Revision Poem 'Keeping Quiet' Class XII MCQs

Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract

A. For once on the face of the Earth

let’s not speak in any language,

let’s stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.

i The poet uses the word “let’s” to _______

a) initiate a conversation between the poet and the readers.

b) invite readers as part of the poem’s larger call to humanity.

c) welcome readers into the world of the poem and its subject.

d) address readers as fellow members of the human race.

ii Margaret Atwood said, “Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be

whole.”

Choose the option that correctly comments on the relationship between

Margaret Atwood’s words and the line from the above extract – “let’s not

speak in any language”

a) Atwood endorses Neruda’s call to not speak in any language.

b) Atwood justifies Neruda’s request to not engage in any speaking.

c) Atwood undermines Neruda’s intent to stop and not speak in any

language.

d) Atwood surrenders to Neruda’s desire for silence and not speak in any

language.

iii Why do you think the poet employs words like “exotic” and “strangeness”?

a) To highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for once.

b) To emphasize the frenetic activity and chaos that usually envelops human

life.

c) To indicate the unfamiliarity of a sudden moment without rush or without

engine.

d) To direct us towards keeping quiet and how we would all be together in

that silence.

iv Choose the option that correctly matches the idioms given in Column A with

their meanings in Column B.

      Column A                                                            Column B

1. On the face of the earth                           (i) In existence

2. What on earth                                          (ii) To do all possible to accomplish

                                                                             something

3. Move heaven and earth                           (iii) To express surprise or shock

4. The salt of the earth                                   (iv) To be good and worthy 

a) 1 – (i); 2 – (iv); 3 – (iii); 4 – (ii)

b) 1 – (i); 2 – (iii); 3 – (ii); 4 – (iv)

c) 1 – (ii); 2 – (i); 3 – (iv); 4 – (iii)

d) 1 – (iv); 2 – (ii); 3 – (iii); 4 – (i)

B If we were not so single-minded

about keeping our lives moving,

and for once could do nothing,

perhaps a huge silence

might interrupt this sadness

of never understanding ourselves

and of threatening ourselves with

death.

i Choose the word  to which the above extract can be seen as an appropriate response.

a. meditating

b.celebrating

c.  inactive

d. rushing

ii What do you think is the mood of the poet in the above extract?

a) gloomy, cynical

b) reflective, inspired

c) introspective, aware

d) critical, demotivated

iii Pick the option that DOES NOT complete the given sentence suitably, as

per the extract.

Threatening ourselves with death __________

a) feeds on the fear of death.

b) challenges finiteness of life.

c) keeps us rushing through life.

d) makes us restless and impatient.

iv What might the “huge silence” signify?

a) melancholy

b) understanding

c) discomfort

d) flexibility

Q2 Stand-alone MCQs

I    Read the statements given below carefully. Choose the option that best

describes these statements, with reference to the poem.

Statement I – The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ calls for change as much in the

individual as human society at large.

Statement II – The poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ implies that individual change will

lead to bigger societal change.

Statement III – Neruda believes that when people come together as a

community, they will be able to bring a transformation in each person.

a) Statement I is True, Statement II is False, and Statement III cannot be

inferred.

b) Statement I and II cannot be inferred, Statement III is True.

c) Statement I is True, Statements II and III cannot be inferred.

d) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement II cannot be inferred,

Statement III is False.

ii “What I want should not be confused with total inactivity.”

Choose the option that draws the most accurate parallel.

keeping quiet: total inactivity = ______ : ______

a) reflection and death

b) silence and chaos

c) stagnation and introspection

d) mindfulness and fear

iii What statement does Neruda make about wars?

a) Wars are of varied kinds – internal, green wars, wars with gas, with fire

etc.

b) Wars are wasteful and cause irrecoverable loss and damage to property

and life.

c) Wars never yield any winners, and the loss is far greater than what can

be measured.

d) Wars are unavoidable in the enduring struggle for human dignity and

power.

iv “Now I’ll count up to twelve and you keep quiet and I will go.” Why does the

poet wish to go at the end of the poem?

a) The poet does not believe people will be quiet.

b) The poet has already invested enough time.

c) The poet will move on and seek to inspire others.

d) The poet is marking the end of the poem by leaving.