Chapter 16
Books - Our Best Friends
1. What worlds of wonder are our books?
Answer: Books are called worlds of wonder because they allow us to discover new ideas, meet different people, and experience imaginative adventures. Reading takes our minds beyond our immediate surroundings and lets us explore places and experiences that exist only in our imagination.
2. What are the books compared to in the poem?
Answer: In the poem, books are likened to a “magic box” that a child can open. This suggests that books hold limitless treasures of knowledge, ideas, and imagination, which are revealed when we read and explore their contents.
3. How does the poem describe the effect of opening a book?
Answer: The poem illustrates that opening a book makes our surroundings disappear as our imagination takes over. It allows us to encounter new characters, visit different places, and embark on exciting adventures, making the act of reading a magical and engaging experience.
4. What does the poet mean by “new ideas and people rise in our fancies and our eyes”?
Answer: The poet means that reading brings ideas and characters to life in our imagination. We picture the people, events, and places described in the book, which makes the reading experience vivid and full of creativity.
5. How does the poet convey that reading is an adventure?
Answer:The poet shows that reading is an adventure by saying our mind can “sail along the page to some other land or age.” This suggests that through books, we can mentally journey to different times and places, experiencing exciting adventures beyond our immediate reality.
6. What is the significance of the line “the room we sit in melts away”?
Answer:This line highlights that reading can make us lose awareness of our physical surroundings. When deeply engaged in a book, we become immersed in its imaginary world, experiencing the story as if we are actually part of it.
7. How does the poem describe the connection between the reader and characters?
Answer: The poem indicates that reading helps us form a relationship with the characters, who can become our “chosen friends.” It shows that books allow emotional connections, letting readers understand, relate to, and learn from the experiences of the characters.
8. Why is a book called a “magic box” in the poem?
Answer: The poem calls a book a “magic box” because it holds endless opportunities for imagination and learning. Like a magic box that reveals surprises, a book reveals ideas, stories, and adventures when we open and explore it.
9. How does the poet show that reading encourages imagination?
Answer: The poet demonstrates this by saying that ideas and characters “rise in our fancies.” This conveys that reading sparks our imagination, helping us picture stories, visualize people and places, and create entire worlds in our minds.
10. What role do books play in the development of a child according to the poem?
Answer: According to the poem, books help develop a child’s imagination, creativity, and curiosity. By opening the “magic box” of a book, children encounter new ideas, connect with characters, and explore experiences beyond their everyday life, enriching their understanding of the world.
11. How are books described as companions in the poem?
Answer: The poem portrays books as companions because they present characters who may become our “chosen friends.” This means reading provides emotional connection, comfort, and insight through the lives and experiences of the characters.
12. What does “sail along the page” symbolize?
Answer: The phrase “sail along the page” symbolizes the journey of the imagination during reading. It shows how our mind can move freely through stories, discovering new ideas, places, and eras, much like a ship gliding smoothly across the sea.
13. How does the poem emphasize that reading is not just a physical activity?
Answer: The poem highlights that although our body stays in one place, “our mind is over there.” This indicates that reading stimulates the mind and imagination, transforming it into a mental journey rather than merely the physical act of handling a book.
14. What is meant by “each book is a magic box which with a touch a child unlocks”?
Answer: This line means that every book holds hidden treasures of knowledge and imagination. When a child opens a book, they unlock its wonders, discovering new ideas, stories, and experiences that expand their mind and creativity.
15. How does Eleanor Farjeon’s quote relate to the poem?
Answer: Eleanor Farjeon’s quote reinforces the poem’s idea by stating that books contain endless treasures for their lovers. It aligns with the poem’s message that reading opens up worlds of wonder, offering knowledge, adventure, and inspiration to those who engage with books.
16. How do books provide “worlds of wonder” according to the poem?
Answer: According to the poem, books create worlds of wonder by presenting imaginative stories, unique characters, and new ideas. They let readers explore different times, places, and experiences, transporting them beyond everyday reality and making reading a magical experience.
17. How does reading affect the perception of the physical surroundings?
Answer:Reading causes the physical environment to disappear from our awareness. As the poem says, “the room we sit in melts away,” illustrating that the reader’s mind is transported into the imaginative world of the story, making the surroundings seem insignificant.
18. How does the poet describe the joy of discovery in books?
Answer: The poet portrays discovering new ideas and characters in books as a magical and delightful experience. Every page reveals surprises and wonders that spark curiosity, excitement, and a sense of adventure in the reader.
19. What effect do books have on the imagination of a child?
Answer: Books broaden a child’s imagination by letting them picture new places, characters, and experiences. They foster creativity, enhance problem-solving skills, and help children gain a richer understanding of the world.
20. Why is the act of reading compared to unlocking a magic box?
Answer: Reading is likened to unlocking a magic box because it uncovers hidden treasures of knowledge and imagination. Like a magic box full of surprises, a book holds ideas, stories, and adventures that are revealed when we explore its pages.
