Maharashtra Board Class 9 English Unit 4 Poem Please Listen 4.1 Solutions

Class 9 English Chapter 4.1 Question Answer Maharashtra Board

Please Listen 9th Std Question Answer

Warming Up:

1. Form groups of 6-8. One person (leader) chooses one item - a picture, a paragraph or a lesson from any one of the 9th standard textbooks and writes the reference on a piece of paper and folds it. Others ask him/her questions and try to guess what it is, from his/her answers. Example: (The leader thinks and writes something on a piece of paper. He folds it and keeps it on the table. Others ask questions.)

 

Question 1. Is it something from social studies?
Answer: No.
In simple words: The item in question is not related to social studies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to specific exclusions or inclusions in short answer questions to ensure accuracy.

 

Question 2. From Science or Maths?
Answer: No.
In simple words: The item is neither from Science nor Maths.

🎯 Exam Tip: Multiple choice or elimination questions often require careful consideration of each option presented.

 

Question 3. Languages?
Answer: Yes.
In simple words: The item is related to languages.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the correct category helps narrow down possibilities efficiently.

 

Question 4. From the English Kumarbharati?
Answer: Yes.
In simple words: The item is specifically from the English Kumarbharati textbook.

🎯 Exam Tip: Precise identification of the source material is crucial for accurate answers.

 

Question 5. A prose lesson?
Answer: No.
In simple words: The item is not a prose lesson.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguishing between different literary forms (prose, poetry) is a fundamental skill.

 

Question 6. A nature poem?
Answer: No.
In simple words: The item is not a poem about nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Classifying poems by theme helps in understanding their core message.

 

Question 7. Is it in the first unit?
Answer: No.
In simple words: The item is not located in the first unit of the textbook.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the structure and organization of a textbook can aid in locating information quickly.

 

Question 8. Second unit?
Answer: Yes.
In simple words: The item is found in the second unit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Unit identification helps to contextualize the content within the curriculum.

 

Question 9. Inspirational poem?
Answer: Yes.
In simple words: The item is an inspirational poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing the genre or tone of a text (e.g., inspirational) can reveal its main purpose.

Invictus!!
Leader shows the folded paper; answer is Invictus!

Agreements And Disagreements.

2. Form pairs. List the things on which you ! have the same opinion and also the ones on which you have different opinions. Prepare a list of ten things in all and see how far you agree or disagree with your friend. Some useful phrases are given alongside.

 

Question 1. Form pairs. List the things on which you ! have the same opinion and also the ones on which you have different opinions. Prepare a list of ten things in all and see how far you agree or disagree with your friend. Some useful phrases are given alongside.
You could talk about:
1. Clothes, latest fashion.
2. Performance of sportsmen and women.
3. Trafficll'ransport in your area.
4. Cleanliness and hygiene in your area.
5. Future occupations/Careers.
6. Latest news items.
7. TV programmes
8. Mobile Apps
9. Any subject of your choice.
Answer: [This question describes an activity for students and does not require a direct textual answer, but rather a practical exercise. The list provided offers topics for discussion.]
In simple words: This is an activity designed for students to practice expressing agreements and disagreements on various topics with a partner.

🎯 Exam Tip: For activity-based questions, focus on understanding the instructions and how to perform the activity, rather than looking for a specific factual answer.

Agreement	Ask for your friend's opinion:	Disagreement
I totally agree with you. Exactly/Absolutely! You are right. I don't know, I need to think about it. (partial agreement) I suppose so.	Do you think -? Do you agree -? What do you think? What is your opinion? How do you feel about that?	No, I don't think so. I totally disagree. Not necessarily. I'm not sure about that. Let's agree to disagree!

English Workshop:

1. The poet uses a free, conversational style in his poem. It is also called Colloquial style. Pick out and write down such lines or expressions that support the above statement.

 

Question 1. The poet uses a free, conversational style in his poem. It is also called Colloquial style. Pick out and write down such lines or expressions that support the above statement.
Answer:
(a) You have not done what I asked.
(b) You are trampling on my feelings.
(c) All that I ask is that you listen.
(d) When you do something for me that I can and need to do for myself, you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.
(e) But when you accept as a simple fact that I feel what I feel.
(f) then I can stop trying to convince you have not done what I asked.
In simple words: The poem uses everyday language and direct address, making it sound like a personal conversation. Phrases like "You have not done what I asked" directly engage the listener.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing poetic style, look for direct language, personal pronouns, and sentence structures that mimic spoken communication to identify colloquialism.

