CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Keeping Quiet Pablo Neruda Assignment

About the Poet: Columbian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez called Pablo Neruda, the greatest poet of the 20th century of any language. Pablo Neruda always wrote with green ink which according to him was the colour of hope. He appeals to readers to take some time out of their busy lives for introspection and retrospection. The aim is to return to our routines with renewed vigour and awareness of ourselves and our actions. 

Theme: In this deceptively simple poem, the poet has emphasized the need to introspect and bring in the spirit of brotherhood among the people of the world. 

Values: Introspection, retrospection, universal brotherhood, sensitivity to the environment, peace, empathy, unity etc. 

Title: The title is very appropriate as the poem celebrates the necessity of quiet introspection and silence. This moment of silence will act as an antidote to war, violence, hatred, exploitation and turmoil. By keeping quiet, mankind can try to understand itself and stop harming himself and others with death and destruction. 

Understanding the Poem: Neruda begins by asking everyone to count to twelve and keep still. These twelve seconds would help everyone calm themselves and relax and be ready to begin introspection or retrospection. He wants people to break the barriers of communication and speak no language at all for a few minutes. These moments of silence would be unique and enticing because in our mundane life, we are constantly working towards selfish goals and never take the time to reflect. This sudden silence would give us an opportunity to introspect and unite humanity. We would all perform this activity together. Since we would not speak for a while, barriers between communities would break and a sense of brotherhood would prevail. 

Man would get an opportunity to realize how he is destroying nature and harming himself in the process. The fishermen that harm aquatic life would realize how nature brings them a cold reception. The man who gathers salt from the sea would realize that nature retaliates by turning his hands rough. In this silence, futile wars against men and nature would be arrested and a new feeling of unity would be experienced. Those who plan and implement bio warfare and nuclear weaponry should, for once, shed their old attire (profession and preoccupations) and put on clean clothes to walk among their fellow men. They must use this time to truly witness what they would destroy with their attempts to achieve a fruitless victory. Such a win leaves no survivors because even if they were physically alive, they would be emotionally dead and eventually, mankind will perish.  

The war will be a victory of scientific knowledge but there will be no survivors left. The poet does not want his desire for inactivity to be misunderstood as a state of uselessness or death. He knows and accepts life as it is. He accepts the rush, the noise and even the belligerent attitudes. He says he does not begrudge death or want anything to do with it. He does not want people to be like dead, doing nothing, forever. All he wants is that everyone should take out just a few moments from their busy lives for themselves and for the natural world around them. 

He feels that if men were not so determined to keep lives moving all the time, the ensuing silence would interrupt sadness that has become so much a part of us that we do not even notice it. This sadness comes from not knowing oneself and always trying to achieve everything possible at the earliest, out of an illogical fear of impending death. He wants men to learn a lesson from the Earth. The Earth appears to be inactive yet it is constantly and selflessly productive. The natural world seems omnipresent without being ostentatious and hence, is taken for granted. After the cold inactive unproductive winter, spring arrives with bounty and vivacity. Men too could be productive and progressive without any aggression, selfishness and the urge for destruction. They could care for nature as it cares for them. They could, after eons of selfish actions, bring back a degree of nobility, thoughtful attitudes and universal brotherhood.

Explanations:-

Now we will count…… all keep still: The poet through this expression commences the session of introspection and meditation. The poet feels that if for once we will keep quiet and still, it will provide us an opportunity to introspect on our follies. Twelve is indicative of the twelve signs to measure hours on the clock.

For once …… our arms so much: Language breeds discrimination, and linguistic chauvinism breeds domination and racial prejudice. The poet feels that if for some time no one spoke on the face of the Earth, all this misunderstanding and mistrust will wither away in the depth of silence.

Man is a victim of his own doing. Much of the unrest faced in the world is a repercussion of man’s so-called progressive activities. Therefore if man’s activities come to a standstill for a while and if man stops moving his arms too much, peace and tranquillity will prevail in the world

It would be an exotic ……. sudden strangeness: This moment of silence, according to Pablo Neruda would be a moment of immense world peace, universal brotherhood and love that will be created through introspection and silence. In the modern competitive world there is a rat-race to outshine others. The phrases ‘without rush, without engines’ are symbolic of the humdrum of modern life. Life can be peaceful only if this thoughtless advancement is stopped. This exotic moment of silence will help build a sudden and strange
feeling of universal brotherhood. This feeling of togetherness is new and inexplicable. It will turn out to be a blessing for mankind.

