NCERT Solutions: A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers

Table of Contents
1.  Let us do these activities before we read (Page 180)
2. Let us discuss (Page 187)
3. Let us discuss (Page 191)
4. Let us think and reflect (Page 192)
5. Let us learn (Page 194)
6. Let us write (Page 198)
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 Let us do these activities before we read (Page 180)

QI: Homage means 'something that is said or done to show respect publicly for someone'. Whom should every Indian pay homage to? Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Ans: Every Indian should pay homage to soldiers because they protect our country and sometimes sacrifice their lives for our freedom. Paying homage shows respect and gratitude for their service and the dangers they face to keep us safe.

QII: Work in pairs to complete the table by writing any three ways in which we can celebrate the victories and honour the sacrifices of the soldiers. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Ans:

Let us discuss (Page 187)

QI: Complete the table given below. An example has been done for you. Check your answers with the teacher.

Ans:

QII: Find the paragraph(s) and sentences in the text that evoke the feelings given below.
1: feeling of wonder
Ans: "We were awestruck and humbled by his bravery." (Page 182)

2: heartening
Ans: "It was heartening to know that our government has recognised the sacrifice of brave soldiers." (Page 181)

3: sense of motivation
Ans: "It touched my heart and also motivated me." (Page 182)

4: pride
Ans: "It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation." (Page 183)

5: visually inspiring
Ans: "The overall environment created an emotive experience that was visually inspiring." (Page 185)

6: sadness
Ans: "It was sad to think about the massive devastation and loss of life caused by wars." (Page 185)

7: gratitude
Ans: "In my view, it is also an expression of deep gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country." (Page 188)

8: inspiration
Ans: "I am inspired by your letter!" (Page 191)

QIII: Which is India's highest gallantry award?
Ans: India's highest gallantry award is the Param Vir Chakra.

QIV: How would Ananda feel after reading this letter?
Ans: Ananda would feel inspired and motivated to join the Armed Forces and visit the National War Memorial.

QV: Do you think Soumya enjoyed writing this letter? Why or why not?
Ans: Yes, Soumya enjoyed writing the letter because she was excited to share her inspiring experience and felt proud while writing about the soldiers.

Let us discuss (Page 191)

QI: Why was Ananda reminded of the poem 'Pushp ki Abhilasha'?
Ans: Ananda was reminded of the poem 'Pushp ki Abhilasha' because she saw people offering flowers to soldiers at the Chandigarh War Memorial, which is similar to the flower's wish in the poem to be offered to brave soldiers.

QII: How does Soumya's letter help Ananda in pursuing her hobby?
Ans: Soumya's letter helps Ananda pursue her hobby of stamp collecting because the envelope has a beautiful stamp celebrating India's independence. Ananda can add this stamp to her collection and learn more about philately.

QIII: Ananda is inspired to act after reading the letter from Soumya. What actions does she intend to take up? Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text.

Ans:

Let us think and reflect (Page 192)

QI. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. You can see the obelisk surrounded by wreaths that have been placed as a mark of respect. The lighting design is planned in such a way that it transforms the monument's landscape as sunlight changes from dawn to dusk. It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation. I was also overwhelmed by the interminable flame as a metaphor for eternal stories of courage and valour.

(i): Complete the analogy with a word from the extract. flame: valour :: wreath:
Ans: flame: valour :: wreath: respect

(ii): How does the lighting design make the monument visually appealing?
Ans: The lighting design makes the monument visually appealing by changing how different parts of the memorial look as sunlight moves from dawn to dusk, highlighting features at different times and creating a majestic atmosphere.

(iii): State whether the following sentence is a fact or an opinion. It truly is a majestic site...
Ans: It is an opinion because it expresses the writer's personal feeling about the site rather than an objective statement that can be proved true or false.

(iv): What does the everlasting flame suggest?
Ans: The everlasting flame suggests eternal stories of courage and valour, implying that the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers will be remembered forever.

(v): Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. The tone of the writer in this extract is _____
A. modest 
B. light-hearted 
C. admiring 
D. nostalgic
Ans: (C)
Explanation: The writer uses admiring words such as "majestic", "filled me with pride" and "overwhelmed", which show respect and admiration for the memorial.

2. I was happy to hear that you got an opportunity to visit the National War Memorial. I have heard a lot about it. Some people might see a war memorial as just a monument, statue, an edifice to celebrate a war or victory and commemorate those who sacrificed their lives or got injured in the war. In my view, it is also an expression of deep gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

(i): Choose a line from the extract which shows that Ananda was aware about the National War Memorial.
Ans: "I have heard a lot about it."

(ii): What might be the most likely reason for people to consider a war memorial as a monument?
Ans: People consider a war memorial as a monument because it is a visible statue or structure built to honour war heroes and to mark victories or sacrifices.

(iii): Fill in the blank with a suitable word from the extract. We conduct special competitions at school to _________ our Independence day.
Ans: We conduct special competitions at school to commemorate our Independence day.

(iv): Select a phrase from the extract showing that Ananda is expressing an opinion.
Ans: "In my view"

(v): Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Ananda refers to the sacrifice of soldiers as 'supreme' sacrifice because ________.
Ans: Ananda refers to the sacrifice of soldiers as 'supreme' sacrifice because they give their lives to protect the country's freedom and safety.

QII. Answer the following questions.

1: What is the significance of the National War Memorial?
Ans: The National War Memorial is important because it honours the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for India's freedom and safety. It reminds citizens of the cost of freedom and helps people, especially young visitors, learn about and respect the bravery of those who served.

