Words - NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Kaveri

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Words – NCERT Solutions Class 9 English Kaveri includes all the questions with solution given in NCERT Class 9 English textbook Kaveri.

NCERT Solutions Class 9

English Kaveri Hindi Ganga Sanskrit Sharada Maths Ganita Manjari Science Exploration Social Understanding Society

Words – NCERT Solutions

Q.1:

Fill in the blanks with one word from the poem. One example has been done for you.
In this poem, the poet reflects that words fail to truly satisfy what the heart wants to convey. Words are compared to summer birds who 1 . ________ , leaving nothing behind. The heart, is equated to a 2 . ________ who finds that words are as worthless as 3 . _______ when needed. He feels that a few sincere words can bring more 4. ________ than many meaningless ones. He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a 5. ________ place does not say much, but the few words it does, are very precious. Moreover, if words could satisfy us, the 6 . _________ would celebrate but words often fail to do that. The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a 7. ________ .

Solution:

Words are compared to summer birds who fly away, leaving nothing behind.
The heart is equated to a hungry beggar
who finds that words are as worthless as weeds when needed.
He feels that a few sincere words can bring more happiness than many meaningless ones.
He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a lonely place does not say much, but the few words it does are very precious.
Moreover, if words could satisfy us, the world would celebrate, but words often fail to do that.
The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a fruit.

Q.2:

Read the poem again. Find any four sets of rhyming words and also write the rhyme scheme of the poem.

Solution:

Four sets of rhyming words from the poem “Words”:

birds – words
beggar – together
place – grace
flowers – ours

Rhyme scheme of the poem:
The poem follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF.

This pattern shows that alternate lines rhyme with each other, giving the poem a smooth and musical flow.

Q.3:

Read the following phrases and sentences taken from the poem. Identify the poetic device in each of them and explain what the poet wants to communicate through their usage.

But words, like summer birds, depart…
heart, a pilgrim upon earth…
words are of as little worth
As just so many weeds
If words could satisfy the chest… Oft satisfy the least!
The world might hold a feast…
Like plants that make a gaudy show
All blossom to the root
But whose poor nature cannot grow
One particle of fruit!

Solution:

Poetic device: Simile
Meaning: Words may quickly disappear and not leave a lasting effect.
Poetic device: Metaphor
Meaning: The heart is always searching for true and sincere expression.
Poetic device: Simile
Meaning: Meaningless words are useless, like weeds.
Poetic device: Hyperbole
Meaning: Words alone rarely satisfy the deep feelings of the heart.
Poetic device: Hyperbole
Meaning: If words truly satisfied people, the whole world would celebrate.
Poetic device: Simile / Imagery
Meaning: Words may look attractive and impressive on the surface.
Poetic device: Metaphor / Symbolism
Meaning: Beautiful but empty words produce no real value or result.

Q.4:

Which words are repeated in the poem? Why does the poet use repetition?

Solution:

Repeated words in the poem:

words
satisfy

Why the poet uses repetition:

To emphasise the importance and limitations of words.
To highlight that words often fail to truly satisfy the feelings of the heart.
It also reinforces the central idea of the poem and creates a rhythmic effect.

Q.5:

The stanzas 4,5, and 6 end with exclamation marks. Choose the option that displays the emotions being expressed through them.

Options:
(1) 4. disillusionment 5. admiration and 6. frustration
(2) 4. frustration 5. admiration and 6. disillusionment ✅
(3) 4. admiration 5. frustration and 6. disillusionment
(4) 4. frustration 5. disillusionment and 6. admiration

Explanation:

Correct option: (ii)

Stanza 4 – frustration
Stanza 5 – admiration
Stanza 6 – disillusionment

So the correct answer is:
(ii) 4. frustration, 5. admiration and 6. disillusionment.

Q.6:

Identify examples of hyperbole from the given lines.
If words could satisfy the chest,
The world might hold a feast.

Work in pairs. Complete the sentences given below with hyperboles. Use the hints given in the brackets.