Fishermen in the cold ……..his hurt hands: This moment of quietude will help man realize the harm he has been causing to others and to himself. The fishermen are symbolic of man’s indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested interests. And when fishermen do not harm the whales they will no longer be on the verge of extinction. The men, who gather salt, have no time to reflect on the pain they are causing to their hands and to themselves. In his efforts to add comforts to his life man has paid little heed to the pain he has been causing himself.

Those who prepare ……..doing nothing: The word ‘those’ refers to the politicians, statesmen and the scientists who are involved in initiating and aggravating wars. The wars that are waged by man include wars against Nature which is caused by pollution and the chemical and nuclear weapons created by man which have caused his own annihilation. The war which man is waging against Nature will one day convert this ‘living planet’ into a dead one and humans themselves will become an extinct species. The result of the war
may be indicative of man’s achievement and scientific knowledge, but there would be no survivors to celebrate this victory.

Men would put on clean clothes and for some time would reflect inwardly realizing the strength of humanity and also become conscious of universal brotherhood. His destructive activities will come to a standstill and this will provide a healing touch for mankind.

What I want …………truck with death: The poet clarifies to the readers that he does not want ‘total inactivity’. By this he implies a phase of complete stagnation when no activity will take place on the face of the earth. This is not what he advocates. What he wants man to do is to stop all his destructive activities for a while and analyse their consequences and not become inactive and bring life to a standstill. Man should continue with his positive an d constructive activities that are for the betterment of mankind.

Lie is an on-going process and we need to be a part of the flow. If we stagnate than it would not be worth living. The phrase ‘want no truck with death’ means that he refuses to associate with death or would not bring life to a dead end by such inactivity.

If we were not so ………. ourselves with death: Man has become so single- minded that he is concerned only about the scientific progress and advancement. He has not stopped to pay heed to the pros and cons of this reckless progress and moves ahead without any thought about the consequences. His selfish nature is worried about keeping ‘our lives moving’, which means that man leads a mechanized and busy life. Man, in his race towards materialism has sacrificed the fulfilment of his emotional needs and thus has become sad and isolated. The psychological problems faced by man are because he has not cared to satisfy his emotional needs. He has failed to even realize that his unthinking progress has brought him on the verge of extinction.
The huge silence that results out of this introspection advocated by Neruda will interrupt this sadness making man understand the need for peace and harmony in this world.

Perhaps the Earth ……..keep quiet and I will go: The Earth can teach us the lesson of preserving and resurrecting life. Shelley clearly points out in his ‘Ode to the West Wind’ that the West Wind is both a preserver and destroyer. It preserves the dead seeds in their dark wintry beds till spring comes and conducive weather conditions help the seeds to procreate new life. Pablo Neruda also emphasizes the same point in these few lines. The things which apparently seem dead in Nature prove to be alive later.

The counting is then a part of meditation asking man to experience those exotic moments of silence which will create a rejuvenation of thoughts and a transition of our mind-set. He himself departs leaving the meditator in silence.

THEME: Necessity of quiet introspection and creating mutual understanding among humans. Emphasis on meditation.

Main Points

1. The poet requests readers to keep quiet till he counts up to twelve

2. He requests us not to use any language and move our arms so much for a while as it will become a hurdle in keeping quiet.

3. When there is no rush; no movement and noise of engines, the threat of sudden strangeness will tie all of us together into an exotic moment

4. This will bring about relief to the fishermen in cold sea and the salt gatherer also will be able to look after their injured bleeding hands.

5. A good sense will also prevail on the war-mongers as they will understand the futility of the same

6. When environment is in jeopardy; human-existence is threatened on the earth, the survivor of the war will face fatal consequences.

