22 THE TRUTH || NIOS - SECONDARY COURSE || ENGLISH-202 CLASS-X

Chapter-22 

THE TRUTH

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.1 

Answer the following questions 

1. Which objects mentioned in the stanza can cause physical injury?

Ans: Objects mentioned in the stanza can cause physical injury are sticks and stones. 

2. What have “words” in the poem been compared with?

Ans:“Words” in the poem have been compared with Ghosts. 

3. Complete the following statement in your own words. Words are called ghosts that haunt us because _ _ _ _ _ _ 

(i) they trouble our mind for a long time. ✅

(ii) they are invisible. 

(iii) we cannot fight them or overcome them. 

4. Words, sticks and stones hurt us. In what way do they differ in their impact? Write your answer in about 50-60 words. 

Ans:Sticks and stones hurt us physically but words hurt us from inside as the scar caused physically can be healed but scar from within it takes time or sometimes it can't be healed.

5. Your sister takes your pen without your permission to write her examination. This causes inconvenience for you. Hence, you are angry with her. How would you react to her action?

(a) Given below are four options. Choose one out of them to complete the sentence. You will… 

(i) scold her in strong words. 

(ii) forgive her but make her understand that it is a bad habit.✅ 

(iii) punish her so that she does not repeat it in future. 

(iv) not talk to her for three days.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.2 

Answer the following questions: 

1. Words have been called ‘swords’ in Stanza II. Why? 

Ans:Both swords and unkind words are sharp and hurt deeply.

2. Which two words describe the ‘swords’?

Ans:Two words describe the ‘swords’slant and curved.

3. Select the meaning out of the ones given below that best explains the line ‘pierce and stick inside’ in Stanza II. (a) The impact of bitter words is deep and long lasting.✅ 

(b) Swords injure sharply. 

(c) The wound caused by a sword doesn’t heal up.

 

4. Identify the word from Stanza II that describes the effect of ‘words’ on the poet. Your friend Anand is unhappy and dejected because his father has objected in very strong words to his decision to go abroad. Now his father is upset to see him dejected. How do you think his father can help him to overcome his dejection? Three options are given below. Which of the three options would you choose if you were the father? 

a. Empathize with him and try to convince him that he did not mean to hurt him.✅ 

b. Accept his decision and allow him pursue his plans. 

c. Remain indifferent and unconcerned thinking that time is a great healer.

 INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.3 

Answer the following questions. 

1. Where has the pain left the scar? 

Ans:On his mind and tender heart.

2. What happened to the poet’s physical injury? 

Ans:The poet explains that the damage caused by harsh language is more than the damage caused by physical injury. Both leave scars - one on the body and the other on the mind and heart.

3. Why could he not forget the words? 

Ans:The scars on the mind and heart do not let us forget the "words".

4. Why do words hurt more than weapons?

Ans:Physical injuries caused by weapons heal up, but pain caused by words does not go away.

 TERMINAL QUESTIONS 

1. State the theme or central idea of the poem in 50-60 words.

Ans:The impact of words on the mind is powerful. Unkind words are more painful than wounds caused by weapons. Physical wounds heal up but emotional injury lasts long because words linger and haunt us, and never allow us to be at peace.

2. Why do you think the poet has titled this poem “Truth”? Write your answer in 50-60 words.

Ans:Being truthful in our lives is very important. But if a truth is conveyed in ugly words it leaves a scar on the heart and becomes painful. It is important to be truthful but also to be kind. 

3. Which word has been repeated? How many times has it been repeated in the poem. Why has the poet repeated it?

Ans:The word ‘words’ has been repeated six times. It has been repeated to emphasize its importance and significance. The effect of words on us is the focal point in the poem. 

4. What literary devices has the poet used? How have the literary devices in the poem helped you to understand and enjoy the poem? 

Ans:The poet has used: metaphors 

Metaphors help to feel the intensity of pain caused by words by comparing words with a sword.

alliteration 

Alliteration contributes the sound effect. repetition Repetition helps to emphasize the central idea. 

5. What do you think is the strong emotion that prompts us to be aggressive and intolerant? Tick one of the four emotions below. Give reasons for your choice in 50-60 words: Anger Ambition Hatred Jealousy.

 Ans:If anger is the selected option: It is usually the underlying emotion of our negative attitude & intolerance. We use unkind, strong and bitter language to express our anger. Anger may be due to many reasons but its expression is always painful for others.

6. Think of a situation in which your relationship with your friend becomes unpleasant. You want to maintain your friendship. What would you do to be good friends again? Write your answer in 50 - 60 words.

Ans:Show empathy, be understanding of the reason for his /her behaviour, communicate the desire to normalize relations.

7. Describe in 50-60 words how would you feel if someone used harsh and hurtful words to you.

Ans:When someone says harsh words to me, I will actually say nothing in response to him. I will just listen to the person. But if the fault is not mine, I will react to it. I will not use such harsh language as the other person but will convey my response in a way that he understands my part and that I get satisfied with the language.