3.1 Words
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six English.
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About the poem
This poem is about the power of words. Some words heal and comfort us, while others hurt like a knife. The poet says that harsh words come from a thoughtless mind and sweet words come from a kind heart. The poem advises us to think well before we speak.
Key points
- Form: a short rhyming poem.
- Theme: the power of the words we speak.
- Some words heal, give hope and soothe our fears.
- Harsh words bring grief and can even break relationships.
- Figures of speech: repetition (“Some”) and simile (“as hard as a steel tipped knife”).
- Message: never speak in haste; think well before you speak.
Words to remember
- heal – to make well again
- mirth – joy; happiness
- haste – hurry
- soothe – to calm or comfort
- grief – deep sorrow
(i) What should we do to become a polite speaker?
We should not speak in haste. We should think well about each word before we speak. We should choose words that heal, not words that hurt.
(ii) Why does the poet say that harsh words bring grief and tears?
Harsh words hurt a person’s feelings. The poet says they hit as hard as a steel tipped knife. Their pain stays in the heart for a long time. So harsh words bring grief and tears.
(iii) Why is it said that sweet words belong to a kind heart?
Our words show what is in our heart. A kind person always thinks of others’ feelings. So sweet words come naturally from a kind heart.
(iv) Discuss how some words bring hope to a sinking heart.
When a person is sad, kind words give him courage. Words like “Don’t worry, you can do it” give him hope. They soothe his fears. So some words bring hope to a sinking heart.
- (i) Some words hit as hard as a steel tipped knife.
- (ii) Some words bring hope to a sinking heart.
- (iii) A “sinking heart” means feeling sad.
- hurt – mirth
- tears – fears
- life – knife
- heart – apart
- mind – kind
- haste – taste
- Name of the poem: Words
- Name of the poet: Anonymous
- Rhyming scheme: aabb
- Figures of speech: Repetition — “Some words heal and some words hurt”; Simile — “as hard, as a steel tipped knife”
- Line that I like the most: Students should write their own choice with a reason.
The poem tells us that words are very powerful. Kind words can heal a person and give him hope. Harsh words can hurt like a knife and break relationships. Harsh words come from a thoughtless mind, and sweet words come from a kind heart. So we should never speak in haste. We should think well before we speak.
The word “Some” is repeated again and again in the poem:
- “Some words heal and some words hurt”
- “Some words harsh bring grief and tears, / Some words soothe troublesome fears.”
- “Some words kill and some give life”
- “Some bring hope to a sinking heart, / Some cause husband and wife apart.”
Remember: Alliteration repeats a beginning sound. Repetition repeats a whole word or phrase.
This is a recitation and recording activity. Students should perform it themselves.
- (i) in other words — said in a different way.
He was absent for a month; in other words, he missed the whole chapter. - (ii) the last word — the final decision.
In our house, my grandmother has the last word. - (iii) word of mouth — news passed on by people talking to each other.
The new shop became popular by word of mouth. - (iv) word for word — exactly as it was said or written.
She repeated the teacher’s instructions word for word. - (v) eat your words — to admit that what you said was wrong.
He said I would never win, but he had to eat his words. - (vi) word gets around — news spreads among people.
Word gets around quickly in a small village.