Carrier of Words — NCERT Solutions

The true statements are 1, 2, 3, and 4.

This is a speaking and opinion-based task. The answer depends on the quotation selected by the student. A valid response should name the quotation, explain its meaning, and say why it is meaningful, possibly with a personal example.

This is an essay-writing task. The essay should follow the given structure: introduction, body paragraphs, a counterargument, and a conclusion. The content depends on the quotation chosen.

The statement is True. Khetaram tears the letter because he believes bad news should not be carried into the house, so his action matches his belief.

The phrase “like summer birds” is a simile; it shows that words disappear quickly. “heart, a pilgrim upon earth” is a metaphor; it presents the heart as a searching traveller. “as little worth as just so many weeds” is a simile, comparing useless words to weeds. “If words could satisfy the chest, / The world might hold a feast” is hyperbole, an exaggerated idea to show that real, satisfying words are rare. “Like plants that make a gaudy show” is a simile; it suggests empty words may look beautiful but have no substance. “One particle of fruit” works as an image/metaphor of no real result, showing that impressive words may produce nothing worthwhile.

The right corner was most likely torn by the sender of the letter to show that it carried news of death.

The paragraph in present perfect form is: I have just got a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He has collected these stamps over a period of 20 years. I have studied most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I have begun my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather has truly inspired me.

The speaker concluded her talk with an advice.

One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because it cannot feed his family of five.

Khetaram termed famine a way of life because in that desert region famine was a regular, repeated part of life, not an unusual event. The text says that 'Akaal or famine is a way of life here.'

He had to take up the job because one crop of bajra could not feed his family of five, so he needed the salary to help them survive.

The analogy is: Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: salary. But since the question asks for a word from the extract and the comparison in the text is that survival is partly dependent on money orders remitted by a relative, the fitting word is money orders.

A good year would signify a year with enough rain and a better bajra crop, unlike famine conditions.

The right corner of the envelope is usually torn by the sender of the letter to indicate bad news, especially news of death.

The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because he wanted to make sure he understood the bad news correctly before acting on it.

Khetaram believed that bad news should not be carried into the house. So, when he got such a letter, he stood outside, read it out twice, and then tore it into bits. In this way, he acted on his belief that bad news must be destroyed.

The statement is False. Khetaram's action of tearing the letter was in line with his belief that bad news should be destroyed.

The extract reveals Khetaram's philosophical temperament, because he says, 'Bad news must be destroyed,' and accepts it calmly.

The role of GDS is called invaluable because they deliver mail to interior and inaccessible areas, often only by foot, across deserts, islands, and remote villages. They keep people connected where no other means of transport or communication easily reaches.

The British postal system was set up to relay company dak between administrative centres. After independence, India Post aimed to bring the entire population within the mailing ambit, including remote rural and faraway areas.

People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks because, first, families entrusted their monthly savings to the post office, showing faith in the system. Second, Khetaram could read out letters and write replies, and people were comfortable asking him to do so, which shows their trust in him.

Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS after 60 because the job gave him assured income and a new lease of life. In his difficult desert conditions, without this job, his family would have struggled to survive.

The author pays tribute to people like Khetaram because they are a great support to society. They work in very difficult conditions, connect remote people with the outside world, and help deliver not only letters but also money orders and news—good and bad.

The poet says the heart is a pilgrim because it is like a person traveling through life in search of comfort and meaning.

When a heart needs words, it is looking for comfort, support, or emotional understanding.

The words are like weeds because they are of little worth and do not truly help the heart.

The heart might feel lonely and disappointed when it finds words of little worth.

These lines suggest that meaningful communication is rare, and empty words often fail to heal or help.

Words can 'satisfy the chest' by giving deep emotional comfort and fullness.

Words can be 'summoned to the test' by being tested in real situations where true feeling is needed.

'The world' holding 'a feast' implies universal joy and abundance.

The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because they often sound good but do not truly give emotional satisfaction.

The word that does not mean the same as 'oft' is always.

The correct matches are:

1. crumbles into sand → (iii) disappears in the desert
2. give a new lease of life → (i) get a chance to continue living
3. turn into a trickle before drying out → (iv) lessen gradually and then finally stop
4. bearing words across this desolate geography → (ii) carrying letters to less populated areas

Alliteration:

• scorching summer winds — the repeated s sound.
• swirling sandstorms — the repeated s sound.

Metaphor:

• walking sandman — Khetaram is compared to a sandman because the sandstorms and desert conditions cover him with sand, as if he has become part of the desert.

The correct matches are:

1. arid → (iii) farmland without much yield
2. concessional → (i) interest rate for the farmers
3. gaunt → (v) farmer waiting for the rains
4. remote → (ii) corner of the world
5. desolate → (iv) desert stretching far and wide

The present perfect forms match these functions:

1. She has found her book. → (i) finished actions with present result
2. I have just eaten a mango. → (ii) recently completed action
3. Have you ever seen a play before? → (iii) life experiences
4. I have finished my project. → (iv) accomplishment
5. Ajay has become a good bowler in five years. → (v) changes over time
6. I have seen this book in the library many times. → (vi) multiple actions at different times
7. I have studied in this school for six years. → (vii) action completed in the past but has its impact in present

The completed paragraph is:

I have just got a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He has collected these stamps over a period of 20 years. I have studied most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I have begun my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather has truly inspired me.

To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly will be practised, as you will be expected to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words will be written neatly as some villagers will ask you to draft replies. Full-sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn to protect yourself from the heat.

To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly will be practised, as you will be expected to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words will be written neatly as some villagers will ask you to draft replies. Full-sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn to protect yourself from the heat.

The speaker concluded her talk with a request.

Dear Bhawar Bhai,

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of your uncle. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I extend my sincere sympathy to you and your family in this hour of grief. May God give peace to the departed soul and give your family the strength to bear this loss.

Yours sincerely,

Sawant Singh

Dear Aunt,

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of your father. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We pray for his departed soul and wish that you and your family get strength and courage in this difficult time. May you find comfort in the loving memories you shared with him.

With sympathy,

Yours lovingly,

[Your Name]

The postage stamps may depict different persons, celebrations, centenaries, nature, or heritage. For example, they can show:

• personalities from different fields,
• festivals or national events,
• centenaries of famous people or occasions,
• nature such as animals, flowers, or landscapes,
• our heritage such as monuments, music, or dance.

If the actual stamps are examined, each one should be identified by the picture printed on it.

Philately is the study of postage stamps and postal history. A person can be a philatelist even without owning stamps, because rare stamps can be studied in museums or collections. This means the study is not limited to possession; it is about observing, collecting knowledge, and understanding the history and design of stamps.

The correct matching for the exercise in the poem section is:

• 3. Have you ever seen a play before? → (iii) life experiences

So the answer is iii.

These pictures show people belonging to the profession of postal workers / postmen / Gramin Dak Sewaks. They carry mail, letters, and money orders, often in difficult conditions, and help people stay connected with their families and with the world.

One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because it cannot feed his family of five. He says that in a good year he gets only one crop of bajra, and that is not enough for survival. So he needs this job to support his family.

Khetaram reads the letter twice because it contains bad news about death, and he wants to be sure of the message before acting on it. His belief is that such news should not be carried into the house, so he stands outside, reads it aloud twice, and then tears it to bits, thinking that bad news must be destroyed.

This is a speaking activity with no single fixed written answer. A suitable response is that one may choose any quotation from the activity and explain why it is meaningful, such as because it inspires thoughtful speech, honesty, or the importance of using words carefully.