Maharashtra Board Class 10 English Chapter 2.1 You Start Dying Slowly Solutions

Class 10 English Chapter 2.1 Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 10 English Solutions My English Coursebook Chapter 2.1 You Start Dying Slowly Notes, Textbook Exercise Important Questions and Answers.

You Start Dying Slowly Poem 10th Std Question Answer

My English Coursebook Standard Ten Guide Chapter 2.1 You Start Dying Slowly Textbook Questions and Answers

Warming up!

Chit-chat:

1. Assuming A, B, C, D, as speakers, ask the assigned questions in your group and discuss.

Question 1. Assuming A, B, C, D, as speakers, ask the assigned questions in your group and discuss.

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक तालिका है जो चार काल्पनिक वक्ताओं (A, B, C, D) के लिए विशिष्ट परिदृश्यों (जैसे "If you do not study well, what will happen?") को प्रस्तुत करती है, जिसका उद्देश्य समूह में चर्चा को बढ़ावा देना है। प्रत्येक वक्ता को एक प्रश्न सौंपा गया है जो निष्क्रियता या नकारात्मक व्यवहार के संभावित परिणामों के बारे में पूछता है।
Answer:

A	Responses
If you do not study well what will happen?	I will not get good marks in examination. I may fail in the examination. I will be blamed for neglecting studies. Parents will be angry for my negligence.
If you do not participate in school activities/games.	My teacher and friends will treat me as idle and inactive student. I will not be called a sociable student. I will feel solitary and dull. I will not be able to show my skills in games and other co-curricular activities. I will lose my opportunity to gain importance.

B	Responses
If you wake up late on a working day.	I will miss cool, peaceful mornings. Morning chores will get delayed. I will feel dull and lazy. I will lose best hours of work.
If you ignore a friend in need.	Other friends will lose their faith in me. They will leave/avoid me for ignoring my duties towards friend. Many will blame me for my betrayal. I shall face big emotional loss.

C	Responses
If you do not do exercise regularly what will happen?	I will not stay healthy and fit physically and mentally. I will suffer from obesity. I will be easily affected by infections and diseases. I will not feel energetic and active.

D	Responses
If you eat too much junk food what will happen?	I will suffer from obesity. I may lose my immunity. I will not be able to live active life. I will have to spend a lot on my health problems.

In simple words: This activity explores the consequences of various actions and inactions, prompting students to think about how different choices can impact their lives, relationships, and well-being. It encourages foresight and self-reflection on daily habits.

🎯 Exam Tip: For such open-ended discussion questions, examiners look for logical reasoning and a comprehensive range of potential outcomes. Structure your points clearly for maximum impact.

2. Things I can do in my life

Question 1. Things I can do in my life

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक तालिका है जो "For my nation", "For my family", "For my friends", "For old people", "For the needy" और "For myself" जैसे विभिन्न श्रेणियों में एक व्यक्ति द्वारा किए जा सकने वाले कार्यों को दर्शाती है। तालिका में कुछ प्रविष्टियाँ (जैसे 'wait', 'help', 'share', 'pray') आंशिक रूप से भरी हुई हैं और छात्रों को प्रत्येक श्रेणी के लिए संबंधित क्रियाओं को पूरा करने के लिए कहा जाता है।
Answer:

For my nation	For my family	For my friends	For old people	For the needy	For myself
Keep my locality clean	Keep my house clean and tidy.	Help them in their need	Take care of them	Help them in need	Take exercise
Obey the laws.	Protect cultural heritage	Wait for them	Look after their health	Identify their needs	Study well
Express patriotism through deeds	Take care of elderly persons	Share their good and bad days.	Help them in their needs.	Support them	Dream high
Help our government in war and peace.	Preserve dignity of family	Support them in their ventures.	Keep them happy.	Share their miseries.	Pray to God.

In simple words: This exercise encourages students to think about their responsibilities and positive contributions across different facets of their lives, from personal growth to community and national welfare.

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling out such tables, ensure your answers are distinct and cover a broad spectrum of actions relevant to each category. Using active verbs makes your points clearer.

