The Wonderful Words Poem: NCERT 6th CBSE Honeysuckle English Chapter 16
All people think as well as speak. It is God’s special gift to man. Every person speaks at least one language to express his thoughts.
The poet advises us to master a language, at least, our mother tongue. We must not let a great or good thought die because we don’t know how to say it.
English is a wonderful and rich language. One can express one’s thoughts in this language effectively. What we need is to look for proper words to put forth our ideas clearly. It is wrong to think that there are no lovely thoughts left to be expressed.
Words are a wonderful medium to communicate. If you have some new and beautiful thing to say, everyone is willing to hear it.
Every thought is like a prisoner in our mind. We can set that idea free with the help of words. It is just possible that the thought may be marvelous.
1.
Never let a thought shrivel and die
For want of a way to Say it
For English is a wonderful game
And all of you Can play it.
All that you do is match the words
To the brightest thoughts in your head
So that they come out clear and true
And handsomely groomed and fed –
For many of the loveliest things
Have never Jet been Said.
Questions: Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:
1. The poet asks us to think and find proper words to…
- express our ideas clearly
- write a beautiful essay
- speak fluently
- reply the questions
2. How is English a wonderful game?
- It is liked by all
- It is rich in vocabulary
- It encourages people to express themselves
- It is, easily spoken
3. How can we play the game of words?
- By dividing the children into several groups
- By using our presence of mind and talent
- By looking for suitable words / phrases to express our ideas
- By learning more and more English words.
4. According to the poet, a lot is left unsaid because of…
- man’s slackness
- lack of knowledge
- lack of courage
- lack of expression
5. What does the word ‘groomed’ here mean?
- Made meaningful
- Polished
- Prepared
- Combed
Аnswer:
- (a)
- (b)
- (c)
- (d)
- (b)
2.
Words are the food and dress of thought
They give it its body and Suing
And everyone’s longing today to hear
Some fresh and beautiful thing
But only words can free a thought
From its prison behind your eyes
May be your mind is holding now
A marvelous new surprise.
Question: Read the following questions and choose the most appropriate option from the ones given below:
1. How are words related to ideas?
- Both words and ideas play important role in life
- Without ideas words are meaningless
- Every thought / idea is expressed in words
- With the increase in vocabulary our ideas increase
2. What are the people always eager to hear?
- A good speaker
- A good story
- A good leader
- Devotional songs
3. How are thoughts like prisoners?
- Thoughts are dependent on words
- Thoughts are shut-up in the prison house of the mind
- Thoughts cannot be expressed
- Thoughts always remain hidden
4. What can liberate thoughts from the prison?
- Proper guidance
- Thinking habit
- Proper words
- Good listeners
5. What does the word “marvelous” mean?
- Very good
- Very dull
- Very naughty
- Very laborious
Аnswer:
- (3)
- (1)
- (2)
- (3)
- (1)
Questions: With your partner, complete the following sentences in your own words using the ideas in the poem.
Do not let a thought shrivel and die because ________________.
English is a _______________ with words that everyone can play.
One has to match _________________ .
Words are the _______________ of thought.
Аnswer:
- you don’t know how to say it.
- wonderful game.
- the words to the brightest thoughts in one’s head.
- food and dress.
Question: In groups of four discuss the following lines and their meanings.
- All that you do is match the words
To the brightest thoughts in your head - For many of the loveliest things
Have never yet been said - And everyone’s longing today to hear.
Some fresh and beautiful thing - But only words can free a thought.
From its prison behind your eyes
Аnswer:
- You need to look for proper and accurate words to convey your thoughts beautifully.
- It is wrong to think that all that was worth saying has already been said earlier. There are numerous lovely things waiting to be said.
- If you have got some original and striking thing to say, you will find thousands of eager listeners.
- Mind is a treasure house of wonderful ideas and plans. They are like captives in your head. Only proper words can liberate those thoughts from the prison.
The Wonderful Words Poem – Question: What does the poet tell you about the world of words? Do you agree with him?
The Wonderful Words Poem – Аnswer: Words are wonderful means of communication with their use. We express our thoughts and feelings while speaking or writing English. You try to match the words to the thoughts in your head. Words are the food and dress of thought. They allow your thought to move out freely from the prison of mind. And there is no dearth of wonderful new ideas.
The Wonderful Words Poem – Question: Why does Mary O’ Neill call English “a wonderful game”?
The Wonderful Words Poem – Аnswer: Mary calls English a wonderful game because it is so interesting to find right words to put your thoughts properly and correctly. Mind is a factory for your lovely thoughts. You can free them from the prison of your mind through words. You can also dress them decently to impress the listener. Just possible your new idea may take the world by surprise.