English Poorvi Class 7 A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers Question & Answers

Let us discuss

Page No. 187

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

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 India-Pakistan War	Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
Lance Naik Albert Ekka	Silenced enemy machine guns, displayed exceptional courage during the 1971 war at Gangasagar	Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
Major Padmapani Acharya	Led an assault to capture an enemy position in the 1999 Kargil War despite heavy fire, sacrificed his life	Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)

II. Find the paragraph(s) and sentences in the text that evoke the feelings given below.

1. feeling of wonder

• Paragraph: “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.”
• Sentence: “It truly is a majestic site…”

2. heartening

• Paragraph: “It was heartening to know that our government has recognised the sacrifice of brave soldiers.”
• Sentence: “It was heartening to know that our government has recognised the sacrifice of brave soldiers.”

3. sense of motivation

• Paragraph: “Then the teacher shared with us the citation of Param Vir Chakra awardee Lance Naik Albert Ekka. It touched my heart and also motivated me.”
• Sentence: “It touched my heart and also motivated me.”

4. pride

• Paragraph: “You can see the obelisk surrounded by wreaths that have been placed as a mark of respect… It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation.”
• Sentence: “It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation.”

5. visually inspiring

• Paragraph: “We spent the whole day, from morning to evening, at the National War Memorial… The overall environment created an emotive experience that was visually inspiring.”
• Sentence: “The overall environment created an emotive experience that was visually inspiring.”

6. sadness

• Paragraph: “I learnt a lot, but I also have to admit that the various discourses during the day brought tears to my eyes. It was sad to think about the massive devastation and loss of life caused by wars.”
• Sentence: “It was sad to think about the massive devastation and loss of life caused by wars.”

7. gratitude

• Paragraph: “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.”
• Sentence: “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

• Paragraph: “We continued our visit around the National War Memorial… I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the army!”
• Sentence: “I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the army!”

III. Which is India’s highest gallantry award?

Answer: Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

IV. How would Ananda feel after reading this letter?

Answer: Ananda would feel inspired, motivated, and grateful. The letter details the bravery of soldiers and the significance of the National War Memorial, which evokes a sense of pride and a desire to honor the soldiers. Ananda expresses motivation to join the Armed Forces and is inspired to share Soumya’s experience with others.

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

Answer: Yes, Soumya enjoyed writing this letter. She expresses excitement and enthusiasm while sharing her inspiring experience at the National War Memorial, as seen in phrases like “I am excited to share them with you” and “I could not help sharing this inspiring experience with you”. The detailed and emotional tone of the letter indicates her enjoyment.

Let us discuss

Page No. 192

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

Answer: Ananda was reminded of the poem ‘Pushp ki Abhilasha’ because it expresses a flower’s desire to be offered on the path of brave soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the motherland. This resonates with her experience at the Chandigarh War Memorial, where people were offering flowers to honor soldiers, and with Soumya’s description of wreaths placed at the National War Memorial as a mark of respect.

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

Answer: Soumya’s letter helps Ananda pursue her hobby of stamp collecting (philately) because the envelope comes with beautiful stamps, including one celebrating India’s independence, which aligns with the letter’s theme. Ananda mentions that receiving these stamps makes her happy and adds to her 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.

Answer:

1. visit	“I have shared your experience with many of my friends. 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.”

Let us think and reflect

Page No. 192

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. 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 with a word from the extract.

flame: valour:: wreath: _______

Answer: respect

(ii) How does the lighting design make the monument visually appealing?

Answer: The lighting design transforms the monument’s landscape as sunlight changes from dawn to dusk, enhancing its visual appeal by adapting to natural light variations throughout the day.

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

Answer: Opinion

• Explanation: The sentence “It truly is a majestic site…” reflects Soumya’s personal feeling about the National War Memorial, making it an opinion rather than a verifiable fact.

(iv) What does the everlasting flame suggest?

Answer: The everlasting flame suggests the eternal stories of courage and valour of the fallen soldiers, symbolizing that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

(v) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.

The tone of the writer in this extract is ______.

A. modest B. light-hearted C. admiring D. nostalgic

Answer: C. admiring

2. 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 from the extract which shows that Ananda was aware about the National War Memorial.

Answer: “I have heard a lot about it.”

(ii) What might be the most likely reason for people to consider a war memorial as a monument?

Answer: People might consider a war memorial as a monument because it is a physical structure, like a statue or edifice, built to celebrate victories or commemorate those who sacrificed their lives in war.

(iii) Fill in the blank with a suitable word from the extract.

We conduct special competitions at school to _________ our Independence day.

Answer: commemorate

(iv) Select a phrase from the extract showing that Ananda is expressing an opinion.

Answer: “In my view”

(v) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason.

Ananda refers to the sacrifice of soldiers as ‘supreme’ sacrifice because ________.

Answer: they gave their lives to defend the sovereignty and integrity of the country, ensuring the freedom and safety of its citizens.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the significance of the National War Memorial?

Answer: The National War Memorial is significant because it honours and remembers the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation after Independence. It reminds citizens of the cost of freedom and ensures that the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of the armed forces are never forgotten.