3. Complete the following with and write a paragraph.

Question 1. Complete the following with and write a paragraph.

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह "My wish" नामक एक वेब डायग्राम है जिसके केंद्र में "My wish" लिखा है और उससे जुड़ी हुई विभिन्न इच्छाओं के लिए खाली गोले हैं। "Travel in space" जैसी कुछ इच्छाएँ पहले से ही एक गोले में लिखी हुई हैं, जो छात्रों को अपनी इच्छाओं को जोड़ने और एक पैराग्राफ लिखने का संकेत देती हैं।
Answer:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह "My wish" नामक एक पूर्ण वेब डायग्राम है। केंद्र में "My wish" लिखा है, और उससे जुड़े गोले विभिन्न इच्छाओं को दर्शाते हैं: "travel in space", "land and walk on the moon", "go into orbit round the earth", और "from space stations take off for moon, Mars, Venus, etc."। यह एक इच्छा की विभिन्न शाखाओं का चित्रण करता है।

Space Travel-My WishAccording to the novelist H. G. Wells, one of the things to come in future was space travel. It was a fantastic dream then. It has turned into reality now. The invention of rockets, satellites and spaceships (spacecraft) have opened the gates of space travels.

Since I read about the accomplishments of the astronauts of different countries, I had my secret wish of space travelling. I don't know when and how it will realize but I do wish to travel to space. How shall I enjoy the travel to space!

First I wish to go into the orbit round the earth. Then I shall emerge from the capsule and, still tied to my space vehicle, I shall walk in space. I shall move about in space with the help of space-gun. Then I wish to land on different planets. My first visit will be the moon, of course.

Then waiting and taking rest on a space station built by scientists and engineers, I shall travel to nearby planets. I shall visit Mars, Venus, Jupiter, etc. For that I shall travel by shuttle rocket service between the earth and the space station and from the space station to any other planet of my wish. I shall enjoy different weather, land, food and aliens if at all they exist there. What a marvellous travel it will be!

In simple words: This task requires completing a wish-mapping diagram and then writing a descriptive paragraph based on that wish, detailing the imaginary experience, such as space travel.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a descriptive paragraph from a diagram, ensure all elements from the diagram are incorporated logically and the narrative flows well, using vivid language to engage the reader.

English Workshop:

Question 1. Read the different messages in the poem given below. Choose the one that suits this poem, best.

(a) Face life whatever it may give you.
(b) Fulfil all your dreams and unfulfilled desires.
(c) Be yourself and do what your heart tells you.
(d) Accept all possible changes or risks that you have taken.
(e) Keeping your self-esteem intact, just try to relax in life.
Answer: (c) Be yourself and do what your heart tells you.In simple words: The poem primarily advocates for authenticity, following one's inner voice, and actively pursuing a fulfilling life rather than settling for stagnant routines.

🎯 Exam Tip: For MCQ questions on theme or central idea, carefully evaluate each option against the poem's overall message. Eliminate options that are too narrow, too broad, or contradict the poem's core sentiment.

2. State the following:

Question a. Theme/central idea of the poem.

Answer: Refer to point no (5) of the appreciation of this poem.In simple words: The poem's central idea is that life must be lived fully and actively, embracing new experiences and challenges, otherwise one slowly "dies" from a lack of vitality.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for the theme, state the core message concisely. Referring to an "appreciation" section implies a comprehensive answer exists elsewhere; ensure to retrieve and present it if that section were provided here.

Question b. Line that provides evidence of the theme.

Answer: If you do not change your life, you start I dying slowly.In simple words: This line directly links inaction and resistance to change with the metaphorical "dying slowly," serving as a clear statement of the poem's central warning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always quote specific lines from the poem as evidence when asked to support a theme or idea. Accuracy in quotation is key.

Question c. Three characteristics, from the poem, that makes one dull and uninteresting.

Answer: The three characteristics from the poem that makes one dull and uninteresting are:
1. becoming a slave of your habits.
2. not going with fresh emotions.
3. not facing exciting, risky challenges.In simple words: The poem identifies monotonous routines, emotional detachment, and avoidance of risks as key traits that lead to a stagnant and uninteresting existence.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing characteristics or traits, ensure they are directly drawn from the text of the poem and accurately reflect the poet's message.

