Navigating the Class 9 CBSE English syllabus requires a deep understanding of core linguistic concepts, textual appreciation, and structured answer writing. The unit “Words,” featuring Charles Swain’s evocative poem alongside comprehensive language exercises, serves as a cornerstone for building advanced communication skills and literary analysis. Mastering these solutions enables students to construct well-argued, high-scoring responses tailored specifically to CBSE board examination guidelines. This definitive study guide provides 100% accurate, complete, and meticulously structured solutions for every exercise present in the textbook, ensuring students excel in both formative assessments and final examinations.
Reflect and Respond: NCERT Questions Answered
The preliminary section of the chapter engages students in reflective thinking about the foundational role of language in human interaction. Communication extends far beyond mere vocalization; it encompasses emotional resonance, non-verbal cues, and meaningful silence. By evaluating how words impact our daily lives, students develop a critical perspective on the quality and depth of human connection.
Reflect and Respond
Question I
Why are words important? Can we communicate without words? How? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher. (Page No. 221) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer:
Words are important because they serve as the primary medium for expressing complex thoughts, abstract ideas, emotions, and structured information. They enable human beings to bridge individual minds, establish social order, preserve history, and build meaningful relationships across generations.
Yes, we can communicate without words. Non-verbal communication is accomplished through:
- Facial expressions and eye contact (conveying emotions like joy, sorrow, or disapproval).
- Body language and physical gestures (such as nodding, waving, or shrugging).
- Sign language and standardized symbols (used effectively by hearing-impaired communities and traffic systems).
- Artistic mediums like music, painting, and dance, which communicate profound feelings without relying on spoken or written text.
The second activity in this section utilizes a word grid to sharpen vocabulary retention and contextual application. Solvability of language puzzles relies on recognizing lexical clues and understanding parts of speech in functional contexts.
Question II
Use the given sentences as clues to find words from the grid and fill the blanks. One example has been done for you. (Page No. 221)
Answer:
Below are the complete solutions derived from the grid clues:
Column 1 (Horizontal):
- We eat food to SATISFY our hunger.
- The train will DEPART from the station at 5.00 p.m.
- The gardener was removing the WEEDS to clean the flower beds.
Column 2 (Vertical):
- The view from the top of the hill was WORTH the difficult climb.
- The herbs and spices ADD flavour to food.
- Flowers BLOSSOM in spring.
- We enjoyed a delicious FEAST after the ceremony.
Grid puzzles of this nature foster cognitive links between definitions and word structures. By completing these clues, students learn how verbs like “depart” and “satisfy” function dynamically in everyday syntax.
Furthermore, integrating vocabulary grids into routine study builds baseline familiarity with key terms that reappear throughout Charles Swain’s poem. Words like “weeds,” “feast,” and “depart” transition from basic vocabulary items into rich poetic symbols.
Through this introductory reflection, Class 9 learners realize that while words are necessary mechanisms of social engagement, their true value lies in the authenticity and emotional weight with which they are delivered.
Check Your Understanding: Stanza Wise Solutions
Understanding poetry at the Class 9 level demands careful text analysis, recognition of stylistic devices, and systematic evaluation of stanza structures. Charles Swain’s poem “Words” contrasts superficial verbal abundance with deep emotional sincerity, guiding students through a structured reflection on human expression.
Check Your Understanding
Question I
Fill in the blanks with one word from the poem. One example has been done for you. (Page No. 223)
Answer:
In this poem, the poet reflects that words fail to truly satisfy what the heart wants to convey. Words are compared to summer birds who 1. depart, leaving nothing behind. The heart is equated to a 2. pilgrim who finds that words are as worthless as 3. weeds when needed. He feels that a few sincere words can bring more 4. joy than many meaningless ones. He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a 5. lonely place does not say much, but the few words it does, are very precious. Moreover, if words could satisfy us, the 6. world would celebrate but words often fail to do that. The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a 7. fruit.
