Class 7 English Unit 5 NCERT Book - My Dear Soldiers

 Page 1


Bravehearts 199
m y d eAr SoldierS
Let us do these activities before we read.
 I Look around and identify the people who contribute to your life selflessly 
with a risk to their own lives. Share your answers with your classmates 
and the teacher. 
 II Work in pairs. Discuss at least three questions that you would like to ask 
the people identified in I.
Unit 5.indd   199 Unit 5.indd   199 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM
Page 2


Bravehearts 199
m y d eAr SoldierS
Let us do these activities before we read.
 I Look around and identify the people who contribute to your life selflessly 
with a risk to their own lives. Share your answers with your classmates 
and the teacher. 
 II Work in pairs. Discuss at least three questions that you would like to ask 
the people identified in I.
Unit 5.indd   199 Unit 5.indd   199 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM
Poorvi 200
 Let us read
Oh! Defenders of borders 
You are great sons of my land 
When we are all asleep 
You still hold on to your deed 
Windy season or snowy days 
Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays 
You are there guarding all the time awake 
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis 
Climbing the heights or striding the valleys 
Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes 
Surveillance in seas and by securing the air 
Prime of your youth given to the nation!! 
Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat 
We pray for you brave men!! 
May the Lord bless you all!!
a.P.j. a BDul KalaM
When the poet mentions ‘great 
sons’ he is actually referring 
to all the soldiers (men and 
women) serving the nation.
Note
Unit 5.indd   200 Unit 5.indd   200 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM
Page 3


Bravehearts 199
m y d eAr SoldierS
Let us do these activities before we read.
 I Look around and identify the people who contribute to your life selflessly 
with a risk to their own lives. Share your answers with your classmates 
and the teacher. 
 II Work in pairs. Discuss at least three questions that you would like to ask 
the people identified in I.
Unit 5.indd   199 Unit 5.indd   199 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM
Poorvi 200
 Let us read
Oh! Defenders of borders 
You are great sons of my land 
When we are all asleep 
You still hold on to your deed 
Windy season or snowy days 
Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays 
You are there guarding all the time awake 
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis 
Climbing the heights or striding the valleys 
Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes 
Surveillance in seas and by securing the air 
Prime of your youth given to the nation!! 
Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat 
We pray for you brave men!! 
May the Lord bless you all!!
a.P.j. a BDul KalaM
When the poet mentions ‘great 
sons’ he is actually referring 
to all the soldiers (men and 
women) serving the nation.
Note
Unit 5.indd   200 Unit 5.indd   200 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM
Bravehearts 201
Let us discuss
 I Complete the summary with an exact word from the poem. An example 
has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the 
teacher. 
  The poem is a tribute to the soldiers of the 1. land who defend 
the 2. _______________ of their country. It highlights their untiring 
commitment and sacrifices as they guard the nation. The soldiers 
remain vigilant and dedicated, whether it’s windy, snowy, or  
3. _______________ hot. They walk on 4. _______________ stretches of 
land like the yogis. Their duty takes them to different terrains, 
including mountains, valleys, 5. _______________, and marshes.  
The poet acknowledges that they have given a major part of their 
6. _______________ to protect the nation. The poet says the wind 
chimes show their respect to the soldiers’ 7. _______________. The poet 
concludes with prayers for their well-being and blessings.
 II Select the correct option for the following questions. 
 1. The theme of the poem is _______. 
  (i) patriotism and sacrifice
  (ii) heroism and awareness
  (iii) nature and hardship
  (iv) seasons and terrains
 2. The tone of the poem is _______.
 (i) admiring (ii) sad (iii) respectful
 (iv) grateful (v) prayerful
 A. Only (v) B. (i) and (iii) 
 C. (ii), (iii) and (v) D.  (i), (iii), (iv) and (v)
 III Complete the following sentences by explaining why the poet has used 
the following poetic devices. 
 1. Imagery because ___________________________________________________.
 2. Simile because the soldiers are likened to __________________________.
 3. Metaphor because the poet uses wind chimes ______________________.
 4. Repetition of the words ‘you’ and ‘we’ because _____________________. 
 5. Alliteration such as ‘season or snowy’ and _________________________ 
to create _____________________. 
Unit 5.indd   201 Unit 5.indd   201 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM
Page 4


