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Worksheet-3 (2024-25)
Name: Date:
Grade: XII Subject: English

I. Reference to Context: Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda

A.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
i. The poet uses the word “let’s” to _______
a) initiate a conversation between the poet and the readers.
b) invite readers as part of the poem’s larger call to humanity.
c) welcome readers into the world of the poem and its subject.
d) address readers as fellow members of the human race.

ii. Margaret Atwood said, “Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be whole.”
Choose the option that correctly comments on the relationship between Margaret Atwood’s
words and the line from the above extract – “let’s not speak in any language”
a) Atwood endorses Neruda’s call to not speak in any language.
b) Atwood justifies Neruda’s request to not engage in any speaking.
c) Atwood undermines Neruda’s intent to stop and not speak in any language.
d) Atwood surrenders to Neruda’s desire for silence and not speak in any language.

iii. Why do you think the poet employs words like “exotic” and “strangeness”?
a) To highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for once.
b) To emphasize the frenetic activity and chaos that usually envelops human life.
c) To indicate the unfamiliarity of a sudden moment without rush or without engine.
d) To direct us towards keeping quiet and how we would all be together in that silence.
iv. Choose the option that correctly matches the idioms given in Column A with their meanings
in Column B.

a) 1 – (i); 2 – (iv); 3 – (iii); 4 – (ii) b) 1 – (i); 2 – (iii); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iv)

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 c) 1 – (ii); 2 – (i); 3 – (iv); 4 – (iii) d) 1 – (iv); 2 – (ii); 3 – (iii); 4 – (i)
B.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.
i. Look at the images given below. Choose the image to which the above extract can be seen as an
appropriate response.

a) Option (i) b) Option (ii) c) Option (iii) d) Option (iv)

ii. What do you think is the mood of the poet in the above extract?
a) gloomy, cynical b) reflective, inspired
c) introspective, aware d) critical, demotivated

iii. Pick the option that DOES NOT complete the given sentence suitably, as per the extract.
Threatening ourselves with death __________
a) feeds on the fear of death. b) challenges finiteness of life.
c) keeps us rushing through life. d) makes us restless and impatient.

iv. What might the “huge silence” signify?

a) melancholy b) understanding c) discomfort d) flexibility

II. Competency Based Questions

1. Read the statements given below carefully. Choose the option that best describes these
statements, with reference to the poem.
Statement I – The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ calls for change as much in the individual as
human society at large.
Statement II – The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ implies that individual change will lead to
bigger societal change.
Statement III – Neruda believes that when people come together as a community, they
will be able to bring a transformation in each person.
a) Statement I is True, Statement II is False, and Statement III cannot be inferred.
b) Statement I and II cannot be inferred, Statement III is True.
c) Statement I is True, Statements II and III cannot be inferred.
d) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement II cannot be inferred, Statement III is False.

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 2. “What I want should not be confused with total inactivity.”
Choose the option that draws the most accurate parallel.

keeping quiet: total inactivity = ______ : ______

a) reflection and death b) silence and chaos
c) stagnation and introspection d) mindfulness and fear

3. What statement does Neruda make about wars?

a) Wars are of varied kinds – internal, green wars, wars with gas, with fire etc.
b) Wars are wasteful and cause irrecoverable loss and damage to property and life.
c) Wars never yield any winners, and the loss is far greater than what can be measured.
d) Wars are unavoidable in the enduring struggle for human dignity and power.

4. “Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.”
Why does the poet wish to go at the end of the poem?
a) The poet does not believe people will be quiet.
b) The poet has already invested enough time.
c) The poet will move on and seek to inspire others.
d) The poet is marking the end of the poem by leaving.

III. Answer in 30-40 words.

i. In a world that is constantly running after ‘more’ chasing the next new thing, would it be fair
to think of Neruda’s call as merely a fanciful idea?

ii. The world has become a global village, and people across boundaries, nationalities and
communities are now connected to one another. With the advancement of technology, and the
advent of social media, do you think that the task of keeping quiet, as envisaged by Neruda,
has become easier or more complicated? Justify your stance.