Question II.1
Read the poem again. Find any four sets of rhyming words and also write the rhyme scheme of the poem. (Page No. 223)
Answer:
- Four Sets of Rhyming Words:
- heart – depart / care – air (Stanza 1)
- earth – worth / needs – weeds (Stanza 2)
- said – head / impart – heart (Stanza 3)
- way – say / cheer – dear (Stanza 4)
- Rhyme Scheme:
The rhyme scheme followed throughout the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ KLKL (an alternating rhyme scheme across six quatrains).
Question II.2
Read the following phrases and sentences taken from the poem. Identify the poetic device in each of them and explain what the poet wants to communicate through their usage. (Page No. 223) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer:
(i) “But words, like summer birds, depart…”
- Poetic Device: Simile (direct comparison using ‘like’).
- Meaning: Words are transitory and fleeting; they vanish when hardship arrives, just as migratory birds leave when summer ends.
(ii) “heart, a pilgrim upon earth…”
- Poetic Device: Metaphor (implicit comparison).
- Meaning: The human heart is depicted as a weary traveler seeking genuine emotional comfort and spiritual solace during its journey through life.
(iii) “words are of as little worth / As just so many weeds”
- Poetic Device: Simile (comparison using ‘as…as’).
- Meaning: Superficial words are unwanted, useless, and lacking in real value, much like wild weeds in a cultivated garden.
(iv) “If words could satisfy the chest… Oft satisfy the least!”
- Poetic Device: Irony / Paradox.
- Meaning: Highlights the sharp contrast between expectation and reality; despite their abundance, words fail most severely when deep comfort is required.
(v) “The world might hold a feast…”
- Poetic Device: Hyperbole (exaggeration).
- Meaning: Emphasizes how extraordinary it would be if mere words could truly satisfy human emotional longings.
(vi) “Like plants that make a gaudy show / All blossom to the root”
- Poetic Device: Simile.
- Meaning: Empty rhetoric creates a flashy outward impression without offering any genuine substance or true depth.
(vii) “But whose poor nature cannot grow / One particle of fruit!”
- Poetic Device: Metaphor / Contrast.
- Meaning: Insincere language fails to produce meaningful results, remaining entirely unproductive despite grand promises.
Question II.3
Which words are repeated in the poem? Why does the poet use repetition? (Page No. 223)
Answer:
The poet repeatedly uses key words such as “words”, “heart”, and “satisfy”.
- Purpose of Repetition: The poet employs repetition as a stylistic tool to reinforce the central theme—the stark conflict between verbal rhetoric (“words”) and emotional fulfillment (“heart”). Repeating these words keeps the reader focused on how inadequate empty speech is when addressing human suffering.
Question II.4
The stanzas 4, 5, and 6 end with exclamation marks. Choose the option that displays the emotions being expressed through them. (Page No. 223)
- (i) 4. disillusionment, 5. admiration, 6. frustration
- (ii) 4. frustration, 5. admiration, 6. disillusionment
- (iii) 4. admiration, 5. frustration, 6. disillusionment
- (iv) 4. frustration, 5. disillusionment, 6. admiration
Answer:
Correct Option: (iii) 4. admiration, 5. frustration, 6. disillusionment
- Explanation: Stanza 4 expresses admiration for a comforting voice (“how dear!”); Stanza 5 reflects frustration with hollow words (“Oft satisfy the least!”); Stanza 6 manifests deep disillusionment over grand talk that produces no fruit.
Question III
Identify examples of hyperbole from the given lines: “If words could satisfy the chest, / The world might hold a feast.” Work in pairs. Complete the sentences given below with hyperboles. Use the hints given in the brackets. (Page No. 223-224)
Answer:
- I have tonnes of things to do on this weekend.
- The player missed the basket by a mile.
- My mother is so tired that she can sleep for a decade.
- I will be back in two seconds.
