CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 5: Bravehearts — My Dear Soldiers Questions and Answers

Unit 5: My Dear Soldiers

Let us do these activities before we read

I. Look around and identify the people who contribute to your life selflessly with a risk to their own lives. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

The people who selflessly contribute to our lives while risking their own lives include soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers during emergencies.

II. Work in pairs. Discuss at least three questions that you would like to ask the people identified in I.

• 1. What gives you the courage to stay strong in dangerous situations?
• 2. How do you manage to stay away from your family for long periods while serving the nation?
• 3. What message would you like to give to young students who look up to you as role models?

Figure 1: A brave soldier carrying a rescued child through water during a relief operation.

Let us discuss

I. Complete the summary with an exact word from the poem. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

The poem is a tribute to the soldiers of the 1. land who defend the 2. borders of their country. It highlights their untiring commitment and sacrifices as they guard the nation. The soldiers remain vigilant and dedicated, whether it's windy, snowy, or 3. scorching hot. They walk on 4. lonely stretches of land like the yogis. Their duty takes them to different terrains, including mountains, valleys, 5. deserts and marshes. The poet acknowledges that they have given a major part of their 6. youth to protect the nation. The wind chimes show their respect to the soldiers' 7. feat. The poet concludes with prayers for their well-being and blessings.

II. Select the correct option for the following questions.

1. The theme of the poem is:
Answer: (i) patriotism and sacrifice

2. The tone of the poem is:
(i) admiring, (iii) respectful, (iv) grateful, (v) prayerful
Answer: D. (i), (iii), (iv) and (v)

III. Complete the following sentences by explaining why the poet has used the following poetic devices.

1. Imagery because the poet uses vivid descriptions like "scorching sun's sweltering rays" and "snowy days" to create a clear visual picture of the harsh conditions soldiers face.
2. Simile because the soldiers are likened to yogis to show their disciplined, selfless, and focused nature while walking through lonely expanses.
3. Metaphor because the poet uses wind chimes to express how the natural atmosphere of the land echoes and vibrates with respect for the soldiers' achievements.
4. Repetition of the words 'you' and 'we' because it creates a strong contrast between the soldiers who guard the borders and the citizens who sleep peacefully because of their protection.
5. Alliteration such as 'season or snowy' and 'sun's sweltering' (or 'surveillance in seas') to add a musical quality and rhythm to the poem.

Let us think and reflect

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
When we are all asleep
You still hold on to your deed
Windy season or snowy days
Or scorching sun's sweltering rays
You are there guarding all the time awake
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis

1. Identify a set of opposite words from the extract.
Answer: asleep and awake.

2. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase 'still hold on to your deed' refers to the soldier's attitude of unwavering duty, commitment, and determination.

3. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
The soldiers walk across the deserted stretches of land.
Answer: True.

4. Give evidence from the extract to show that soldiers face harsh weather conditions.
Answer: The lines "Windy season or snowy days / Or scorching sun's sweltering rays" show the harsh weather conditions they endure.

5. Which quality of the soldiers is highlighted in this extract?
Answer: (iv) dedication.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Who is the speaker of this poem? How can you say so?
The speaker is the former President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. We know this because his name is mentioned at the end of the poem as the poet, and he addresses the soldiers as "defenders of borders" on behalf of the countrymen.

2. How is the theme of the poem conveyed through imagery? Support your answer with examples from the poem.
The theme of selfless service and sacrifice is conveyed through vivid descriptions of extreme weather like "scorching sun's sweltering rays" and challenging landscapes like "climbing the heights" or "defending the deserts". These images highlight the constant hardship soldiers bear to keep us safe.

3. How does the poet highlight the commitment of the soldiers? Provide examples from the poem to support your answer.
The poet highlights their commitment by showing that they guard the nation unconditionally. Examples include staying awake while citizens sleep, standing guard in windy, snowy, or scorching weather, and securing the land, seas, and air continuously.

4. What is the significance of the line 'Prime of your youth given to the nation!!' with reference to sacrifice and service?
This line emphasizes that soldiers spend the best and most energetic years of their lives away from their families and personal comfort to serve and protect the country.

5. The poem ends with a prayer for the soldiers' well-being and blessings. Why is it important for each one of us to pray for the well-being of soldiers?
It is important because soldiers constantly risk their lives in extreme conditions to ensure our security and peaceful living. Praying for them shows our deep gratitude and moral support for their selfless sacrifices.

Let us learn

I. The poem mentions a few terrains (physical features of land)—valleys, deserts, and marshes. Identify the terrains from the box given below. There are two that you do not need.
[ghats, river, plateau, delta, bay, peninsula, mountains]

The terrains identified from the options are: ghats, plateau, delta, peninsula, mountains.
(The two words not needed are: river and bay, as they are water bodies).

II. Fill in the blanks by choosing the words given in the brackets that collocate appropriately.

1. The hikers reached the peak of the mountain after several days of trekking through challenging conditions.
2. The barren landscape of the desert made it nearly impossible to find any water sources.
3. In the rainforest, the dense forest provides a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife.
4. Chitra is a very adventurous person and enjoys mountain climbing.
5. I'll try to get back in time, but I'm not making any promises.

Let us listen

I & II. Think and complete the poem titled 'A Soldier's Pride', then listen to the poem and correct your answers.

In fields so vast, our soldiers stand,
With hearts so brave, and firm 1. command,
They guard our land both night and 2. day,
To keep our fears and foes at bay.

With every dawn and setting 3. sun,
Their duty calls, it must be done,
Through 4. stormy skies and blazing heat,
They 5. march along with steady feet.

For love of land, they 6. fight and strive,
To keep our hopes and 7. dreams alive,
With pride and honour, they defend,
Our 8. India, till the very end.

Figure 2: A soldier walking hand-in-hand with children, symbolizing protection and care.

Let us speak

1. Work in pairs and practise reciting the poem 'My Dear Soldiers'. Pause briefly at (/) and emphasise the highlighted words.

(Practice activity to be performed in pairs as guided by the recitation cues given in the text).

2. Now, recite aloud in groups of 8-10 following the guidelines (volume, pace, posture, and facial expressions).

(Group recitation exercise to be carried out in the classroom using proper tone, steady pace, and confident posture).

Let us write

I. Compose your own acrostic poem using the letters S-O-L-D-I-E-R.

S - Standing brave on the border
O - On duty day and night
L - Loving the country above all
D - Defending us with all their might
I - Inspiring us with courage
E - Ever ready to sacrifice
R - Respect for them in our hearts forever
      

II. Draft a note of gratitude for the soldiers' selfless service to the nation. (Word limit: 50 words)

Dear Bravehearts,

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your selfless service and courage. You guard our borders day and night in extreme weather so that we can live safely. Your sacrifice inspires us every day. Thank you for protecting our motherland with dedication.

With deep respect,
[Your Name]

Let us explore

I. Design a badge of honour for the soldiers with a self-designed logo and slogan.

Badge Design Activity Instructions:
1. Create a shield or star shape on cardboard/paper.
2. Draw a central logo like a shining star with the Tricolour stripes.
3. Add a slogan such as "Valour and Victory" or "Guardians of the Nation".

II. Find out any poem or story in your mother tongue or regional language about the sacrifices and bravery of soldiers. Make a presentation in the class.

Students can select famous regional poems (such as "Pushp ki Abhilasha" by Makhanlal Chaturvedi in Hindi) and prepare a brief presentation highlighting how the poem praises the sacrifices of brave soldiers protecting the nation.