English

Chapter 19: A Prayer For Healing Textbook Solutions

NIOS Class 10 English Chapter 19 Question Answer

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.

Ans: b. we agree to work together.

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

Ans: b. all types of animals, birds and insects

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 the 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 to 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 the 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.

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

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 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.

LET US LEARN NEW WORDS 19.1

Select the appropriate word from the box and fill in the blanks to complete the sentences given below.

biodegradable, conservation, pollution, non-biodegradable, deforestation

1) __________waste should be put in green dustbins and __________waste in blue

Ans: Biodegradable, non-biodegradable

2) Almost seventy per cent of the earth’s land animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the ________ that destroys their homes.

Ans: Deforestation

3) Different activities of man have caused different kinds of air and water __________.

Ans: Pollution

4) People all over the world need to work for the ______________ of natural resources.

Ans: Conservation

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 future generations.

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

Ans: Individual responses

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: Individual responses

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: Individual responses

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: Individual responses

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: Individual responses