Question IV
Rhythm gives a lyrical quality to a poem. Read and underline the syllables that are stressed in all the lines of the poem. (Page No. 224)
Answer:
The poem primarily follows an iambic metre (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable):
If words | could sat | is fy | the heart,
The heart | might find | less care;
But words, | like sum | mer birds, | de part,
And leave | but emp | ty air.
Critical Reflection: High Scoring Questions
Critical reflection requires students to move beyond literal comprehension and evaluate deeper thematic layers, tone, and contextual nuance. Questions in this section test higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), encouraging pupils to draw logical connections between poetic metaphors and real-world human dynamics.
Critical Reflection
Question I.1
Read the following lines and answer the questions:
“The heart, a pilgrim upon earth, / Finds often, when it needs, / That words are of as little worth / As just so many weeds.” (Page No. 224) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
(i) Why has the poet referred to the heart as ‘a pilgrim’?
(ii) When would a heart ‘need’ words?
(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason: The words are like weeds because ____.
(iv) Mention two emotions the heart might be experiencing when it finds words to be of ‘little worth’.
(v) What do these lines suggest about the nature of communication?
Answer:
(i) The poet refers to the heart as a ‘pilgrim’ because it is on a long, arduous journey through life, searching for truth, solace, genuine connection, and ultimate peace.
(ii) A heart ‘needs’ words during moments of grief, distress, emotional isolation, or deep longing for understanding.
(iii) The words are like weeds because they grow in abundance without effort or value, offering no true nourishment or beauty to an aching heart.
(iv) The heart might experience disillusionment and loneliness (or despair).
(v) These lines suggest that superficial verbal communication is completely ineffective during profound emotional crises; mere quantity of speech cannot replace genuine empathy.
Question I.2
Read the following lines and answer the questions:
“If words could satisfy the chest, / The world might hold a feast; / But words, when summoned to the test, / Oft satisfy the least!” (Page No. 224)
(i) How can words ‘satisfy the chest’?
(ii) How can words be ‘summoned to the test’?
(iii) What does ‘the world’ holding ‘a feast’ imply?
(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason: The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because __.
(v) Select the word that does NOT mean the same as ‘oft’: A. always, B. usually, C. frequently, D. often.
Answer:
(i) Words can ‘satisfy the chest’ if they are sincere, heartfelt, and capable of relieving emotional weight or anxiety.
(ii) Words are ‘summoned to the test’ when a crisis occurs and actions must back up verbal promises to prove their authenticity.
(iii) ‘The world holding a feast’ implies a state of universal happiness, celebration, and complete emotional fulfillment.
(iv) The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because they often consist of empty rhetoric that fails to provide real support during moments of genuine need.
(v) Correct Option: A. always (‘Oft’ means frequently/often/usually, whereas ‘always’ denotes uninterrupted constancy).
Question II.1
What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and ’empty air’? (Page No. 225)
Answer:
dynamics, words vanish into nothingness once spoken, leaving behind an emotional void. Just as air cannot be grasped, hollow words offer no tangible comfort or lasting substance to someone experiencing emotional distress.
Question II.2
According to the poet meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain. (Page No. 225) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer:
The poet argues that quality far outweighs quantity when it comes to communication. A single, sincere phrase spoken with authentic love can uplift a despairing mind and touch the soul, whereas a “host of words” appeals merely to the intellect without offering real emotional relief.
Question II.3
Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to ‘words’ in the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not? (Page No. 225)
Answer:
Yes, I completely agree. The poet contrasts the perceived power of words (their potential to cheer, impress, and blossom outward) with their actual failure during emotional crises (where they depart like summer birds, act as weeds, and bear no fruit). This contrast highlights the gap between superficial rhetoric and sincere action.