7. Such war-mongers are also exhorted to put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers

8. The poet urges us not to mistake inactivity advocated by him for death.

9. He clarifies that single-minded indulgence in the rat-race of self-centered goals leading to materialism is unwarranted.

10. Keeping quiet and discharging our duties peacefully will evolve better understanding in us.

11. The achievement of mental peace will lead us to introspection and mutual understanding. The absence of these two traits amounts to various conflicts in the world.

12. With the development of mutual understanding comes empathy and then our life becomes a pleasant experience.

13. The poet says like the earth the potentials may not be exhibited all the time.

14. Finally, he declares his departure while persuading us to keep quiet.

C-Extracts with questions-

1- It would be an exotic moment

Without rush, without engines,

We would all be together

In a sudden strangeness.

Q- i Name the poem and the poet?

ii-What is the exotic moment referred above?

GIST OF THE POEM

• The poet talks about the need of silence and quiet introspection and the importance of quietude and calmness. He also talks about creating a feeling of mutual understanding among human beings.
• The poet asks us to keep still and count up to twelve. He also asks us to sit still. For a moment we should not speak any language. We should not move our arms so much.
• It will be a moment of complete silence without rush or worry. This would be an exotic moment.
• Then a sudden strangeness will prevail which we will all enjoy. It will be bliss.
• The fisherman would not harm the whales on the cold sea. Even the man gathering salt would stop working and look at his hurt hands and reflect at the pain and harm his strenuous task has caused him.
• All kinds of wars must be stopped at once. The green wars against the environment, wars with poisonous gases, firearms, must be stopped at once.
• People who are all the time preparing for wars leaving no survivors behind ought to find time to wear clothes and walk around with their brothers strengthening the message of peace and brotherhood.
• At the same time the poet cautions not to confuse stillness with total inactivity. Life is an ongoing process and should not be associated with death. It is to be lived with positive
attitude.
• He does not want us to ruminate over death.
• But he feels that if for once we do not focus ourselves single-mindedly to keep our lives moving but do some introspection or spend some time in silence doing nothing, we can understand ourselves better and escape from the threatening calls of death.
• The earth can teach us a lesson how everything comes to a dead end and comes to life again.
• In the same manner a quiet introspection can bring all evil thoughts to an end and bring in a new life of peace and tranquility.
• Now the poet will count up to twelve and they should keep quiet and he will go.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. The poet appeals to the readers to keep quiet for
(a) twenty seconds
(b) one hour
(c) thirty seconds
(d) twelve seconds

Answer : D

Question. What can human beings learn from nature?
(a) beauty
(b) keeping quiet
(c) working with silence
(d) to be happy

Answer : C

Question. Why is the poet asking everyone not to speak any language?
(a) to avoid noise
(b) to avoid conflicts
(c) to avoid people
(d) to avoid loud voices

Answer : B

Question. What does the poet want people to do for one second?
(a) to sing
(b)to close eyes
(c) to stand quietly
(d) to be silent and motionless

Answer : D

Question. What will happen if there are no engines and no crowd?
(a) no mechanical noise
(b) no crowd on roads
(c) no traffic rush
(d) all of the above

Answer : D

Question. What would everyone feel at that exotic moment?
(a) happy
(b) content
(c)dancing
(d) strange blissful oneness

Answer : D

Question. How will silence benefit the man and nature?
(a) man will stop hurting nature and both will heal themselves
(b) both will be friends
(c) man will know nature better
(d) man will be healthy

Answer : A

Question. Fishermen in the cold sea would not harm……..
(a) seahorses
(b) whales
(c) mermaids
(d) dolphins

Answer : B

Question. Where would they be walking?
(a) on the road
(b) in the park
(c) in the shade
(d) along the river

Answer : C

Question. The types of wars the poet talks about are
(a) green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire
(b) nuclear wars
(c) verbal wars
(d) technological wars

Answer : A

Question. What should not be confused with total inactivity or death?
(a) no movement
(b) a statue
(c) talking people
(d) stillness and silence

Answer : D

Question. What does the title of the poem suggest?
(a) inactivity
(b) maintenance of silence
(c) noise
(d) unhappiness

