• 1. Feeling of wonder: “This made me wonder, who were these brave Indian people? … What were their names? Where did they come from?”
• 2. Heartening: “It was heartening to know that our government has recognised the sacrifice of brave soldiers.”
• 3. Sense of motivation: “It touched my heart and also motivated me… I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the Army!”
• 4. Pride: “It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation.”
• 5. Visually inspiring: “The overall environment created an emotive experience that was visually inspiring.”
• 6. Sadness: “The various discourses during the day brought tears to my eyes. It was sad to think about the massive devastation and loss of life caused by wars.”
• 7. Gratitude: “it is also an expression of deep gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers” (Ananda’s letter)
• 8. Inspiration: “I am inspired by your letter!” (Ananda’s letter)

Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest wartime gallantry medal.

Ananda would feel deeply moved, inspired and proud after reading Soumya’s letter. The vivid description of the National War Memorial and the soldiers’ bravery would fill her with gratitude and motivate her to learn more, visit the memorial herself, and even consider joining the Armed Forces — which is exactly what happens in her reply.

Yes, Soumya clearly enjoyed writing the letter. She writes at length, includes rich detail about the memorial, shares the citation of Albert Ekka that moved her, and even adds a warm, personal note about missing Ananda’s mother’s chhole bhature — showing she wrote with genuine excitement and affection, not out of obligation.

Ananda was reminded of the poem because she recalled a visit to a war memorial in Chandigarh’s Bougainvillea Garden, where she saw people offering flowers in respect to soldiers. This memory of flowers being dedicated to fallen soldiers connected directly to the poem’s theme — a flower that wishes not to decorate a bride or a king, but to be placed on the path where brave soldiers march to sacrifice their lives for the motherland.

Ananda’s hobby is philately (stamp collecting). Soumya’s letter arrived in an envelope bearing a beautiful stamp that celebrated India’s Independence — a theme related to the letter’s content — which delighted Ananda and added to her stamp collection.

• (i) flame : valour :: wreath : respect
• (ii) The lighting design transforms the monument’s landscape as sunlight changes from dawn to dusk, giving it a new, majestic appearance at every hour and making it visually captivating throughout the day.
• (iii) “It truly is a majestic site…” is an opinion (it expresses a personal feeling/judgement, not a verifiable fact).
• (iv) The everlasting (interminable) flame suggests the immortality of the soldiers’ spirit — a promise that the nation will never forget their courage, valour and sacrifice; their stories will live on forever.
• (v) The tone of the writer in this extract is C. admiring.

• (i) “I have heard a lot about it” shows Ananda already had prior awareness of the National War Memorial.
• (ii) People may see it only as a monument because they view it merely as a physical structure or landmark, without reflecting deeply on the personal sacrifice and loss behind each name etched on it.
• (iii) “We conduct special competitions at school to commemorate our Independence day.”
• (iv) “In my view, it is also an expression of deep gratitude…” — the phrase “In my view” clearly signals Ananda’s personal opinion.
• (v) Ananda calls it a ‘supreme’ sacrifice because the soldiers gave up the highest thing a person can give — their own life — while defending the country’s sovereignty and integrity, leaving nothing greater left to sacrifice.

The National War Memorial stands as a national tribute to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice defending India after Independence. It ensures their names and stories are never forgotten, and reminds citizens of the true cost of the freedom and peace they enjoy today. It also honours specific acts of gallantry through medals like the Param Vir Chakra.

Albert Ekka showed complete disregard for his own safety while charging an enemy bunker and silencing its machine gun (selflessness). Even after being seriously wounded, he continued fighting alongside his comrades through the “mile deep objective” (determination). Finally, despite his injuries and heavy enemy fire, he crawled forward, lobbed a grenade and scaled a wall to silence a second machine gun, ultimately succumbing to his wounds after ensuring his company’s success (exceptional courage). His citation calls his conduct “the most conspicuous valour” in the best traditions of the Army.

The app is highly interactive and answers users’ queries in 21 languages, making it accessible to people across India regardless of their regional language. This wide accessibility, combined with engaging digital content and images of the murals, helps reach a much larger audience — especially young people — and spreads awareness about the sacrifices of war heroes far beyond those who can physically visit Delhi.

Soldiers risk and often lose their lives so that ordinary citizens can live in peace, freedom and safety. Paying homage is a way of expressing gratitude for this sacrifice, keeping their memory alive, and inspiring future generations to value and protect the freedom that was won at such a high cost.

The main idea is that India’s soldiers, both during and after Independence, have made great sacrifices to protect the nation, and it is important for citizens — especially the young — to learn about, remember and honour them. The title is justified because the entire text (Soumya’s visit, the citations, Ananda’s reflections) is essentially a tribute — a homage — paid by two young students to the courage and sacrifice of India’s soldiers.

The students were awestruck and humbled after hearing the citation of Lance Naik Albert Ekka, which described how, despite being seriously wounded, he fearlessly charged enemy positions again and again to protect his comrades, ultimately giving his life. The scale of his bravery and selflessness, described in vivid detail, left the students amazed and made them feel humbled in comparison to his sacrifice.

