Short Questions
1. What does the poet compare words to in the poem?
Answer: The poet compares words to ghosts that haunt him.
2. According to the poem, what can break bones?
Answer: Sticks, stones, bats, and bricks can break bones.
3. What leaves a lasting scar-physical wounds or words?
Answer: Words leave a lasting scar on the heart and mind.
4. What does the poet say about physical wounds?
Answer: The poet says cuts and bruises heal with time.
5. Why do words ‘pierce’ the poet?
Answer: Words pierce the poet because they cause deep emotional pain.
6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Answer: The poem follows the ABCB rhyme scheme.
7. What is the meaning of the word ‘mortify’ in the poem?
Answer: ‘Mortify’ means to feel ashamed or embarrassed.
8. Why should we be careful with our words?
Answer: We should be careful because words can hurt deeply and leave scars.
9. How are words more painful than sticks and stones?
Answer: Words hurt the heart and mind while sticks and stones only cause physical pain.
10. What message does the poet give in the poem?
Answer: The poet tells us that words have power and should be used wisely.
Long Questions
1. Why does the poet say that words can also hurt?
Answer: The poet says that sticks and stones can break bones, but words hurt the heart and mind. Unlike physical injuries, words leave scars that last longer.
2. What does the poet mean by ‘words are ghosts that haunt me’?
Answer: The poet compares hurtful words to ghosts because they stay in his memory and cause pain. Even after a long time, he cannot forget them.
3. How does the poet contrast physical pain and emotional pain?
Answer: The poet explains that physical pain from sticks and stones heals with time. However, emotional pain from words remains in the heart and mind forever.
4. What does the poet mean by ‘fall word-swords’ in the poem?
Answer: The phrase ‘fall word-swords’ means sharp and hurtful words that stab like swords. The poet shows that words can deeply wound a person emotionally.
5. What lesson does the poet want us to learn from the poem?
Answer: The poet wants us to be mindful of our words because they can cause deep emotional scars. He encourages kindness in speech to avoid hurting others.
6. Why does the poet use the phrase ‘pain from words has left its scar’?
Answer: The poet says words leave scars because emotional pain lasts longer than physical wounds. Even when the body heals, harsh words stay in memory forever.
7. How does the poet use imagery to describe pain in the poem?
Answer: The poet uses strong images like ‘sticks and stones breaking bones’ to describe physical pain. He also describes words piercing and haunting him, showing emotional suffering.
8. Why do you think words have more impact than physical pain?
Answer: Physical pain goes away over time, but words stay in the mind and affect emotions. A person might forget a wound but never forget hurtful words.
9. How can kind words heal someone in distress?
Answer: Just as harsh words cause emotional pain, kind words can comfort and encourage someone. A simple positive word can give hope and happiness.
10. What do you learn from this poem about communication?
Answer: The poem teaches that words should be used carefully because they can hurt or heal. Speaking with kindness and respect is important in daily life.
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