Keeping Quiet Extract Based MCQ questions | Subjective | Objective| True / False  Class 12 Flamingo

This page offers Extract Based Questions from the Poem Keeping Quiet  for Class 12 from the book Flamingo.  We’ve put together a bunch extracts which ask assumption based, creativity based and critical thinking-based questions. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. The types of questions are quick MCQs, true/false and Subjective questions. So, practice to understand Keeping Quiet  Extracts to score great. 

Keeping Quiet Extract Based MCQ questions- 1

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.

1.Question:Why does the poet ask us to keep still and not speak in any language? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer: The poet asks us to keep still and not speak so we can experience peace. This silence will help us reflect on ourselves and connect with others. It is a way to pause and think about life without distractions.

2.Question:None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “For once on the face of the Earth, let’s not speak in any language”:  

(a) A request – asking people to remain silent  
(b) A metaphor – comparing silence to unity  
(c) An order – commanding people to stop speaking  
(d) An observation – noticing how silence could bring peace

Answer: False   

Reason: A metaphor- The line uses silence as a metaphor for unity, suggesting that by not speaking, people can come together in peace and understanding. 

3.Question:The information in the extract suggests that the poet is asking us to experience a moment of _____.

Answer:Peace / Silence / Reflection / Stillness / Unity / Calm or any other similar response

4.Question: How does the poet suggest that silence and stillness can benefit people?  (Answer in around 10 words)

Answer: Silence and stillness help people reflect on their lives and connect with others more deeply.

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Extract from Keeping Quiet – 2

Without rush, without engines,
We would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
Would not harm whales
And the man gathering salt
Would look at his hurt hands.

1.Question:Why does the poet imagine fishermen and the salt gatherer stopping their work? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer: The poet imagines the fishermen and the salt gatherer stopping to think about their actions. Fishermen might stop harming whales, and the salt gatherer would notice his injured hands. Pausing can lead to more compassion and awareness of one’s impact.

2.Question:None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “The man gathering salt would look at his hurt hands.”  

(a) An observation – noticing the man’s suffering  
(b) A metaphor – comparing the man’s hands to his struggles  
(c) A suggestion – offering an idea to pause and reflect  
(d) A hyperbole – exaggerating the man’s pain

Answer:False  

Reason:A metaphor-The hurt hands symbolise the man’s struggles, not just his physical pain.

3.Question:The passage suggests that the poet wants us to experience a moment of _____.

Answer:Compassion / Awareness / Reflection / Unity / Understanding / Empathy or any other similar response

4.Question: What does the poet imply by referring to fishermen and the man gathering salt?(Answer in around 10 words)

Answer: The poet implies that pausing allows people to recognise the harm they cause to nature and themselves.

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Class 12 Keeping Quiet  Extract Based Questions- 3

Wars with gas, wars with fire,
Victory with no survivors
Would put on clean clothes 
And walk about with their brothers
 In the shade, doing nothing.

1.Question:Why does the poet imagine soldiers putting on clean clothes and doing nothing after wars? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:The poet imagines soldiers stopping violence and living peacefully with others. By putting on clean clothes, they leave behind the destruction of war, suggesting that peace and unity could replace conflict if people chose to stop fighting.

2.Question:None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Wars with gas, wars with fire, victory with no survivors.”  

(a) A criticism –  pointless destruction caused by war  
(b) A metaphor – comparing war to a natural disaster  
(c) A warning – cautioning against the consequences of war  
(d) A suggestion – offering a solution to stop the violence

Answer:False  

Reason: A criticism–The line criticises war by showing that even victory leads to pointless destruction.

3.Question:The passage suggests that war results in a victory that feels _____.

Answer:Empty / Pointless / Hollow / Tragic / Meaningless / Futile or any other similar response

4.Question: What message does the poet convey by showing soldiers in silence after the war?(Answer in around 10 words)

Answer: The poet shows that true peace comes when people stop fighting and embrace stillness.

Keeping Quiet  Extract Based MCQ Questions- 4

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.

1.Question:Why does the poet believe that doing nothing might help us understand ourselves better? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:The poet thinks doing nothing can help us reflect. By stopping, we can take a break from the constant rush. This quiet time helps us understand our feelings better, which we usually miss in our busy lives.

2.Question:None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves.”  

(a) A suggestion – offering an idea for self-reflection  
(b) A metaphor – comparing silence to self-discovery  
(c) A criticism – pointing out a fault in human behaviour  
(d) A warning – cautioning against constant busyness

Answer:False  

Reason:The silence is used as a metaphor for self-discovery, suggesting that by pausing, we can understand ourselves better.

3.Question:The passage suggests that the poet is advocating for a moment of _____.

Answer:Reflection / Silence / Introspection / Stillness / Awareness / Understanding or any other similar response

4.Question:What does the poet imply by “single-minded about keeping our lives moving”?(Answer in around 10 words)

Answer:The poet suggests we are too focused on activity, ignoring reflection.

Keeping Quiet  Extract Based Questions MCQ with Answers- 5

Perhaps the Earth can teach us 
As when everything seems dead
And later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go

1.Question:Why does the poet believe that the Earth can teach us something important? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:The poet believes the Earth can teach us patience and renewal. Even when everything seems lifeless, life returns in time. This shows that moments of stillness and quiet can lead to growth and new understanding, just like nature.

2.Question: None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Perhaps the Earth can teach us, as when everything seems dead and later proves to be alive.”  

(a) A metaphor – comparing Earth’s cycles to human life  
(b) A suggestion – proposing that we learn from nature  
(c) A warning – cautioning against ignoring life’s cycles  
(d) A prediction – foretelling future events based on current observations

Answer:False  

Reason: The statement uses a metaphor, comparing Earth’s renewal to human potential for growth.

3.Question:The passage suggests that the poet views nature as a source of _____.

Answer:Wisdom / Inspiration / Learning / Guidance / Reflection / Understanding or any other similar response

4.Question:What does the poet hope we learn from Earth’s cycles?(Answer in around 10 words)

Answer:That life continues even after moments of stillness and despair.