Gifts Of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations Class 9 Question Answers

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Looking for Gifts of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations Class 9 Questions and Answers? You are at the right place. In this post, you will find complete and easy-to-understand solutions to the poem from the NCERT Kaveri Class 9 English textbook. The post covers all the important sections, including Reflect and Respond, Check Your Understanding, Critical Reflection, and Vocabulary in Context, along with a simple summary of the poem. The answers have been explained in a student-friendly manner, highlighting the important concepts, key points, poetic devices, and ideas so that students can understand the poem easily and learn how to frame and present their answers effectively in examinations.

Summary of the Poem: Gifts of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations

The poem “Gifts of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations” celebrates the diverse vocations and skills of people in Bharat. The poet describes craftspersons, musicians, carpenters, electricians, boatmen, shoemakers, cooks, designers, and masons, highlighting the importance of their work. Each worker performs their vocation with skill, dedication, and pride. Carpenters create wooden objects with precision, electricians brighten lives, boatmen share their experiences of the sea, and shoemakers provide quality footwear. The poet emphasises that every profession has its own value and contribution to society. The line “The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity” conveys that a person’s work is an important part of their identity.

Reflect and Respond

I. Given below are four riddles. Read and identify who these people are.

1. In furrows deep, secrets I sow,
As time passes, I watch them grow.
Who am I?

Answer: A Farmer

2. From wheel to kiln, my skill is born,
Step by step, an art takes form.
Who am I?

Answer: A Potter

3. I lay foundations, brick by brick,
To build a house, it’s me you pick.
Who am I?

Answer: A Mason

4. I work with pots, pans, and spice,
Creating dishes that taste so nice.
Who am I?

Answer: A Cook (Chef)

II. What is the role and relevance of the people you identified in the riddles? How do they contribute to society?

Answer: The people identified in the riddles are a farmer, a potter, a mason, and a cook. Each of them plays an important role in society.

A farmer grows crops and provides food for everyone.
A potter makes useful clay items such as pots, pitchers, and earthen lamps.
A mason constructs houses, schools, hospitals, roads, and other buildings.
A cook prepares healthy and delicious meals for people in homes, restaurants, schools, and hospitals.

Check Your Understanding

I. Based on your understanding of the poem, state whether the following statements are True or False. Also, rectify the false statements.

1. The poem highlights the skilled work of craftsperson.

Answer: True

2. The poet shares that musicians express emotions through their instruments.

Answer: True

3. The carpenters in the poem are admired for their logical work.

Answer: True

4. The electricians in the poem are recognised for their crucial role in lighting up lives.

Answer: True

5. The poem pays homage to shoemakers who manufacture quality footwear.

Answer: True

6. The poem celebrates the patriotism of the people of Bharat.

Answer: False. The poem celebrates the different vocations of people in Bharat.

7. The poet feels that each vocation deserves to be respected.

Answer: True

II. Let us appreciate the poem.

1. Rhyme Scheme and Lineation

(i) Does the poem strictly adhere to a rhyme scheme, or is it in free verse?

Answer: The poem is written in free verse.

(ii) What is the impact of the varying length of lines in the poem?

Answer: The varying line lengths make the poem sound natural, conversational, and expressive. They allow the poet to describe each vocation freely and emphasise its importance.

(iii) What is the pattern in the structure of most lines of the poem?

Answer: Most lines begin by introducing a different vocation, followed by a description of its work and contribution. This repetitive pattern gives equal importance to every profession.

2. Speaker

(i) Who appears to be the speaker and what is her/his role here?

Answer: The speaker appears to be an observer and admirer of the people of Bharat. The speaker celebrates different vocations and expresses respect for the hardworking people who contribute to society.

3. Tone and Mood

(i) Fill in the blanks with suitable options from the box given below.

serious celebratory hostile reverential joyful sympathetic

A. The tone is ________and _______ , depicting a sense of admiration and respect for the artisans and craftspersons.

B. There is a _____________mood throughout the poem, capturing the vibrancy and richness of cultural traditions and skills.

Ans. A. Celebratory and Reverential.

B. Joyful.

4. Imagery

(i) Select any two descriptions from the poem that evoke visual images.

Answer:

"woven with colours and myriad hues."
"The boatmen gathering their nets from the shore."

(ii) Fill in the blanks with suitable phrases.

The poem includes auditory imagery through mentions of artisans with lutes, _______, and _______, emphasising the sounds associated with each vocation.

Ans.

electricians humming
boatmen singing

5. Metaphor

(i) State whether the following sentence is true or false.

The mention of ‘delicious singing’ of the cook is a metaphor because it implies that the quality of the singing is so enjoyable or pleasing that it can be equated to the experience of tasting something delicious.

Ans. True.

6. Personification

(i) Select the line that tells us that the poet personifies vocations by attributing humanlike qualities to them.

Ans. "The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity."

7. Repetition

(i) Why might the poet have begun and ended with the same line—‘I hear Bharat celebrating, the varied vocations I hear!’?

Ans. The poet repeats this line to emphasise the central idea that every vocation is valuable and deserves respect. The repetition also gives the poem a strong and memorable ending.

8. Alliteration

(i) Identify two examples of alliteration from the poem.

Ans.

craftsperson... celebrating their craft
work with cables and wires

9. Symbolism

(i) Each vocation in the poem symbolises something more than just a job. What does it symbolise?

Ans. Each vocation symbolises a person's identity, dignity, dedication, skills, and contribution to society. The poem teaches that every profession is valuable and deserves equal respect.

