injured.

(iii) Fill in the blank:
We conduct special competitions at school to commemorate our Independence day.

(iv) Select a phrase showing Ananda is expressing an opinion:
"In my view..."

(v) Complete the sentence:
Ananda refers to the sacrifice of soldiers as 'supreme' sacrifice because they gave up their lives defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country so that citizens can live in peace.

II. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the significance of the National War Memorial?
It is a tribute to brave Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice post-independence. It represents the nation's gratitude and reminds citizens of the true cost of freedom and security.

2. Lance Naik Albert Ekka is an example of selflessness, determination, and exceptional courage. Elaborate.
During the 1971 war at Gangasagar, despite severe injuries, he charged enemy bunkers, silenced machine guns, and bayoneted enemy soldiers to protect his comrades and ensure success in battle, eventually succumbing to his injuries.

3. Explain how the National War Memorial and Museum app will be helpful in spreading awareness about war heroes.
The app is highly interactive and provides answers to queries in 21 languages, allowing students across India to learn about war heroes, murals, and stories of valour digitally.

4. Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?
Because they sacrifice their personal safety and comfort, and even their lives, to protect our nation's borders and ensure we live freely in peace and security.

5. What is the main idea of this text? How does it justify the title, 'A Homage to our Brave Soldiers'?
The main idea is to honour and express gratitude to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces. It justifies the title by sharing stories of war heroes, explaining the symbolism of the National War Memorial, and expressing reverence for their supreme sacrifices.

6. Why were the students awestruck and humbled? Explain in your own words.
They were awestruck and humbled when they read the citations of awardees like Lance Naik Albert Ekka, realizing the immense courage and selflessness required to fight for the nation despite grave injuries.

Let us learn (Language & Grammar)

I. Match the prefixes with their meanings and root words to create a new word, then complete the paragraph.

Prefix	Meaning	Root Word	New Word
extra-	outside	ordinary	Extraordinary
de-	remove	activate	Deactivate
mal-	badly, wrongly	functioning	Malfunctioning
anti-	opposed to; against	social	Antisocial
un-	lacking; not	questionable	Unquestionable
ex-	former	service	Ex-service
re-	do again	define	Redefine

Paragraph Completion:
Soldiers undergo (i) extraordinary training to prepare for their challenging duties. They learn to (ii) deactivate explosives and handle (iii) malfunctioning equipment with precision. They stand as a powerful force against (iv) antisocial elements, displaying (v) unquestionable bravery. (vi) Ex-service members often share their experiences to inspire new recruits. Their service can continually (vii) redefine the essence of commitment and sacrifice.

II. Find words associated with 'brave' by filling in the missing vowels.

• C O U R A G E O U S
• V A L I A N T
• V A L O U R
• G A L L A N T
• H E R O I C
• F E A R L E S S
• B O L D
• U N D A U N T E D
• D A R I N G

III. Fill in the blanks with the correct opposite words of 'brave' from the box (cowardly, timid, fear, refusal, afraid).

1. Ajay's cowardly refusal to stand up for his friend was disappointing to everyone.
2. The timid child hid behind his mother, too scared to meet the new teacher.
3. Anjali's fear of heights prevented her from climbing the tall ladder.
4. Sushma felt afraid as she entered the dark, abandoned building alone.

IV. Divide the sentences into two parts (Main Clause and Subordinate Clause).

Sentence	Part 1	Part 2
1	I aspire to be courageous like him	when I join the army!
2	They exchange letters and share their feelings of gratitude for the freedom	they enjoy because of the sacrifices made by the bravehearts of the country.
3	he continued to fight alongside his comrades	Though seriously wounded in this encounter
4	The sacrifices of the soldiers make monuments like the National War Memorial extremely important	so that we should never forget the cost of freedom.

V. Combine the pairs of sentences using suitable subordinating conjunctions (because, unless, when, where, though).

1. Wasi burst into tears when he heard the good news.
2. Though Himani was very nervous, she delivered a great presentation.
3. This is the place where I was born.
4. The students performed very well because they studied diligently.
5. Water the plants unless you want them to die. / Water the plants or they will die unless watered.

VI. Complete the following sentences with suitable main clause or subordinate clause.

1. Farheen was late to work because she missed her morning bus.
2. The dog started barking when a stranger walked past the gate.
3. She completed the marathon although she felt completely exhausted.
4. They saw a beautiful waterfall while they were hiking in the mountains.
5. Abhishek received a promotion after he successfully finished his project.
6. Please submit your work before the deadline approached / approaches.
7. We waited in the car until the rain finally stopped.
8. The children played on the beach as the waves rushed to the shore.

Let us listen

Answer the questions based on the listening transcript in two-three exact words.

1. What type of job does Gunjan think the Armed Forces is?
   Most honourable job
2. What feature of the Armed Forces fills Gunjan with pride?
   Wearing the uniform
3. How does the disciplined life of the Armed Forces impact the body and mind, according to Gunjan?
   Keeps active
4. List any one aspect about a job in the Armed Forces that Gunjan feels helps someone grow.
   New challenges / Everyday adventures
5. State any two things that Gunjan feels life in the Armed Forces teaches.
   Loyalty and duty (or service and honesty)

Let us speak & Let us write

Let us speak: 1 & 2. Identify different professions in the picture and express wishes to pursue them.

Professions shown: Carpenter, Teacher, Cricketer, Pilot, Farmers, Doctor, Artist/Painter, Chef, Classical Dancer.

Sample Response: I dream of working as a pilot because I want to fly aircraft across the sky. This would involve rigorous training in flight schools and dedication to aviation rules.

Let us write: Write a letter to your friend sharing how the Armed Forces contribute during natural calamities, infrastructure development, and welfare initiatives.

Dear Friend,

Hope you are doing well! While we often associate our Armed Forces with wartime defence, they play an equally vital role during peace time. During natural calamities like floods and earthquakes, they execute brave rescue operations, providing shelter and relief to stranded victims. In remote areas, they assist in infrastructure development by constructing crucial roads and bridges. Moreover, they conduct medical camps and establish libraries for public welfare. Their dedication to the country in every situation is truly admirable.

Your friend,
[Your Name]