Reflect and Respond
I. Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. What kind of music do you prefer to listen to — vocal or instrumental?
Ans (Sample):
I enjoy listening to vocal music, as the blend of melody and lyrics helps me connect emotionally with the songs. However, I also like instrumental pieces, especially when I need to focus or unwind, since the lack of lyrics lets my thoughts flow without distraction.
2. Name your favourite musician(s).
Ans :
Among my favourite musicians are A.R. Rahman, who skillfully fuses Indian classical, folk, and modern styles in his compositions; Lata Mangeshkar, celebrated for her soulful and pure voice; and Pandit Ravi Shankar, renowned for his exceptional sitar performances.
3. Give reasons for your choice.
Ans :
A.R. Rahman creates music that connects with listeners from all backgrounds, breaking barriers of language and style. Lata Mangeshkar’s uniquely pure voice adds heartfelt emotion to every song she sings. Pandit Ravi Shankar’s exceptional skill on the sitar reveals how deeply music can express human feelings without words.
Check Your Understanding
I. Read the poem again to complete the poet’s diary about her feelings on music. Fill in the blanks with words from the poem.
Ans:
Today, I found myself reflecting on the importance of music in my life. To me, music feels as vast and welcoming as an ocean, drawing me to its peaceful shore. Its steady rhythm seems to match the very core of my being, touching me in ways words cannot describe. Whenever I am feeling down or troubled, music acts as a healing therapy that soothes my heart. It is incredible how music has the ability to lift my mood and give me the strength to overcome challenges. I notice that my happiness often grows in music’s presence. During lonely moments, music is the reliable friend I can depend on when there is no one else around. I am truly grateful to music for always being my source of comfort.
II. Let us appreciate the poem.
1. The phrase ‘moves me’ in the line ‘That moves me to the core,’ is an example of __________.
Ans:
Personification (or a figure of speech). The poet treats music as if it were alive, able to touch a person’s emotions. The word “moves” has both a literal sense—being stirred—and a deeper meaning of being powerfully affected within.
2. The poet uses metaphors for music. List these metaphors and rewrite them as similes.
Ans:
3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? What impact does it have?
Ans:
The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, where the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme (such as shore/core, blue/through, there/care). This pattern creates a smooth, musical flow that reflects the poem’s theme. The alternating rhyme introduces a gentle rhythm, giving the poem a song-like quality and making it pleasant to read without being too predictable.
4. What is the poet’s purpose in using the word ‘music’ repetitively?
Ans:
- The repeated use of the word ‘music’ at the start of lines is an example of anaphora, which gives the poem a rhythmic, song-like quality.
- This repetition highlights how important music is in the poet’s life, showing that it is present in all her emotional experiences.
- With each use, ‘music’ takes on a new meaning—like ocean, rhythm, therapy, or friend—gradually building a complete picture of its significance to the poet.
- Repeating ‘music’ also gives the poem a feeling of gratitude and deep attachment, as if the poet is continually recalling something dearly valued.
5. What is the message the poet wishes to convey through the poem?
Ans:
The main idea of the poem is that music is much more than just entertainment; it acts as a loyal companion and a source of comfort and support, especially during times of sadness, loneliness, or hardship. By comparing music to an ocean, therapy, and a trusted friend, the poet shows how music can change our feelings from sadness to hope. The poem encourages everyone to value music as a living presence that offers understanding and companionship when we need it most.
6. Identify the mood of the poem from the options given below.
(i) nostalgic (ii) thoughtful (iii) amused (iv) playful
Ans: (ii) Thoughtful.
The poet thoughtfully examines her own connection with music, describing how it supports her during challenging moments and acts as a trusted companion. The overall mood remains genuine and reflective, rather than nostalgic, amused, or playful.
7. Give evidence from the poem to support that the speaker is the poet herself.
Ans:
- “I need when I feel blue” — the use of “I” and the honest mention of sadness show that the poet is sharing her own real emotions.
- “Music lifts my spirits” — the phrase “my spirits” makes it clear that the poet is referring to her own feelings.
- “The times when I’m most cheerful, / It’s clear, music was there” — this shows a personal experience that only the poet can describe.
- “That moves me to the core” — this is highly personal and shows how deeply the poet is affected.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
Music is the therapy
I need when I feel blue.
Music lifts my spirits
To make sure I pull through.
