Short Questions
1. What is the poem “Please Listen!” about?
→ It is about the importance of listening without giving advice or judgment.
2. What does the speaker want from the listener?
→ The speaker wants the listener to just listen and understand, not give advice.
3. Why does the speaker dislike advice?
→ The speaker believes that advice is cheap, and sometimes people just need someone to listen.
4. What happens when someone tries to fix the speaker’s problems?
→ The speaker feels discouraged and inadequate instead of empowered.
5. What does the speaker say about irrational feelings?
→ Irrational feelings make sense when we understand their cause.
6. Why does the speaker mention God in the poem?
→ Because God listens without giving advice, allowing people to find their own solutions.
7. What does the speaker request in the last lines?
→ The speaker asks for patience and respect-to be heard before the other person speaks.
8. What is the difference between ‘hear’ and ‘listen’?
→ Hearing is passive, but listening means understanding and paying attention.
9. What does “20 cents will get you both Dear Abby and Billy Graham” mean?
→ It means advice is cheap and easily available, but real listening is rare.
10. How does the speaker feel about being helped?
→ The speaker feels capable of solving problems and does not want unnecessary help.
11. What happens when people accept the speaker’s feelings?
→ The speaker stops trying to justify them and starts understanding them.
12. What is the main message of the poem?
→ True listening is about understanding, not fixing problems.
Long Questions
1. Why does the speaker feel hurt when people give advice?
→ The speaker feels hurt because giving advice means not truly listening. It makes them feel their emotions are being ignored.
2. How does the speaker describe the act of listening?
→ The speaker says real listening means not interrupting, not giving advice, and not trying to fix problems-just understanding.
3. What does the speaker say about self-reliance?
→ The speaker says, “I am not helpless. Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.” This means they can solve their own problems if listened to.
4. How does the speaker compare listening to prayer?
→ The speaker says prayer works because God listens silently, allowing people to think clearly and find answers themselves.
5. What is the meaning of “irrational feelings make sense”?
→ The speaker believes when we understand why someone feels a certain way, even irrational emotions start to make sense.
6. How does unnecessary help affect the speaker?
→ Unnecessary help makes the speaker feel weak and incapable, reinforcing fear and inadequacy instead of encouraging self-reliance.
7. Why does the speaker want to be listened to first before others speak?
→ The speaker believes everyone deserves a chance to express their feelings fully before the conversation moves on.
8. How does this poem help us in daily life?
→ It teaches us that being a good listener can help others feel valued and understood, improving our relationships.
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