CBSE Class 12 English Core Flamingo Book Poem 2 Keeping Quiet Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
Keeping Quiet Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Poem 2, “ Keeping Quiet”.
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
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)
(i) Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(A) Silence alleviates sadness of our life.
(B) Life and death are part of our existence.
(C) We must keep our lives moving.
(D) Life is stressful and monotonous.
Ans. (A) Silence alleviates sadness of our life.
(ii) State whether the following statement is True or False, with reference to the extract.
The poet feels that quiet productivity in place of all activities is desirable.
Ans. False
(iii) The sadness being referred to (line 9) is due to :
(A) failure to understand ourselves.
(B) failure to understand others.
(C) loss of peers in life.
(D) inability to achieve what we desire.
Ans. (A) failure to understand ourselves.
(iv) The poem has been written from the point of view of a/an :
(A) environmentalist.
(B) feminist.
(C) social activist.
(D) linguist.
Ans. (C) social activist.
(v) Based on the rhyme scheme, which of the following does not rhyme with line 1?
(A) cruised
(B) complaint
(C) mused
(D) bruised
Ans. (B) complaint
(vi) Complete the sentence appropriately.
In ‘Life is what it is about’, the poet is talking about ______ .
Ans. the importance of living life fully and consciously, without being consumed by constant activity and the fear of death.
Q2. What is Pablo Neruda’s complaint against fishermen? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Pablo Neruda’s complaint is that fishermen harm nature by killing whales. He urges them to stop their harmful activities and embrace stillness and introspection to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Q3. Write a paragraph focusing on how the poems ‘Keeping quiet’ and ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ illuminate different facets of human introspection and the significance of quiet reflection in understanding oneself. [120-150 Words]
Ans. In the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ the poet makes a direct request to the reader to remain quiet, stop working and introspect. He wants them to ponder over the repercussions of their acts so that they can make better decisions for the future. In the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ the poet sees her old and aging mother whose face looks like a corpse. However, she chooses to keep her pain within and hides it behind a fake smile. She keeps on thinking that her mother needs her, and is fearful of losing her forever. However, these thoughts remain inside her. She remains silent and keeps on introspecting about her mother. Finally, she smiles at her and leaves.
In both the poems, we see the importance of quiet reflection. The ability to develop an idea within one’s mind and then, deciding the future actions leads to better decisions for the future.
Q4. If Aunt Jennifer speaks to Pablo Neruda, the poet of “Keeping Quiet”, about her problems and constraints, would it be right for her to accept his response of introspection, reflection and silence? Write a letter to Pablo Neruda expressing her views. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear Pablo
Thank you for your letter wherein you advised me to introspect and remain silent. However, these suggestions do not seem apt for my situation.
I want to sensitize you on the same and so, I am writing to you. Please consider that matrimony is a personal bond between two people and if one is subjected to torture, one must speak up in order to protect oneself. Otherwise no external agency will interrupt such a relation.
I am questioned on trivial matters like my choice of hobby. While embroidering the panel, I am under fear that if her arrives, he may scream at me for doing such a useless activity. My fingers flutter when I pull the needle. I feel helpless. He expects me to be at his beck and call all the time. I am under constant fear. I have to live with him all my life and I am subjected to continuous torture. It is taking a toll on my well-being and once I reach a point when I am unable to speak up for myself, then, no one will be able to bail me out.
Your suggestion of introspection and remaining quiet will worsen my condition and the trauma will lead me to insanity. Thus, I request you to ponder over your suggestion.
Your Friend
Jennifer.
Q5. If you were the poet of “A Thing of Beauty”, how would you interpret the need for quiet introspection as mentioned in “Keeping Quiet”? [120-150 Words]
Ans. If I were the poet of “A Thing of Beauty,” I would interpret the need for quiet introspection as a fundamental step toward appreciating the beauty around us. In “Keeping Quiet,” the call for silence and pause is essential for reflecting on our actions and their impact on the world. This introspection allows individuals to reconnect with their inner selves and recognize the profound beauty in simple, everyday moments. Just as beauty in nature provides solace and joy, quiet introspection helps us understand and value these experiences. It is through this reflection that we can foster a deeper appreciation for life’s small wonders, promoting peace and contentment within ourselves and our surroundings.
Q6. Wars with gas, wars with fire,
Victory with no survivors. (Keeping Quiet)
Pablo Neruda in the above lines, highlights the futility of war. Gandhi also brought about the change in the plight of the Champaran sharecroppers through civil disobedience and not
violence.