Answer : B

Question. What is always alive even when everything seems to be dead or still?
(a) mountains
(b) sun
(c) earth or nature are always alive
(d) universe

Answer : C

Question. What does man threaten himself with?
(a) death
(b) birth
(c) suicide
(d) life

Answer : A

Question. Which poetic device is used in the phrase “Cold sea” ?
(a) personification
(b) transferred epithet
(c) metaphor
(d) alliteration

Answer : B

Extract Based MCQs :

1. Now I 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.

Question. ‘arms’ here refers to
(a) Weapons
(b) Weapons and fighting with arms
(c) Strong arms
(d) None of the above

Answer: B

Question. What does 'still' mean here
(a) To introspect
(b) To keep quiet
(c) Not to do any work
(d) Not to talk

Answer: A

Question. The poet appeals to the readers to keep quiet for
(a) 12 seconds
(b) 1 hour
(c) 30 seconds
(d) 24 minutes

Answer: A

Question. He advises the people not to speak
(a) French
(b) Spanish
(c) cany language
(d) English

Answer: C

2. It would be an exotic moment
Without rush, without engines,
We would all be together
In a sudden strangeness

Question. Why does the poet wish to be without 'rush or engines'
(a) one would get time to self-introspect ones's own activities
(b) one would think of others activities
(c) calmness in one's life
(d) strangeness in one's life

Answer: A

Question. What kind of moment would it be when everyone is silent
(a) terrible
(b) Painful
(c) Unusual
(d) unforgettable

Answer: C

Question. What does 'sudden strangeness' mean
(a) to build a feeling of universal brotherhood
(b) to build a law of quietness
(c) to be safe
(d) none of the above

Answer: A

Question. 'sudden strangeness', is one of the following poetic devices
(a) Simile
(b) Personification
(c) Alliteration
(d) Repetition

Answer: C

3.'fisherman in cold sea would not harm
Would not harm whales
And the man gathering salt Would look at his hurt hands.

Question. Why has the poet mentioned Whales and not fishes?
(a) Fishes are staple food for the coastal people
(b) Whales are attacked for Commercial purpose
(c) Whales are endangered species
(d) All of the above

Answer: B

Question. Who are the two professional the poet is mentioning here to self -introspect?
(a) Fisherman and salt gatherer
(b) Fisherman and salt
(c) Fishes and salt
(d) Fishes and whale

Answer: A

Question. Why has the poet mentioned 'whales'?
(a) Whales are attacked for Luxury & commercial purpose
(b) Whales are in the mid sea
(c) Whales are huge and not afraid of men
(d) Whales are good fishes

Answer: A

Question. Why has the poet mentioned the 'hurt hands'?
(a) The man is not noticing his hurt hands
(b) The man does not have time to do so
(c) The man will have time to introspect on himself
(d) All of the above

Answer: C

4. Those who prepare green wars, Wars with gas,
wars with fire Victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes and walk about with their
brothers in the shade doing nothing.

Question. What does the poet mean by ' clean clothes' ?
(a) proving that they are right in their action
(b) proving that they only can be victorious
(c) have clean clothes to wear
(d) had got the clothes cleaned after dirt

Answer: A

Question. Why does the poet mention 'in the shade, doing nothing'?
(a) The people who had been responsible for the war
(b) The people are left alone to celebrate the victory
(c) The people are quiet and not bothered about others' lives
(d) All of the above

Answer: C

Question. What types of War the poet is talking about?
(a) green war, wars with gas & war with fire
(b) technological warfare
(c) Environmental war
(d) Nuclear war

Answer: A

Question. What does 'victory with no survivors' mean?
(a) no survivors will be left to celebrate the victory
(b) survivors only victorious
(c) All victorious people celebrate
(d) All the people are victorious

Answer: A

5. Life is what it is about:
I want no truck with death.

Question. What is life according to the poet?
(a) Be productive that gives us happiness
(b) Attack others and live life
(c) Be victorious by defeating others
(d) Not maintain Universal brotherhood

Answer: A

Question. What does the poet advocate?
(a) Self-introspection on ones' own activity
(b) Self-introspection
(c) Universal brotherhood
(d) Attack and be victorious