Bravehearts 199
m y d eAr SoldierS
Let us do these activities before we read.
 I Look around and identify the people who contribute to your life selflessly 
with a risk to their own lives. Share your answers with your classmates 
and the teacher. 
 II Work in pairs. Discuss at least three questions that you would like to ask 
the people identified in I.
Unit 5.indd   199 Unit 5.indd   199 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM
Poorvi 200
 Let us read
Oh! Defenders of borders 
You are great sons of my land 
When we are all asleep 
You still hold on to your deed 
Windy season or snowy days 
Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays 
You are there guarding all the time awake 
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis 
Climbing the heights or striding the valleys 
Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes 
Surveillance in seas and by securing the air 
Prime of your youth given to the nation!! 
Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat 
We pray for you brave men!! 
May the Lord bless you all!!
a.P.j. a BDul KalaM
When the poet mentions ‘great 
sons’ he is actually referring 
to all the soldiers (men and 
women) serving the nation.
Note
Unit 5.indd   200 Unit 5.indd   200 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM
Bravehearts 201
Let us discuss
 I Complete the summary with an exact word from the poem. An example 
has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the 
teacher. 
  The poem is a tribute to the soldiers of the 1. land who defend 
the 2. _______________ of their country. It highlights their untiring 
commitment and sacrifices as they guard the nation. The soldiers 
remain vigilant and dedicated, whether it’s windy, snowy, or  
3. _______________ hot. They walk on 4. _______________ stretches of 
land like the yogis. Their duty takes them to different terrains, 
including mountains, valleys, 5. _______________, and marshes.  
The poet acknowledges that they have given a major part of their 
6. _______________ to protect the nation. The poet says the wind 
chimes show their respect to the soldiers’ 7. _______________. The poet 
concludes with prayers for their well-being and blessings.
 II Select the correct option for the following questions. 
 1. The theme of the poem is _______. 
  (i) patriotism and sacrifice
  (ii) heroism and awareness
  (iii) nature and hardship
  (iv) seasons and terrains
 2. The tone of the poem is _______.
 (i) admiring (ii) sad (iii) respectful
 (iv) grateful (v) prayerful
 A. Only (v) B. (i) and (iii) 
 C. (ii), (iii) and (v) D.  (i), (iii), (iv) and (v)
 III Complete the following sentences by explaining why the poet has used 
the following poetic devices. 
 1. Imagery because ___________________________________________________.
 2. Simile because the soldiers are likened to __________________________.
 3. Metaphor because the poet uses wind chimes ______________________.
 4. Repetition of the words ‘you’ and ‘we’ because _____________________. 
 5. Alliteration such as ‘season or snowy’ and _________________________ 
to create _____________________. 
Unit 5.indd   201 Unit 5.indd   201 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM
Poorvi 	 Let 	us 	 think 	and 	reflect
 I Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
  When we are all asleep 
You still hold on to your deed 
Windy season or snowy days 
Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays 
You are there guarding all the time awake 
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis 
 1. Identify a set of opposite words from the extract.
 2. Complete the sentence appropriately.
  The phrase ‘still hold on to your deed’ refers to the soldier’s attitude 
of ______________________. 
 3. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
  The soldiers walk across the deserted stretches of land. 
 4. Give evidence from the extract to show that soldiers face harsh 
weather conditions.
 5. Which quality of the soldiers is highlighted in this extract?
 (i) modesty (ii) optimism (iii) simplicity (iv) dedication
 II Answer the following questions.
 1. Who is the speaker of this poem? How can you say so?
 2. How is the theme of the poem conveyed through imagery? Support 
your answer with examples from the poem.
 3. How does the poet highlight the commitment of the soldiers? Provide 
examples from the poem to support your answer.
 4. What is the significance of the line ‘Prime of your youth given to the 
nation!!’ with reference to sacrifice and service?
 5. The poem ends with a prayer for the soldiers’ well-being and 
blessings. Why is it important for each one of us to pray for the well-
being of soldiers?
 Let us learn
 I The poem mentions a few terrains (physical features of land)—valleys, 
deserts, and marshes. Identify the terrains from the box given below. 
There are two that you do not need. 
202
Unit 5.indd   202 Unit 5.indd   202 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM
Page 5


