Important Extracts Keeping Quiet-Pablo Neruda

EXTRACT 1

Extract:

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.

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Q1. The poet wants everyone to keep still in order to—

(a) enjoy nature
(b) create a moment of peace
(c) celebrate a festival
(d) avoid speaking different languages

Answer: (b) create a moment of peace

 

Q2. “Let’s not speak in any language” suggests—

(a) silence will unite humans
(b) languages are useless
(c) learning languages is difficult
(d) people should forget their mother tongue

Answer: (a) silence will unite humans

 

Q3. The tone of the extract is—

(a) violent
(b) mocking
(c) calm and reflective
(d) angry

Answer: (c) calm and reflective

 

Q4. The poet asks people “not to move their arms so much” to suggest—

(a) stopping all unnecessary activities
(b) exercise is harmful
(c) hard work is useless
(d) people should sleep

Answer: (a) stopping all unnecessary activities

 

Q5. Who is the poet of the poem?

(a) Robert Frost
(b) Pablo Neruda
(c) John Donne
(d) Kamala Das

Answer: (b) Pablo Neruda

 

EXTRACT 2

Extract:

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

 

Q1. The ‘exotic moment’ refers to—

(a) a time of festival celebration
(b) a rare moment of perfect silence
(c) a holiday trip
(d) a noisy gathering

Answer: (b) a rare moment of perfect silence

 

Q2. “Without rush, without engines” suggests—

(a) no vehicles should be used at all times
(b) freedom from noise and tension
(c) people should walk everywhere
(d) life would stop functioning

Answer: (b) freedom from noise and tension

 

Q3. The phrase “we would all be together” implies—

(a) global unity
(b) family reunion
(c) school assembly
(d) team meeting

Answer: (a) global unity

 

Q4. “Sudden strangeness” means—

(a) fear and confusion
(b) surprising but pleasant calmness
(c) predictable silence
(d) regular behaviour

Answer: (b) surprising but pleasant calmness

 

Q5. The figure of speech in “without rush, without engines” is—

(a) alliteration
(b) metaphor
(c) repetition
(d) onomatopoeia

Answer: (c) repetition

 

EXTRACT 3

Extract:

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

 

Q1. The poet wants fishermen—

(a) to earn more
(b) to stop killing whales
(c) to change their profession
(d) to travel more

Answer: (b) to stop killing whales

 

Q2. The salt-gatherer looking at his hands symbolizes—

(a) pride in his work
(b) realisation of the pain caused by hard labour
(c) his desire to rest
(d) his anger

Answer: (b) realisation of the pain caused by hard labour

 

Q3. The extract highlights the poet’s concern for—

(a) technology
(b) nature and human beings
(c) politics
(d) fashion

Answer: (b) nature and human beings

 

Q4. The tone of these lines is—

(a) humorous
(b) critical
(c) compassionate
(d) angry

Answer: (c) compassionate