CBSE Class 12 NCERT English Core MCQs: Access and study for free from the “Keep Quiet” poem questions selected from previous years’ CBSE Board Exams for Class 12 English Core. The questions include extract-based and objective questions based on the poem “Keep Quiet” by Pablo Neruda. These questions collected from previous years’ CBSE Class 12 English Board exams. Click to learn more.
MCQs – Poem “Keep Quiet”
CFPQs from CBSE
Q1. (CBSE CFPQ)
It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines.
In the above line from the poem Keeping Quiet, why is the moment of silence called exotic?
- (A) Because it is unfamiliar to most of us.
- (B) Because it contains perfect peace and harmony.
- (C) Because it is a step towards understanding ourselves.
- (D) Because we would finally start realising the solutions to our problems.
Q2. (CBSE CFPQ)
Which of these quotes BEST conveys the message of the poem Keeping Quiet?
- (A) “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Plato
- (B) “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
- (C) “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” – Aristotle
- (D) “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
Q3. (CBSE CFPQ)
For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language.
Why does the poet say the above line in the poem Keeping Quiet?
- (A) He believes that humans talk more than necessary.
- (B) He wants us to dissociate our identity with our native tongue.
- (C) He believes that verbal communication is often insincere and misleading.
- (D) He wants us to realise the importance of weighing our words before we speak.
ANSWERS:
Q1: (CBSE CFPQ)
It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines.
In the above line from the poem Keeping Quiet, why is the moment of silence called exotic?
Answer:
(B) Because it contains perfect peace and harmony.
Q2: (CBSE CFPQ)
Which of these quotes BEST conveys the message of the poem Keeping Quiet?
Answer:
(A) “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Plato
Q3: (CBSE CFPQ)
For once on the face of the Earth let’s not speak in any language.
Why does the poet say the above line in the poem Keeping Quiet?
Answer:
(C) He believes that verbal communication is often insincere and misleading.
PYQs – Extract Based Questions on the Poem Keeping Quiet
Extract: (2021-22)
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
(i) The poet’s intention in the first line is to:
- (a) give warning to the readers.
- (b) give the right direction to the readers.
- (c) give a choice to the readers.
- (d) give a clarification to the readers.
(ii) Select the option that best explains the stand of the poet in the expression: “I want no truck with death.”
- (a) He advises people to escape death.
- (b) He asserts that death is inevitable.
- (c) He assures that he does not advocate death.
- (d) He expresses his desire not to die.
(iii) Select the option that aptly describes the tone of the poet in the expression: “If we were not so single-minded.”
- (a) regretful
- (b) critical
- (c) encouraging
- (d) friendly
(iv) According to the poet, who is to blame for the condition of threatening ourselves with death?
- (a) Stressful life.
- (b) Keeping quiet.
- (c) Lack of understanding.
- (d) State of confusion.
(v) The tone of the poet in the expression “perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness” is:
- (a) unsure yet optimistic.
- (b) sure and confident.
- (c) poetic and melodramatic.
- (d) hopeful but not confident.
(vi) Which of the following techniques has been used when the poet says ‘truck with death’?
- (a) A mild and indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
- (b) Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
- (c) A thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else.
- (d) A rhetorical or literary device in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed.
Extract: (AI 2016)
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
(a) What is the significance of the number ‘twelve’?
(b) Which two activities does the poet want us to stop?
(c) What does the poet mean by ‘let’s not speak in any language’?
(d) Describe the pun in the word ‘arms.’
Extract: (Foreign 2016)
Perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
(a) How can we bring about a ‘huge silence’?
(b) Why is silence called ‘huge’?
(c) What do we do for lack of understanding?
(d) What does this lack ultimately lead to?
Extract 4: (AI 2015C)
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
(a) Which exotic moment is referred to in these lines?
(b) Why would that moment be strange?
(c) What does the poet advocate in the poem?
(d) What does the poet mean by the word ‘engines’?
Extract: (AI 2014C)
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
(a) Whom does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
(b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
(c) What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Extract: (CBSE Question Bank)
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
(a) Why does the poet use the word “let’s”?
- The poet uses “let’s” to create a sense of unity and collective action. It shows his desire for all humanity to come together and participate in the act of silence and stillness.
(b) Margaret Atwood said, “Language divides us into fragments, I wanted to be whole.” Choose the option that correctly comments on the relationship between Margaret Atwood’s words and the line from the above extract – “let’s not speak in any language”.
(i) Atwood endorses Neruda’s call to not speak in any language.
(ii) Atwood justifies Neruda’s request to not engage in any speaking.
(iii) Atwood underlines Neruda’s intent to stop and not speak in any language.
(iv) Atwood surrenders to Neruda’s desire for silence and not speak in any language.
Correct Answer: (iii) Atwood underlines Neruda’s intent to stop and not speak in any language.
(c) Why do you think the poet employs words like “exotic” and “strangeness”?
