Find solutions and answers to the exercises from the Class 7 English book ‘Gul Mohar.’ The answers are written in simple language to help guide students with their homework and exam preparation. For the explanation, summary, poetic devices and more about the poem ‘Maps,’ check out the link below.
Question answers for the poem ‘Maps’ from the book Gul Mohar, Class 7.
Understanding the Poem
Answer these questions.
- Read the first stanza. How are ‘high adventure and bright dream’ related to maps?
- What are some of the things that maps bring to the speaker’s mind?
- What are the different kinds of maps that the speaker mentions?
- Maps are really / Magic wands / For home-staying / Vagabonds!
a. How are maps magic wands to them?
b. How can someone be home-staying and a vagabond at the same time?
Answers:
Two sets of answers are given here to help students.
Answer Set – 1
1. Read the first stanza. How are “high adventure and bright dream” related to maps?
Ans. “High adventure” and “bright dream” are related to maps because maps inspire people to imagine exciting journeys and wonderful places. They fill the mind with dreams of travel, discovery, and new experiences.
2. What are some of the things that maps bring to the speaker’s mind?
Ans. Maps bring to the speaker’s mind ships sailing across the seas, stars guiding travellers, colourful bazaars in distant lands, floating ice in faraway regions, planes flying through the sky, and many exciting journeys and adventures.
3. What are the different kinds of maps that the speaker mentions?
Ans. The speaker mentions:
- Train maps
- Maps of wind and weather
- Road maps
4 (a). How are maps magic wands to them?
Ans. Maps are like magic wands because they help people travel through their imagination. They can explore distant lands, exciting adventures, and unknown places simply by looking at a map.
(b). How can someone be home-staying and a vagabond at the same time?
Ans. A person can be home-staying and a vagabond at the same time by travelling in their imagination. Even while staying at home, they can dream about and mentally explore different places around the world through maps.
Answer Set – 2
1. Read the first stanza. How are “high adventure and bright dream” related to maps?
Ans. Maps inspire thoughts of exciting adventures and wonderful journeys. They encourage people to dream about exploring new places and discovering different parts of the world, making travel possible through imagination.
2. What are some of the things that maps bring to the speaker’s mind?
Ans. Maps make the speaker think of ships sailing across oceans, colourful bazaars, distant ice floes, planes flying in the sky, and many exciting places that can be explored through imagination.
3. What are the different kinds of maps that the speaker mentions?
Ans. The speaker mentions train maps, maps showing wind and weather, and road maps. These maps serve different purposes and help people travel, plan journeys, and understand the world better.
4(a). How are maps magic wands to them?
Ans. Maps are like magic wands because they transport people to distant places through imagination. They help readers experience adventures and explore the world without actually travelling anywhere.
(b). How can someone be home-staying and a vagabond at the same time?
Ans. A person can stay at home yet be a vagabond by travelling in their imagination. Maps allow them to dream about and mentally explore faraway places without leaving their home.
Appreciating the Poem
1. Maps are mightier / Than they seem
a. This line suggests that maps do not seem very mighty at first. Why should that be?
b. How does the entire poem argue that maps are, in fact, not only important but also magical?
2. Imagery uses vivid description that appeals to a reader’s senses to create an image or idea in their head. Underline the lines in the poem that painted beautiful pictures in your mind. Then say what these images made you feel.
Answers:
1(a). This line suggests that maps do not seem very mighty at first. Why should that be?
Ans. At first, maps look like simple sheets with lines, symbols, and names. They do not appear powerful. However, they help people discover places, plan journeys, and imagine exciting adventures around the world.
(b). How does the entire poem argue that maps are, in fact, not only important but also magical?
Ans. Throughout the poem, maps inspire thoughts of ships, planes, distant lands, colourful bazaars, and exciting journeys. They help people travel through their imagination. This is why the poet describes maps as both useful and magical.
2. Imagery uses vivid description that appeals to a reader’s senses. Underline the lines in the poem that painted beautiful pictures in your mind. Then say what these images made you feel.
Ans. Lines that paint beautiful pictures::
- Ships that follow / Leaning stars—
- Red and gold of / Strange bazaars—
- Ice floes hid / Beyond all knowing—
- Planes that ride where / Winds are blowing!
What these images made me feel:
These images made me feel excited, curious, and adventurous. They created pictures of distant places, sea voyages, colourful markets, and flights across the sky, making the world seem fascinating and full of wonder.
OR
These images evoke a deep sense of wonder, curiosity, and excitement about the world.
- The image of ships under “leaning stars” brings a peaceful yet adventurous feeling of traveling across a calm ocean at night.
- The “red and gold” markets create a warm, lively feeling of discovering mystery and festive colors in a foreign land.
- The hidden “ice floes” create a thrilling, chilling feeling of uncovering the secrets of uncharted, icy waters.
Going Further
1. Think of another thing that looks simple and humble on the surface, but which can be powerful and exciting. What is it? Write a short paragraph about how it helps to fuel your imagination.
Answer: A sample answer is given below.
A book may look simple from the outside, but it is full of exciting ideas and adventures. It can take us to distant places, different time periods, and imaginary worlds. Reading books helps me learn new things and fuels my imagination by introducing me to interesting characters and experiences.
2. Work in groups. Think about Google Maps or any other web mapping platform. Think of two interesting and useful features that you could include in the map (for example, indoor maps for shopping malls and access to live view of traffic). Then say why you chose those features and also mention two features you rejected. Say why.
Answer: A sample answer is given below.
Features I would include:
- Indoor Maps – They help people find shops, exits, and facilities inside large malls and airports.
- Live Traffic Updates – They show traffic conditions and help travellers choose faster routes.
Features I rejected:
- Game Zones on Maps – They may distract users from finding directions.
- Too Many Advertisements – They can make the map confusing and difficult to use.
These choices make the map more useful, simple, and user-friendly.