(i) Complete the following sentence suitably. The phrase ‘feel blue’ indicates __________.
Ans:
…a feeling of sadness, gloom, or being emotionally troubled. The phrase ‘feel blue’ is an idiom that connects the color blue with feeling low or unhappy. The poet uses this expression to show times when she feels down and relies on music to help her feel better.
(ii) Identify the line which shows music makes the poet happy.
Ans:
“Music lifts my spirits” — “lift one’s spirits” means to make someone feel happier and more positive. This line directly shows music’s power to elevate the poet’s mood from sadness to happiness.
(iii) What does the last line of the extract signify?
Ans:
“To make sure I pull through” shows that music gives the poet the courage and determination to get through tough times. The phrase “pull through” refers to overcoming serious challenges. Here, music is more than just enjoyable—it serves as true emotional support, helping the poet face and survive hardships.
(iv) State whether the following sentence is true or false. Music plays a vital role in the poet’s life.
Ans: True.
This idea is evident throughout the poem. Whenever the poet feels sad, she relies on music for comfort, finds her mood lifted, and gains the strength to overcome difficulties. Music is central to her emotional well-being, not just a minor part of her life.
(v) Select the central idea of the extract from the following options.
- A. Music brings comfort during sadness.
- B. Music is a necessity in times of happiness.
- C. Music improves our ability to pull heavy loads.
- D. Music is a source of knowledge and excitement.
Ans: A.
The extract specifically describes the poet turning to music when she “feels blue,” and music responding by lifting her spirits and helping her pull through — focus is on music as therapeutic comfort in emotional difficulty.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. How is music able to move the poet ‘to the core’?
Ans:
Music touches the poet’s innermost feelings because it goes beyond logical reasoning and communicates straight to the heart. The melodies, rhythms, and harmonies reach something essential inside her. Music’s influence might stem from its link to memories, its power to express what words cannot, or its way of echoing the rhythms of the body. For the poet, music deeply affects her emotions instead of just providing surface-level entertainment.
2. Why does the poet compare music to a ‘needed friend’?
Ans:
A genuine friend stands by you in times of need, offers understanding without criticism, and brings comfort through their presence—qualities that music shares. Referring to music as “needed” emphasizes that it is not only a friend but a necessity, especially during lonely periods. The poem’s closing lines highlight that when the poet feels uncared for, music steps in to fill that emptiness. Labeling music as a friend turns it into a meaningful relationship—one that is dependable, sincere, and deeply reassuring.
3. Explain the poet’s attitude towards music.
Ans:
- Music is vital: The poet considers it a basic part of her life, as important as water or a close friend she can always rely on.
- Music is healing: She describes music as a therapy that soothes and helps her recover from emotional pain.
- Music is a companion: By calling music a “needed friend,” she shows that she depends on it for support and company, trusting it to be there in difficult times.
- Music brings happiness: The poet feels her happiest when music is present, suggesting she associates music with celebration and shared joy, not just relief from sadness.
Overall, the poet’s attitude is one of warm, personal devotion — she relates to music as something almost alive and responsive.
4. Support the opinion that this poem has a universal appeal.
Ans:
- Music is present in all cultures: No matter where people live or what language they speak, music is a part of their lives. This allows the poem to reach readers from every background and age group.
- Emotions everyone shares: Feelings like sadness, the desire for comfort, happiness, and the need for friendship are common to all people.
- Music’s healing power is well known: Across the world, music is used to help people feel better, both emotionally and physically, in fields like medicine and psychology.
- Clear and simple language: The poem avoids references that are specific to any one culture, so readers anywhere can understand and relate to it.
- Music as a friend: Many people have turned to music for comfort when they feel alone, making this comparison something almost everyone understands.
5. Compare your experience of music with the feelings expressed in the poem.
Ans :
Much like the poet, I notice that music can lift my spirits quickly whenever my mood dips. When I feel stressed by my workload, listening to an instrumental tune helps me relax—just as the poet describes music as a form of therapy. I connect with music as a companion during times of loneliness, feeling understood by the emotions in a song. In contrast with the poet, though, I find that music doesn’t just soothe sadness; it also amplifies my happiness, making celebrations even more special and memorable.
Vocabulary in Context
I. Classify the words given in the box as positive emotions and negative emotions. Then fill in the blanks choosing the correct word from the brackets.
Ans:
Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct word from those given in brackets.