Answer: B

Question. Who is the poet?
(a) Pablo Neruda
(b) John Keats
(c) Kamala Das
(d) Pablo Neruda

Answer: D

Question. What does the poet mean by 'have no truck with death'?
(a) I have no association or deal death
(b) I will not die in the truck accident
(c) Remove the poverty and illiteracy
(d) Will not drive a truck in the end

Answer: A

Important Questions NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Poetry 3 Keeping Quiet 

Question. Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the poem condemns violence?
Answer :  “Fishermen not harming Whales”, “Wars with gas”, “ Wars with fire”, “Victory with no survivors”, images in the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet” show that the poet condemns violence.

Question. According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn from nature?
Answer : According to the poet, the human beings can learn emergence of new life, uninterrupted, even in stillness. They can also learn to be productive and constructive from nature.

Question. ‘Life is what it is all about, ....’ How is keeping quiet related to life?
Answer : Keeping quiet must not be confused with total inactivity. Take the example of earth, how it seems still yet, it nurtures life under apparent stillness. This is how keeping quite is related to life.

Question. 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.

(a) What is the significance of the number ‘twelve’?
Answer : The number twelve represents the twelve hours marks on the clock to measure time.

(b) Which two activities does the poet want us to stop?
Answer : The poet wants us to not speak in any language and stop for one second and not move our hands so much.

(c) What does the poet mean by ‘let’s not speak in any language’?
Answer : The poet means that different languages symbolises difference. Keeping silent will ensure peace and give one the chance to introspect.

(d) Describe the pun in the word, ‘arms’.
Answer : The word ‘arms’ in the extract refers to both the hands and weapons.

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

(a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
Answer : The word ‘it’ refers to keeping quiet.

(b) Who is the poet speaking to?
Answer : The poet is speaking to us, the mankind.

(c) What would be the moment like?
Answer : It would be an exotic moment. There would be stillness and togetherness in that moment, promoting harmony and brotherhood.

Question. What is the sadness the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Answer : The poet refers to the ‘sadness’ of failing to understand nature and oneself in the monotonous everyday existence. He also finds it sad that the humanity is moving towards its own ruin, owing to its unanalysed actions. He regrets the rush of outdoing others that has made one forget the values of humanity.

Question. If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.

(a) Whom does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
Answer : ‘We’ in the above lines refers to the people of the world.

(b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
Answer : The poet wants us to ‘do nothing’ for once because he wants us to stop and introspect and in the process take stock of our actions.

(c) What is the ‘Sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer : Sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem is the due to causing so much destruction to the world and people.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

1. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

"Fishermen in the cold sea
Would not harm whales
And the m an gathering salt
Would look at his hurt hands."

Question. What is 'fisherman' symbolic of?
Answer: The fisherman symbolizes man's indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested interests.

Question. What will happen when fishermen do not harm whales?
Answer: The whales will be no longer on the verge of extinction.A sense of co-existence can go into the minds of people.

Question. What has happened to the man gathering salt? What must he do?
Answer: The man gathering salt has injured his hands. He must take care of his hurt hands and should realize that his actions are self-destructive.

Question. What would happen in this moment of silence?
Answer: He will become conscious of the harm causing to others and to themselves and will work towards a better tomorrow peace , co-existence, mutual understanding and harmony.

Question. What image does the poet create in the last line?
Answer: He creates the image of incessant suffering. In his effort to add comforts to his life he has paid no heed to the pain that caused him.

2. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

" Perhaps the earth can teach us
As when everything seems dead
And later prove to be alive
Now I'll count up to twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go."

Question. Who can teach us and what?
Answer: The earth can teach us.The Earth can teach us how new life emerges from the ashes of the dead remains. Likewise quiet introspection will enable us to live a life of peace and harmony.

Question. Why does the speaker count up to twelve?
Answer: It is a part of initiation in meditation. All distractions and digressions are washed away and man is in a moment of bliss.

Question. Explain-'you keep quiet and I will go'?
Answer: The poet wants us all to keep quiet and experience the moment of realization and peace. He will go and pass on the message to another group of people.

