Class 7 English Unit 5 Short and Long Answer Questions - My Dear Soldiers

Short Answer Questions

Q1: How does the poet describe soldiers in the first stanza?
Ans: In the first stanza, the poet describes soldiers as "Defenders of borders" and "great sons of my land," highlighting their role as protectors of the nation’s boundaries. The poet notes that while people sleep, soldiers remain vigilant, committed to their duty, emphasizing their sacrifice and dedication.

Q2: What harsh conditions do soldiers face according to the second stanza?
Ans: According to the second stanza, soldiers face harsh conditions like windy seasons, snowy days, and the scorching sun’s sweltering rays. Despite these challenges, they stay awake, guarding the nation and patrolling lonely expanses, showing their resilience and determination.

Q3: What different terrains do soldiers protect in the third stanza?
Ans: In the third stanza, soldiers protect diverse terrains including mountains (climbing heights), valleys (striding lowlands), deserts, marshes, seas (through surveillance), and air (securing airspace). This shows their extensive efforts to safeguard the nation across varied landscapes.

Q4: What does the poet compare soldiers to in the second stanza, and why?
Ans: In the second stanza, the poet compares soldiers to "yogis," spiritual seekers who walk alone with focus. This comparison highlights soldiers’ determination and strength as they tread lonely expanses, enduring harsh conditions with discipline and purpose, similar to a yogi’s solitary, dedicated path.

Q5: What does the poet pray for in the final stanza?
Ans: In the final stanza, the poet prays for the safety and well-being of the soldiers, asking that "the Lord bless you all." This reflects gratitude and admiration for their brave actions, symbolised by the nation’s "wind chimes" vibrating with pride for their feats.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: How does the poet convey the sacrifices made by soldiers in the poem, and what impact does this have on the reader?
Ans: The poet shows the sacrifices of soldiers through strong and clear descriptions of their hard work and the tough conditions they face. In the first stanza, soldiers are called "Defenders of Borders" and stay awake while others sleep, showing their selfless duty. The second stanza explains how they face extreme weather—wind, snow, and heat—walking alone like yogis, which makes us respect their strength and patience. In the third stanza, the poet shows that soldiers work in many places like mountains, deserts, seas, and even in the sky, giving up the best years of their life for the country. The last stanza talks about "wind chimes" that sing of their bravery and ends with a prayer for their safety. This poem helps readers feel thankful and proud of the soldiers, reminding us to value their courage and sacrifices for our freedom.

Q2: Why does the poet compare soldiers to yogis in the second stanza, and how does this enhance the poem’s message?
Ans: The poet compares soldiers to yogis in the second stanza to show their discipline, focus, and strength in lonely places. Yogis are people who live simply and stay alone to focus on a higher goal. In the same way, soldiers quietly protect the country in tough weather like wind, snow, and heat, without complaining. This comparison shows that a soldier’s work is not just a duty—it is like a spiritual mission. It helps readers understand how strong and dedicated soldiers are, and makes us respect them even more. The poet wants us to be thankful for their hard work and pray for their safety.

Q3: How does the third stanza illustrate the diverse roles of soldiers in protecting the nation?
Ans: The third stanza shows that soldiers work in many different places to keep the country safe. The poet says they climb mountains and walk through valleys, which means they protect both high and low areas. They also guard hot deserts and wet marshes, showing they can handle all kinds of tough weather. Soldiers watch over the seas and skies too, keeping India safe from every side—on land, in water, and in the air. The poet says they give the “prime of their youth” to the country, meaning they spend their best years protecting us. This stanza reminds us how hard soldiers work in many places and makes us respect their great sacrifice even more.

Q4: What role does the imagery in the poem play in expressing gratitude for soldiers’ service?
Ans: The poem uses strong images to help us feel thankful for soldiers and understand their bravery. In the first stanza, we imagine soldiers staying awake to protect us while we sleep, which makes us feel grateful for their hard work. The second stanza shows them walking through wind, snow, and heat, like calm and focused yogis, helping us respect their strength and quiet courage. The third stanza takes us to mountains, deserts, seas, and skies where soldiers work, showing how much they do for our safety. In the last stanza, the poet says the "wind chimes of my land" sing about the soldiers’ bravery, and he prays for their safety. These pictures in the poem help us clearly see what soldiers go through and remind us to honour and thank them for protecting our country.

Q5: What lessons about gratitude and respect can we learn from the poem’s tribute to soldiers?
Ans: The poem teaches us to feel thankful and respectful toward soldiers who protect our country. It shows how soldiers stay awake while others sleep, facing tough weather like snow and heat, and walking alone in far-off places. In the third stanza, the poet explains how they work in many areas—mountains, deserts, seas, and even the air—giving up the best years of their lives to keep us safe. The final stanza talks about “wind chimes” that sing of their bravery, and the poet prays for their safety. The comparison of soldiers to yogis shows their quiet strength and focus. The poem’s main message is that we should honour soldiers’ sacrifices by remembering them, praying for them, and showing respect in our actions. It reminds us that our freedom has come through their hard work and courage, and we must keep their memory alive.