Ans:
II. Phrasal Verbs — Understanding ‘pull through’ and ‘moves me’
Read the highlighted word in the line given below.
To make sure I pull through
The meaning of the verb ‘pull’ is ‘move or remove something’. The preposition ‘through’ means ‘from one end or side to the other’. However, when they come together they convey a completely different meaning. Here, ‘pull through’ means ‘to succeed in doing something very difficult’.
Now, read the following lines from the poem.
Music is the rhythm
That moves me to the core.
The phrase ‘moves me’ means ‘to make somebody do something’.
‘Move’ also has different meanings. For example, to change position, to make progress, to take action, cause strong feelings.
Information:
“Pull through” — Together, means to succeed in surviving or coping with something very difficult.
“Moves me” — means to cause somebody to have strong feelings of sadness or sympathy. “Move” has multiple meanings: to change position, make progress, take action, and cause strong feelings.
III. Choose the correct meaning from the box for the underlined phrasal verbs in the following sentences.
Ans:
IV. Create phrasal verbs from the verbs ‘put’, ‘get’, ‘look’, ‘break’. Find their meanings and make sentences.
Ans:
Speaking Activity
I. Work in groups of four. Use the cues to present a role play in the class.
Music Teacher
Encourages the student to take up music classes by explaining the benefits of music for concentration, creativity, and emotional well-being.
Student 1
Confused — feels music class may take away time from studies; worried about managing both music practice and academic work.
Student 2
An active music learner — convinced that music is beneficial and that time management makes it possible to do both well.
Parent
Initially doubtful — concerned about the child’s academic performance — but becomes supportive after listening to the discussion.
Ans:
Music Teacher: Good morning, everyone. I appreciate you making time for this meeting. Today, I’d like to discuss Arjun’s possible participation in our school’s music program. What are your thoughts on him enrolling in music classes this term?
Parent: To be honest, I worry it might become a distraction from his academic work. With board exams approaching, we’re concerned about his performance in school.
Student 1 (Arjun): That’s something I’ve been considering, too. I’m interested in learning the sitar, but I’m unsure how I can balance regular practice with my school assignments.
Student 2 (Priya): I understand your concerns, Arjun. I had similar worries when I started learning music. However, I’ve found that being involved in music has actually improved my concentration. Creating a weekly schedule has helped me manage both activities well.
Music Teacher: There is evidence that learning music can enhance academic skills. Engaging with rhythm and patterns in music can strengthen abilities in mathematics and language. In my view, students who study music often develop greater discipline and focus.
Parent: Really? Do you think it’s practical for Arjun to handle both music and his studies effectively?
Student 2: Definitely. I practice for about thirty minutes each day, and it hasn’t interfered with my studies. In fact, when I feel anxious before exams, playing music helps me relax and regain focus.
Student 1: I hadn’t thought of it that way. Maybe I should give it a try—I have a feeling I’d enjoy taking up music.
Parent: After listening to this discussion, I’m more open to the idea. Let’s give it a chance, Arjun—just remember to keep up with your studies as well.
Music Teacher: That’s wonderful to hear! I believe you’ll find music to be a lifelong friend and a source of happiness.
Writing Task
I. Your school is organising a musical evening on 21 June, World Music Day. You are presenting a Sitar recital at the event. Draft an invitation letter requesting your grandparents to attend the event.
Ans: Sample Invitation Letter
24, Sector 8,
Chandigarh – 160 008
15 June 20XX
Dear Dadi and Dada,
I hope this letter finds you both well and enjoying the summer season. You have been on my mind lately, and I have something special to share with you.
Our school, Green Valley Public School, is hosting a musical evening on 21 June 20XX to mark World Music Day. The event is set to take place at the School Auditorium in Sector 12, Chandigarh, starting at 5:30 p.m. Students will be performing in a variety of musical styles, including both singing and instrumental pieces.
I am thrilled to let you know that I will be performing a Sitar recital that evening. It will be my very first stage performance in front of such a large audience, and I have spent the last two months preparing diligently. I sincerely hope you will be able to attend and watch me perform.
If you can make the trip to Chandigarh for this occasion, it would mean so much to me and make the event even more memorable. We will make sure you have comfortable seating, and you are warmly invited to stay with us for a few days after the event.
I am looking forward to your reply. Please let me know if you can come, or give me a call soon.
With love,
Arjun