4.1 Please Listen ! - Std 9 - Kumarbharati

Author: An Anonymous Composition

Genre: Reflective / Advisory Writing

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The piece Please Listen! is a heartfelt appeal for empathy and understanding in human relationships. The speaker requests others to truly listen without interrupting, advising, or judging. They stress that listening is not the same as giving advice or solving problems; it is about being present and allowing the other person to express their feelings openly. The text highlights that unsolicited advice can sometimes make people feel unheard, and true help often comes from offering silent support. By valuing the act of listening, the piece promotes emotional connection, respect, and trust between individuals.

Theme / Central Idea

The main message of Please Listen! is that genuine listening is a powerful form of support. Understanding someone’s feelings without criticism or interference builds trust and strengthens relationships.

Character Sketches

The Speaker

• Expresses deep emotional awareness.

• Seeks understanding over solutions.

• Values silence and presence more than advice.

• Highlights the importance of empathy in communication.

  
  

The Listener (Implied)

• Represents those who often give advice instead of listening.

• Has the potential to offer emotional comfort through attentive presence.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions

1. Infinitive/Gerund:

   Sentence: I just want you to listen.

   Q: Identify the infinitive.

   A: to listen – used here as the object of the verb want.

   
   

2. Passive Voice:

   Sentence: You interrupt me with your advice.

   Q: Change to passive voice.

   A: I am interrupted by you with your advice.

   
   

3. Modal Question:

   Sentence: You could comfort me by listening.

   Q: Frame a question using the modal verb.

   A: Could you comfort me by listening?

   
   

4. Tense/Transformation:

   Sentence: You gave me advice yesterday. (Change to present perfect tense)

   A: You have given me advice.

   
   

5. Wh-question:

   Sentence: I just want you to listen.

   Q: Frame a Wh-question to get the underlined part as the answer.

   A: What do I want you to do?

   
   

True or False

1. Listening means giving advice quickly. – False

2. The speaker prefers understanding over criticism. – True

3. Presence is more important to the speaker than solutions. – True

4. The piece encourages constant questioning while someone speaks. – False

5. Trust is one of the outcomes of genuine listening. – True

   
   

Probable Board Questions

1. Why does the speaker emphasise the need for listening instead of giving advice?

   The speaker believes that giving advice too soon may make a person feel unheard. Listening attentively provides emotional comfort and allows them to work through their feelings.

   
   

2. How does genuine listening build trust?

   When someone listens without criticism or interruption, it shows respect and care, which makes the speaker feel safe to share openly, thereby building trust.

   
   

3. What negative effects can arise from constant advice-giving?

   Unsolicited advice can make people feel dismissed or judged, preventing them from expressing their emotions fully.

   
   

4. How does the text define real help?

   Real help is defined as giving one’s presence and attention, rather than trying to immediately fix the problem with advice.

   
   

5. Why is empathy important in communication?

   Empathy allows the listener to understand emotions deeply, which leads to meaningful connections and mutual understanding.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

Please Listen! is a touching reminder of how important it is to listen with an open heart. The piece stands out for its simplicity and sincerity, conveying a universal truth about human interaction. The language is clear, direct, and free from unnecessary complexity. The tone is gentle yet firm, urging the reader to reconsider common communication habits. The repetition of “Please listen” reinforces the central plea. Poetic in its rhythm, the text captures the essence of empathy. This composition leaves a lasting impression by showing that being there for someone doesn’t always mean speaking—it often means staying silent and listening.

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