IV. Answer in 120-150 words.

i. It could be said that the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ presents the poet’s philosophy for a different
kind of world. If you were asked to highlight elements of Neruda’s vision that resonate in your
specific social, political and cultural context, which three main ideas would you engage with?
Use relevant textual details to support your analysis.

ii. The last two years of school tend to be about planning for life after school. This can be
motivating, overwhelming or encouraging for some, and stressful for others. Write a diary
entry recording your thoughts on the following:
• Neruda’s ideas in ‘Keeping Quiet’ as a guide in this situation.
• Thinking differently about your decisions with reference to Neruda’s ‘Keeping Quiet’.

Reference to Context: A Thing of Beauty by John Keats

A.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
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 Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
i. In which of the following options can the underlined words be replaced with ‘despondence’?
a) The man paced about the room showing restlessness.
b) A chat with a close friend can take away our blues.
c) I was in jitters, seeing the boy trapped in the trench.
d) Being dogged is what led him to negotiate the challenges.

ii. Pick the option that is NOT an example of ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways.’
a) A person who is egoistic and looks down upon others.
b) A person who seeks God’s help for all his problems.
c) A person who is uses evil ways to deceive others.
d) A person who is corrupt and manipulative.

iii. Pick the option that enumerates what ‘noble natures’ would include.
1. selflessness 2. insensitivity 3. enthusiasm
4. aggression 5. meticulousness 6. judiciousness
a) 1, 4 and 5 b) 2, 3 and 6 c) 2, 4 and 5 d) 1, 3 and 6

iv. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given
below.
Statement 1: The earth without the beautiful things is a place full of despair and
unpleasantness.
Statement 2: The ornate band created by human beings; ushers hope in their lives.
a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

B.
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
i. Pick the quote that matches best with—
‘And such too is the grandeur of the dooms we have imagined for the mighty dead.’
a) In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.
b) When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.
c) Endings are not always bad, most times they’re just beginnings in disguise.
d) Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once.
ii. Pick the option that refers to what ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ suggests.
1. inspirational deeds of great men
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 2. a ceaseless series of dreams
3. an infinite source of strength
4. an elixir of life for upliftment of the soul
5. an eternal source of delight
6. a boundless gift of love
a) 1, 4 and 5 b) 2, 3 and 5 c) 1, 2 and 6 d) 2, 4 and 6

iii. Pick the option that pairs the TRUE statements based on the extract, from the list below.
1. The bushes with fragrant flowers lift the human spirit and bring joy.
2. Death is inevitable and everyone faces it no matter how powerful.
3. Immortality is achieved by man when he drinks the nectar of joy.
4. Legendary heroes and their heroic deeds instil inspiration in us.
a) 1 and 2 b) 2 and 4 c) 1 and 4 d) 2 and 3

iv. Pick the option that uses the same literary device as the ‘mighty dead’.
a) sleepless nights b) deafening silence c) glaring lights d) time is a thief

Competency Based questions-

1. On the basis of the extract, pick the opinion that is NOT TRUE about the theme of the
poem.

a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4

2. Pick the option that matches the words / phrases with the literary device.

a) 1-C, 2-D, 3-B b) 1-B, 2-A, 3-D c) 1-D, 2-B, 3-C d) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
3. Pick the statement that contradicts the idea of beauty as expressed by the poet.
a) People are beautiful not in looks but just in what they are.
b) Beautiful people have known suffering, struggle and loss.
c) We must think of all the beauty that is left around us and be happy.
d) We must dwell on the beauty in life and be inspired by it.
Answer in 30-40 words.
i. If you were given an opportunity to share your perception of beauty, what would you say?

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 Explain.

ii. ‘Beauty is best left undefined’. Support your position on this statement with your rationale,
coupled with ideas in the poem.

iii. Artists, singers and musicians have a different perception of beauty as compared to people
who are in other professions. Comment.

Answer in 100-120 words.

i. We have often heard the phrase: ‘Beauty is skin deep’. In spite of that, we often see people
idolising actors and celebrities who are good looking and attractive. You have a conversation
regarding this with your friend who believes that physical beauty defines a person. Write
down that conversation.

ii. You are a blogger who loves to record travel stories. You recently visited a picturesque
location and you were enamoured by its beauty. Pen down the post for your blog giving
vivid descriptions of the natural beauty of this place. Supplement your writing with Keats’
ideas about beauty.

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