3. Pick out four Adjectives from the poem and write them down with the nouns they describe.

Question 1. Pick out four Adjectives from the poem and write them down with the nouns they describe.

1. …………….
2. …………….
3. …………….
4. …………….
Answer:
1. same paths
2. different colours
3. turbulent emotions
4. sensible advice.In simple words: This task requires identifying adjectives from the poem and pairing them with the nouns they modify, demonstrating an understanding of descriptive language.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score well, look for vivid descriptive words in the poem. Ensure the noun you choose is directly modified by the selected adjective in the text.

4. Compare the structure of the poem, 'You start dying slowly to the poems in Unit One (1.1 and 1.3) To which poem does the structure match? What differences do you notice in the other ones. Note them down.

Question 1. Compare the structure of the poem, 'You start dying slowly to the poems in Unit One (1.1 and 1.3) Τo which poem does the structure match?

Answer:
1. The structure of the poem 1.3 'Basketful of Moonlight' matches with this poem.
2. What differences do you notice in the other ones. Note them down.

'A Teenager's Prayer'	'You start dying slowly...'
1. Metric, Rhythmic Rhymes, Rhyme Scheme	Free Verse, No rhymes or rhyming scheme.
2. Narrative-Teenager's prayer to God.	Didactic poem (imparting advice)
3. Quatrain (a group of four lines in each stanza)	Different number of lines in each stanza.
4. Different figures of speech.	Mainly Repetition in the beginning of each line.

In simple words: This comparison highlights that "You start dying slowly" is a free verse poem without a strict rhyme scheme, similar to "Basketful of Moonlight," and differs from 'A Teenager's Prayer' which follows a more traditional, structured format with rhyme and regular stanzas.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing poem structures, focus on elements like rhyme scheme, meter, stanza length, narrative style (lyrical, narrative, didactic), and prominent poetic devices used. Use a comparative table for clarity.

5. What expression is repeated in the poem? How many times? Why, do you think, the poet emphasizes it?

Question 1. What expression is repeated in the poem? How many times? Why, do you think, the poet emphasizes it?

Answer: The expression 'If you do not-' is repeated in the poem. It has been repeated 12 times in the beginning of lines in the poem. The poet emphasizes it because he wants to urge strongly to read the poem and stress the things that we should not do. He reminds us every time what we should avoid to do for living good life.In simple words: The repetitive phrase 'If you do not-' serves as a powerful rhetorical device, consistently highlighting the negative consequences of inaction and urging readers to critically reflect on their choices for a better life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing repetition, identify the exact phrase, count its occurrences, and most importantly, explain *why* the poet chose to repeat it – what effect does it create, and what message does it reinforce?

6. Write the opposite of the following in the form of advice using different words and phrases:

Question 1. Write the opposite of the following in the form of advice using different words and phrases:

(a) You do not travel × you should travel, as much as you can.
(b) You do not appreciate yourself ×
(c) You kill your self-esteem × you should keep up your self- esteem.
(d) You become a slave of habits ×
(e) You refuse to speak to strangers ×
(f) You do not change your life ×
(g) You refuse to take a risk x
Answer:
(a) You do not travel × You should travel, as much as you can.
(b) You do not appreciate yourself × You should appreciate yourself.
(c) You kill your self-esteem × You should keep up your self-esteem.
(d) You become a slave of habits × Don't become a slave of habits.
(e) You refuse to speak to strangers × You should speak to strangers.
(f) You do not change your life × You should change your life.
(g) You refuse to take a risk × You should always be ready to take a risk.In simple words: This exercise transforms negative statements about behavior into positive, actionable advice, encouraging students to consider the opposite, more beneficial approach to life choices.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure your advice is clear, direct, and uses polite but firm language. Pay attention to the nuanced meaning of "opposite" in an advisory context, aiming for a constructive suggestion.

7. Go through the following steps and discuss in pairs about the facts mentioned in it. Write a paragraph using the points. Give another interesting title.