I have ______________ things to do on this weekend. (lots of/tonnes of)
The player missed the basket by ______________. (a mile/ an inch)
My mother is so tired that she can sleep for a ______________. (night/decade)
I will be back in ______________. (five minutes/two seconds)

Solution:

The world might hold a feast.”
This is a hyperbole because the poet exaggerates that the whole world would celebrate if words could truly satisfy the heart.

tonnes
a mile
decade
two seconds

Q.7:

Rhythm gives a lyrical quality to a poem. The rhythm (pattern of beats) in a line of poetry is described by a metrical form. A metre is formed by a stressed and an unstressed syllable. Syllable is the name given to a single unit of speech/beats of spoken language.
The metrical form in the ࠸rst four lines is given below. The stressed syllables have been underlined.
If words could sa tis fy the heart,
The heart might find less care;
But words, like sum mer birds, de part,
And leave but emp ty air.
Now, listen to the teacher read the poem. As you listen, underline the syllables that are stressed in all the lines of the poem. Share your answers with the teacher.

Solution:

he stressed syllables in the lines are:

If WORDS could SAtisFY the HEART
The HEART might FIND less CARE
But WORDS, like SUMmer BIRDS, dePART
And LEAVE but EMPty AIR

These stressed syllables create the rhythm (metrical pattern) of the poem.

Q.8:

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.

Why has the poet referred to the heart as ‘a pilgrim’?
When would a heart ‘need’ words?
Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The words are like weeds because ________ .
Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing when it finds words to be of ‘little worth’.
What do these lines suggest about the nature of communication?

Solution:

The poet refers to the heart as a pilgrim because, like a traveller on a journey, the human heart moves through different experiences and emotions in life while searching for understanding, comfort, and expression.
A heart needs words when a person wants to express deep feelings such as love, sorrow, gratitude, or sympathy to others.
The words are like weeds because they may grow in large numbers but often fail to express true feelings or bring comfort.
Two emotions could be:
- Deep sorrow / grief
- Intense love or compassion
These lines suggest that words alone are sometimes not enough to express true emotions; genuine feelings are often deeper than what language can convey.

Q.9:

Read the following lines and answer the questions.
If words could satisfy the chest,
The world might hold a feast;
But words, when summoned to the test,
Oft satisfy the least!

How can words ‘satisfy the chest’?
How can words be ‘summoned to the test’?
What does ‘the world’ holding ‘a feast’ imply?
Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because ________ .
Select the word that does not mean the same as ‘oft’.
1. always
2. usually
3. frequently
4. often

Solution:

Words can ‘satisfy the chest’ when they successfully express the deep feelings of the heart and bring emotional comfort or relief.
Words are ‘summoned to the test’ when people try to use them to express strong emotions or important thoughts to see if they can truly convey what they feel.
It implies that if words could truly satisfy the heart, people everywhere would feel great joy and celebration.
they often fail to express the depth of true feelings and emotions.
‘Oft’ means often / frequently / usually.

Q.10:

What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and ‘empty air’? In the poem “Words”.

Solution:

The poet compares words to empty air to show that many words are meaningless and hollow. Just like empty air has no substance, words without true feelings or sincerity fail to communicate real emotions.

Q.11:

According to the poet meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain. In the poem “Words”.

Solution:

According to the poet, a few meaningful words are more precious than many words because words that are sincere and thoughtful can truly express feelings and touch the heart. In contrast, a large number of empty or careless words often fail to convey real emotions and therefore have little value.

Q.12:

Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to ‘words’ in the poem “Words”? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Solution:

Yes, the poet presents contrasting ideas. On one hand, words are shown as powerful and valuable when they truly express feelings. On the other hand, the poet also shows that words can be useless, like weeds or empty air, when they fail to convey genuine emotions.

Q.13:

The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support this statement with examples from the text. In the poem “Words”.

Solution:

The theme of loneliness is suggested in the poem through the poet’s description of the heart and the failure of words to express feelings. The poet calls the heart “a pilgrim upon earth”, which suggests a lonely traveller moving through life in search of understanding. The poem also says that words are often of little worth and sometimes satisfy the least, showing that people cannot always express their emotions properly. This inability to communicate makes a person feel isolated and lonely.

Q.14:

How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this? In the poem “Words”.

Solution:

The poet conveys the superficial nature of words by comparing them to weeds and empty air, suggesting that they are often shallow and ineffective. To address this, people should use words thoughtfully and sincerely, ensuring that their speech reflects genuine emotions and understanding.