2: Lance Naik Albert Ekka is an example of selflessness, determination, and exceptional courage. Elaborate.
Ans: Lance Naik Albert Ekka showed selflessness by risking his life to save his comrades, determination by continuing to fight even after being seriously wounded, and exceptional courage by attacking enemy positions during the 1971 war. His actions saved others and he was honoured for his bravery.

3: Explain how the National War Memorial and Museum app will be helpful in spreading awareness about war heroes.
Ans: The app spreads awareness by giving information about war heroes in 21 languages, showing their stories through murals and displays, and offering interactive answers to visitors' questions. This makes stories of bravery accessible to many people of different ages and language backgrounds.

4: Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?
Ans: It is our duty to pay homage to brave soldiers because they put their lives on the line to protect our nation and its people. Honouring them shows respect for their sacrifice and keeps their memory alive for future generations.

5: What is the main idea of this text? How does it justify the title, 'A Homage to our Brave Soldiers'?
Ans: The main idea is to honour and remember the sacrifices of soldiers who protect India. The title is justified because the text describes the National War Memorial, stories of bravery and the ways people pay respect, all of which together form a tribute to our soldiers.

6: Why were the students awestruck and humbled? Explain in your own words.
Ans: The students were awestruck and humbled because they learned about Lance Naik Albert Ekka's brave acts during the 1971 war, where he fought courageously and sacrificed his life for his comrades. Hearing such selfless deeds made the students feel deep respect and humility.

Let us learn (Page 194)

Study the following words taken from the text.
disregard, inconsequential, immortal, undaunted

These words are made by adding word beginnings like dis-, in-, im- and un- to the root words regard, consequence, mortal, and daunt, respectively. Such word beginnings are called prefixes.

• dis-+regard
• in-+consequential
• im-+mortal 
• un-+daunted

QI: Match the prefixes with their meanings and the root words to create a new word in the table given below. An example has been done for you.

Ans:

Now, complete the paragraph by using the new words created in the table.
Ans: Soldiers undergo (i) extraordinary training to prepare for their challenging duties. They learn to (ii) deactivate explosives and handle (iii) malfunctioning equipment with precision. They stand as a powerful force against (iv) antiservice elements, displaying (v) unquestionable bravery. (vi) ex-service members often share their experiences to inspire new recruits. Their service can continually (vii) redefine the essence of commitment and sacrifice.

QII: Find words associated with 'brave' by filling in the missing vowels in the boxes given below.

Ans:

QIII: Fill in the blanks with the correct opposite words of 'brave' from the box to complete the following sentences.

1. Ajay's ____________ refusal to stand up for his friend was disappointing to everyone.
2. The ____________ child hid behind his mother, too scared to meet the new teacher.
3. Anjali's ____________ of heights prevented her from climbing the tall ladder.
4. Sushma felt ____________ as she entered the dark, abandoned building alone.

Ans:

1. Ajay's cowardly refusal to stand up for his friend was disappointing to everyone.
2. The child hid behind his mother, too timid to meet the new teacher.
3. Anjali's fear of heights prevented her from climbing the tall ladder.
4. Sushma felt scared as she entered the dark, abandoned building alone.

QIV: Read the following sentences from the text and divide them into two parts. An example has been done for you.
1:I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the army!
Part 1: I aspire to be courageous like him
Part 2: when I join the army!

2: They exchange letters and share their feelings of gratitude for the freedom they enjoy because of the sacrifices made by the bravehearts of the country.
Part 1: They exchange letters and share their feelings of gratitude
Part 2: for the freedom they enjoy because of the sacrifices made by the bravehearts of the country

3: Though seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight alongside his comrades.
Part 1: Though seriously wounded in this encounter
Part 2: he continued to fight alongside his comrades

4: The sacrifices of the soldiers make monuments like the National War Memorial extremely important so that we should never forget the cost of freedom.
Part 1: The sacrifices of the soldiers make monuments like the National War Memorial extremely important
Part 2: so that we should never forget the cost of freedom

QV: Combine the following pairs of sentences using suitable subordinating conjunctions given in the box below.

1. Wasi burst into tears. He heard the good news.
2. Himani was very nervous. She delivered a great presentation.
3. This is the place. I was born.
4. The students performed very well. They studied diligently.
5. Water the plants. They will die.

Ans:

1. Wasi burst into tears when he heard the good news.
2. Himani was very nervous though she delivered a great presentation.
3. This is the place where I was born.
4. The students performed very well because they studied diligently.
5. Unless you water the plants, they will die.

QVI: Complete the following sentences with suitable main clause or subordinate clause.
Ans:

1. Farheen was late to work because she missed the bus.
2. The dog started barking when a stranger came to the door.
3. She completed the marathon although she was very tired.
4. They saw a beautiful sunset while they were hiking in the mountains.
5. Abhishek received a promotion after working hard for two years.
6. They finished the project before the deadline approached.
7. We waited in the car until the rain stopped.
8. The children played happily as the waves rushed to the shore.

Let us write (Page 198)

Q: You have read about the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces during war. However, the Armed Forces also play a key role during peace time. Write a letter to your friend sharing how the Armed Forces contribute their services during the times of natural calamities (floods, earthquakes, etc.), infrastructure development (building bridges in remote areas, etc.) and for welfare initiatives (medical camps, establishment of libraries, etc.)

House No. 45, Sector 10
Chandigarh
05 May 2025

Dear Priya,

I hope you are doing well! I recently learned how our Armed Forces help during peacetime, and I wanted to share this with you. During natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, they rescue people, provide food and temporary shelter and offer medical help. They also build bridges and improve roads in remote areas so people can reach markets and hospitals more easily. Additionally, they organise medical camps and set up libraries and other welfare projects to support local communities.

I feel so proud of them! What do you think? Write back soon.

Your friend,
Ananda