Question II.4
The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem. Support this statement with examples from the text. (Page No. 225)
Answer:
The theme of loneliness is explicitly evident in metaphors such as the heart described as a isolated “pilgrim upon earth” wandering in search of comfort. It is further highlighted in Stanza 4, which mentions a “lonely home” that requires a tender voice to cheer it, demonstrating that empty speech deepens emotional isolation.
Question II.5
How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this? (Page No. 225)
Answer:
The poet conveys the superficial nature of words by comparing them to “plants that make a gaudy show”—full of attractive blossoms at the root but incapable of producing nutritious fruit. To address this issue, individuals must align their words with sincere feelings and concrete actions, ensuring speech is heartfelt rather than performative.
Vocabulary and Language Structures in Context
A strong command of contextual vocabulary allows students to analyze figurative language effectively and apply it accurately in their own writing. This section focuses on matching figurative phrases with their correct meanings and constructing structural word maps to solidify understanding.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
Question I
The poet has used some figurative phrases. Match the phrases in Column 1 with their correct meanings in Column 2. Use each phrase in a sentence of your own. (Page No. 225)
Answer:
Matched Phrases and Meanings:
- satisfy the heart — (iv) makes one happy
- depart and leave but empty air — (iii) there is no outcome
- hosts of words — (i) many words
- never touch the heart — (v) does not appeal to our emotions
- wins its sunny way — (ii) cheers up a person
- plants that cannot grow fruit — (vi) makes no impact
Original Sentences:
- satisfy the heart: Her humble apology was so sincere that it managed to fully satisfy the heart of her friend.
- depart and leave but empty air: All his lofty promises during the campaign departed and left but empty air once he was elected.
- hosts of words: The politician delivered hosts of words, yet he failed to address the primary grievances of the public.
- never touch the heart: Academic speeches filled with statistics often inform the intellect but never touch the heart.
- wins its sunny way: A child’s cheerful smile easily wins its sunny way into the grumpiest person’s affection.
- plants that cannot grow fruit: Flattering remarks without true affection are like plants that cannot grow fruit.
Developing structured ‘Word Maps’ enhances vocabulary acquisition by organizing definitions, contextual usages, visual markers, and semantic opposites into a clear format.
Question II
Create a ‘Word Map’ for each of the words from the poem given in the box: depart, sunny, pilgrim, cheer, satisfy, heart. (Page No. 225-226)
Answer:
Below are the word maps formatted to standard educational benchmarks:
1. Word: depart
- Meaning: To go away or leave a place, especially at the start of a journey.
- Synonym: Leave, exit, vacate.
- Antonym: Arrive, stay, remain.
- Sentence: The express train will depart from platform three in ten minutes.
- Sketch/Symbol Description: A small drawing of an airplane taking off into the sky.
2. Word: sunny
- Meaning: Bright with sunlight, or showing a cheerful and happy disposition.
- Synonym: Bright, cheerful, radiant.
- Antonym: Gloomy, overcast, somber.
- Sentence: Her sunny disposition brightened the spirits of everyone in the hospital ward.
- Sketch/Symbol Description: A drawing of a bright sun shining above a smiling face.
3. Word: pilgrim
- Meaning: A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious or spiritual reasons.
- Synonym: Traveler, wayfarer, seeker.
- Antonym: Resident, inhabitant, local.
- Sentence: The weary pilgrim rested beside the ancient shrine after walking for miles.
- Sketch/Symbol Description: A drawing of a walking stick alongside a winding footpath.
4. Word: satisfy
- Meaning: To fulfill a need, desire, or expectation, making someone content.
- Synonym: Content, fulfill, appease.
- Antonym: Displease, disappoint, frustrate.
- Sentence: A simple meal of rice and lentils was enough to satisfy their hunger.
- Sketch/Symbol Description: A checkmark inside a circle representing task completion and contentment.
5. Word: cheer
- Meaning: To give a loud shout of approval, or to comfort and make someone happy.
- Synonym: Comfort, encourage, delight.
- Antonym: Sadden, discourage, depress.
