3.6 Think Before You Speak!
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Seven English.
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Reference: The solutions below are based on the chapter "Think Before You Speak!" found in the provided document[cite: 19].
Margin Questions
No, Benjamin Disraeli was not trying to give a scientific reason[cite: 19]. He was only trying to give an important moral message in a lighthearted but effective way—that human beings should listen twice as much as they speak[cite: 19].
Through evolution and adaptation, humans developed one mouth primarily for eating, breathing, and vocal communication. We developed two ears on opposite sides of our head to help us locate the direction and distance of sounds (known as sound localization). This adaptation was crucial for early human survival, allowing us to hear approaching danger or predators from any direction.
This is a drawing activity. You can draw a simple face showing words "coming in" through the two open, funnel-like ears, and "going out" through the single mouth after crossing the two fences of the teeth and the lips[cite: 19].
Yes, I remember a time when a friend spoke to me very angrily because of a misunderstanding over a borrowed book. I felt very hurt and upset, but I took a deep breath and decided not to speak angrily back, as it would only make the fight worse. To control anger, we can drink a glass of water, count backwards from ten to one, or simply walk away and stay silent until we have calmed down.
The three questions Socrates asked his disciples to consider before speaking were:
- Is it true? (Are we sure about the veracity of what we are saying?)[cite: 19]
- Is it pleasant? (Is it going to hurt others or is it an empty remark?)[cite: 19]
- Is it useful? (Will the statement benefit or bring comfort to the listener?)[cite: 19]
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Yes, once I carelessly passed on a rumor about a classmate failing a test, which hurt his feelings deeply when he found out. To avoid doing this again, I have decided to always follow Socrates' advice. I will pause and ask myself if what I am about to say is true, pleasant, and useful before I open my mouth to speak.
English Workshop
• change • show • throw • return • benefit[cite: 19]
- change
- Noun: There is a sudden change in the weather.
- Verb: I need to change my wet clothes immediately.
- show
- Noun: We went to the auditorium to watch a magic show.
- Verb: Please show me your new drawing book.
- throw
- Noun: That was a very long throw by the fielder.
- Verb: Do not throw garbage on the street.
- return
- Noun: I am eagerly looking forward to his safe return.
- Verb: Please return the library books on time.
- benefit
- Noun: Regular exercise has many health benefits.
- Verb: The new library rules will benefit all the students.
- Our ears are like funnels because they are open all the time and there is no door with which you can close them[cite: 19].
- The two rows of teeth are like a fence because a word has to pass and pierce through them before it can be spoken[cite: 19].
- The two lips are like a fence because they act as a second wall that words must pass through before leaving the mouth[cite: 19].
- Harsh words are like scattered bits of paper carried away by the wind because once they have left your lips, it is very difficult or impossible to take them back or control them[cite: 19].
'I went quickly to my spiritual teacher for advice because I had...[cite: 19]
'I went quickly to my spiritual teacher for advice because I had spoken very harsh and unkind words to my friend, and he was deeply hurt. I was afraid that I had lost his friendship forever. My teacher gave me a fresh blank sheet of paper and asked me to write down all the harsh things I had said. Then, he told me to tear the paper into a hundred tiny bits and throw them out of the window. As it was a windy day, the tiny bits scattered far and wide instantly.
After that, he ordered me to go out into the street and collect as many bits as I could. I tried my best, but I returned half an hour later completely exhausted, without a single torn bit of paper! My wise teacher then explained that spoken words are exactly like those scattered bits of paper; once spoken aloud in anger, it is impossible to take them back. That day, I learnt a great lesson to always think before I speak.'
This section is a grammar explanation. It explains that words, phrases, or full clauses can all act as adverbs (adverbials) to tell us more about the action in a sentence.
- Word: You have run fast. (Adverb)[cite: 19]
- Phrase: We played on the playground. (Adverbial phrase)[cite: 19]
- Clause: I will go home when the bell rings. (Adverbial clause)[cite: 19]