Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1: What does the poet call soldiers in the first stanza?
a) Guardians of peace
b) Defenders of borders
c) Sons of freedom
d) Heroes of youth
Ans: b) Defenders of borders
In the first stanza, the poet addresses soldiers as “Defenders of borders,” highlighting their role in protecting the nation’s boundaries.
Q2: What do soldiers do while others sleep, according to stanza 1?
a) Rest and dream
b) Hold on to their deed
c) Climb mountains
d) Pray for the nation
Ans: b) Hold on to their deed
The first stanza states that while people sleep, soldiers “hold on to your deed,” meaning they stay committed to their duty of guarding the nation.
Q3: Which weather condition is NOT mentioned in stanza 2?
a) Windy season
b) Snowy days
c) Rainy storms
d) Scorching sun
Ans: c) Rainy storms
Stanza 2 mentions windy season, snowy days, and scorching sun’s sweltering rays as conditions soldiers face, but rainy storms are not referenced.
Q4: What does the poet compare soldiers to in stanza 2?
a) Yogis
b) Wind chimes
c) Valleys
d) Marsh guards
Ans: a) Yogis
In stanza 2, soldiers are compared to “yogis” for treading lonely expanses with focus.
Q5: What does the word “feat” mean in the poem?
a) A large area
b) A brave or impressive act
c) A hot day
d) A type of prayer
Ans: b) A brave or impressive act
“Feat” is defined as a brave or impressive act, referring to the soldiers’ courageous actions in stanza 4.
Fill in the Blank
Q1: Soldiers guard the nation even in _______ days.
Ans: snowy
Q2: The poet compares soldiers treading lonely expanses to _______.
Ans: yogis
Q3: Soldiers dedicate the _______ of their youth to the nation.
Ans: prime
Q4: The _______ chimes vibrate to show the soldiers’ brave acts.
Ans: wind
Q5: The word “sweltering” means uncomfortably _______.
Ans: hot
True or False
Q1: The poem describes soldiers sleeping while guarding the borders.
Ans: False
The poem states soldiers stay awake, holding on to their duty while others sleep, emphasizing their vigilance.
Q2: Soldiers work in diverse terrains like deserts and seas.
Ans: True
Stanza 3 mentions soldiers defending deserts, guarding marshes, and monitoring seas, among other terrains.
Q3: The poet compares soldiers to wind chimes in stanza 3.
Ans: False
Wind chimes are mentioned in stanza 4 as a symbol of the nation’s pride, not a comparison to soldiers, who are compared to yogis in stanza 2.
Q4: The poem encourages gratitude for soldiers’ sacrifices.
Ans: True
The poem’s moral and final stanza, with prayers for soldiers, encourage gratitude for their selfless service.
Q5: The word “yogis” refers to people who live in cities.
Ans: False
“Yogis” refers to spiritual people who meditate and live simply, not city dwellers, as used in the poem.
Very Short Answer Questions
Q1: What do soldiers do in all weather conditions, according to stanza 2?
Ans: Guard the nation
Q2: Which areas do soldiers monitor, as mentioned in stanza 3?
Ans: Mountains, valleys, deserts, marshes, seas, air
Q3: What does the poet pray for in the final stanza?
Ans: Soldiers’ safety and blessings
Q4: What is the meaning of the word “surveillance” in the poem?
Ans: Close watch or monitoring
Q5: What is one moral of the poem?
Ans: Value soldiers’ sacrifices
Long Answer Questions
Q1: How does the poet show the soldiers’ sacrifices in the first two stanzas?
Ans: In the first two stanzas, the poet shows how much soldiers sacrifice by focusing on their hard work and bravery in tough situations. In stanza 1, they are called “Defenders of borders” who stay alert while others sleep, giving up their own rest to keep the country safe. This shows their selfless nature. In stanza 2, the poet talks about how soldiers guard the nation through strong winds, heavy snow, and hot sun. They walk alone like yogis, facing harsh weather and loneliness. This highlights their courage and the hardships they go through to protect the nation.
Q2: Describe the different terrains and tasks soldiers undertake in stanza 3.
Ans: In stanza 3, the poet shows how soldiers protect the country in many different places and ways. They climb high mountains and walk through deep valleys, showing their work in tough and uneven lands. They also guard dry deserts and wet marshes, facing extreme weather and difficult ground. Besides land, they keep watch over the seas and skies, making sure the country is safe from all sides. By doing all this hard work—climbing, guarding, and watching—soldiers give up the best years of their lives to protect the nation in every area: land, sea, and air.
Q3: Explain the significance of the “wind chimes” in the final stanza.
Ans: In the final stanza, the “wind chimes of my land” symbolise the nation’s deep pride and respect for its brave soldiers. These wind chimes, which move with energy, show how the soldiers’ courage touches people’s hearts all over the country. Their brave actions are like a tune that travels with the wind, reminding everyone of their sacrifice and uniting the nation in thankfulness. The soft, musical sound of the wind chimes also matches the poet’s gentle prayer for the soldiers’ safety. This makes the wind chimes a beautiful image of the lasting honour and gratitude that soldiers inspire.
Q4: What is the moral of the poem, and how does the poet’s tone reflect it?
Ans: The poem teaches us to respect and be thankful for the sacrifices soldiers make, reminding us to pray for their safety and honor their service. The poet’s tone is full of respect, admiration, and heartfelt emotion. In the first two stanzas, the poet calls soldiers “great sons” and talks about how they stay awake and protect us in difficult weather, showing deep respect. In the third stanza, the poet describes how soldiers work in mountains, deserts, marshes, and even the sea and sky, which shows great admiration for their hard work. In the last stanza, the poet’s prayer, “We pray for you brave men!!” expresses love and care. This respectful and emotional tone throughout the poem helps readers understand the importance of showing gratitude to soldiers for their bravery and service.
Q5: Discuss how the poem inspires gratitude and respect for soldiers’ dedication.
Ans: The poem inspires us to feel thankful and respectful towards soldiers by using clear images, emotional words, and a respectful tone to show their sacrifices. In the first stanza, the poet calls them “Defenders of borders” who stay awake and protect the nation while others sleep. This helps us understand how hardworking and selfless they are. In the second stanza, the poet says they guard the country in all kinds of weather—wind, snow, or heat—like calm and focused yogis. This makes us admire their strength and patience. The third stanza shows how soldiers work in different places like mountains, deserts, seas, and the sky. They give up their youth to keep the country safe, which makes us feel grateful for their dedication. In the final stanza, the poet uses the image of “wind chimes” to show how the whole country respects and remembers the soldiers’ bravery. The poem ends with a prayer for their safety. Overall, the poet’s emotional and respectful words help us understand how important it is to be thankful to soldiers and to honour their selfless work.