2. Lance Naik Albert Ekka is an example of selflessness, determination, and exceptional courage. Elaborate.

Answer: Lance Naik Albert Ekka showed great selflessness and courage by charging enemy bunkers despite being seriously injured. He silenced enemy machine guns that were causing heavy casualties to his company. Even after receiving severe injuries, he continued to fight fearlessly and ensured the success of the mission. He ultimately sacrificed his life for the nation, showing extraordinary determination and bravery.

3. Explain how the National War Memorial and Museum app will be helpful in spreading awareness about war heroes.

Answer: The National War Memorial and Museum app helps spread awareness by providing detailed information about war heroes in an interactive way. It answers queries in 21 languages and showcases murals and stories of brave soldiers, making learning easy, interesting, and accessible to people across the country.

4. Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?

Answer: It is our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers because they sacrifice their lives to protect the country’s freedom, sovereignty, and security. Their sacrifices allow citizens to live peacefully without fear, and honouring them shows our gratitude and respect.

5. What is the main idea of this text? How does it justify the title, ‘A Homage to our Brave Soldiers’?

Answer: The main idea of the text is to express gratitude and respect for the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of Indian soldiers. The text justifies the title because it describes the National War Memorial, stories of gallant soldiers, and the emotional impact their sacrifices have on citizens, making it a true tribute to brave soldiers.

6. Why were the students awestruck and humbled? Explain in your own words.

Answer: The students were awestruck and humbled after hearing the story of Lance Naik Albert Ekka’s bravery and sacrifice. His fearless actions, even when badly wounded, deeply moved them and made them realise the greatness of the soldiers’ sacrifices for the nation.

Let us learn

Page No. 194

Study the following words taken from the text.

disregard, inconsequential, immortal, undaunted

These words are made by adding word beginnings like dis-, in-, im- and unto the root words regard, consequence, mortal, and daunt respectively. Such word beginnings are called prefixes.

• dis-+regard • in-+consequential
• im-+mortal • un-+daunted

I. Match the prefixes with their meanings and the root words to create a new word in the table given below. An example has been done for you.

Answer:

re-	do again	questionable	requestionable
mal-	badly, wrongly	activate	malactivate
un-	opposite to; former	define	undefined
anti-	against	functioning	antifunctioning
extra-	beyond, outside	service	extraservice
ex-	remove	ordinary	extraordinary (example given)

Now, complete the paragraph by using the new words created in the table.

Soldiers undergo (i) extraordinary training to prepare for their challenging duties. They learn to (ii) ________ explosives and handle (iii) _______ equipment with precision. They stand as a powerful force against (iv) ________ elements, displaying (v) _________ bravery. (vi)______ members often share their experiences to inspire new recruits. Their service can continually (vii) ________ the essence of commitment and sacrifice.

Answer:

1. extraordinary
2. malactivate
3. antifunctioning
4. undefined
5. requestionable
6. Extraservice
7. requestionable

II. Find words associated with ‘brave’ by filling in the missing vowels in the boxes given below.

Answer:

1. C O U R A G E
2. H E R O I C
3. B O L D
4. V A L I A N T
5. V A L O U R
6. G A L L A N T
7. F E A R L E S S
8. U N D A U N T E D
9. D A R I N G

III. Fill in the blanks with the correct opposite words of ‘brave’ from the box to complete the following sentences.

fear, cowardly, timid, afraid

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

Answer:

1. cowardly
2. timid
3. fear
4. afraid

IV. Read the following sentences from the text and divide them into two parts. An example has been done for you.

1. I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the army!

• Main Clause: I aspire to be courageous like him
• Subordinate Clause: 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.

• Main Clause: They exchange letters and share their feelings of gratitude for the freedom they enjoy.
• Subordinate Clause: because of the sacrifices made by the bravehearts of the country.

3. Though seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades.

• Main Clause: he continued to fight alongside his comrades
• Subordinate Clause: Though seriously wounded in this encounter

V. Combine the following pairs of sentences using suitable subordinating conjunctions given in the box below.

1. Wasi burst into tears. He heard the good news.

2. Himani was very nervous. She delivered a great presentation.

3. This is the place. I was born.

4. The students performed very well. They studied diligently.

5. Water the plants. They will die.

Answer:

1. when
2. though
3. where
4. because
5. unless

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

1. Farheen was late to work because __________.
2. The dog started barking when __________.
3. She completed the marathon although _________.
4. _________ while they were hiking in the mountains.
5. Abhishek received a promotion after ______.
6. __________ before the deadline approached.
7. We waited in the car until _________.
8. __________ as the waves rushed to the shore.

Answer:

1. she missed the bus.
2. the mailman arrived.
3. she had a sprained ankle.
4. They saw a beautiful sunrise
5. he completed the project successfully.
6. The team submitted the report
7. the rain stopped.
8. The children played on the beach

Let us listen

Page No. 196

You will listen to a girl speak about why she wishes to join the Armed Forces when she grows up. As you listen, answer the questions given below in two–three exact words you hear. (Transcript for the teacher on pg. 223)

1. What type of job does Gunjan think the Armed Forces is?

Answer: Noble job

2. What feature of the Armed Forces fills Gunjan with pride?

Answer: Bravery

3. How does the disciplined life of the Armed Forces impact the body and mind, according to Gunjan?

Answer: Keeps healthy

4. List any one aspect about a job in the Armed Forces that Gunjan feels helps someone grow.

Answer: Leadership skills

5. State any two things that Gunjan feels life in the Armed Forces teaches.

Answer: Duty, sacrifice