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Before We Read — My Dear Soldiers

🎓 Class 7 English CBSE Theory Ch 5 — A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers ⏱ ~20 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]

This CBSE English Passage Assessment will be based on: Before We Read — My Dear Soldiers

Assessment Format:
• 2 Short Answer Questions (2 marks each) = 4 marks
• 2 Fill in the Blanks Questions (1 mark each) = 2 marks
• 2 Short Answer Questions (1 mark each) = 2 marks
• 2 Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each) = 2 marks
Total: 8 Questions, 10 Marks

This CBSE English Grammar Assessment will be based on: Before We Read — My Dear Soldiers

Assessment Format:
• 10 Randomized Grammar Questions (1 mark each)
• Question Types: Fill in the Blanks, MCQs, Error Identification, Reported Speech, Sentence Completion
Total: 10 Questions, 10 Marks

This English Vocabulary assessment will be based on: Before We Read — My Dear Soldiers
Targeting Vocabulary & Usage with Intermediate difficulty.

Before We Read — My Dear Soldiers

This poem is written by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam — scientist, visionary, and the 11th President of India. He wrote it as a tribute to the soldiers who guard India's borders in all weathers and all terrains. As you read, picture the landscapes described.

Look around and identify people who contribute to your life selflessly, risking their own safety. Who comes to mind?
Soldiers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, police officers, sanitation workers, disaster relief teams — all contribute selflessly, often at personal risk, to keep society safe and functional.
What do you think a soldier's daily life is like on the border?
Soldiers on borders face extreme cold at high altitudes, scorching desert heat, dense forests, and dangerous marshes. They remain vigilant day and night, away from their families, often in remote and hostile conditions.
What three questions would you like to ask a soldier about their life and service?
Example questions: 1. What gives you the strength to keep going when conditions are harsh? 2. How do you stay connected with your family while on duty? 3. What do you think about when you are guarding the border alone at night?
AK

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Scientist President of India Poet
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (1931–2015) was one of India's greatest scientists, known as the "Missile Man of India" for his role in developing India's space and missile programmes. He served as the 11th President of India (2002–2007) and was beloved by millions of young Indians. Beyond science and statecraft, Kalam was a deeply spiritual and literary man who wrote poetry expressing his love for the nation, nature, and the human spirit. "My Dear Soldiers" reflects his profound gratitude and admiration for the men and women who guard India's borders.

The Poem — Complete Text with Annotations

My Dear Soldiers
— A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Lines 1–4
1Oh! Defenders of borders 2You are great sons of my land 3When we are all asleep 4You still hold on to your deed
Paraphrase: The poet addresses the soldiers directly and with deep emotion — "Oh!" signals heartfelt feeling. He calls them "great sons of my land," expressing that they are the nation's finest children. While every civilian sleeps safely through the night, soldiers remain at their posts, steadfastly performing their duty. The poem's speaker is clearly a grateful citizen speaking on behalf of all Indians. Repetition of "you" throughout creates a direct, personal address.
Lines 5–8
5Windy season or Alliteration snowy days 6Or scorching sun's sweltering rays 7You are there guarding all the time awake 8Treading the lonely expanses as Simile yogis
Paraphrase: Whether the season brings wind, snow, or the blazing heat of the sun, the soldiers remain awake and alert without fail. Imagery The three weather conditions — wind, snow, scorching sun — paint a vivid picture of the extreme conditions soldiers endure across India's varied terrain (mountains, deserts, coastal areas). The simile "as yogis" is particularly striking: just as a yogi meditates in perfect stillness and focus, undistracted by comfort or discomfort, the soldier walks the lonely border with the same unwavering calm. Alliteration — "season or snowy" and "scorching sun's sweltering" — adds a musical quality.
Lines 9–12
9Climbing the heights or striding the valleys 10Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes 11Surveillance in seas and by securing the air 12Prime of your youth given to the nation!!
Paraphrase: These lines use vivid imagery of India's diverse landscapes — mountains (heights), valleys, deserts, wetlands (marshes), oceans (seas), and the sky (air). Imagery Each terrain represents a different branch: Army in mountains and valleys, Army in deserts, Navy at sea, Air Force in the skies. The exclamation "Prime of your youth given to the nation!!" is deeply moving — soldiers dedicate the best, strongest years of their lives to national service. The parallel structure (climbing/striding, defending/guarding) creates a rhythmic, march-like quality that mirrors a soldier's disciplined movement.
Lines 13–15
13Wind chimes of my land Metaphor vibrate your feat 14We pray for you brave men!! 15May the Lord bless you all!!
Paraphrase: The closing lines are deeply lyrical. "Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat" is a beautiful metaphor — the wind chimes, which ring when the wind blows, are being compared to India's collective voice, resonating in gratitude for the soldiers' deeds ("feat"). Metaphor The poem closes with a prayer — "We pray for you brave men!! May the Lord bless you all!!" — shifting from admiration to spiritual concern. The poem ends not with pride alone but with love and worry for the soldiers' safety. The double exclamation marks emphasise the sincerity and urgency of the prayer.
Note

When the poet mentions "great sons," he is referring to all soldiers — men and women alike — who serve the nation. The Indian Armed Forces today include women officers in all three services.