21. How does the poem show that books are more than just printed pages?
Answer: The poem shows that books go beyond being mere printed pages by acting as gateways to imagination, experiences, and friendships. They transport readers to different times, places, and worlds, offering adventures and knowledge that extend far beyond the physical book.
22. What do the phrases “our fancies and our eyes” suggest about the reader’s experience?
Answer: These phrases indicate that reading involves both imagination and observation. Readers picture the characters and scenes in their minds, creating a vivid and engaging experience that combines mental imagery with emotional involvement.
23. How do books help in forming emotional connections according to the poem?
Answer: According to the poem, books allow readers to form emotional bonds with characters and their stories, sometimes making the characters feel like friends. This process nurtures empathy, understanding, and emotional development in readers.
24. How does the poem portray books as a source of inspiration?
Answer: The poem presents books as inspiring because they expose readers to new ideas, viewpoints, and experiences. They spark curiosity, encourage imaginative thinking, and motivate readers to explore, learn, and create.
25. What is the significance of the line “our body in the chair but our mind is over there”?
Answer: This line emphasizes how reading engages the imagination and intellect. While the reader remains physically in one place, their mind can travel to far-off lands, different eras, and new ideas, demonstrating the transformative and liberating power of books.
26. How does the poem describe the accessibility of books for children?
Answer: The poem shows that books are easily accessible to children by calling them magic boxes that a child can unlock with a touch. This implies that every child can open a book and explore its treasures, making reading available to all.
27. How do books combine education and entertainment according to the poem?
Answer: According to the poem, books provide education by presenting new ideas and knowledge, while also entertaining readers through imaginative stories and adventures. They spark curiosity and engage the mind, making learning enjoyable and fun.
28. How does the poet illustrate the limitless possibilities of books?
Answer: The poet highlights the endless possibilities in books by calling them worlds of wonder and magic boxes, filled with countless ideas, characters, and adventures. Through reading, the mind can explore any place, time, or experience, showing that imagination has no limits.
29. Why does the poet mention sailing “to some other land or age”?
Answer: The poet uses this metaphor to show that books enable readers to journey through different times and places. It highlights how reading can effortlessly transport the mind across historical periods, distant lands, and imaginative worlds.
30. How do books help develop creativity in children?
Answer: Books foster creativity by prompting children to picture stories, invent characters, and explore fresh ideas. They encourage thinking beyond the immediate environment and allow children to build their own imaginative worlds.
31. How does the poem suggest that books can become friends?
Answer: The poem indicates that books can become friends as readers form emotional connections with the characters. By empathizing with their experiences and imagining their lives, readers develop a personal bond that makes the characters feel like chosen companions.
32. What role does curiosity play in the poem?
Answer: Curiosity motivates readers to delve into the treasures of books. The poem highlights that books spark curiosity by offering unexpected ideas and imaginative experiences that engage and captivate the mind.
33. How does the poet describe the journey of the mind while reading?
Answer:The poet depicts the mind’s journey as “sailing along the page,” implying that reading allows the mind to move freely through stories. It explores new places, eras, and experiences, guided by imagination, making reading a mental adventure.
34. What is the effect of books on a reader’s perception of reality?
Answer:Books broaden a reader’s view of reality by exposing them to different ideas, cultures, and experiences. They help readers look beyond their surroundings and understand the world from multiple perspectives.
35. How does the poem convey the magical quality of reading?
Answer: The poem expresses the magic of reading by likening books to “magic boxes” that, when opened, reveal new worlds. It portrays reading as an enchanting experience that uncovers surprises, wonders, and imaginative adventures.
36. What does the poem suggest about the role of imagination in reading?
Answer: The poem emphasizes that imagination is essential for reading. It enables readers to picture characters, settings, and events vividly, bringing stories to life and creating a deeply engaging and immersive experience.
37. How does the poem show that books are valuable beyond knowledge?
Answer: The poem illustrates that books offer more than knowledge—they foster imagination, emotional growth, and companionship. They inspire, entertain, and allow readers to experience ideas, adventures, and emotions beyond their everyday lives.
38. How does the poem describe the universality of books?
Answer: The poem suggests that books are treasures for all who appreciate them, highlighting their universal appeal. People of all ages can enjoy books, making them accessible and meaningful across different stages of life.
39. Why does the poet emphasize the “unlocking” of a book?
Answer: The poet highlights “unlocking” to represent accessing the book’s hidden treasures of imagination, knowledge, and adventure. It shows that active engagement and curiosity are needed to uncover the wonders that a book holds.
40. How does the poem inspire readers to value books?
Answer: The poem encourages readers to appreciate books by highlighting their magical and transformative nature. Books create worlds of wonder, spark imagination, impart knowledge, and foster emotional connections, making them invaluable in life.
Answer by Mrinmoee