Critical Reflection

I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

The shoemakers affirming the quality of their work, for the feet that walk, dance, run, jump, return home.

The delicious singing of the cook, or the rhythm of designer, mason, each celebrating what belongs to them and to none else,

1. The poet says that the shoemakers ‘affirm’ the quality of their work. What does ‘affirm’ refer to here?

(i) to make adjustments in
(ii) to declare with confidence
(iii) to label the goods
(iv) to justify the efforts

Ans. Option (ii)

2. What do quality shoes help with, according to the poet?

Ans. According to the poet, quality shoes help people walk, dance, run, jump, and return home safely.

3. What does ‘return home’ symbolise besides the literal act of returning?

Ans. The phrase "return home" symbolises safety, security, and the successful completion of life's daily journey, not just physically coming back home.

4. Identify the phrase that tells us that every worker’s contribution is distinct.

Ans. "each celebrating what belongs to them and to none else."

5. Complete the following with suitable words.

…for the feet that walk, dance, run, jump, return home refers to ______.

Ans. the different activities of daily life that quality shoes support.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Why does the poet say, ‘I hear Bharat celebrating, the varied vocations I hear’?

Ans. The poet says this because the whole of India joyfully celebrates the many different occupations of its people. These vocations contribute to the nation's growth and well-being. Every vocation is valuable and deserves equal respect and appreciation.

2. What does the electrician ‘humming’ while getting ready for work suggest?

Ans. The electrician's "humming" suggests enthusiasm, happiness, and dedication towards work. It shows that the electrician enjoys serving society by bringing light and electricity into people's lives.

3. Explain the significance of the line, ‘The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity.’

Ans. The poet says that a person's vocation (profession) is not just a way to earn a living. It is an important part of who they are. Their work reflects their skills, dedication, values, and contribution to society.

The word "voice" does not refer to a person's actual speech. Instead, it symbolises their work, talent, and the unique contribution they make. A carpenter is known by the furniture he creates, a cook by the food they prepare, an electrician by the light they bring, and a mason by the buildings they construct. Thus, their vocation becomes their identity.

4. Do you think the role of all the people belonging to different vocations is important in our daily lives? Support your answer with a reason.

Ans. Yes, the role of people from different vocations is very important.

Farmers provide food
carpenters make furniture
electricians supply electricity
shoemakers make footwear
cooks prepare meals, and
masons build houses.

Each profession contributes to our daily life and the progress of society. Therefore, every vocation deserves equal respect.

5. Why is the poet celebrating all the vocations in the poem? Explain by giving examples from your context.

Ans. The poet celebrates all vocations because every profession is essential for society and deserves recognition. Each worker uses their unique skills to make life better for others. For example, teachers educate students, doctors save lives, farmers grow food, sanitation workers keep our surroundings clean, and electricians provide electricity. All these professions contribute to the well-being and development of society.

6. How does the poet use sensory imagery to bring out the beauty of everyday work?

Ans. The poet uses visual imagery through descriptions such as

"woven with colours and myriad hues" and
"boatmen gathering their nets from the shore."

The poet also uses auditory imagery through expressions like

"artisans with lutes,"
"electricians humming,"
"boatmen singing," and
"the delicious singing of the cook."

These images help readers see and hear the beauty of different professions, making everyday work appear lively and meaningful.

Also See:

How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9 Questions And Answers

Bharat Our Land Class 9 Questions And Answers

The Pot Maker Class 9 Questions and Answers

Vocabulary in Context

I. People of different vocations are being described in the poem. Match the vocations given in the box below with the descriptions that follow.

ASHA worker confectioner sericulturist welder horticulturist goldsmith

1. A person who studies or grows garden plants: _____.

2. A trained female community health worker: _____.

3. A producer of raw silk: _____.

4. A person whose job is making or selling sweets and chocolates: _____.

5. A metalworker who specialises in working with precious metals: _____.

6. A person who fuses materials together: _____.

Ans.

Question	Answer
1. A person who studies or grows garden plants.	Horticulturist
2. A trained female community health worker.	ASHA worker
3. A producer of raw silk.	Sericulturist
4. A person whose job is making or selling sweets and chocolates.	Confectioner
5. A metalworker who specialises in working with precious metals.	Goldsmith
6. A person who fuses materials together.	Welder

Word Meanings (Helpful for Students)

Horticulturist – A person who grows fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants.
ASHA Worker – A trained community health worker who provides basic healthcare services in villages.
Sericulturist – A person involved in silk farming (rearing silkworms).
Confectioner – A person who makes or sells sweets, chocolates, and other confectionery items.
Goldsmith – A person who makes jewellery and other items from gold or precious metals.
Welder – A skilled worker who joins metal parts by heating and fusing them together.

II. Identify the word from Column 2 that is not the synonym of the words given in Column 1.

Column 1	Words in Column 2
1. Myriad	(i) countable, innumerable, numerous, abundant
2. Hues	(ii) shades, tints, drawing, colour
3. Precision	(iii) exactness, accuracy, correctness, calculation
4. Varied	(iv) assorted, diverse, uniform, different
5. Delicious	(v) mouth-watering, inedible, tasty, flavourful

Ans.

Not a Synonym	Reason
Countable	Myriad means countless or very many.
Drawing	Hues means colours or shades.
Calculation	Precision means accuracy or exactness, not calculation.
Uniform	Varied means different or diverse.
Inedible	Delicious means tasty, while inedible means not fit to eat.