Chapter 1.1

Where The Mind Is Without Fear Question Answer Class 10 Question 1.

Pair up with your partner and match the terms with their given meanings: (The answers are given directly)

Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’

(1) Humanism (a) Concern about and action aimed at protecting the environment.

(2) Patriotism (b) Holding liberal views.

(3) Internationalism (c) Quality of being patriotic vigorous support for one’s country.

(4) Liberalism (d) State or process of being international.

(5) Environmentalism (e) A rationalistic outlook towards humans rather than a divine or supernatural one.

answer: (1) Humanism (e) A rationalistic outlook towards humans rather than a divine or supernatural one.

(2) Patriotism (c) Quality of being patriotic vigorous support for one’s country.

(3) Internationalism (d) State or process of being international.

(4) Liberalism (b) Holding liberal views.

(5) Environmentalism (a) Concern about and action aimed at protecting the environment.

Where The Mind Is Without Fear Questions And Answers Question 2.
Taking the help of a dictionary/the internet, guess and write the type of poem against its description:
Sonnet, Epic, Limerick, Lyric, Ballad, Humorous, Elegy, Idyll, Free verse

answer: A long story-poem, often mythical – epic
A short story poem with a message – ballad
A poem of 14 lInes – sonnet
A song-like poem – lyric
A poem with no uniformity of rhyme. rhythm, &c. – free verse
A poem set in a picturesque. rustic background – idyll
A sad poem lamenting the death ofa loved one – elegy
A 5-line short funny poem with rhyme scheme aabba – limerIck
A poem written, just to create htniour – humorous

Where The Mind Is Without Fear Question Answer Question 1.

(a) Tagore wishes for a nation where people are truthful.

answer: Line: Where words come out from the depth of truth.

(b) The poet would like everyone to work hard to reach their goal and in the long run to reach perfection.

answer: Line: Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection.

(c) The poet wishes that everyone in his country holds his head high in dignity.

Answer: Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.

(d) The poet dreams of a nation where knowledge should be free to all.

answer: Where knowledge is free.

(e) The poem is a ‘prayer’.

answer: (i) Where the mind is led forward by Thee.

(ii) Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.


(a) How is the world broken into fragments?

answer: The world is broken into fragments by divisions on the basis of religion, caste, class, race and colour in societies all over the world.

(b) Explain what the ‘tireless striving’ should, be for.

answer: Tireless striving’ should be to attain one’s goals as well as to achieve perfection.

(c) ‘Where words come out from the depth of truth.’ Explain in your own words.

answer: It means when people speak truthfully and with complete’ sincerity of heart.

(d) Who is ‘Thee’ in the poem? What does the poet appeal to ‘Thee’ to do?

answer: In this poem, the word ‘Thee’ refers to God. The poet is praying to God to awaken his nation into a place of true freedom — a heaven where people enjoy complete liberty, and where noble thoughts, truthful words, and righteous actions prevail in every aspect of life.

(a) Is the poem a prayer for India alone?

answer: The poem is a prayer for India alone, but it is also relevant for countries all over the world.

(b) What should the words we speak reflect?

answer: The words we speak should reflect our sincerity and truthfulness.


(c) What should people keep on widening? How can it be done?

answer: People must continually broaden their mindset and perspective. This can be achieved by overcoming biases, exploring new places, and gaining knowledge through education.

(d) From what darkness of night should our nation awake?

answer: Our country needs to rise from the shadows of prejudice, social divisions, harmful old traditions and customs, unequal access to education, dishonesty, falsehood, fear, and the absence of self-respect.

(e) What attributes of Rabindranath Tagore does the poem (prayer) reflect?

answer: The poem reveals Rabindranath Tagore’s deep patriotism and affection for his fellow countrymen, along with his clarity of thought, broad-mindedness, scientific approach, and strong belief in the value of hard work.

(f) What effect does the repetition of the word ‘where’ at the begining of each line?

Answer: The repeated use of the word ‘where’ at the start of each line emphasizes the growing strength of the poet’s hope and faith in his dream for the nation.


Where The Mind Is Without Fear Rhyme Scheme Question 5.
(A) Complete the following sentences using your own interpretation.

(a) When the mind is without fear and head unbowed, we enjoy ………………………….. freedom

 answer: True freedom is experienced when the mind is fearless and the head is held high with dignity.

(b) When knowledge is free, every citizen enjoys the right to ………………………….. and

 …………………………. .

answer:  When education is accessible to all, every individual has the opportunity to learn and grow.

(c) We can prevent ………………………….. injustice when we pull down discriminatory walls of
 caste, class, religion etc.

answer: Social injustice can be eliminated by breaking down the barriers of caste, class, religion, and other forms of discrimination.

(d) Constant effort and strife leads to …………………………. .

answer: Steady effort and perseverance help us reach our goals and attain excellence.

(e) Logical thinking and reasoning can put a stop to ………………………….. .

answer: Rational thinking and reasoning can help us move beyond harmful age-old customs and superstitions.

(f) Tagore appeals to God to make his country a …………………………. .

answer:  Tagore prays to God to transform his nation into a paradise where people think nobly, speak truthfully, and act righteously.