- The poet uses “exotic” to emphasize how unique and unfamiliar this moment of silence would be for humanity. The word “strangeness” reflects the unusual feeling of unity and stillness, which contrasts with the usual chaos and rush of life.
(d) Choose the option that correctly matches the idioms given in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. On the face of the earth | A. In existence |
| 2. What on earth | B. To express surprise or shock |
| 3. Move heaven and earth | C. To do all possible to accomplish something |
| 4. The salt of the earth | D. To be good and worthy |
Correct Answer: (iv) 1-D, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A
(e) Name the poetic devices used in the given stanza.
- Alliteration: Repetition of the “s” sound in “speak in any language” and “stop for one second.”
- Imagery: The poet paints a vivid picture of silence, stillness, and unity through phrases like “exotic moment” and “sudden strangeness.”
- Repetition: Words like “let’s” are repeated to emphasize collective action.
(f) ‘Exotic’ means the opposite of:
(i) fantastic
(ii) alluring
(iii) common
(iv) mysterious
Correct Answer: (iii) common
Sample Question Paper (SQP)
1. In ‘Keeping Quiet’ the poet does not want the reader to confuse his advice for _____ with total inactivity.
(a) experimentation
(b) relaxation
(c) isolation
(d) introspection
Correct Answer: (d) introspection
2. Identify the tone of Pablo Neruda in the following line: “Perhaps the earth can teach us …….”
(a) Confident and clear about the future events.
(b) Dramatic about the prediction he made.
(c) Convinced about the sequence of events to follow.
(d) Uncertain, yet hopeful about the possibility.
Correct Answer: (d) Uncertain, yet hopeful about the possibility
ANSWERS
Extract-Based Questions:
(i) The poet’s intention in the first line is to:
Answer:
(d) Give a clarification to the readers.
(ii) Select the option that best explains the stand of the poet in the expression: “I want no truck with death.”
Answer:
(c) He assures that he does not advocate death.
(iii) Select the option that aptly describes the tone of the poet in the expression: “If we were not so single-minded.”
Answer:
(b) Critical
(iv) According to the poet, who is to blame for the condition of threatening ourselves with death?
Answer:
(c) Lack of understanding
(v) The tone of the poet in the expression “perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness” is:
Answer:
(a) Unsure yet optimistic.
(vi) Which of the following techniques has been used when the poet says ‘truck with death’?
Answer:
(d) A rhetorical or literary device in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed.
Extract: (AI 2016)
Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still.
(a) What is the significance of the number ‘twelve’?
Answer:
The number ‘twelve’ signifies a universal time cycle, such as the twelve hours on a clock or the twelve months of a year, representing a complete pause and reflection.
(b) Which two activities does the poet want us to stop?
Answer:
The poet wants us to stop speaking and moving to experience stillness.
(c) What does the poet mean by ‘let’s not speak in any language’?
Answer:
The poet means to pause verbal communication, as language often creates divisions among people.
(d) Describe the pun in the word ‘arms.’
Answer:
The word ‘arms’ refers to both physical arms (as in movement) and weapons, symbolizing the cessation of both physical activity and violence.
Extract: (Foreign 2016)
Perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.
(a) How can we bring about a ‘huge silence’?
Answer:
By collectively pausing all activities, refraining from speaking, and introspecting.
(b) Why is silence called ‘huge’?
Answer:
Silence is called ‘huge’ because it allows profound reflection, self-awareness, and inner peace, which can transform our understanding.
(c) What do we do for lack of understanding?
Answer:
We harm ourselves and others, often rushing through life without thought.
(d) What does this lack ultimately lead to?
Answer:
This lack of understanding ultimately leads to sadness and self-destruction.
Extract 4: (AI 2015C)
It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines, we would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
(a) Which exotic moment is referred to in these lines?
Answer:
The exotic moment refers to the collective pause, when all humanity experiences peace, stillness, and unity.
(b) Why would that moment be strange?
Answer:
It would be strange because silence, stillness, and togetherness are unfamiliar to humans, who are accustomed to constant activity.
(c) What does the poet advocate in the poem?
Answer:
The poet advocates introspection, unity, and a break from chaos for personal and collective harmony.
(d) What does the poet mean by the word ‘engines’?
Answer:
The word ‘engines’ symbolizes machines and the rush of human activities.
Extract: (AI 2014C)
If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could do nothing, perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves and of threatening ourselves with death.
(a) Whom does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
Answer:
‘We’ refers to all humans engaged in the constant rush of life.
(b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
Answer:
The poet wants us to pause and reflect to understand ourselves better and appreciate life.
(c) What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
Answer:
The sadness is the lack of self-awareness and the fear of death that results from a rushed and unreflective life.
Sample Question Paper (SQP)
1. In ‘Keeping Quiet’ the poet does not want the reader to confuse his advice for _____ with total inactivity.
Answer: (d) introspection
2. Identify the tone of Pablo Neruda in the following line: “Perhaps the earth can teach us …….”
Answer: (d) Uncertain, yet hopeful about the possibility