Literary Devices — At a Glance

IMAGERY Imagery

"Windy season or snowy days / Or scorching sun's sweltering rays" — three distinct weather/terrain images help the reader feel the harsh conditions soldiers endure.

SIMILE Simile

"Treading the lonely expanses as yogis" — soldiers compared to yogis using 'as'. Both embody stillness, focus, and complete dedication to their calling, undistracted by personal comfort.

METAPHOR Metaphor

"Wind chimes of my land vibrate your feat" — India is metaphorically compared to wind chimes ringing in honour of the soldiers' deeds. The nation's voice resonates with pride.

ALLITERATION Alliteration

"season or snowy" and "scorching sun's sweltering" — the repeated 's' sound creates a soft, sibilant hiss that mirrors the sound of wind and distant movement.

REPETITION Repetition

"You" is repeated throughout the poem (lines 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15) and "We" appears in lines 3 and 14. This you/we contrast emphasises the relationship between soldiers and citizens.

TONE & THEME

The tone is admiring, respectful, grateful, and prayerful. The central theme is patriotism and sacrifice — celebrating soldiers who give their youth, comfort, and safety to protect the nation.

Theme Web — My Dear Soldiers

Patriotism & Sacrifice Imagery Weather / Terrain Simile As yogis Metaphor Wind chimes Alliteration Snowy/Scorching Theme: Dedication Tone: Admiring & Prayerful
Click any node to explore a literary device or theme in the poem.

Word Power — Poem Vocabulary & Collocations

defenders
noun
People who protect something or someone from attack; those who guard and preserve something valuable
"Oh! Defenders of borders" — the poem's opening address to soldiers as protectors of India's frontiers
scorching
adjective
Extremely hot, to the point of burning; used for intense, searing heat
"Scorching sun's sweltering rays" — the unbearable heat soldiers face in desert postings
sweltering
adjective
Uncomfortably hot and humid; making one feel oppressively overheated
"Sweltering rays" collocates naturally with "scorching sun" — both intensify the image of extreme heat
expanses
noun
Large, wide, open stretches of land, water, or sky; vast unbroken areas
"Treading the lonely expanses" — soldiers walking across vast, empty stretches of border territory
marshes
noun
Areas of low-lying land that are permanently wet or waterlogged; swampy terrain
"Guarding the marshes" — soldiers posted in marshy, waterlogged border terrain such as the Sundarbans
surveillance
noun
Close and continuous observation or monitoring of an area, especially for security or military purposes
"Surveillance in seas" — the Indian Navy's constant watch over India's maritime boundaries

Collocations from the Poem

Collocations are word pairs that naturally go together. Fill in the blanks with the word that collocates best:

  1. The hikers reached the _______ of the mountain. (summit / peak)
  2. The _______ landscape of the desert had no water. (empty / barren)
  3. The _______ forest of the rainforest hid many animals. (heavy / dense)
  4. She is a very _______ person who enjoys mountain climbing. (heroic / adventurous)
  5. I'll try to get back in time, but I'm not _______ any promises. (doing / making)
1. summit (reach the summit)   2. barren (barren landscape)   3. dense (dense forest)   4. adventurous (adventurous person)   5. making (making promises)

Let Us Discuss — Comprehension

L1 — Remember 1 mark
Complete the summary: The poem is a tribute to the soldiers of the 1. land who defend the 2. _______ of their country. The soldiers remain vigilant whether it's windy, snowy, or 3. _______ hot. They walk on 4. _______ stretches of land like yogis. Their duty takes them to mountains, valleys, 5. _______, and marshes. The poet concludes with prayers for their 6. _______.
2. borders   3. scorching   4. lonely   5. deserts   6. well-being / blessings
L2 — Understand 2 marks
Who is the speaker of this poem? How can you tell?
The speaker is a grateful citizen speaking on behalf of all Indian civilians. This is clear from the use of "we" and "our" — "When we are all asleep," "We pray for you," "Wind chimes of my land" — and from the direct address to the soldiers using "you." The speaker positions themselves firmly among the ordinary people who live safely at home because soldiers stand guard, and expresses gratitude from that perspective.
L4 — Analyse 3 marks
How does the poet convey the theme of the poem through imagery? Support your answer with examples.
The poet uses imagery of extreme weather and diverse terrain to show the hardship and breadth of a soldier's duty. "Windy season or snowy days / Or scorching sun's sweltering rays" creates vivid sensory images of biting cold and fierce heat that civilians rarely face but soldiers endure constantly. "Climbing the heights or striding the valleys / Defending the deserts or guarding the marshes" paints a panoramic picture of India's entire border geography — from Himalayan peaks to the Thar Desert to the Sundarbans. Together, these images convey the poem's central theme: soldiers sacrifice their youth and comfort to protect every inch of India's land and sea and sky.
L5 — Evaluate 4 marks
"Prime of your youth given to the nation!!" — What is the significance of this line with reference to sacrifice and service?
This line is the emotional heart of the poem. The "prime of youth" refers to a person's most vigorous, energetic, and capable years — the years most people spend building careers, starting families, and pursuing personal dreams. By saying soldiers give these very years to the nation, the poet highlights the magnitude of their sacrifice. They do not serve after they have lived their personal lives — they give their best years first. The double exclamation mark (!!) emphasises the poet's awe and emotion at this truth. It is not just physical risk but temporal sacrifice — an irreplaceable portion of life — that makes their service truly extraordinary.

Literature CBQ — Reference to Context

"When we are all asleep
You still hold on to your deed
Windy season or snowy days
Or scorching sun's sweltering rays
You are there guarding all the time awake
Treading the lonely expanses as yogis"
L2 — Understand 1 mark
(i) Identify a pair of opposite words from the extract.
asleep and awake — the civilians are asleep while the soldiers remain awake; this contrast is central to the poem's tribute.
L3 — Apply 2 marks
(ii) "The phrase 'still hold on to your deed' refers to the soldier's attitude of ___________."
The phrase refers to the soldier's attitude of unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to duty. "Still hold on" suggests they do not let go, waver, or abandon their responsibility regardless of circumstances — a quality of absolute perseverance.
L4 — Analyse 2 marks
(iii) The soldiers are compared to yogis. What quality of soldiers is highlighted by this simile?
The simile highlights the soldier's quality of dedication — the ability to remain completely focused on one's duty, undistracted by personal discomfort, loneliness, or hardship. A yogi achieves inner stillness regardless of outer conditions; a soldier maintains alertness and commitment regardless of weather, terrain, or danger. Both embody a form of selfless, disciplined service.
L6 — Create 4 marks
(iv) Write an acrostic poem using the word SOLDIER, where each line begins with the corresponding letter and expresses something about a soldier's life or qualities.

Standing guard through icy nights and scorching days,
Offering youth and comfort without thought of praise,
Leading with courage when the battle rages on,
Dedicated to duty from the dusk until the dawn,
Immovable as mountains, silent as the deep,
Ensuring that the nation rests in peaceful sleep,
Remembered in our hearts for every sacrifice they keep.

Writing Workshop — Note of Gratitude & Acrostic Poem

Task 1 — Draft a Note of Gratitude (50 words)

Write a short note of gratitude to India's soldiers for their selfless service. Begin: "Dear Bravehearts, I would like to…"

Note of Gratitude Structure

  1. Opening: Express that you wish to thank them
  2. What they do: Mention one or two specific things they sacrifice
  3. What it means to you: How their service affects your daily life
  4. Closing: A heartfelt wish or prayer for their safety

Word limit: 50 words

Dear Bravehearts,

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the countless sacrifices you make each day. You guard our borders in freezing cold and blazing heat, away from your families, so that we may sleep safely each night. Your courage gives meaning to the word "freedom." I pray each day for your safety and well-being. With heartfelt respect and gratitude.

Task 2 — Acrostic Poem on SOLDIER or BRAVE

An acrostic poem is one where the first letter of each line spells out a word when read vertically. Write your own acrostic poem using either SOLDIER or BRAVE.

Beyond fear, they march into the darkest of nights,
Rising each dawn to defend our rights,
Always alert, whether in valley or peak,
Valour and virtue — the ideals they seek,
Eternal in memory, their sacrifice speaks.

Vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers about in NCERT English?

2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers is a lesson from the NCERT English textbook that covers important literary and language concepts. The lesson includes vocabulary, literary devices, comprehension exercises, and writing tasks aligned to the CBSE curriculum.

What vocabulary is important in 2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers?

Key vocabulary words from 2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers are highlighted throughout with contextual meanings, usage examples, and interesting facts. Click any highlighted word to see its full definition and example sentence.

What literary devices are used in 2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers?

2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers uses various literary devices including imagery, symbolism, and figurative language. These are identified with coloured tags throughout the text for easy recognition and understanding by students.

What exercises are included for 2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers?

Exercises include extract-based comprehension questions in CBSE board exam format, grammar workshops connected to the passage, vocabulary activities, and creative writing tasks with model answers provided.

How does 2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers help in board exam preparation?

2 — Poem: My Dear Soldiers includes CBSE-format extract-based questions, long answer practice with model responses, and grammar exercises that mirror board exam patterns. All questions follow Bloom's Taxonomy levels L1-L6.

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