- Sentence: A kind note of encouragement served to cheer the student before her exam.
- Sketch/Symbol Description: A drawing of a brightly smiling sunflower.
6. Word: heart
- Meaning: The organ pumping blood, symbolic of the center of emotions, compassion, and sincerity.
- Synonym: Soul, core, emotions.
- Antonym: Intellect, mind, coldness.
- Sentence: She spoke directly from the heart when describing her lifelong passion for social service.
- Sketch/Symbol Description: A classic heart shape symbol radiating warm light.
Listening and Speaking Skill Activities Solved
Developing listening and speaking competence prepares students to evaluate real-time oral discourse, extract key details, and deliver structured verbal responses. These communicative exercises foster articulate expression and attentive listening habits.
Listen and Respond
Question I
You will listen to a conversation between a girl and a boy. As you listen, mark four statements from 1–6 that are true. (Page No. 227)
- The girl was excited to participate in the declamation contest.
- The boy was doubtful about the suitability of the topic chosen for the contest.
- The girl explained that people prefer to keep their personal experiences to themselves.
- The boy was unaware of the role played by body language in reflecting the speaker’s confidence.
- According to the girl, body language had an insignificant role to play in communication.
- The girl had issued the book on body language earlier from the library.
Answer:
Based on the official NCERT audio transcript analysis, the four TRUE statements are:
- Statement 1: The girl was excited to participate in the declamation contest.
- Statement 2: The boy was doubtful about the suitability of the topic chosen for the contest.
- Statement 4: The boy was unaware of the role played by body language in reflecting the speaker’s confidence.
- Statement 6: The girl had issued the book on body language earlier from the library.
Speaking Activity
Question I
Read the given quotations and select the one you like the most. Explain the quotation and share the reason for your choice with your classmates and teacher using the provided frame cues. (Page No. 227-228)
Answer:
Below are three sample oral presentations structured according to CBSE assessment criteria:
Option A (Focusing on Gautama Buddha):
- Presentation: “I picked the quotation by Gautama Buddha—‘Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill’—as it underlines the profound power of spoken communication. Words act as double-edged swords that can either heal emotional wounds or cause lasting pain. I selected this quotation since it serves as a daily reminder to speak with empathy and thoughtfulness. In my personal experience, a harsh word spoken in anger ruined a close friendship for months, whereas a gentle, chosen word restored it instantly.”
Option B (Focusing on Mahatma Gandhi):
- Presentation: “I settled for Mahatma Gandhi’s statement—‘It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart’—because it prioritizes emotional sincerity over hollow rituals. True prayer and connection require authentic feeling rather than memorized recitations. I chose this because it directly aligns with the central theme of Charles Swain’s poem ‘Words’. During times of loss, I have found that sitting in quiet, heartfelt empathy with a grieving friend provides far more true comfort than offering empty scripted condolences.”
Option C (Focusing on Martin Luther King, Jr.):
- Presentation: “I decided on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quote—‘In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends’—due to its powerful message on moral accountability. Silence during moments of injustice acts as silent betrayal. I picked this because it reminds us that choosing not to offer supportive words when our friends face hardship is far more painful than direct criticism from opponents.”
These speaking frameworks help students organize their thoughts logically, use formal transitional phrases, and present personal viewpoints confidently during oral assessments.
Writing Task Guides and Essay Model Answers
Standard essay composition requires a logical structure: an introduction that establishes the main thesis, supporting body paragraphs with concrete evidence, a counterargument addressed with rebuttal logic, and a solid conclusion. This section provides a model essay following official CBSE marking criteria.