Short Answer Questions

Question. Why does Pablo Neruda urge us to keep still?
Answer: Stillness is necessary for reflection and quiet introspection. We can hear the voice of our conscience and thus withdraw ourselves from undesirable actions and contribute to create a society of peace and mutual understanding.

Question. 'Under the apparent stillness there is life'. Justify.
Answer: The poet does not want to equate stillness with total inactivity. Under the apparent stillness there is life. We can learn it from the earth when everything seems dead, the earth still remains alive.
The life on earth goes on under the apparent stillness.

Question. Why do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?
Answer: Men fail to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with death. When they do not understand themselves they become sad. A long silence might interrupt this sadness and make them good.

Question. “What I want should not be confused with total inactivity.”
Choose the option that draws the most accurate parallel. keeping quiet: total inactivity = ______ : ______
(a) reflection and death
(b) silence and chaos
(c) stagnation and introspection
(d) mindfulness and fear

Answer: A

Question. Identify the tone of Pablo Neruda in the following line: Perhaps the Earth can teach us….
(a) Confident and clear about the future events.
(b) Dramatic about the prediction he made.
(c) Convinced about the sequence of events to follow.
(d) Uncertain, yet hopeful about the possibility.

Answer: D

Question. Choose the word that does not mean ‘single minded’
(a) Determined
(b) Resolute
(c) Persistent
(d) Lackadaisical

Answer: D

Question. In ‘Keeping Quiet’ the poet does not want the reader to confuse his advice for with total inactivity.
(a) experimentation
(b) relaxation
(c) isolation
(d) introspection

Answer: D

Question. What statement does Neruda make about wars?
(a) Wars are of varied kinds – internal, green wars, wars with gas, with fire etc.
(b) Wars are wasteful and cause irrecoverable loss and damage to property and life.
(c) Wars never yield any winners, and the loss is far greater than what can be measured.
(d) Wars are unavoidable in the enduring struggle for human dignity and power.

Answer: C

Question. What does the style of the poem symbolise, that the poet used to write with?
(a) desires
(b) happiness
(c) hope
(d) desire and hope

Answer: D

Question. To whom does Pablo Naruda make an appeal to not speak in any language to the count of twelve?
(a) To soldiers
(b) To fishermen
(c) To his readers
(d) To all human beings

Answer: D

Question. What is the significance of the conversational style and personal pronouns as You, We and I used by the poet?
(a) He wants to be intimate with mankind
(b) He tries to reach out to the readers
(c) He wants to established contact easily
(d) Third person is ineffective

Answer: B

Question. “Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.” Why does the poet wish to go at the end of the poem?
(a) The poet does not believe people will be quiet.
(b) The poet has already invested enough time.
(c) The poet will move on and seek to inspire others.
(d) The poet is marking the end of the poem by leaving.

Answer: C

Question. Choose the quote that best describes the poet’s attitude to stillness and silence.
(a) The world is full of noise. Might we not set ourselves to learn silence ,stillness, solitude? – Elizabeth Elliot
(b) Inner stillness is the key to outer strength. Jared Brock
(c) With in yourself is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself. Herman Hesse
(d) Life is most precious moments are not all loud or uproaring.Silence and stillness has its own virtues. Kilroy J . Older

Answer: A

Assertion & Reasoning Type Questions:

Question. Assertion: The exercise of counting upto twelve is suggested by the poet.
Reason: It helps to sit still and achieve a sense of togetherness.
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false and reason is true.

Answer: A

Question. Classify (1) to (4) as fact (F) or opinion (O), based on your reading of Keeping Quiet.
(1) The poet wants all humans to introspect themselves by observing silence.
(2) The poet says there would no survivors if there were all kinds of wars.
(3) The poet says that man can learn from the earth that we still can hope for life even when everything seems dead.
(4) Poet says that men are threatening themselves, through their acts, with death.
(a) F-1,3,4; O-2
(b) F-1,3; O-2,4
(c) F-2; O-1,3,4
(d) F-3,4; O-1,2

Answer: B

Question. Assertion: The poet wants everyone to learn from the nature to create and not to destroy.
Reason: He wants to escape from his duty towards the mankind.
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false and reason is true.