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) antisocial 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.

• C_ _R_G_ → COURAGE
• V_L_ _NT → VALIANT
• V_L_ _R → VALOUR
• H_R_ _C → HEROIC
• G_LL_NT → GALLANT
• F_ _RL_SS → FEARLESS
• B_LD → BOLD
• D_R_NG → DARING
• _ND_ _NT_D → UNDAUNTED

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

• 1. Wasi burst into tears when he heard the good news.
• 2. Though Himani was very nervous, 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.

• 1. Farheen was late to work because her car broke down on the way.
• 2. The dog started barking when it heard a strange noise outside.
• 3. She completed the marathon although she had injured her ankle.
• 4. They spotted a beautiful waterfall while they were hiking in the mountains.
• 5. Abhishek received a promotion after he completed the project successfully.
• 6. She finished all her assignments before the deadline approached.
• 7. We waited in the car until the rain stopped.
• 8. The children ran along the shore as the waves rushed to the shore.

• 1. Gunjan thinks the Armed Forces is “the most honourable job” one can have.
• 2. She feels pride about “wearing the uniform”, which can only be earned through hard work.
• 3. The disciplined life “keeps both the mind and body active.”
• 4. Aspect that helps grow: “new experiences and adventures everyday” which bring new challenges and teach important lessons.
• 5. Two things life in the Armed Forces teaches: “loyalty, duty, service, and honesty.” (any two)

The poem is a tribute to the soldiers of the 1. land who defend the 2. borders of their country. It highlights their untiring commitment and sacrifices as they guard the nation. The soldiers remain vigilant and dedicated, whether it’s windy, snowy, or 3. scorching hot. They walk on 4. lonely stretches of land like the yogis. Their duty takes them to different terrains, including mountains, valleys, 5. deserts, and marshes. The poet acknowledges that they have given a major part of their 6. youth to protect the nation. The poet says the wind chimes show their respect to the soldiers’ 7. feat. The poet concludes with prayers for their well-being and blessings.

D. (i), (iii), (iv) and (v) — admiring, respectful, grateful and prayerful.

• 1. Imagery because the poet uses vivid descriptive phrases like “windy season or snowy days” and “scorching sun’s sweltering rays” that help the reader visualise the harsh conditions soldiers endure.
• 2. Simile because the soldiers are likened to yogis (“Treading the lonely expanses as yogis”), comparing their solitary discipline and endurance to that of ascetics.
• 3. Metaphor because the poet uses wind chimes to represent nature paying tribute to / saluting the soldiers’ brave deeds (“Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat”).
• 4. Repetition of the words ‘you’ and ‘we’ because it creates a direct, personal connection between the soldiers (you) and the citizens (we), emphasising both the soldiers’ sacrifice and the nation’s collective gratitude.
• 5. Alliteration such as ‘season or snowy’ and ‘scorching sun’s sweltering rays’ to create rhythm and musical effect, while emphasising the harshness of the conditions soldiers face.

• 1. Opposite words: “asleep” and “awake”
• 2. “Still hold on to your deed” refers to the soldier’s attitude of unwavering dedication and commitment to duty.
• 3. True — the soldiers walk across lonely, deserted stretches of land.
• 4. Evidence of harsh weather: “Windy season or snowy days / Or scorching sun’s sweltering rays”.
• 5. Quality highlighted: (iv) dedication

The speaker is a citizen of the nation (the poet himself, addressing soldiers directly). This is evident from lines like “You are great sons of my land” and “We pray for you brave men!!” — the speaker uses “you” for the soldiers and “we”/”my land” to represent the grateful nation.

The poet uses imagery of extreme weather (“windy season or snowy days”, “scorching sun’s sweltering rays”) and varied terrain (“climbing the heights”, “striding the valleys”, “defending the deserts”, “guarding the marshes”) to visually convey the immense hardship and sacrifice soldiers endure while guarding the nation.

The poet shows soldiers remaining “guarding all the time awake” regardless of season, treading “lonely expanses” without complaint, and covering every kind of terrain — mountains, valleys, deserts, marshes, seas and air — which highlights their tireless, round-the-clock commitment.

This line highlights that soldiers dedicate the best, most productive years of their lives — their youth — entirely to serving and protecting the nation, instead of using that time for personal ambitions, showing the depth of their sacrifice.

Praying for soldiers is a way of expressing gratitude and empathy for the constant risks they face on our behalf. It reminds us not to take their sacrifice for granted, and it wishes them safety and strength as they continue to protect the nation.

The terrain directly connected to the poem’s imagery (“Climbing the heights”) is mountains. India’s varied physical features also include ghats (mountain ranges along the coasts), plateau (elevated flat land such as the Deccan Plateau) and peninsula (land surrounded by water on three sides, like southern India) — regions our soldiers guard along the coasts and highlands. River and delta/bay refer mainly to water bodies rather than land terrains soldiers “tread,” so they are the two terms not required for this activity.