 

2. Put the following expressions in a table of Dos and Don'ts as expressed by the poet.

 

Question 1. Put the following expressions in a table of Dos and Don'ts as expressed by the poet.
(a) Please listen.
(b) give me advice.
(c) tell me why.
(d) solve my problem
(e) just hear me.
(f) accept as a simple fact
(g) contribute to my fear
(h) wait a minute

Do's	Don'ts

Answer:

Dos	Don'ts
1. please listen	1. give me advice
2. just hear me	2. tell me why
3. accept my feelings as a simple fact	3. solve my problem
4. wait a minute	4. contribute to my fear

In simple words: The poet asks for actions like listening and accepting feelings ("Dos") and avoids actions like giving advice or trying to fix problems ("Don'ts").

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly categorizing actions based on explicit requests in the poem helps demonstrate comprehension of the poet's message.

 

3. Write in your own words.

 

Question a. What does the listener do when the poet asks him to just listen? Give 3 points.
Answer: When the poet asks the listener to just listen, the listener either:
1. gives advice
2. tells him why he shouldn't feel that way, or
3. tries to solve the poet's problem.
In simple words: Instead of simply listening, the listener tends to offer advice, explain away feelings, or try to fix the poet's issues.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to what the poet explicitly states as unwanted reactions from the listener, as these form the core of the answer.

 

Question b. Why does the poet remark that advice is cheap?
Answer: The poet remarks that advice is cheap because everyone is willing to give advice. You only had to write to the agony column of any newspaper with your problems and you could get advice from the columnists. You had to spend just 20 cents to buy the paper.
In simple words: The poet believes advice is cheap because it's readily available from many sources, even for a small cost like a newspaper, implying it lacks true value when not truly sought.

🎯 Exam Tip: To answer questions about the poet's intent, refer directly to specific lines or metaphors used in the poem, like the "agony column" reference.

 

Question c. Which two facts show that the poet is confident of overcoming his irrational feelings?
Answer: The two facts that show that the poet is confident of overcoming his irrational feelings are: first, he says he will understand what is behind these feelings. Second, he says that when the answers become obvious, he will not need any advice.
In simple words: The poet's confidence comes from knowing he can understand his feelings and that the solutions will become clear to him without external advice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for statements of self-reliance or future certainty in the text to identify indicators of confidence.

 

4. According to the poet, how does God help people when they pray to Him for help?

 

Question 1. According to the poet, how does God help people when they pray to Him for help?
Answer: According to the poet, God doesn't try to give advice or fix things. He is silent and let's one work things out by oneself. That is how God helps people when they pray to Him for help.
In simple words: The poet believes God helps by remaining silent and allowing individuals to find their own solutions, rather than offering direct advice or intervention.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about interpretations of divine or abstract concepts within a poem, always base your answer on the poet's specific portrayal or analogy.

 

5. Why should one learn to tackle one's problems by one's own self?

 

Question 1. Why should one learn to tackle one's problems by one's own self?
Answer: When one tackles one's problems by oneself, one overcomes feelings of fear and inadequacy. Hence one should learn to tackle one's problems by one's own self.
In simple words: Learning to solve your own problems helps build confidence and overcome feelings of fear and not being good enough.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the benefits of self-reliance mentioned in the poem, such as overcoming negative emotions, to craft a complete answer.

 

6. Why should seniors not over-protect or over-pamper juniors?

 

Question 1. Why should seniors not over-protect or over-pamper juniors?
Answer: If seniors over-protect or over-pamper juniors, the juniors will be unable to stand on their own feet and face the world. They will not be able to overcome their feelings of fear and inadequacy. They will not become confident. Hence, seniors should not over-protect or over-pamper juniors.
In simple words: Over-protection prevents juniors from developing independence and confidence, leaving them unprepared to face life's challenges and overcome personal fears.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the idea of over-protection to its negative consequences for personal growth, drawing parallels to the poem's themes of self-reliance.

 

7. Find out and write down some proverbs/ axioms/quotations that convey a message similar to 'Self-help is the best help.'

 

Question 1. Find out and write down some proverbs/ axioms/quotations that convey a message similar to 'Self-help is the best help.'
Answer: Examples:
1. God helps those who help themselves.
2. Self-help is the root of all success.
In simple words: Proverbial wisdom supports the idea that taking initiative to solve one's own problems leads to success and earns divine support.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for related proverbs or quotes, choose well-known sayings that directly reflect the core message of the original statement.

 

8. Maintain a diary for at least a week. Write about your interactions with other people in your surroundings in 3-4 lines. Also write whether you find the interactions happy - unhappy, satisfactory - unsatisfactory, enjoyable - stressful, etc.

 

Question 1. Maintain a diary for at least a week. Write about your interactions with other people in your surroundings in 3-4 lines. Also write whether you find the interactions happy - unhappy, satisfactory - unsatisfactory, enjoyable - stressful, etc.
Answer:
Jan. 1: Today is New Year's day. Holiday for J everyone. Mummy baked a yummy cake. I helped her. Papa and I went for a long walk in the park. Have made heaps of resolutions. Intend to keep every one of them. Am full of determination. Have decided to ' ask Seemadidi for help. A wonderful day!
Jan. 2: Not such a good day. Broke my first resolution. Overslept and had to rush to school with my shoes in my hand! Luckily my homework was all done. Kept my resolution of doing my studies before going out to play football. Had an argument with Sahil on the ground. But it ended well.
In simple words: This activity asks you to reflect on your daily interactions, describing them and your feelings about them in a diary format.

🎯 Exam Tip: For reflective or diary-entry questions, ensure your entries provide specific examples of interactions and clearly state your emotional response to them.

 

9. Write an informal letter from a teenager to his/her parent expressing a few thoughts from the poem.

 

Question 1. Write an informal letter from a teenager to his/her parent expressing a few thoughts from the poem.
Answer:
Room No. 3
Ladies' Hostel
Aundh Road
Pune - 411 007.
14th October, 2020

Dearest Mom,

Hi! Sorry, sorry, dear Mom. Are you surprised to see this letter? I wanted to talk to you about this, but then I thought I will be able to express myself better in a letter.

Mom, when I told you about the problems I was having 1 with my roommate here at the hostel, I only wanted j you to listen. I knew I was being irrational at times, and I was trying to understand this feeling. It would have taken me some time, but I would have finally got things sorted out on my own. I'm sorry, but I did not need advice, or any solutions. Now I've solved my problem and I am at peace.

I'm sorry, Mom, if I've hurt you by snapping at your good intentions. But I'm learning. I still need your support, but I have to make my own way in this world, and this is the first step. Please try to understand this.

Love you always.
Your loving daughter,
Ananya
In simple words: The letter, written from a teenager to a parent, explains the desire for silent listening rather than immediate advice, reflecting the poem's theme of self-discovery and the need for understanding.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a letter based on a poem's themes, ensure the letter's tone and content directly mirror the poem's core message and arguments in an appropriate informal style.

 

10. Read aloud a couple of stanzas of the poem j 'Invictus' and 'Please Listen'. In what ways do j they differ? Think and fill up the table with a 'Yes' or 'No'.

 

Question 1. Read aloud a couple of stanzas of the poem 'Invictus' and 'Please Listen'. In what ways do j they differ? Think and fill up the table with a 'Yes' or 'No'.
(1) Rhyming lines
(2) Steady rhythm
(3) Uniformity in length of lines
(4) Uniformity of number of lines in each stanza
(5) Figurative language

Invictus	Please Listen

Answer:
'Invictus' is an example of Traditional Poetry. 'Please Listen' is an example of Free Verse.

	Invictus	Please Listen
1. Rhyming lines	Yes	No
2. Steady rhythm	Yes	No
3. Uniformity in length of lines	Yes	No
4. Uniformity in number of lines in each stanza	Yes	No
5. Figurative language	Yes	No
6. Example of	Traditional poetry	Free verse

In simple words: 'Invictus' is a traditional poem with clear rhyme and rhythm, while 'Please Listen' is free verse, meaning it lacks regular rhyme, rhythm, or consistent line structure.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing poems, focus on structural elements like rhyme scheme, rhythm, and line uniformity to distinguish between traditional and free verse forms.

 

English Kumarbharati 9th Digest Chapter 4.1 Please Listen Additional Important Questions And Answers

Simple Factual Activity:

 

Question 1. Say whether the following statements are True or False:
Answer:
1. The poet wants advice from the listener – False
2. The poet wants sympathy from the listener – False
3. The poet wants solutions from the listener – False
4. The poet wants the listener to listen to him silently – True
In simple words: The poet's main desire is for silent, attentive listening, not for advice, sympathy, or solutions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully differentiate between what the poet explicitly asks for and what is explicitly rejected to correctly determine True/False statements.

 

Complex Factual Activity.

 

Question 1. How old is the speaker in the poem?
Answer: The speaker must be a teenager or a young person who is impatient and does not want advice or solutions.
In simple words: The speaker's impatience with advice and desire for self-resolution suggests they are a young person, likely a teenager.

🎯 Exam Tip: Infer the speaker's age and personality traits from their expressed feelings and needs within the poem.

 

Question 2. Who is he/she talking to?
Answer: He/She is talking to someone older a parent or a friend.
In simple words: The speaker is addressing an older figure, possibly a parent or close friend, who typically offers advice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider the context of advice-giving and problem-solving to identify the likely relationship between the speaker and listener.

 

Activities Based On Poetic Devices.

 

Question 1. Pick out the two verbs that are repeated; throughout the extract.
Answer: The verbs 'ask' and 'listen' are repeated throughout the extract.
In simple words: The words 'ask' and 'listen' are frequently used in the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: Repetition of specific words often highlights key themes or the main message of a poem.

 

Question 2. What style is the poem written in?
Answer: The poem is written in the conversational or colloquial style.
In simple words: The poem uses everyday, natural language, much like a casual conversation.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for informal language, direct address, and a lack of complex poetic structures to identify a conversational or colloquial style.

 

Simple Factual Activity.

 

Question 1. Fill in the blanks with the correct words:
Answer:
1. The poet says that he may be discouraged and faltering, but he is not helpless.
2. The poet accepts that he has irrational feelings.
In simple words: The poet acknowledges feeling discouraged and having irrational feelings but emphasizes that he is not helpless and accepts these emotions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling in blanks, choose words that accurately reflect the poet's self-perception and emotional state as described in the poem.

 

Complex Factual Activities.

 

Question 1. Is the speaker aware of his shortcomings?
Answer: Yes, the speaker is aware of his/her shortcomings.
In simple words: The speaker knows their own weaknesses and imperfections.

🎯 Exam Tip: Self-awareness is a key theme; look for lines where the speaker acknowledges their own irrationality or feelings of inadequacy.

 

Question 2. What must have happened before the speaker says all this?
Answer: The speaker must have had some emotional stress and problems, some feelings that he/she could not find reasonable explanations for.
In simple words: Before speaking, the person likely experienced emotional distress and struggles they couldn't logically explain.

🎯 Exam Tip: Infer the preceding events by analyzing the speaker's emotional state and what they are asking for (or not asking for) in the poem.

 

Activities Based On Poetic Devices.

 

Question 1. Is there any figurative language in the poem?
Answer: No, there is not much figurative language in the poem.
In simple words: The poem uses plain, direct language rather than metaphors, similes, or other figures of speech.

🎯 Exam Tip: When assessing figurative language, look for non-literal comparisons or expressions. Its absence in this poem is characteristic of its conversational style.

 

Simple Factual Activity.

 

Question 1. Complete the web:
(The answers are given directly and underlined.)

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक वेब आरेख है जो दर्शाता है कि भगवान प्रार्थना करने वालों की मदद कैसे करते हैं। केंद्र में 'God' लिखा है, जिससे चार दिशाओं में तीर निकलते हैं। ये तीर 'doesn't give advice' (सलाह नहीं देते), 'is silent and just listens' (चुप रहते हैं और बस सुनते हैं), 'let's you work it out for yourself' (आपको खुद से चीजों को सुलझाने देते हैं), और 'doesn't try to fix things' (चीजों को ठीक करने की कोशिश नहीं करते) को इंगित करते हैं। यह आरेख दर्शाता है कि भगवान समस्याओं को सीधे हल करने के बजाय आत्म-निर्भरता और आत्म-खोज को कैसे बढ़ावा देते हैं।
Answer: The web diagram illustrates how God helps people, by not giving advice, remaining silent and listening, letting individuals work things out for themselves, and not trying to fix problems.
In simple words: The diagram shows that God's way of helping involves silent listening and allowing people to find their own solutions, rather than providing direct advice or intervention.

🎯 Exam Tip: When interpreting a diagrammatic representation like a web, ensure all connected concepts and their relationships are accurately described in your explanation.