Write an article on the importance of peace and the right way to resolve issues. [120-150 Words]
Ans. War cannot be the solution or harbinger of peace because war leads to death and destruction. We need to keep this in mind when we seek a solution to issues of unlawful possession and invasion. Several world leaders have emphasised on the importance of peaceful means to attain freedom. Gandhi was one of the noted leaders who advocated civil disobedience as an effective means to attain liberty. It simply means to disobey the orders and rules laid down by the authorities who are not bestowed with such rights but have snatched them in order to fulfil their selfish goals and to oppress the people of the land. Even the poet Pablo Neruda, in the poem titled Keeping Quiet says that wars are wasteful as they lead to trucksful of death.
Thus, we can conclude that war cannot be the solution to any issue. We must seek other means like advocating home rule and civil disobedience which promote non-violence.
Q7. …… but will keep
A bower quiet for us. (A Thing of Beauty)
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive. (Keeping Quiet)
Based on ideas from ‘Keeping Quiet’ and ‘A Thing of Beauty’, as President of Eco Club of your school. Draft a speech on the importance of preserving nature for the benefit of mankind.
You may begin like this.
Good morning to one and all !
After reading both the poems, I strongly believe ……………. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Good morning to one and all!
After reading both the poems, I strongly believe that preserving nature is crucial for the wellbeing of mankind. ‘A Thing of Beauty’ by John Keats highlights how the beauty of nature provides us with endless joy and a sense of peace. Similarly, Pablo Neruda’s ‘Keeping Quiet’ teaches us the importance of stillness and introspection to understand our connection with the Earth.
Nature’s beauty is a constant source of inspiration and comfort. The trees, flowers, rivers, and mountains provide a tranquil environment that rejuvenates our spirits. However, with the current pace of environmental degradation, we risk losing these precious gifts. It is imperative that we take action to protect our natural surroundings. Planting trees, reducing pollution, and conserving wildlife are steps we can take to ensure a sustainable future.
Let us all commit to making small changes in our daily lives to preserve the beauty of nature for future generations. Together, we can create a harmonious relationship with our environment and enjoy the lasting benefits it offers.
Thank you.
Q8. Imagine you are Pablo Neruda of ‘Keeping Quiet’. He advises Robert Frost in the context of his conflict and pain at the plight of the roadside stand owners. Pen down your advice in a letter to Robert Frost. You may begin.
Dear Frost,
You seem very pained at the plight of the roadside stand owners, and I would like to advise you… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear Frost,
You seem very pained at the plight of the roadside stand owners, and I would like to advise you that death is not a solution to any problem. Please do not feel dejected that you consider death as the only solution to end the plight of the rural poor. We must aim to reach at a solution which solves their problems and provides them growth and prosperity.
I suggest that you must organise these rural folks. The organization should be registered as a co-operative union. All the products like farm produce, dairy items, handicrafts, handloom goods should be sold through this organization. Then the rural workers will get a better price for their products and they can even market the items at various exhibitions and fairs. This will definitely uplift them. Also, please arrange volunteers who can educate them and guide them on health and sanitation. Cleanliness is also essential to ensure better living conditions.
Once the rural people will earn better and live better, they will become a happy lot and you will experience joy by bringing a change in their lives.
I hope you will find my advice useful.
Your friend
Pablo
Questions from the Poem in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
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. (Keeping Quiet)
(i) Significance of counting up to twelve is
(a) it is time to start the race.
(b) it is symbolic of life.
(c) it is a measure of time.
(d) that time does not wait for anyone.
Ans. (c) it is a measure of time.
(ii) The word _________ in the extract means unusual and exciting.
Ans. exotic
(iii) Excessive activity would create an atmosphere of
(a) productivity.
(b) mechanisation.
(c) confusion.
(d) competition.
Ans. (c) confusion.
(iv) The poet would want to create all of the following EXCEPT
(a) a peaceful environment.
(b) a harmonious world.
(c) an atmosphere for introspection.
(d) a world full of hustle and bustle.
Ans. (d) a world full of hustle and bustle.
(v) Complete the following analogy correctly:
face of the Earth : _________ : : sudden strangeness : alliteration
Ans. personification
(vi) On the basis of the extract, study the two statements, I and II given below:
- People must keep silent at twelve everyday.
- Introspection will lead to peaceful coexistence.
Choose the most appropriate option :
(a) I is false, but II is true
(b) Both I and II are false
(c) Both I and II are true
(d) I is true, but II is false
Ans. (d) I is true, but II is false
Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
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
(i) The poet counts up to twelve as a countdown to
(a) lift arms.
(b) speak in different languages.
(c) stop all activities.
(d) be without engines.
Ans. (c) stop all activities.
(ii) The poet appeals to the people that they should
- keep quiet.
- not move.
III. celebrate festivals.
- not hibernate.