Question 1. Go through the following steps and discuss in pairs about the facts mentioned in it. Write a paragraph using the points. Give another interesting title.

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह "Living A Better Life" शीर्षक वाला एक फ़्लोचार्ट है, जो बेहतर जीवन के लिए क्रमिक चरणों को दर्शाता है। इसमें "Get rid of one bad habit at a time," "Avoid negative thoughts. Be positive," "Trust yourself. Love what you do," "Try to enrich your mind by becoming a life long learner," "Sharing and Caring makes life enjoyable," और "Be humble. Respect and welcome/accept each day with a smile" जैसे बिंदु शामिल हैं।
Answer:

Mould your living for Brighter LifeEveryone in the world craves for happy life. Everyone has his own concept of happy life. What, in general, can we do for living better life? Living wise and virtuous life is living happy life. Here are some facts and ways of living better life.

You should give up all your bad habits. Bad habits can spoil your whole life and your happiness. Resolve to get rid of one bad habit at a time and finish them off determinently. Never allow negative thoughts to enter your mind. Be always positive. Positive attitude will lead you to happiness and negative thoughts affect your life as well as others around you. Be confident and trust yourself and love whatever you do for good life.

You must be a good learner. Learn from any small things beneath the sun. Enrich your mind and soul by becoming a lifelong learner. Every moment of learning will give you a new experience of life. That also keeps you updated and gives you knowledge of vivid visions of glory.

Sharing and caring are two very important aspects of happy life. Share your sorrows and happiness with others. Take care of those who are around you. You will get love and respect from them. It is our moral abligation and that gives us satisfaction. Be humble to everyone who meets you on the way of your life. Respect and welcome everyone with smile. That gives you joy of your life. If you follow all these rules and values, you will surely live better life.

In simple words: This task involves using a flowchart's points to construct a coherent paragraph on living a better life, focusing on habit modification, positive mindset, self-trust, lifelong learning, sharing, caring, and humility.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting bullet points or flowchart steps into a paragraph, ensure smooth transitions between ideas. Maintain a consistent tone and provide an engaging, relevant title that captures the essence of the content.

 

Question 12. Use Internet or any hook to write four inspirational or motivational quotes, related to the message/s in the poem.
Answer:1. The path from dreams to success does exist, may you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it and perseverance to follow it. 2. Variety is the spice of life. (Students should try to find more such quotes from internet/books.)In simple words: This question encourages students to find inspiring quotes related to the poem's themes of embracing life, change, and courage, expanding their perspective beyond the text.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to provide quotes, ensure they are relevant to the theme and properly attributed if possible. Focus on quality over quantity for better scores.

My English Coursebook 10th Digest Chapter 2.1 You Start Dying Slowly Additional Important Questions And Answers

Simple Factual Activity:

 

Question 1. Say whether the following pieces of advice by the poet are Right or Wrong:
Answer:1. Appreciate your own good qualities. - Right 2. You should kill your self-esteem. - Wrong 3. Be a slave of your bad habits. - Wrong 4. Don't bother to change the routine. - Right 5. Avoid strong feelings and their unsteady emotions. - Wrong 6. When you are not satisfied even then don't change your life. - Wrong 7. Go after your dream. - Right 8. Show the courage to risk something. - RightIn simple words: This activity tests understanding of the poem's core messages by evaluating statements as either aligning (Right) or conflicting (Wrong) with the poet's advice on living a fulfilling life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully read each statement and recall the poem's message. Pay attention to keywords that indicate alignment or opposition to the central theme.

Complex Factual Activities:

 

Question 1. Complete the Web:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): एक वेब आरेख दिया गया है जिसके केंद्र में 'How to protect our self-esteem' लिखा है। इसके चारों ओर चार बुलबुले हैं जो आत्म-सम्मान की रक्षा के लिए चार मुख्य बिंदुओं को दर्शाते हैं।
Answer:

We should know our own character, our good qualities and abilities.	We must feel proud for having them
How to protect our self-esteem
Your self-esteem should be reflected in your behaviour.	In this way we can protect our self-esteem.

In simple words: This web diagram outlines several key actions and attitudes, such as self-knowledge, pride in oneself, and positive behavior, all contributing to and reflecting the protection of one's self-esteem.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing web diagrams, ensure all connecting ideas are logically placed and directly related to the central theme. Clarity and concise wording are important.

 

Question 2. What things can lead to slow death?
Answer:Following things can lead one to a slow death. If one ignores travelling, reading, listening to the sounds of life, knowing one's own qualities, keeping your self-respect, telling others to help you, then one can lead to slow death. Also, if one becomes a slave of one's habits, does the same things every day without changing the routine, wears the same colours, avoids speaking to strangers, one can lose his/her happy future.In simple words: A "slow death" in the poem refers to a life devoid of new experiences, passion, self-respect, and change, where one adheres rigidly to routine and avoids human connection and risk.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question assesses your understanding of the poem's central metaphor. List specific actions or inactions mentioned by the poet that contribute to this metaphorical "dying slowly."

 

Question 3. What is it that makes life worth living? Give four points:
Answer:1. Be passionate. 2. If we are not satisfied with our job or love, change our ways of Life. 3. Be ready to take any risk courageously. 4. Go after our dreams with perseverance.In simple words: Life is made worth living by embracing passion, seeking change when dissatisfied, courageously taking risks, and diligently pursuing one's dreams.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the positive advice given in the poem. Provide distinct, actionable points that directly contribute to a vibrant and fulfilling life, as highlighted by the poet.

 

Question 4. Complete the following lines with the help of the extract:
Answer:1. Passions and their emotions shine your eyes and beat your heart fast. 2. If you are not satisfied with your job or love, change your life.In simple words: These lines emphasize that emotional intensity enlivens us, and dissatisfaction with major life aspects should prompt us to make changes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure your completed lines are exact phrases or direct ideas from the poem. This tests your attention to detail and comprehension of the poem's message.

Activity-Based On Poetic Devices:

 

Question 1. Give your own rhyming words for 1. read and 2. change.
Answer:1. read - feed 2. change - rangeIn simple words: This asks for words that sound similar to "read" and "change," helping to understand rhyming patterns.

🎯 Exam Tip: When providing rhyming words, ensure they have similar end sounds. Practice identifying and generating rhymes to improve your poetic device skills.

 

Question 2. Find out a pair of rhyming words from the extract.
Answer:Passion - emotion.In simple words: This task requires identifying two words within the poem that rhyme with each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Scan the poem carefully for words with similar ending sounds. Note that in free verse, rhymes may be subtle or occur irregularly, so check for near rhymes too.

 

Question 3. Give your own rhyming words for: 1. job 2. fast
Answer:1. job - rob 2. fast - last.In simple words: This exercise involves generating words that rhyme with "job" and "fast" to enhance vocabulary and understanding of sound patterns.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the vowel sound and the ending consonant sound to find accurate rhymes. Brainstorm multiple options to show a wider range of vocabulary.

Appreciation Of The Poem

1. Title: The title of the poem is-"You start dying slowly-" 2. Name of the poet: This poem was written by the poet Pablo Neruda. 3. Rhyme scheme: There is no rhyme scheme in the poem. It is written in 'free verse' style. 4. Figure of speech (Any one): Apostrophe, Repetition, Antithesis. 5. Theme/Central Idea: (in 2 or 3 lines) The theme of the poem in short is like this: Life must flow and renew itself at every moment of its being. We live fully only when we enrich ourselves with new knowledge, wide experience, fresh emotions, daring encounters and exciting challenges. If we settle for a life that is stagnant, repetitive or conventional, we start dying slowly instead of living the life fully.

 

Question 1. The poet has left the last stanza incomplete. What line will you add to complete it?
Answer:Added line will be - you will lose your hope of happy future.In simple words: The incomplete stanza suggests a consequence of not living fully; adding a line about losing hope or a happy future logically completes this thought.

🎯 Exam Tip: For open-ended questions like this, ensure your added line is consistent with the poem's tone and central theme. It should provide a fitting conclusion to the poet's message.