Answer: B

Question. Assertion: The self-introspection is necessary for all literary persons.
Reason: Then only they will be able to meditate and save mankind from destruction.
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false and reason is true.

Answer: D

Question. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet is in anguish at the plight of the earth and expresses hope that the situation may improve
Statement 2: The poet‘s fears of total destruction of the earth are baseless
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

Answer: C

Question. Assertion: Pablo Neruda desires to stop inhuman activities.
Reason: He wants to live in a peaceful atmosphere.
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and reason is false
(d) Assertion is false and reason is true

Answer: A

Question. Read the statements given below carefully. Choose the option that best describes these statements, with reference to the poem Keeping Quiet‘.
Statement I – The poem ‗Keeping Quiet‘ calls for change as much in the individual as human society at large.
Statement II – The poem ‗Keeping Quiet‘ implies that individual change will lead to bigger societal change.
Statement III – Neruda believes that when people come together as a community, they will be able to bring a transformation in each person.
(a) Statement I is True, Statement II is False, and Statement III cannot be inferred.
(b) Statement I and II cannot be inferred, Statement III is True.
(c) Statement I is True, Statements II and III cannot be inferred.
(d) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement II cannot be inferred, Statement III is False.

Answer: B

Question. Based on the poem 'Keeping Quiet‘, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet cautions that one should not mistake doing nothing for total inactivity
Statement 2: The poet also avers that he does not mean to associate with death.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

Answer: C

Question. Assertion: The poet wants everyone to remain quiet for some time.
Reason: Silence will allow to listen to the voices of quiet and serene nature.
(a) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false and reason is true.

Answer: C

Question. Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: The poet urges his countrymen to stop for a while.
Statement 2: The poet urges all men to stop for a second.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.

Answer: B

Important Questions NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo Poetry 3 Keeping Quiet 

Question. How, according to Neruda, can keeping quiet change our attitude to life?
Answer:  Silence will give us time to think, to introspect, evaluate our actions and act more responsible. According to Neruda, this is how keeping quiet can change our attitude towards life.

Question. What is the sadness that the poet Pablo Neruda, refers to in the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Answer: The sadness, which Pablo Neruda refers to in his poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ is the one that comes from never being able to understand ourselves; it is the sadness of isolation, yet no time for introspection. Humans are oblivious of the consequences of their destructive actions, the poet finds it quite saddening.

Question. How will ‘Keeping Quiet’ protect our environment?
Answer: Keeping quiet will protect our environment also because in that moment of inactivity man will not exploit nature for his vested interests, fishermen will not harm the whales, there will be no green wars and no wars with gases.

1. perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.

(a) How can we bring about a ‘huge silence’?
Answer: We can bring about a ‘huge silence’ by keeping quiet and counting upto twelve or by halting all activities.

(b) Why is silence called ‘huge’?
Answer: Silence is called ‘huge’ because it is an exotic moment when every person on earth has become quiet.

(c) What do we do for lack of understanding?
Answer: For lack of understanding, we must keep quiet and introspect.

(d) What does this lack ultimately lead to?
Answer: This lack ultimately leads to death.

Question. Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Answer: The poet talks about the exotic moment when everyone quietens and becomes still. In that moment, no language must be spoken and there must be no movement; it must be a moment of introspection. It would be a moment free from all types of violence and madness of the world.

2. Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count upto twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

(a) What does the Earth teach us?
Answer: The Earth teaches us that there is life under seeming stillness.

(b) What does the poet mean to achieve by counting upto twelve?
Answer: The poet wishes to wipe out the discord in the world and the reason for the imbalance that exists between man and nature. Ultimately, he wants to ensure the survival of the human race.

(c) What is the significance of ‘keeping quiet’?
Answer: Keeping quiet will provide time for introspection and create oneness among human beings.

3. Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

(a) What does the earth teach us?
Answer: The earth teaches us that there is life under apparent stillness. It also teaches us to be alive and possess the power to recover from loss.

(b) Why does the poet count up to twelve?
Answer: The poet counts upto twelve, taking time to calm down.