Choose the most appropriate option :
(a) Only II
(b) I and II
(c) Only l
(d) I and IV
Ans. (b) I and II
(iii) Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the third line of the extract :
(a) lightning danced across the sky
(b) greedy good doers
(c) children spilling out of their homes
(d) fight like cats and dogs
Ans. (a) lightning danced across the sky
(iv) The benefits of ‘Keeping Quiet’ include
I harmony
- non-violence
III. brotherhood
- meditation
Choose the most appropriate option :
(a) I and II
(b) II and IV
(c) I, II and III
(d) I, II, III and IV
Ans. (d) I, II, III and IV
(v) Complete the statement with reference to the extract :
The poet suggests we will all be together when ____.
Ans. there will be only silence, no rush, no movement and a mood of introspection.
(vi) The word ‘exotic’ in the extract most nearly means
(a) unique
(b) luxurious
(c) rich
(d) illusive
Ans. (a) unique
Q3. ‘There can be life under apparent stillness’. Explain. [40-50 Words]
Ans. In his poem ‘Keeping Quiet’, Pablo Neruda encourages us to stay still and quiet, even if just for a while. All destructive behaviours will cease, wars will terminate, and the misery of not understanding ourselves will be interrupted during these periods of inactivity. Even fishermen at sea will spare the whales, and the entire planet will come to life. The poem also encourages us to reconnect with nature and recover our inner identity, which will help us to be kind and respectful to one another. Even in apparent silence, Neruda reminds us, there remains the possibility of life.
Q4. What according to Pablo Neruda in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ is the lesson that we should learn from mother earth? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Mother Earth teaches us that there is life after death. At one time everything seems dead and later, gets alive again.
Questions from the Poem in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. Read the extracts given below and briefly answer the questions that follow each.
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
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.
(i) Name the poem and the poet.
Ans. The poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’, and the poet is Pablo Neruda.
(ii) What does the poet hope to achieve by keeping still?
Ans. He aspires to acquire and appreciate peaceful introspection. We will feel as if we are all together in this silence and will have a peculiar sense of belonging.
(iii) What does he want us to do for one second?
Ans. For one second, the poet asks us to be silent and immobile.
(iv) Describe the pun on the word, ‘arms’.
Ans. Human upper limbs and military weapons.
Q2. What can the Earth teach us? [30-40 words]
Ans. The Earth teaches us about life after death, the temporal nature of beings.
Q3. How will ‘Keeping Quiet’ protect our environment? [30-40 words]
Ans. By keeping quiet we will introspect and look into the activities that we do and their results. This will help us make better decisions for future acts.
Q4. How can suspension of activities help in making life better? [30-40 words]
Ans. Suspension of activities will give us free time to think and introspect. Thus, we will realize the harmful activities that we engage in and will stop them.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Poem
Q1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
(a) Name the poem and its poet.
Ans. Keeping Quiet by Pable Neruda.
(b) What does the Earth teach us?
Ans. The Earth teaches us that after being dead, things get a rebirth and the Earth becomes alive again.
(c) What does the poet want to achieve by counting up to twelve?
Ans. By counting upto twelve, the poet wants us to be still and think over our acts and their results. This will enable us to make better decisions for the future.
(d) Give an example of what now seems to be dead but later on becomes alive.
Ans. The Earth
Q2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
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.
(a) Whom does the word `those’ refer to?
Ans. ‘Those’ refers to the policy makers of countries.
(b) What does the poet mean by : `put on clean clothes’?
Ans. Clean clothes is a metaphor to indicate a new, fresh outlook towards life.
(c) Describe the irony in the third line.
Ans. The irony is that if there is victory with no suvivors, then no one will acknowledge such a victory. Thus, such a triumph is useless.
(d) When can a person walk about with `their’ brothers?
Ans. A person can walk about with their brothers only when there is peace.
Q3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
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.
(a) Who are ‘those’ in line 1?
Ans. ‘Those’ refers to the policy makers of countries.
(b) What are ‘green wars’?
Ans. ‘Green wars’ are acts of harming nature like pollution.
(c) Explain : ‘victory with no survivors’.
Ans. It means that a country may win a war at the cost of the lives of its soldiers. Such a victory is insignificant.
(d) What is the significance of : ‘put on clean clothes’?
Ans. It implies to get a new outlook towards life.
Q4. Give examples from ‘Keeping Quiet’ to show that Neruda was peace loving. [30 – 40 words]
Ans. We know that the poet Neruda is a peace- loving person through several instances in the poem. He cares for both humans and nature. In the poem, Neruda wishes that fishermen do not hunt whales, he wants the man who is collecting salt to stop for a while and see the self-harm it is doing and lastly, he wishes that people who run about indulging in wars, to stop what they are doing and instead, embrace peace with their brothers.
Q5. What does Neruda wish fishermen and warmongers to do? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Neruda is a lover of peace and non-violence. He wishes that the fishermen do not hunt the whales in the cold regions. He also wishes that the warmongers who normally indulge in wars and violence, walk with their brothers in some of their best clothes in the shade of trees, doing nothing.
Also see:
Keeping Quiet Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions