19. A PRAYER FOR HEALING || NIOS - SECONDARY COURSE || ENGLISH-202 CLASS-X

 Chapter-19

 A PRAYER FOR HEALING

INTEXT QUESTIONS 19.1

1. Tick the correct option. 

‘We join with the earth and with each other’ means that …………………………. a. we are related to each other. 

b. we agree to work together. ✅

c. we should hold each other’s hands. 

d. we live on the earth. 

2. What do the words/phrases ‘to bring to new life’, ‘to restore’, ‘to refresh’ and ‘to renew’ suggest?

Ans: They suggest that life, air, water and forests should be brought back to their old condition— when the air was pure, the water was clean and plentiful, and forests were thick and full of trees, resources were not overused, animals and birds were safe in their natural habitat and not hunted by human beings. 

3. What ‘creatures’ are being referred to in this unit? Tick the correct option. 

a. ghosts and spirits

b. all types of animals, birds and insects  ✅  

c. human beings who are dependent upon others 

4. The words ‘celebrate’and ‘rejoice’ are expressions of joy. We celebrate the birth of a child because we are happy. We rejoice in the fact that free and compulsory education is the right of every child now. But why have these words been used in the context of the sea, sunlight and stars?

Ans: The sea, the sun and the stars are wonderful gifts of nature. They are beautiful and sustain (protect, preserve and support) life. We feel happy to see them. The words ‘celebrate’, ‘rejoice’ and ‘sing’ are all used to express our happiness, and hence have been used in context of the sea, sun and stars.

 INTEXT QUESTIONS 19.2 

1. What do you think the poet means by ‘recreate the human community’?

Ans: It means that we should try and create a community where people live in harmony with each other and with their surroundings, where justice is valued, where all living things – animals, birds, plants and human beings are respected and cared for. 

 2. Tick þthe correct option. ‘To remember our children’ means that…………………………. 

a. children will be adults in future. 

b. parents love their children. 

c.✅we should leave behind for our children a better world.

d. naughty children can destroy peace.

 

3. What two things does the poet want us to promote? (Answer in 30 words.)

Ans:  Justice and peace. 

4. What does the poet mean by the phrase ‘many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery?

Ans:  No two human beings on this planet are exactly the same. They are different from each other due to their looks, temperament, culture, beliefs or religion. Yet there are many things that all human beings have in common. We need to live in harmony with each other and with nature.

TERMINAL QUESTIONS

 

1. What is the main idea of the poem A Prayer for Healing? 

Ans: This poem is an appeal to everyone to work together to bring the earth back to its old healthy state, to protect it and leave it in a good condition for the future generations.

2. Can you think of another title for this poem? 

Ans: "Make The Earth Lovable". 

3. Earth is our home. It is the home of many other creatures too. Imagine that you are a bird living in a nest on a tree. Suddenly you find that the tree has been cut. How would you feel and what would you do? (Answer in about 50-75 words.) 

Ans: I was living with my family happily in a nest on a tree. I was having a happy and joyfultime. One day a selfish hunter come across. He cut the tree without considering about my home. I was completely broken. I became homeless and my young ones have no place to protect themselves. This is like a tragedy. I feel that humans should be punished for such acts.

I have decided to make my home on the mountains where I can  save myself.

4. Which aspect of your natural environment (water bodies, trees, mountains, birds, animals, etc.) appeals to you the most? Why? Suggest two ways in which you would take care of it.

Ans: According to me, water bodies are one of the most important parts of an environment.

All the other options present in the question are dependent on water. It is true that no one can live without water and even plants need water to grow.

We can save the water bodies by-

Taking care that water bodies do not get polluted due to effluents which are released from factories.

Preventing any human activity that might pollute the water such as bathing, washing clothes, etc.

 

 

5. This poem is an appeal for the healing of the earth. Do you think the earth needs healing (making healthy again)? Why/Why not? 

Ans: There is a need to heal the earth because over a period of time many harmful substances have been, and are being added to the environment. This has caused air, water and land pollution. Also, the earth’s resources are limited but the needs of human beings are many. As a result there is a shortage of resources. Therefore resources should be conserved, especially those resources which cannot be renewed. If the earth and its resources are safe then mankind will be safe, because mankind depends on the earth’s resources for all its needs. 

6. Which stanza/s of the poem do you like the most? Why? 

Ans: I like the stanza 4 of the poem the most. This stanza talks about renewal of humanity. If we are human, this is above all qualities. Then we can spread love,kindness,joy etc.

7. How can you contribute towards healing the earth? Read the following suggestions and tick the ones that you already follow or want to follow in the future. a. Spreading awareness about environmental issues b. Joining an NGO/organisation working in the field of environmental protection c. Adopting environment-friendly measures in day-to-day life d. Stopping people who are polluting the environment e. Following some other ways ________________________________

Ans: I am trying to work in slum areas by teaching children ways to protect environment.