(c) What will keeping quiet help us achieve?
Answer:  Keeping quiet will help us achieve peace and tranquility.

Extract Based Questions:

1. "Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive"

Question. Which is the figure of speech used here?
Answer: Personification

Question. Which is the season mentioned here?
Answer: winter

Question. What should humans learn from the earth?
Answer: Just as the earth becomes still and silent under the blanket of snow in winter and later emerges with greater vigour in spring, human beings should undergo introspection and come out as better beings.

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

Question. What is the poetic device used here?
Answer: Oxymoron. Two opposing words- 'together and strangeness, are used together.

Question. Which is the moment mentioned here?
Answer: The moment when all the world keeps still and silent.

Question. What will unify humanity according to the poet?
Answer: The whole humanity shall be unified by silence

3."If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving
and for once could do nothing"

Question. What is the disadvantage of being 'single-minded‘?
Answer: Running after worldly progress,human beings forget humanity and the real aims of life.

Question. What are human beings single-minded about?
Answer: Human beings are single minded about progress- they want to get forward in life.

Question. "And for once could do nothing'- Do you think the poet is advocating inactivity here? If not, why does he ask us to 'do nothing‘?
Answer: The poet is not being nihilistic here: rather, he asks man to stop all his activities so that he can focus on himself, introspect and emerge as a better person.

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

Question. What do 'whales' stand for?
Answer: Whales represent all the creatures and the nature itself who suffer due to human persecution and interference.

Question. Who are referred to as 'the man gathering salt?'
Answer: People who are engaged in destructive activities are referred to here as 'man gathering salt'.

Question. Explain the poetic device used here.
Answer: Transferred epithet. It is actually not the sea but the fishermen who are cold hearted.

5."Those who prepare green wars
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing."

Question. Who are called as 'brothers‘ here?
Answer: When wars stop, enemy soldiers become brothers.

Question. Mention the poetic device used.
Answer: Repetition. The word 'war‘ is repeated thrice.

Question. What does the poet mean when he says‘ victory with no survivors‘?
Answer: No wars provide absolute victories. There will be casualties on both sides. There will be no pure celebration of victory for any side.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question. What is the difference that you find between the beginning and last couplets of the poem?
Answer: In the beginning, the poet invites the whole world to keep quiet along with him. But at the end, the poet asks the world to keep quiet and adds that he will leave. This means that he has already given his message to the world and instructed men on how to live a better life. Having fulfilled his task, he is leaving.

Question. Why does the poet say "I want no truck with death‖?
Answer: The poet has been asking the world to keep quiet and still. But he wants to make clear that he is not an advocate of inactivity or death. Rather, he wants to teach human beings how to live a better life.

Question. What all can be achieved when humans keep quiet?
Answer: Human beings all over the world will find unity in silence. All types of persecution will stop and the people engaged in destructive activities will get the chance to analyse the harm done by themselves. All wars will stop and enemy soldiers will become brothers. Human beings will get the chance to introspect.

Question. What is the sadness that the poet refers to?
Answer: Humans run after material pleasures all their life. They fear death as the termination point of all these worldly indulgences. This wastage of the great gift of human life is referred to as 'sadness‘ by the poet.

Long Answer Questions:

Question. Most of the problems faced today by human beings are due the fact that humans rarely look inside themselves‘- How does Pablo Neruda elucidate this idea in the poem ―Keeping Quiet"?
Answer: In the poem Keeping Quiet, the poet talks about how man goes through life without understanding its purpose and meaning. Man is always in a mad hurry for progress. He pollutes and desecrates nature. He tortures and exploits creatures weaker than him. He doesn‘t even spare his own kind- he wages various kinds of war with his own brothers and creates victories which leave no survivors behind to enjoy them. Even in times of peace, the countries of the world try to intimidate each other by showing off their weapon power.
According to Neruda, all these can change if man keeps quiet and still for a few minutes. It will give him a chance to introspect or look inside himself.He will then realise the harm that he has been doing to himself and others and try to mend his ways. The mad race for empty progress will stop. The man who emerges after introspection will be a new being who will make his own life and the world better.