Bravehearts 199
m y d eAr SoldierS
Let us do these activities before we read.
 I Look around and identify the people who contribute to your life selflessly 
with a risk to their own lives. Share your answers with your classmates 
and the teacher. 
 II Work in pairs. Discuss at least three questions that you would like to ask 
the people identified in I.
Unit 5.indd   199 Unit 5.indd   199 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:05 PM
Poorvi 200
 Let us read
Oh! Defenders of borders 
You are great sons of my land 
When we are all asleep 
You still hold on to your deed 
Windy season or snowy days 
Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays 
You are there guarding all the time awake 
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis 
Climbing the heights or striding the valleys 
Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes 
Surveillance in seas and by securing the air 
Prime of your youth given to the nation!! 
Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat 
We pray for you brave men!! 
May the Lord bless you all!!
a.P.j. a BDul KalaM
When the poet mentions ‘great 
sons’ he is actually referring 
to all the soldiers (men and 
women) serving the nation.
Note
Unit 5.indd   200 Unit 5.indd   200 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:08 PM
Bravehearts 201
Let us discuss
 I Complete the summary with an exact word from the poem. An example 
has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the 
teacher. 
  The poem is a tribute to the soldiers of the 1. land who defend 
the 2. _______________ of their country. It highlights their untiring 
commitment and sacrifices as they guard the nation. The soldiers 
remain vigilant and dedicated, whether it’s windy, snowy, or  
3. _______________ hot. They walk on 4. _______________ stretches of 
land like the yogis. Their duty takes them to different terrains, 
including mountains, valleys, 5. _______________, and marshes.  
The poet acknowledges that they have given a major part of their 
6. _______________ to protect the nation. The poet says the wind 
chimes show their respect to the soldiers’ 7. _______________. The poet 
concludes with prayers for their well-being and blessings.
 II Select the correct option for the following questions. 
 1. The theme of the poem is _______. 
  (i) patriotism and sacrifice
  (ii) heroism and awareness
  (iii) nature and hardship
  (iv) seasons and terrains
 2. The tone of the poem is _______.
 (i) admiring (ii) sad (iii) respectful
 (iv) grateful (v) prayerful
 A. Only (v) B. (i) and (iii) 
 C. (ii), (iii) and (v) D.  (i), (iii), (iv) and (v)
 III Complete the following sentences by explaining why the poet has used 
the following poetic devices. 
 1. Imagery because ___________________________________________________.
 2. Simile because the soldiers are likened to __________________________.
 3. Metaphor because the poet uses wind chimes ______________________.
 4. Repetition of the words ‘you’ and ‘we’ because _____________________. 
 5. Alliteration such as ‘season or snowy’ and _________________________ 
to create _____________________. 
Unit 5.indd   201 Unit 5.indd   201 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM
Poorvi 	 Let 	us 	 think 	and 	reflect
 I Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
  When we are all asleep 
You still hold on to your deed 
Windy season or snowy days 
Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays 
You are there guarding all the time awake 
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis 
 1. Identify a set of opposite words from the extract.
 2. Complete the sentence appropriately.
  The phrase ‘still hold on to your deed’ refers to the soldier’s attitude 
of ______________________. 
 3. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
  The soldiers walk across the deserted stretches of land. 
 4. Give evidence from the extract to show that soldiers face harsh 
weather conditions.
 5. Which quality of the soldiers is highlighted in this extract?
 (i) modesty (ii) optimism (iii) simplicity (iv) dedication
 II Answer the following questions.
 1. Who is the speaker of this poem? How can you say so?
 2. How is the theme of the poem conveyed through imagery? Support 
your answer with examples from the poem.
 3. How does the poet highlight the commitment of the soldiers? Provide 
examples from the poem to support your answer.
 4. What is the significance of the line ‘Prime of your youth given to the 
nation!!’ with reference to sacrifice and service?
 5. The poem ends with a prayer for the soldiers’ well-being and 
blessings. Why is it important for each one of us to pray for the well-
being of soldiers?
 Let us learn
 I The poem mentions a few terrains (physical features of land)—valleys, 
deserts, and marshes. Identify the terrains from the box given below. 
There are two that you do not need. 
202
Unit 5.indd   202 Unit 5.indd   202 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:09 PM
203
 ghats river plateau delta bay peninsula mountains
 II Study the following phrases from the poem.
 • treading the lonely expanses • climbing the heights
 • scorching sun
  Such phrases are word pairs that come together in combinations and are 
called collocations. 
Collocations are specific word pairings in English. They refer to the 
way certain words frequently appear together with others.
  Fill in the blanks by choosing the words given in the brackets that 
collocate appropriately. 
 1. The hikers reached the ____________ (summit/peak) of the mountain 
after several days of trekking through challenging conditions.
 2. The ____________ (empty/barren) landscape of the desert made it 
nearly impossible to find any water sources.
 3. In the rainforest, the ____________ (heavy/dense) forest provides a 
habitat for a diverse range of wildlife.
 4. Chitra is a very ____________ (heroic/adventurous) person and enjoys 
mountain climbing.
 5. I’ll try to get back in time, but I'm not ____________ (doing/making) any 
promises.
 Let us listen
 I Think and complete the poem titled ‘A Soldier’s 
Pride’, given below. (Transcript for the teacher on  
pg. 224)
  In fields so vast, our soldiers stand, 
With hearts so brave, and firm 1. ______________, 
They guard our land both night and 2. ______________, 
To keep our fears and foes at bay.
  With every dawn and setting 3. ______________, 
Their duty calls, it must be done, 
Through 4. ______________ skies and blazing heat, 
They 5. ______________ along with steady feet.
Bra Vehearts Unit 5.indd   203 Unit 5.indd   203 06-Mar-25   2:50:11 PM 06-Mar-25   2:50:11 PM