Chapter 7 

                                                 THE QUARREL


1. Who is the speaker in the poem “The Quarrel”?

Answer: The speaker in the poem is a child. The child tells the story of a quarrel that happened between him and his brother.


2. With whom does the speaker quarrel?

Answer: The speaker quarrels with his brother.


3. Does the speaker know the reason for the quarrel?

Answer: No, the speaker does not know the exact reason. He says he does not know what the quarrel was about.


4. How did the quarrel begin?

Answer: The quarrel began over a very small matter. One small thing led to another and slowly turned into a big quarrel.


5. What does the line “The start of it was slight” mean?

Answer: This line means that the quarrel started with a small and unimportant issue.


6. What does “The end of it was strong” tell us?

Answer: It tells us that the quarrel became serious and intense by the end.


7. What did the brother say during the quarrel?

Answer: The brother said that he was right.


8. What did the speaker believe during the quarrel?

Answer: The speaker believed that he was right and his brother was wrong.


9. How did both brothers feel during the quarrel?

Answer: They hated each other for some time and felt angry.


10. What does “We hated one another” show?

Answer: It shows the strong negative feelings between the brothers during the quarrel.


11. What happened to the mood of the afternoon?

Answer: The afternoon turned black, meaning the mood became sad and unpleasant.


12. What sudden action did the brother take?

Answer: Suddenly, the brother thumped the speaker on the back.


13. Why did the brother thump the speaker on the back?

Answer: He did it to stop the quarrel and make peace.


14. What did the brother say after thumping him?

Answer: He said, “Oh, come along! We can’t go on all night—I was in the wrong.”


15. What does this statement show about the brother?

Answer: It shows that the brother was honest and ready to accept his mistake.


16. Why does the narrator change his opinion about his brother?

Answer: The narrator changes his opinion because his brother admits his mistake and wants to end the quarrel.


17. Why is the brother called ‘right’ at the end?

Answer: The brother is called right because he accepts his fault and chooses peace.


18. What lesson does the poem teach us?

Answer: The poem teaches us that quarrels should be ended quickly and admitting mistakes brings peace.


19. What does the word ‘quarrel’ mean?

Answer: A quarrel means an argument or fight between people.


20. What does ‘fell out’ mean in the poem?

Answer: ‘Fell out’ means to quarrel or become unfriendly.


21. What does ‘slight’ mean?

Answer: ‘Slight’ means small or unimportant.


22. What does ‘suddenly’ mean?

Answer: ‘Suddenly’ means all at once or unexpectedly.


23. What does ‘thumped’ mean?

Answer: ‘Thumped’ means hit or patted with force.


24. Is the quarrel shown as useful or harmful?

Answer: The quarrel is shown as harmful because it causes anger and sadness.


25. How is the quarrel resolved?

Answer: The quarrel is resolved when the brother admits his mistake and makes peace.


26. Why is admitting mistakes important?

Answer: Admitting mistakes helps end fights and builds understanding.


27. What does the poem say about sibling relationships?

Answer: The poem shows that siblings may quarrel but love and forgiveness bring them together again.


28. Why is the poem relatable to children?

Answer: Children often quarrel with siblings, so they easily connect with the poem.


29. What emotions are shown in the poem?

Answer: Anger, hatred, regret, and forgiveness are shown.


30. What does ‘afternoon turned black’ symbolize?

Answer: It symbolizes sadness and tension during the quarrel.


31. How does the poem end?

Answer: The poem ends peacefully with understanding and forgiveness.


32. Who shows maturity in the poem?

Answer: The brother shows maturity by admitting his mistake.


33. Why is forgiveness important in relationships?

Answer: Forgiveness keeps relationships strong and peaceful.


34. How can small issues turn into big quarrels?

Answer: If not controlled, small misunderstandings can grow into big fights.


35. What opposite words are used in the poem?

Answer: The words ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ are opposites.


36. What opposite of ‘strong’ is suggested?

Answer: The opposite of ‘strong’ is ‘weak’.


37. What opposite of ‘hate’ fits the poem’s message?

Answer: The opposite of ‘hate’ is ‘love’.


38. What opposite of ‘night’ is used?

Answer: The opposite of ‘night’ is ‘day’.


39. How does the poem encourage peace?

Answer: The poem encourages peace by showing the importance of admitting mistakes.


40. What is the central message of “The Quarrel”?

Answer: The central message is that quarrels should be resolved through honesty, forgiveness, and understanding.

Answer by Mrinmoee