 

Think Discuss And Answer:

 

Question a. Does he/she want to improve?
Answer: Yes, he/she wants to improve.
In simple words: The speaker clearly expresses a desire for personal growth and betterment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for cues in the poem that indicate a longing for change or a better state of being to confirm the speaker's desire for improvement.

 

Question b. Is he/she confident that he/she can improve?
Answer: Yes, he/she is confident that he/she can improve.
In simple words: The speaker believes in their own ability to get better.

🎯 Exam Tip: Statements of self-awareness and the belief in finding one's own answers are strong indicators of the speaker's confidence in self-improvement.

 

Question c. How does he/she want to work it out?
Answer: He/She wants to work it out on his/her own.
In simple words: The speaker prefers to resolve their issues independently, without external interference.

🎯 Exam Tip: The core message of the poem highlights the speaker's preference for self-resolution, which is crucial for this answer.

 

Question d. Is the poet willing to listen to others?
Answer: Yes, the poet is willing to listen to others.
In simple words: The poet's request to be listened to is paired with an offer to listen back.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the reciprocal nature of communication expressed by the poet, particularly the line about waiting for their turn to listen.

 

Answer The Following Questions:

 

Question 1. Discuss how you can be a good listener.
Answer: To be a good listener, we must pay attention to what a person is saying without interruption. We must only listen and not try to form replies and counter-arguments in our own mind. We must also nod and show correct expressions to encourage the speaker.
In simple words: Being a good listener means focusing fully on the speaker, avoiding interruptions or planning replies, and showing engagement through non-verbal cues.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize both active (paying attention, not interrupting) and passive (nodding, showing empathy) aspects of good listening in your answer.

 

Activities Based On Poetic Devices:

 

Question 1. The poet uses a free, conversational style in his poem. It is also called Colloquial style. Pick out and write down such lines or expressions that support the above statement.
Answer:
1. So please listen, and just hear me
2. And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn - and I will listen to you.
In simple words: The poem's conversational style is shown by direct pleas like "please listen" and the speaker's offer to reciprocate listening.

🎯 Exam Tip: Direct address, informal phrasing, and conversational reciprocity are strong indicators of a colloquial style in poetry.

 

Question 2. Comment upon the length of lines and the number of lines in each stanza.
Answer: There is no uniformity in the length of lines or the number of lines in each stanza. It appears as if the poem has first been written in prose and then broken up into separate lines.
In simple words: The poem lacks a consistent structure, with lines and stanzas varying in length, making it resemble broken-up prose rather than traditional poetry.

🎯 Exam Tip: The absence of consistent line length and stanza count is a hallmark of free verse, differentiating it from more structured poetic forms.

 

Point Format (For Understanding).

• Title: Please Listen!
• Poet: Unknown (anonymous)
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem is in free verse. Hence there is no rhyme scheme.
• Figure of Speech: Repetition. 'When I ask you to listen to me'. This line has been repeated in the poem for emphasis.
• Theme/Central idea: The poet tells us how he just wishes that people would listen to a person's problems silentiy, instead of giving advice.

The poet is confident that he will find out the reasons behind his irrational feelings and then he will be able to solve his problems by himself. He feels that prayers probably work because God just listens to us silently when we pray and then lets us work things out ourselves. Through the poem, the poet implies that we too should work things out ourselves when we are faced with difficulties or have some irrational feelings.

Paragraph Format.

The poem 'Please Listen!' is written by an unknown poet (anonymous).

The poem is in free verse. Hence there is no rhyme scheme. There are not many figures of speech. The important Figure of Speech is Repetition: 'When I ask you to listen to me'. This line has been repeated in the poem for emphasis.

The poet tells us how he just wishes that people would listen to a person's problems silently, instead of giving advice. The poet is confident that he will find out the reasons behind his irrational feelings and then he will be able to solve his problems by himself. He feels that prayers probably work because God just listens to us silently when we pray and then lets us work things out ourselves. Through the poem, the poet implies that we too should work things out ourselves when we are faced with difficulties or have some irrational feelings.

Vocabulary Focus.

 

Question 1. What is the difference between 'hear' and 'listen'?
Answer:
1. 'To hear' means to receive with the ear the sound made by someone or something; to be aware of some sound.
2. 'To listen' means to consciously give one's attention to a sound and try to understand it.
In simple words: 'Hearing' is a passive physical act of perceiving sound, while 'listening' is an active mental process of paying attention to understand the sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define the nuance between similar-sounding words, focusing on the intentionality and cognitive effort involved in each term.

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