Class 7 English Unit 4 Short and Long Answer Questions - Travel

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What does the speaker hear during the day despite the noisy voices?
Ans: Despite the noisy voices during the day, the speaker imagines hearing the shrieking whistle of a train. Even though the railroad track is miles away and no train passes nearby, the sharp, exciting sound captures their attention, reflecting their fascination with trains and travel.

Q2: What does the speaker see in their imagination at night?
Ans: At night, the speaker imagines seeing the red cinders of a train glowing against the sky. Despite the quiet meant for sleep and dreaming, these sparks from the train’s engine light up their mind, showing their restless thoughts of trains and the adventures they represent.

Q3: What sound does the speaker associate with the train at night?
Ans: The speaker associates the sound of the train’s engine steaming with the train at night. They imagine hearing the puffing steam, a lively sound that keeps the idea of the train’s movement and energy alive in their mind, even in the stillness of the night.

Q4: How does the speaker feel about their friends?
Ans: The speaker feels warmly affectionate toward their friends, describing their heart as “warm” with love and saying they couldn’t find better friends. This shows deep appreciation and happiness for the close connections they’ve made, despite their longing for travel.

Q5: Why would the speaker take any train?
Ans: The speaker would take any train, no matter where it’s going, because of their strong love for adventure and exploration. Their restless spirit and excitement for new experiences outweigh their ties to friends, showing a desire to embrace the unknown through travel.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: How does the speaker’s imagination bring trains to life in the poem, and what does this reveal about their love for travel?
Ans: The speaker’s imagination makes trains feel real, even when there are no trains nearby. This shows how much they love travel and how often they think about it. In the middle of a noisy day, even though the railway is far away, the speaker imagines hearing a train’s loud whistle, showing how their mind is full of thoughts about trains. At night, when everything is quiet and people are sleeping, they imagine glowing red sparks and the sound of the train’s steam, painting a lively picture of a moving train. These imagined sights and sounds—like whistles, sparks, and steam—make the train feel like it’s always with the speaker. This shows that they are full of energy and always dreaming of new places. The poem reminds us that having a strong curiosity and love for adventure can make life more exciting. The speaker’s thoughts show a wish to go beyond the familiar and explore the unknown, encouraging readers to be curious too.

Q2: Why does the speaker mention the noisy day and quiet night, and how do these settings enhance the poem’s theme of adventure?
Ans: The speaker talks about the noisy day and quiet night to show how their love for trains and travel is always with them, no matter the time. During the busy, loud day filled with people talking, they still imagine the train’s sharp whistle, showing how strong their fascination is. At night, when everything is calm and people are supposed to be asleep, they picture glowing sparks and hear the train’s steam, proving that their excitement for travel doesn’t go away—even in silence. This contrast between day and night shows that their dream of adventure is constant and powerful. The poem uses this idea to share its message: a deep love for exploring can live alongside everyday life and friendships. By showing the speaker’s train dreams in both noisy and quiet times, the poem encourages readers to stay connected to their passions, even during normal daily moments.

Q3: How does the speaker balance their love for friends with their desire to travel in the poem?
Ans: The speaker shows how they balance their love for friends with their desire to travel by expressing deep affection for their companions while also admitting to an overwhelming urge to explore. In the final stanza, the speaker describes their heart as “warm” with love for their friends, stressing how important these relationships are. However, they quickly reveal that they would take any train, no matter where it’s going, showing their strong pull toward adventure that sometimes competes with their connections to others. This contrast highlights the idea that while the speaker values their friendships, the call to explore and experience the unknown is even stronger. The poem’s message—suggesting that adventure and strong connections can coexist—encourages readers to embrace both love and exploration in their lives. The speaker’s honesty encourages people to find a balance between personal bonds and the pursuit of new experiences.

Q4: What role does the imagery of trains play in conveying the speaker’s adventurous spirit?
Ans: The imagery of trains plays a key role in showing the speaker’s adventurous spirit by bringing to life the energy, movement, and appeal of travel, making their desire for exploration feel real. The “shrieking” whistle during the day cuts through the noise, representing the call of adventure that captures the speaker’s attention. At night, the glowing “red cinders” and the “steaming” engine paint a lively, almost magical image of a train in motion, full of life and possibilities, sparking the speaker’s imagination even in quiet moments. These details—whistles, sparks, and steam—are more than just sensory images; they represent freedom and the unknown, reflecting the speaker’s restless desire to travel anywhere, “no matter where it’s going.” This vibrant train imagery, set against the ordinary day and peaceful night, highlights the speaker’s longing to explore, tying in with the poem’s message of embracing curiosity and new experiences. The trains’ lively presence in the speaker’s thoughts encourages readers to feel the same excitement for adventure and to celebrate the journey itself.

Q5: What lessons about following one’s passions can we learn from the speaker’s longing for travel in the poem?
Ans: The speaker’s longing for travel in the poem teaches valuable lessons about following one’s passions, showing that pursuing what excites you can lead to a more fulfilling life, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. The speaker’s obsession with trains—imagining their shrieking whistles during the day and red cinders at night—reveals how their love for travel dominates their thoughts, overshadowing daily distractions and quiet moments. Their willingness to board “any train, no matter where it’s going,” despite their strong affection for friends, emphasizes the power of this passion, suggesting that true happiness comes from embracing what excites you. The poem encourages openness to new experiences, as the speaker’s restless desire to explore proves that following a passion like travel can bring joy and growth, even if it leads to the unknown. By balancing their love for friends with a desire to explore, the speaker shows that passions can coexist with other important aspects of life, motivating readers to follow their dreams with courage and enthusiasm, knowing that these pursuits will add excitement and possibility to their lives.