Comprehension

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their
brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be
confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
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.

(Keeping Quiet)

Question: 1

Select the phrase that suggests the following :

The poet feels that the whole speculation of wars would be negated as there will be no one left to enjoy the result.

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Look for the phrase that joins a win with nobody left alive.
Updated On: Oct 23, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the idea:
The statement says a war is pointless if nobody survives to enjoy the win.

Step 2: Scan the extract:
The third line, 'victory with no survivors', says exactly this.
The other lines only name the kinds of wars (gas, fire).

Final Answer:
victory with no survivors
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Question: 2

What does the imagery of ‘green wars’ not represent in the given extract ?

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Three options are harms done to nature; one is a way of protecting it.
Updated On: Oct 23, 2026
  • soil erosion
  • deforestation
  • conservation
  • pollution
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Decode 'green wars':
The poet links these wars to gas and fire, which damage the green earth.

Step 2: Test the options:
Wars wear away land, so soil erosion fits.
Fire and bombing destroy forests, so deforestation fits.
Gas and fire spoil air and water, so pollution fits.
Conservation means protecting nature, which wars do not do, so it is the odd one out.

Final Answer:
Option 3: conservation
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Question: 3

Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank.

The poet clarifies that what he wants should not be misunderstood as _____________. (procrastination/death)

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The next line says he wants no truck with death.
Updated On: Oct 23, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Read the clarification:
The poet says what he wants should not be confused with total inactivity.
He adds at once: 'Life is what it is about; I want no truck with death.'

Step 2: Pick the word:
His stillness is full of life, so it must not be mistaken for death.
Delay or putting things off is never mentioned.

Final Answer:
death
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Question: 4

Read the Assertion and the Reason below, with reference to the given extract.

Assertion : The poet criticizes humanity’s obsession with constant activity.

Reason : Our busy lives prevent us from understanding ourselves.

Choose the correct option regarding their relationship :

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The poet criticizes constant activity because it keeps us from knowing ourselves.
Updated On: Oct 23, 2026
  • Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
  • Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
  • Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
  • Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Check the Assertion:
The poet blames us for being 'so single-minded about keeping our lives moving'.
So the Assertion is true.

Step 2: Check the Reason:
He says a huge silence might end 'this sadness of never understanding ourselves', so constant busyness stops self-understanding.
The Reason is true.

Step 3: Link them:
The Reason gives exactly why he criticizes constant activity.
So (A) is right, and (B), (C), (D) are wrong.

Final Answer:
Option 1: Both are true and Reason explains the Assertion.
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Question: 5

Complete the following suitably :

Walking with fellow human beings in the shade symbolises __________.

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Think of what walking together as brothers, without wars, stands for.
Updated On: Oct 23, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Read the image:
Those who plan wars would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers in the shade, doing nothing.

Step 2: Find the meaning:
Walking calmly with brothers shows people living together without conflict.

Final Answer:
oneness / brotherhood (unity, harmony or peace is also accepted).
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Question: 6

State in one sentence, the significance of productive silence as brought out by the poet in this excerpt.

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Silence interrupts the sadness of never understanding ourselves.
Updated On: Oct 23, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Find the lines on silence:
The poet says a huge silence 'might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves'.

Step 2: Write the point in one sentence:
Productive silence gives us a pause to look within and understand ourselves, which ends our sadness.

Final Answer:
It enables us to introspect and understand ourselves, and so interrupts the sadness of never understanding ourselves.
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