Writing Task
Question I
Write an essay on any one quotation from the speaking activity. Follow the structured guidelines: Paragraph 1 (Introduction), Paragraphs 2 & 3 (Body), Paragraph 4 (Counterargument), Paragraph 5 (Conclusion). (Page No. 228-229) [BOARD EXAM FAVORITE]
Answer:
Model Essay: The Primacy of Emotional Sincerity over Rhetoric
Quotation: “It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote highlights a timeless truth about human interaction and spiritual practice: genuine emotional intent is vastly superior to superficial verbal performance. I selected this quotation because it exposes the emptiness of mere rhetoric when unsupported by real feeling. The primary purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that authentic connection—whether directed toward the divine or our fellow human beings—relies entirely on emotional depth rather than fluent vocabulary.
Paragraph 2: Body Paragraph 1 (The Essence of True Communication)
At its core, communication is intended to build emotional bridges. When an individual speaks without genuine feeling, their statements become empty utterances that fail to make a meaningful impact. For instance, in Charles Swain’s poem ‘Words’, the poet notes that a host of impressive phrases may appeal to the head, yet completely fail to touch the heart. Spiritual devotion and interpersonal empathy require sincere feeling; without an honest heart, even the most eloquent speeches remain hollow noise.
Paragraph 3: Body Paragraph 2 (Real-World Applications of Sincerity)
Furthermore, in daily life, people instinctively distinguish between performative compliments and heartfelt support. A brief, quiet expression of sympathy during moments of grief offers far more comfort than elaborate speeches delivered without true feeling. Consequently, human relationships thrive on quiet authenticity rather than loud performative gestures. History shows that leaders who spoke simply from the heart connected far more deeply with the masses than those who relied on deceptive rhetoric.
Paragraph 4: Counterargument and Rebuttal
Critics might argue that words are essential structural tools for clear communication, asserting that without defined language, thoughts remain disorganized and incomprehensible. They may contend that structured language is necessary to articulate complex thoughts effectively. However, this criticism misses Gandhi’s core point: language serves merely as the outer vehicle for thought, whereas heart-centered intent is its vital engine. An articulate sentence devoid of honest intent is functionally useless, whereas a quiet, wordless gesture of compassion can instantly convey deep meaning.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi’s quote serves as a powerful reminder to value emotional authenticity over superficial fluency. As demonstrated through literature and human experience, empty rhetoric vanishes like summer birds, whereas sincere feelings leave a lasting mark on others. Moving forward, we must strive to ensure our words are grounded in real feeling, remembering that a silent, open heart communicates far more truth than a flood of meaningless words.
Learning Beyond the Text
Question I & II
Play the ‘Non-verbal’ Dumb Charades game in groups of six. Reflect on the legacy of Charles-Michel de l’Épée (1712–89), recognized as ‘The Father of Sign Language and Deaf Education’. (Page No. 229-230)
Answer:
Participating in non-verbal activities highlights how body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures can effectively convey complex thoughts without relying on vocal speech. The historical contribution of Charles-Michel de l’Épée underscores this reality; by founding the first public school for the deaf and developing a standardized sign language system, he proved that human communication transcends vocal sounds, giving millions access to education and meaningful community connection.
Question III
Read and enjoy the poem “Weigh Your Words” by E. F. Hayward. (Page No. 230)
Answer:
E. F. Hayward’s poem “Weigh Your Words” offers a practical counterpart to Charles Swain’s poem. Hayward reminds readers to carefully measure their sentences before speaking to keep their “conscience clean.” It highlights that careless words and unfulfilled promises cause deep lasting pain (“pain and sting”) to vulnerable individuals. Both poems reinforce a central moral lesson: language should be used responsibly, thoughtfully, and with absolute emotional sincerity.
Mastering the Class 9 NCERT solutions for “Words” provides students with a solid foundation for analyzing literary texts, understanding stylistic devices, and writing clear, well-structured answers. By working through every exercise—from stanza-wise poetic devices to formal essay writing—learners develop the critical thinking skills needed to excel in CBSE board examinations. Revisit these detailed solutions regularly, memorize key scoring phrases, and apply these writing frameworks to communicate thoughtfully and effectively in every academic setting.