• 1. The hikers reached the summit of the mountain after several days of trekking.
• 2. The barren landscape of the desert made it nearly impossible to find water sources.
• 3. In the rainforest, the dense forest provides a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife.
• 4. Chitra is a very adventurous person and enjoys mountain climbing.
• 5. I’ll try to get back in time, but I’m not making any promises.

Dear Bravehearts,
I would like to thank you for your selfless courage and endless sacrifices. Because of you, we sleep peacefully, walk freely, and dream boldly. Your dedication to our motherland inspires us every day. We are forever grateful for your service, bravery, and the freedom you have given us. Salute!

Guidance A badge of honour can include a shield shape, a star or laurel-wreath symbol, and a short slogan such as “Service Before Self” or “Valour Never Fades.” For the second task, students can look for regional folk songs/poems about soldier bravery (e.g., Rajasthani veergathas, Punjabi Vaar poetry, Marathi powadas) and present them in class with a brief English summary.

Rani Abbakka (Queen of Ullal) — she led her forces against the Portuguese, fought valiantly and is remembered as a warrior queen who died defending her motherland.

• 1. vassal (n) → (x) a country/state controlled by a more powerful country and has to pay money when needed
• 2. coronation (n) → (vi) a ceremony at which a person is made king or queen
• 3. successor (n) → (xi) a person who succeeds another
• 4. rash (adj.) → (iv) acting or doing something without thinking about the consequences
• 5. sovereign country (n) → (ix) a country with a government having complete authority
• 6. league (n) → (v) association or partnership
• 7. wrath (n) → (i) extreme anger
• 8. seize (v) → (ii) take hold of suddenly or forcibly
• 9. resolve (n) → (xiv) determination
• 10. raged (v) → (iii) happen in a violent way
• 11. decisive (adj.) → (xiii) showing the ability to make decisions effectively
• 12. apprehended (v) → (viii) capture
• 13. dauntless (adj) → (vii) fearless
• 14. avenge (v) → (xii) take revenge for

• 1. ‘Tribute’ here means money or goods a weaker/conquered state is forced to regularly pay to a more powerful ruling power as a sign of submission.
• 2. Rani Abbakka says “We are a sovereign country” because Ullal, under her rule, had complete independent authority and was not truly under Portuguese control, so she refused to accept their demands or orders.
• 3. True — the Portuguese envoy warned, “Your Majesty, you will regret your stand,” which is a threat.
• 4. “…she defied the Portuguese…” → replace with disobeyed.
• 5. C. (i), (iii), and (v) — bold, capable, and determined.

Her mother, Hiriya Abbakka, likely felt proud, comforted and relieved on her deathbed, knowing that her daughter was determined, capable and courageous enough to protect Ullal and continue the fight against the Portuguese that she herself could no longer lead.

It suggests deep loyalty, trust and admiration for Rani Abbakka’s leadership. Even when ordered by the king to stop her, not a single soldier obeyed — showing that the people valued courage and justice over blind obedience, and were ready to unite behind a leader who inspired real conviction.

The people would have felt immense pride, joy and empowerment. Defeating a powerful colonial force would have restored their confidence, given them a sense of freedom and security, and strengthened their loyalty to Rani Abbakka as their protector.

Her victory proved that even a small kingdom, when led with courage, unity and clever strategy, could successfully resist a powerful colonial empire. This would have shown other rulers that submission was not the only option, encouraging them to resist foreign domination rather than accept it passively.

• 1. ceiling
• 2. believe
• 3. thief
• 4. achieve
• 5. perceive
• 6. protein
• 7. society
• 8. shield
• 9. weight
• 10. friend

No, the initial ‘w’ in wrath is not pronounced. More examples of words with silent letters: knife (silent k), island (silent s), honest (silent h), listen (silent t), climb (silent b), scissors (silent c), sword (silent w), autumn (silent n), doubt (silent b), Wednesday (silent d).

• burst out laughing = suddenly started laughing. Sentence: She burst out laughing at the funny video.
• don’t make me laugh = used to show you think what someone said is impossible or stupid. Sentence: “You think you’ll win the race?” “Don’t make me laugh!”
• laugh until you cry = to laugh so long and hard that there are tears in your eyes. Sentence: The joke was so funny that we laughed until we cried.
• have a good laugh (about something) = to find something amusing. Sentence: We had a good laugh about our old school photos.

• 1. The teacher remarked that women of valour had made significant contributions throughout history.
• 2. Smitha shared that she enjoyed reading historical novels.
• 3. The captain told the coach that their team had won the championship the previous year.
• 4. The class teacher requested them to turn off the lights when they left.
• 5. Mother advised Ravi to finish the work before dinner.
• 6. The vet instructed the pet owner to take the dog for a walk.

• 1. The Captain remarked that they needed to focus on their strategy for the final match.
• 2. To which one of the players replied that he/she had some ideas on how they could improve their strategy.
• 3. The Captain advised the player to make sure to share those ideas with the team during practice.